Iron Flask Review: Is this the Best Bottle for Outdoor Activities?

Anyone who has spent a hot summer day on a hiking trail without cold water knows how important it is to have access to cool drinking water at all times. Our Iron Flask review will show you why having one of these bottles while hiking or camping can make a huge difference.

For one, these bottles can keep beverages warm or cold for extended periods of time. In addition, some of the Iron Flask models are cup holder friendly, meaning you can use them to drink tea or coffee on your way to work.

In this Iron Flask review, we are going to take you through all of the most important features of these bottles and provide you with several alternative options that are equally effective at preserving the freshness of your drinks.

Key specifications of the Iron Flask

Material	Stainless steel
Insulation type	Double-walled
Heat retention	12 hours
Cool retention	24 hours
Size	12oz – 64oz
Type	Wide mouth, narrow mouth, Retro
Cup holder friendly	Yes
Latest price	Check latest price here

Core Features of Iron Flask Bottles

Getting one of the best water bottles on the market will make your outdoor activities more enjoyable as you will always have a way to store and carry beverages or even hot soups with you.

Furthermore, a bottle like Iron Flask can be refilled quickly whenever you come across a source of drinking water.

Over time these bottles are going to become an irreplaceable part of your gym, hiking, or camping equipment as it is easily portable and you’ll always find space for it whether you’re headed for your morning workout session or next outdoor adventure.

Here’s what Iron Flask bottles have to offer.

Design

All Iron Flask models are made of 8/18 high-grade stainless steel which makes them suitable for all climates. Besides, these water bottles have double-wall insulation that is designed to preserve the temperature of the liquid it carries.

The manufacturer lets you choose between the wide mouth, narrow mouth, and retro models that come with straw, spout, and hot beverage lids.

All three lids are included in the price of a single Iron Flask model and you won’t have to cover any extra charge for any of these accessories.

The narrow and wide mouth models have virtually identical designs, and the only difference can be spotted at the top of the bottle. Wide mouth bottles retain the same width from top to bottom, while the width of narrow-mouth bottles is not the same at the top and the bottom.

Neither of the Iron Flask models sweats due to temperature difference inside and outside of the bottle which enables you to always have a firm grip on the bottle. An Iron Flask bottle weighs a little over 1lbs when empty, meaning it won’t add much weight to your backpack.

Durability

Iron Flask bottles are resistant to impact, meaning that they’re not going to get damaged easily if you drop them onto rocky terrain.

These water bottles don’t rust even if they’re exposed to water regularly, which ensures that they will remain in perfect condition for a long time.

However, you cannot wash Iron Flask bottles in a dishwasher, as exposure to high temperatures can damage their coating. So, washing them by hand is your only option if you opt for any of the Iron Flask models, but you should keep in mind that reaching the bottom of the bottle can be difficult.

Several models come with a bottle cleaning brush that enables you to reach parts of the bottle that are unapproachable, and you should check if the bottle you are interested in comes with this accessory.

Either of the three lids keeps the fluid sealed in the bottle and prevents spillage regardless of the bottle’s current position. Spillage is unlikely to happen even if you drop an Iron Flask bottle accidentally, which makes them a great choice for rough mountain trails.

Powder-coated exterior protects the bottle from scratches, and the material from which the bottle is made doesn’t affect the taste of water or beverage.

Liquid storage capacity

There are numerous options available when it comes to liquid storage capacity since both narrow and wide mouth bottles can hold anywhere between 12oz and 64oz of liquid. Retro models are only available in three different sizes as you can choose between 12oz, 17oz, and 25oz models.

The contents of any Iron Flask bottle will remain cool for up to 24 hours, regardless of the outside temperature, while these bottles can keep a liquid warm for 12 hours even at subzero temperatures.

Excellent heat and cool retention features enable you to carry an Iron Flask bottle with you to the beach or for a skiing session in the mountains.

It is also worth pointing out that lids that come with these bottles are designed for particular activities and they ensure that you hydrate safely in all weather conditions.

