Cooling Wars: The Battle Rages on Between RTIC vs Yeti

Reusable water bottles could save nearly 156 plastic water bottles from being wasted annually. A high-quality water bottle is crucial to making the switch from plastic.

But how do you know which brand is right for you? Online, you have likely seen the debate between RTIC vs Yeti.

Both popular brands make several tumblers and water bottles that cater to hot or cold drinks on the go. RTIC and Yeti are excellent products for hiking, backpacking, fishing, and much more.

Smaller-sized stainless steel cups are also excellent alternatives for your morning cup of coffee. Luckily, we have the ultimate showdown you don’t want to miss out on.

In our complete guide, we will review RTIC and Yeti and determine which one ranks best. Keep reading on until the end and find out why Polar Camel outweighs both!

Why Do You Need a New Water Bottle or Tumbler?

Choosing stainless steel and insulated water bottles is an excellent choice for several reasons, including reducing plastic consumption. Around 86% of water bottles are thrown away and significantly contribute to global warming.

Switching to a new reusable water bottle reduces plastic waste and saves you money at the grocery store. Additionally, they have better durability than plastic water bottles. Vacuum insulation tumblers or water bottles keep hot or cold drinks at ideal temperatures, allowing for greater versatility.

It can work for your morning coffee and afternoon hike. Lastly, new water bottles can be outfitted to your personality and interests with customizable options and several color designs that aren’t available with standard water bottles or glassware.

History of RTIC Products

RTIC outdoors started in the cooler industry. Like Yeti and other products, their main pitch is selling quality outdoor products. Now, they have expanded to drinkware, apparel, and more.

Pros and Cons of RTIC Drinkware

A new RTIC tumbler or water bottle are two fairly cost-friendly products. They use double-wall, vacuum-sealed insulation.

RTIC’s products are also designed with stainless steel products. However, while RTIC boasts leakproof design features, they have some customer complaints over their durability in this facet. RTIC also requires hand-washing and does not have unique or customizable design options.

History of Yeti Products

Yeti is a Texas-based company that also specializes in coolers. They have expanded to offer several other products, such as tumblers, water bottles, cargo, bags, and more. Since 2013, the brand has expanded rapidly, prioritizing highly durable products that can withstand the rugged outdoors and drinkware that can be used on the go.

Pros and Cons of Yeti Drinkware

The Yeti tumbler, water bottle, and coffee mugs are known as some of the best outdoor drinkware products. And the cost reflects it. Yeti is one of the more expensive brands, thanks to technology and marketing.

Their products boast excellent insulation and durability. However, other companies have latched onto these ideas, and there are several other drinkware products with similar effectiveness at a lower cost.

The price point is Yeti’s biggest limitation and downfall. While Yeti does offer decent insulation, it can only keep drinks hot for around 45 minutes. By comparison, Polar Camel can keep drinks hot for eight hours and is significantly cheaper.

RTIC vs Yeti: Which Is Better?

How can you determine which stainless steel cup design is ideal for you? Here are some factors to consider:

• Budget
• Dishwasher safe
• Insulation
• Leakproof
• Lid options
• Size options

As mentioned earlier, Yeti will cost more than other brands and might deter you from purchasing their products. However, it makes up a few categories, such as:

• Dishwasher safe
• Insulated lids
• More design/color options

Yeti also boasts a longer reputation and was one of the first brands to utilize vacuum insulation for drinkware products. However, it doesn’t perform very well at keeping drinks cool compared to RTIC products. On the flip side, RTIC might not maintain hot liquids for very long, so it could be considered a trade-off.

Both lids are not considered leakproof. While Yeti has better insulation, the lids can leak if flipped upside down.

One of the pitfalls of RTIC is that it is not dishwasher safe. All products must be washed by hand, and the lid might seem a bit more cumbersome compared to Yeti. Ultimately, if you want something that does a decent job at a reasonable price, RTIC outweighs Yeti.

