In my early 20’s I lived and worked in Chicago, where many of my mornings were spent traveling on a crowded train where there was barely enough room to stand, let alone drink my morning coffee. If you’ve ever lived in a big city, you know the struggles that often come with that wicked work commute. More times than I can count, I tried sipping my hot drink en route, only to either burn my tongue or spill it all over my business casual attire.
On the quest to keep my coffee from spilling out of my bag, or becoming lukewarm by the time I stepped inside my office, I tested a handful of coffee cups and mugs. After a good six months of back and forth (and many coffees spilled) I found the unicorn of travel mugs — and no it’s not the Stanley Quencher. It’s actually (comparably) underrated Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug.
What Makes the Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug So Special?
You might be thinking…can one mug really stand out amongst the hundreds on the market? To which I would respond…absolutely! I’ve had this mug for the better part of 10 years and it still looks as good as new.
The Leak- and Spill-Proof Autoseal Lid
Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug has a lot going for it, but my favorite feature by far is the auto-seal lid that makes the cup both leak and spill-proof. Whether you’re throwing it into your work backpack or diaper bag, you can count on it not spilling a drop. If you want extra security, you can even lock the lid for added peace of mind.
Unlike Stanley, It Fits in Most Cup Holders
There’s nothing worse than bringing your coffee on your morning drive only to realize it doesn’t fit in the cupholder. You end up holding your coffee while driving or keeping it between your legs, both of which can spills and potentially burns. Luckily this mug is made with a slim enough base that you can easily fit it in your car without worrying about it toggling over.
Keeps Hot Liquids Warm and Cold Liquids Cool
One of the biggest selling points of the famous Stanley Quencher is its ability to keep your hot drinks like tea warm, and cold drinks like iced coffee cool as the day goes on. What I love about this mug is it does the same, but for a fraction of the price. The Contigo mug allows your drinks to stay hot for up to 5 hours and cold for up to 12, which is achieved thanks to its vacuum insulation and stainless steel material.
Overall, the Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel mug is a great alternative to the Stanley Quencher. Not only is it more affordable, but it also hasn’t caused a mess one while I’ve traveled with it (Stanley Quenchers are notorious for leaking). It has also proven to be long-lasting (let me repeat myself: 10 years strong), reliable, durable and a day-to-day necessity that has made my life easier.
Price: $24.63 at Amazon
The post Move Over Stanley, the Best Travel Mug Is Actually Made by Contigo appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.