Models that have 14oz, 18oz, and 22oz storage capacity fit in cup holders, and you should opt for one of these options if this feature is important to you.

Color options

Dark rainbow, day and night, or twilight blue are just a few among the numerous color options you have at your disposal. The manufacturer lets you choose between twenty different water bottle colors so that you can find the one that best fits your aesthetics.

Same color options are available for retro, wide and narrow mouth models of all sizes, but the color of the lids that come with these bottles is either black or metallic. However, spout lid sets that are sold separately from the bottle are available in several different colors.

Moreover, the color of a bottle can affect its price slightly, since the price difference between an aquamarine and lime 32oz wide mouth water bottle is approximately $2.

Range of applications

Excellent heat and cool retention features enable you to use Iron Flask bottles in cold and warm climates. Consequently, the water you pour into any of the Iron Flask models will remain cold for 24 hours even on a hot summer day.

Athletes, hikers or alpinists can all benefit from getting an Iron Flask bottle since it will allow them to have access to freshwater or cool isotonic drinks that will keep them hydrated in challenging weather conditions.

These water bottles can prove to be very useful even if you are just performing gardening and landscaping tasks, doing farm work, or just spending time outdoors.

Additional accessories

The manufacturer offers several accessories that can make using their narrow and wide mouth models easier. Currently there are no additional accessories that are designed specifically for the Iron Flask’s retro bottles.

Straw and spout lids are available for both wide and narrow mouth bottles, and each set contains two lids. Protective boots and paracord handles are also among the accessories that can be fitted onto Iron Flask bottles of different sizes.

Each of these accessories is available in different colors, and your choice of color won’t affect their price. However, you need to check which of these accessories fit on the bottle you want to get.

The cost and the warranty period

The most expensive Iron Flask model can be purchased for approximately $37, while the least expensive bottle this manufacturer offers cost $13. All models that can hold up to 40oz of liquid cost less than $30 and only 60oz models are more expensive.

All Iron Flask bottles come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and you will get a free replacement bottle if the one you purchased is leaking or if its insulation isn’t working properly.

The warranty doesn’t cover the damage that occurred by accident or as a result of poor maintenance. Read our Hydro Flask vs Iron Flask comparison to learn more about the differences between water bottles produced by these two brands.

Pros of Iron Flask bottles

Sturdy design

8/18 high-grade stainless steel can withstand hard falls so it is unlikely that you will damage your Iron Flask bottle even if you drop it from a great height. These bottles are also resistant to corrosion, while powdered coating protects them from scratches that can occur during daily use.

Lid versatility

Each model comes with three lids that are designed for use in different contexts. This enables you to consume cold and warm drinks without any risk of hurting your teeth or burning your tongue. The manufacturer also offers lid sets that can be purchased separately from the bottles.

Excellent heat and cool retention

All Iron Flask models can keep water or any other drink cold for 24 hours regardless of the outside temperature. Hot drinks will remain warm for 12 hours during cold winter days which makes these bottles a great choice for a wide range of outdoor activities.

Moderately priced

You can purchase any Iron Flask bottle for less than $40, and you’ll be able to use the model you chose for years. This makes Iron Flask bottles a great investment especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors.

Lifetime warranty

All defects that can cause rattling of the bottle or the leakage of the liquid from the bottle are covered by the warranty. In case any of these defects occur the manufacturer will replace your bottle with a new one.

The cons of Iron Flask bottles

Complicated maintenance

Washing an Iron Flask bottle in a dishwasher will damage its coating, and you must wash it by hand. Only a handful of models come with a cleaning brush that enables you to reach all parts of the bottle, which can make the cleaning process difficult.

Carrying handles must be purchased separately

Carrying an Iron Flask bottle in your hand for a long time can get uncomfortable as none of the models the company offers have a handle. You can purchase a paracord handle, but you should check if you can fit it onto the bottle you have.

The best alternatives to Iron Flask bottles

Finding a water bottle that can hold more than 20oz of liquid and retain its temperature for hours shouldn’t be a difficult task. Brands like Hydro Flask, Klean Kenteen, or S’Well all offer a wide range of products that can be a great addition to your hiking or camping equipment.

