Kinto Travel Tumbler review
Coffee tumblers are a dime a dozen, and for such seemingly simple implements, the wide range of prices is rather impressive. Coming in at the pricier end of things, the Kinto Travel Tumbler retails from about SGD 50, pitting itself against fellow insulated mugs and purpose-built coffee-focussed options.
Instantly-recognisable with its two-stage lid design, the Kinto has a bold palette of powder-coated colour options. Moreover, the Kinto Travel Tumbler offers an incredible drinking experience and boast-worthy heat-holding properties – meaning it will likely be especially popular among iced coffee drinkers.
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Double-walled vacuum insulation
Arriving in an unassuming box, the Kinto itself has an austere design, with sleek lines and minimal branding and design flourishes. I got the 350ML stainless steel version which proved to be just large enough for users like myself who aren’t in the habit of guzzling their beverages.
It is vacuum insulated, which does add some bulk to the tumbler but not by much. It’s almost identical in girth as a standard canned drink, which means it slips easily into automotive cup holders and bag bottle slots.
Its vacuum insulation is remarkable, and freshly brewed V60 coffee at 7:30 a.m. comfortably stays piping hot till past noon. Kinto advertises six-hour performance for both hot (above 60ºC/149ºF) and cold (below 8ºC/46ºF) beverages, but I found that solid ice lasted well past the 12H mark when not regularly opened.
And yes – Kalita Wave and Hario V60 brewers fit perfectly in the mouth of the Kinto Travel Tumbler if you’re looking to brew straight into your cup for ultimate convenience.
Form factor: sleek build, useful dual-lid design
It’s available either in brushed stainless steel like the one I got, or powder coated in a range of colours like Navy, White and Black, along with more unique ones like Mustard, Turquoise and Coyote. The stainless steel model does not scratch easily, but easily-wiped water stains tend to accumulate.
Moving on, we find the defining feature of the Kinto Travel Tumbler – its double lid mechanism. Essentially two plastic pieces that screw into each other, you’ll remove one or both lids depending on if you’re drinking or if you’re refilling the flask. Both feature silicone gaskets for waterproofing.
Unfortunately, unscrewing the upper lid for a quick drink oftentimes also undoes the lower lid inadvertently as both lids are threaded the same way. It’s alleviated either by screwing in the lower refill cap more tightly or by practising grabbing the tumbler higher up wherever.
That said, the lower lid will especially bode well for those who love cold drinks – the lid sports a barrier that lets your beverages through but blocks solid ice cubes.
Though the lids are effective at keeping the mug spillproof and airtight, the lid of the Kinto also delivers a solid drinking experience with an optimally-designed lip. The drinking experience rivals that of regular coffee mugs, and is rather pleasing.
Downsides: odours, cleaning & condensation
But as much as the double-lidded design is a boon for the Kinto Travel Tumbler, like every design it comes with a few compromises. With the Kinto, it means three separate silicone gaskets: two for the topmost lid and one for the lower one.
While this means the tumbler is extremely watertight, the extensive disassembly creates quite a headache when it’s time to clean up. The multiple gaskets also tend to harbour odours, which coffee with its oils and aromas tends to create.
What’s more – the section of plastic along the flask tends to encourage condensation, especially in humid weather when it’s filled with an icy beverage. While it’s still stellar in the leakproof department, it means you’ll have to think twice before placing it next to documents or electronics.
Kinto Travel Tumbler review
While the sleek, minimalist design and superb insulation capabilities of the Kinto Travel Tumbler makes it an attractive choice, it’s not without drawbacks. If you’re disciplined enough to regularly and thoroughly dismantle and clean the silicone gaskets, you’ll get to enjoy a great deal of portability and performance it can provide.
Great content! Keep up the good work!