I'm thinking about getting a thermos flask for winter dayhikes and also use it for backpacking/snowshoeing. I would probably carry some tea/coffee/hot choclate/soup on day hikes and soup for lunch when backpacking. Do you guys use thermos and any recommendations are welcome.

I can highly recommend the Stanley Nineteen-13 vacuum bottle. Best thermos I've ever used at keeping hot drinks and soups hot. See my review at BackpackGearTest.org for further information.

Richard

I just listed a vintage one pint glass lined aluminum shell Thermos in the Gear Swap.

Other than that, the wide-mouth Klean Kanteen thermal bottles come in several sizes and the REI flip top vacuum tumbler keeps the contents hot for shift. I got one for my daughter and she loves it for commuting. Not the best for soup. http://www.rei.com/product/799295/rei-flip-top-vacuum-tumbler-15-fl-oz

HydroFlask makes a couple of very well insulated stainless thermoses. Last year I was in the Adirondacks...temp was -10F, and after eight hours of hiking, my tea was still too hot to drink right away. After that, I would highly recommend these...

I bought a REI flask yesterday evening and put it to test by filling it with boiling water and putting it in the freezer. When I checked after 4 hrs, the water was still piping hot and after 12 hrs, it was not warm or cold.

Here is what I have been using for decades. UL and multi-purpose.


Nalgene bottle and Outdoor Research insulated bottle carrier. The bottle is wide-mouth and virtually indestructible.


1 QT Nalgene weighs 109 grams (3.844 oz)


OR insulation weights 103 grams (3.633 oz)


Total weight 213 grams (7.513 oz)

Roll it in some clothing as it might be in a pack and it will go longer yet. Anything that will keep cold moving air away will help. Spare socks are easy.

Your avatar says you're from Southern Cal...I wonder what temps you use this system in? I tried the same thing in the Adirondacks, and it turned into slush in just four hours...

Scott,

I only use this in winter in sub-freezing temperatures to keep my water from freezing at night. Sometimes I will cook up a hot beverage or soup and consume it while hiking. Not as good as a Thermos, but weighs a lot less and no concerns about breakage. Weight triumphs over long-term hot every time :)

"it turned into slush in just four hours..."

Not nearly enough rum :)

between carrying a stove, or just carrying a thermos. While it's nice to stop and heat something up, I have found the urge to keep moving is stronger, so opted for the HydroFlask instead...

"Not nearly enough rum :)"

Jamesons...

Believe it or not, on that day - the bottle of Jamesons in my car was a bit slushy too!!

"the bottle of Jamesons in my car was a bit slushy too!"

That is cold! But we're glad you checked it to make sure :D If it is cold enough to make 40% alcohol(80 proof) slushy, it will take a good thermos to keep things hot.

I like to take an Esbit wing stove and a 450ml mug with a small windscreen to whip up some soup or hot beverage. An "Ikea wood stove" and IMUSA mug would be good to make more hot stuff for a small group on a winter day hike.

"I like to take an Esbit wing stove and a 450ml mug with a small windscreen to whip up some soup or hot beverage. An "Ikea wood stove" and IMUSA mug would be good to make more hot stuff for a small group on a winter day hike."

I tried carrying a Jetboil once, but it was too cold for the canisters so couldn't get a good flame to stay lit. I have a wood stove, but much of the High Peaks area doesn't allow fires, so that won't work...and it seems overkill to bring a full on gas stove like a Dragonfly...

For winter hiking, I'm thinking of the wettest conditions imaginable, so fire danger just isn't an issue-- common sense prevailing of course. A liquid fuel stove would be good for a small group and shared load, but bulky for one or two and day hiking. If you are melting snow, that is about it.

I had some items on my bench today and discovered that a Lowepro #2 lens case makes a perfect bottle insulator for a one liter Nalgene. It has a handy dandy super belt loop on the back. Interior dimensions are 8.25" x 3.5" and weight is 6.8oz.

Just wanted to provide an update on REI flask.

I have taken it on couple of hikes, but put it to real test yesterday on a snowshoeing in the Mt.Hood area, the temps were in 30's and the flask stayed in the side pockets of my backpack. I filled it with hot choclate ~7AM and pulled out to drink at ~ 2PM and it was extremely hot that I had to open the lid and let it cool down a bit. The tic-tac button dispenser works very well without any leaks.

Tip: Fill the flask with some boiling water for 5-10 minutes before you pour your drink into it.

A couple of easy tests you can do.
The typical temperature inside your fridge is 40f, the freezer should run at around 0
So depending on what you call cold, shove your insulated container or flask in your fridge /freezer, leave that for the desired time (IE I want my drink to be hot for 2/3/4/5 hours) and you will have a much better idea.
In my limited experience and insulated container (like the ones for the Nalgene) work for a couple of hours at around 32f.
(if you start with 750ml/1 L) for lower temps you need a vacuum flask ("Thermos")
A mate has used the REI flask down to -40 several times, it works well for several hours.

If you want truly *hot* liquids, get a Stanley or other glass-lined vacuum thermos. I don't worry much about weight on dayhikes, so sometimes I take one for tea and another for soup. (I make someone else carry one if they want me to share, though ;) I don't know that I would take my Stanley on a trip longer than an overnighter, however. It's a definite luxury item with a weight penalty and if it were truly frigid I'd probably choose to spend the ounces on more insulation.

I have tested that when stored inside the freezer, the liquid stays hot for at least 4 hrs. Not sure how your friend manages to keep it ht in -40's. May be be buries it deep in his pack I suppose.

Yes its a luxury item and in my opinion best investment one can make for day hikes in winter.