Yeti vs HydroFlask - 2025 Update!
Hello you water bottle fans!I had previously written a comparison 4 years ago which you can find here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Hydroflask/comments/mhvdcy/hydroflask_32oz_vs_yeti_36oz_rambler_review_in/
TLDR: The 36oz Yeti with Chug Cap was better than the standard 32oz HydroFlask….. BUT…… The 32oz Trail Series HydroFlask with their Chug Cap became my daily bottle for well over a year (if not longer).
But, I thought I’d do a quick update for 2025!
I’ll start by saying that the “standard” 32oz HydroFlask is just not in the equation here - It’s size/shape/mouth opening just aren’t optimal in any way, so this comparison is predominantly catered for the 32oz Trail Series and 36oz Yeti Rambler.
I am very careful with my bottles - I don’t baby them as such, but I’m not rough with them. That being said, there is just no way you can own a trail series HydroFlask and not have dents, scratches and other issues with it after time - It is extremely fragile, and whilst it doesn’t always take away from the performance, it’s something to consider.
Looks are very subjective, but I HATE the wedding cake look of the HydroFlask chug cap - Yes, it offers a MUCH better drinking experience vs the wide mouth (which just isn’t wide enough!) but the look of it is silly……..
But, the most annoying thing with the HydroFlask is the fact that water seems to pool around the seal, and unless you are very careful when filling it up, the first swig of drink always seems to result in some water leaking onto your clothes - I’ve tried it with 4 different trail series bottles and they all have the same issue.
It’s not a crazy deal breaker (we are talking a few drops) - But it is annoying.
The other annoying issue is with the HydroFlask seals - They still have these recessed rubber gaskets that are a magnet for mould (and very hard to clean).
So, that’s a long way of saying that the 32oz Trail Series from HydroFlask is very good in a lot of ways, but still has some annoying quirks that has finally put me off.
Which means that in 2025 and beyond, I’m back on the Yeti bandwagon!
Nothing has changed with the bottle - It’s still incredibly solid, and the chug cap offers a market leading drinking experience (although I would say the slightly bigger opening of the HydroFlask chug cap is actually a little better as it allows more water to flow).
If I was travelling or hiking, where size and weight were an issue, I’d still take my trail series - It’s just SO much lighter and thinner compared with the 36oz rambler, and I can live without those extra 4oz of water.
But for every day use, or use around the house, the 36oz Rambler returns to the top of the mountain.
I’ve also bought an 18oz Rambler for car journeys or when I know I can refill!
If anyone has questions on either brand/bottle/drinking system, feel free to fire away!
Hello you water bottle fans!I had previously written a comparison 4 years ago which you can find here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Hydroflask/comments/mhvdcy/hydroflask_32oz_vs_yeti_36oz_rambler_review_in/
TLDR: The 36oz Yeti with Chug Cap was better than the standard 32oz HydroFlask….. BUT…… The 32oz Trail Series HydroFlask with their Chug Cap became my daily bottle for well over a year (if not longer).
But, I thought I’d do a quick update for 2025!
I’ll start by saying that the “standard” 32oz HydroFlask is just not in the equation here - It’s size/shape/mouth opening just aren’t optimal in any way, so this comparison is predominantly catered for the 32oz Trail Series and 36oz Yeti Rambler.
I am very careful with my bottles - I don’t baby them as such, but I’m not rough with them. That being said, there is just no way you can own a trail series HydroFlask and not have dents, scratches and other issues with it after time - It is extremely fragile, and whilst it doesn’t always take away from the performance, it’s something to consider.
Looks are very subjective, but I HATE the wedding cake look of the HydroFlask chug cap - Yes, it offers a MUCH better drinking experience vs the wide mouth (which just isn’t wide enough!) but the look of it is silly……..
But, the most annoying thing with the HydroFlask is the fact that water seems to pool around the seal, and unless you are very careful when filling it up, the first swig of drink always seems to result in some water leaking onto your clothes - I’ve tried it with 4 different trail series bottles and they all have the same issue.
It’s not a crazy deal breaker (we are talking a few drops) - But it is annoying.
The other annoying issue is with the HydroFlask seals - They still have these recessed rubber gaskets that are a magnet for mould (and very hard to clean).
So, that’s a long way of saying that the 32oz Trail Series from HydroFlask is very good in a lot of ways, but still has some annoying quirks that has finally put me off.
Which means that in 2025 and beyond, I’m back on the Yeti bandwagon!
Nothing has changed with the bottle - It’s still incredibly solid, and the chug cap offers a market leading drinking experience (although I would say the slightly bigger opening of the HydroFlask chug cap is actually a little better as it allows more water to flow).
If I was travelling or hiking, where size and weight were an issue, I’d still take my trail series - It’s just SO much lighter and thinner compared with the 36oz rambler, and I can live without those extra 4oz of water.
But for every day use, or use around the house, the 36oz Rambler returns to the top of the mountain.
I’ve also bought an 18oz Rambler for car journeys or when I know I can refill!
If anyone has questions on either brand/bottle/drinking system, feel free to fire away!