Let me paint you a word picture: The early morning sun is beaming through the clouds bouncing off the icy water of the lake. You’re situated on the sandy bank casting a line overhead. Your coffee rambler sits on a rock to your left, steam emanating from the lid. You grab the coffee to take a sip of that sweet caffeine fuel while you watch the fog roll over the water, forgetting your line that bobs in the rhythm of the wake.

Your serenity is cut short by your fishing line whipping tight and your reel starts to run. You drop your coffee mug and set the hook in hopes of reeling in a fat trout.  You struggle against what must be a trophy fish but as the trout surfaces, you already start preparing your exaggerated fishing story. Your prize is only a 6″ rainbow and not the monster you were hoping for.

Although your expectations were a bit off, you still smile because any time you catch something is a win. You release the fish back into the freedom of the lake and pick up your facedown coffee mug for a victory swig as you watch your catch wriggle back to the depths.

That’s when you get a mouth full of sand. Your mug had been cast into the dirt with the moisture of coffee and saliva still on the rim. Like a margarita with a dirt-salted rim, you set the coffee down with disgust. You know if there is dirt on the outside it’s almost guaranteed there are some chunks swimming inside there.

Now you have a decision to make. Drink your soiled java or spend the rest of the morning fishing in a caffeine-deprived state of drowsiness?

You now know who doesn’t have to ever make a decision like this? People who own a 12oz Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Coffee Mug which is equipped with a grit guard to prevent these exact scenarios.

Key Features of the Stanely Switchback Coffee Mug

This mug has a crazy amount of features all geared toward making your life easier in the outdoors.

Grit Guard

By far the best feature of the mug is the grit guard. Such a simple concept is a thing of beauty that I wish more manufacturers would consider. The clear cap is connected to the lid and snaps tight to prevent liquid spilling out and dirt from getting in.

Loop

A nice big loop allows you to clip the mug to your backpack. Nothing in this world is leak proof. Gear can easily be ruined by a cap that isn’t screwed on correctly or a button that is accidentally pushed. Having the ability to keep your coffee on the outside eliminates that worry.

Free Your Other Hand

People often take for granted the ability to drink with one hand while still keeping the other free. It’s hard to catch fish when you have to put the rod down everytime you want a sip of coffee. The push button trigger on the Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Coffee Mug replaces the need to remove the lid in order to drink. You can also close the grit guard with the same hand.

How does it compare to a Yeti Mug?

Most people would agree that Yeti is king of the vacuum sealed mugs. The Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Coffee Mug is made of the same 18/8 stainless steel as a Yeti Rambler but it doesn’t hold drink temperatures for as long. It’s not a problem though because Stanley’s mug holds temperatures steady for about 4 hours which is more than enough of time for you to finish your coffee.

You also have to remember that you risk losing your drink if you don’t put a lid back on a Yeti. And I can personally say I have spilled more drinks trying to unscrew the lid of a Yeti with one one-hand while driving then I can count. I don’t have the problem with the push-button trigger of the Stanley Mug.

My Experience

I should first clarify that I have no affiliation with Stanley. I got this mug a little over a year ago and it has been with me on every fishing trip since. I bring it on my hikes to Louie Lake, when I go camping at Goose Lake and especially when I fish at Warm Lake. Remember that story at the beginning of the review? I experienced that exact scenario and that is why I no longer enter the wilderness without my Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Coffee Mug.

Who is this for?

The Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Coffee Mug is for outdoor enthusiasts and anglers who want to bring a warm cup of coffee on their half day adventure without fear of dust or dirt ruining their delicious beverage.

If you have any questions or experiences of your own with the Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Coffee Mug leave a comment at the bottom of the page!

Chad Albright

Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.