We’ve shortlisted some of the best alternatives to Iron Flask bottles so let’s take a closer look at their features.

Healthy Human Curve Water Bottles

Like Iron Flask bottles, the Healthy Human Curve Water Bottles can keep their contents warm for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. These Tempmax vacuum insulated bottles are available in 16oz, 21oz, 32oz, and 40oz sizes and they come with a single lid.

The temperature difference doesn’t make the bottle sweat and you can keep a firm grip on it at all times. The Healthy Human Curve Bottles are made of 8/18 stainless steel that is corrosion resistant and capable of withstanding a hard fall.

The manufacturer lets you choose from a wide variety of colors for each of their models and the bottle’s color doesn’t affect its price. Healthy Human Curve water bottles are priced similarly to the Iron Flask bottles, and you won’t have to spend more than $40 on any of their models.

These reusable water bottles don’t come with any accessories and a Flip n’ Slip lid, a cleaning set, or similar accessories are going to increase the price of the model you want to purchase.

S’Well Stainless Steel Water Bottles

In case you are searching for a reusable bottle, you can use on a daily basis, then you should consider getting one of the S’Well Stainless Steel Water Bottles. The manufacturer only offers models in three sizes, and you can choose between 9oz, 17oz, and 25oz options.

BBC Earth, National Geographic, or Liberty Fabrics are some of the brand’s most popular bottle collections that contain a large number of products in different colors, styles, and textures.

Each of the company’s models utilizes The Therma-S’well technology and triple-layered vacuum insulation keeps the bottle’s contents cold for 48 hours or warm for 24 hours.

Moreover, the opening at the top of the bottle is wide enough so that you can slip an ice cube through it and make your drink cold for a longer time. A relatively small bottle size makes the S’well’s models a poor choice for long hikes.

Check out our Hydro Flask vs S’well comparison to find out more about these reusable stainless steel water bottles.

Klean Kanteen Water Bottles

Insulated classic, insulated wide mouth or TKPro are some of the Klean Kanteen Water Bottle types you can choose from. The maximum capacity of a bottle with an insulated cap 64oz, while the models that come with a Café cap cannot hold more than 20oz of liquid.

All of the Klean Kanteen water bottles are built from stainless steel and they feature a Climate Lock™ insulation system that can keep water or beverages cold for 145 hours. Also, the liquids you pour into a Klean Kanteen water bottle can remain warm for 47 hours.

You can choose from color options such as Berry Bright, Deep Surf, or Buttercup among numerous others, and the manufacturer offers a variety of lids, caps, and steel straws. The Klean Kanteen water bottles are more expensive than the models offered by the Iron Flask brand.

Read our Klean Kanteen vs Hydro Flask comparison to learn more about these stylishly designed reusable water bottles.

FAQs

Final thoughts – Why choose an Iron Flask bottle?

Double-wall insulation, a variety of color options, and the ability to preserve the liquid’s temperature for hours make Iron Flask water bottles a great option for professional athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

The rugged design of the brand’s water bottles makes it difficult to damage them, while powdered coating provides additional protection against rust and scratches. Large 64oz models are a better option if you need a water bottle for hiking or camping.

22oz or 25oz water bottles are best suited for gym workouts, jogging, and similar sports activities. Opting for the Klean Kanteen Water Bottle may be a good alternative if you need a reusable bottle that can keep coffee, tea, and other beverages warm for more than 40 hours.

Was this Iron Flask review helpful? Leave a comment and let us know or continue reading about the best hydration systems for the outdoors.

Further read:

• Hydro Flask vs Iron Flask: Which is Best?
• The Top 4 Best Insulated Hunting Boots to Keep You Warm
• Hydro Flask Review | Is Hydro Flask Worth it?
• Hydro Flask vs Simple Modern: Which Bottle Should You Buy?
• Hydro Flask vs RTIC Bottle: Which Bottle Should You Buy?