Review of the Stanley Adventure Shortstack Travel Mug 8oz

Published By Mark /Posted in Reviews / 27 June 2021

Oh man, I’m a big fan of my new Stanley Adventure Shortstack travel mug. If you’ve read much of my other posts, like the Hydro Flask Trail Series and Hydro Flask Coffee Mug, you’ll probably have noticed that I put way too much attention into travel mugs and water bottles! I love a chilled water and a hot coffee, especially when hiking, but also at the office. On top of sustainability reasons, the drinking vessel itself adds a lot to the drinking pleasure. From the feel of the cool metal to the weight of the mug or bottle in your hand, and also the way the caps seal tight – whether they needs lots of spinning or a simple half-turn – and then final the ease-of-washing.

When it comes to coffee, I’ve saved hundreds of takeaway coffee cups from landfill (at least five a week, 20 a month, 240 a year. 2,400 cups and lids in a 10 year period… oh man it just hit me how much I’ve probably spent on coffee…). I don’t care how plant-based or compostable the materials, I believe the best option is a reusable mug that you use again and again until its demise.

With so much use, it needs to be a good mug and fit for purpose. I’ve really enjoyed my Hydro Flask coffee mug for hiking. Its triple-wall insulation means that after four hours since filling, the coffee is still pleasurably warm to drink. However, it has some down sides:

1. The lid system is over-complicated. It’s four pieces all-up and so requires a bit of faff when it comes to taking apart, washing, drying, and re-assembly. That makes it one that you wouldn’t want to use frequently at the office.
2. Because the lid system is complicated, I’ve managed to put it in the side pocket of my rucksack without it being sealed properly. On an angle in the car, it ended up leaking coffee down my rucksack before the walk even started. User error, definitely, but one that could be minimised if it was a bit simpler.
3. While it’s 12oz (354ml) it’s too tall for my coffee machine at home and so probably too tall for café purposes. At worst, a barista will end up making the coffee in a takeaway cup and then pouring it into your mug. Kinda defeats the purpose.
4. It’s just ‘too much’ for regular takeaway coffees. With its excessive lid and carry handle, you feel a bit daft handing it to your barista, particularly while wearing a suit.

So while I do still love my 12oz Hydro Flask, I was in the market for a better solution. Especially for my 8oz coffee needs. The final demise of my 8oz Keep Cup (it’s been leaking around the lid and ended up leaking down my white shirt in a meeting) gave me the nudge I needed to go shopping.

As always, I spent a lot of time in Google searching for the best possible option. Manufacturer sites, review sites, and YouTube videos. I narrowed down my options to a Stanley or a Camelbak, with a side note that I’d check out the Yeti series as well. The Yeti was quickly written off – nice design when adding the magnetic lid, but overall too heavy and too large.

I eventually found that I’d have to go to some stores to see the mugs in person as you really can’t get an impression of the size or a feel or the weight or quality until you’re holding it in your hand.

I’m glad I did, because this is how I easily settled on “The Shortstack” Stanley Adventure Travel Mug, 8oz (236ml – or about 12oz or 360ml if you fill it to the brim and skip the lid).