Yeti Tumbler vs RTIC Tumbler

Both tumblers come in up to 30-ounce sizes, making them ideal for several outdoor adventures or everyday use. While the Yeti tumbler lid has a better functional design, it is comprised of plastic. Over time, the added insulation benefit may wear thin.

Yeti and RTIC also don’t have any sweating or condensation, making them easier to grip. Both designs also fit in your average-sized cup holder and are BPA-free. However, for general leakproof features and insulation, RTIC might edge out Yeti in this category.

Tumbler vs. Drinkware

You will often see various products listed as water bottles and tumblers when shopping for a new vacuum insulation product. So, what is the difference between the two?

Ultimately, tumblers are more versatile with a wider mouth. These are ideal for smoothies, coffee, iced tea, and more. Water bottles are an excellent go-to for hiking, backpacking, and other rigorous outdoor adventures.

Vacuum Insulation

After you have determined what you want your drink for, ensure you only look at products with vacuum insulation and a leakproof design. The last thing you want on the trail or on a hot day is a poorly sealed tumbler lid or an inadequate cooling mechanism that can’t handle time under the sun.

Most water bottles and tumblers use stainless steel cups or other designs that reflect and trap hot or cold liquids, keeping them at a stable temperature. Vacuum-sealed products prevent convection or conduction, ensuring you can carry your drink safely and keep your drink hot or cold.

Stainless steel products are also much safer than older products. They do not contain BPA and are generally more environmentally friendly than plastic products.

Compared to aluminum, it also doesn’t degrade, boasting excellent durability. And if you are worried about it breaking, vacuum-sealed stainless steel products are extremely durable and won’t crack if dropped.

The double-walled design was also initially used by Yeti. Since then, companies like RTIC and Polar Camel have also refined this technology.

The benefits of double-walled designs are sustainability, insulation, and no condensation. This makes them easier to hold and store in drinkware containers.

Bottle Sizes

Yeti and RTIC have several water bottles and tumbler sizes that can help you prep for multi-day adventures or pack the kid’s lunches. Twelve to fifteen-ounce water bottles are ideal for daily use.

They are compact travel-sized mugs, but 20 to 30-ounce tumblers will provide greater versatility. Polar Camel outweighs Yeti and RTIC with its insulation, customization, and fit. The 20 and 30-ounce options fit in standard cup holders and can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours.

Polar Camel also has several personalized engraving, logo, and color options that Yeti and RTIC cannot compete with. And if you want something a bit larger for your adventures, check out the 40-ounce Polar Camel water bottle option. As a pro, the screw-on lid is one of the few insulated water bottle lids that won’t leak.

What Is Polar Camel?

Polar Camel is an insulated drinkware company that provides high-quality and affordable products. One of the advantages of choosing Polar Camel over Yeti and RTIC is you can customize your drinkware. All you have to do is send in your text and/or logo.

Engravings up to 200 characters are completely free and only $0.20 per character after the 200 allotments. Production only takes around five to seven days, and your logo is kept on file for future reference.

What Products Does Polar Camel Offer?

Polar Camel specializes in drinks and tumblers. Some of Polar Camel’s products you can pick from are:

• Lids
• Drinkware (10 oz to 40 oz)
• Tumbler (10 oz to 30 oz)
• Water bottle (20 oz to 40 oz)
• Beverage holder

With several sizes and different products, you can find one that fits your needs. Polar Camel’s products are also highly durable, making them an excellent choice for off-the-beaten-path and other outdoor activities.

Find Your Next Insulated Water Bottle

The RTIC vs Yeti debate will be long-lasting as they are two primary leaders in the cooler and water bottle industry. However, while early technology favored Yeti, new companies have mastered the techniques that make a quality water bottle or tumbler.

Polar Camel is one of those brands, with excellent customer reviews, customizable options, and several drink-size options. The benefit of choosing Polar Camel over other brands is that you save money on higher-quality products.

Are you interested in getting started? Check out our site and find out how you can place an order today!