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Titanium vacuum insulation bottles are finally available in the age where you can choose them
A vacuum insulated water bottle with excellent heat retention, especially useful in outdoor scenes in harsh cold weather. Of course, not only hot water, but also cold water keeps the temperature, making it very useful not only in winter but also in summer.
Stainless steel bottles have been the mainstream for a long time, but core mountain enthusiasts, including myself, have naturally been waiting for a lighter, stronger titanium bottle as metal. Unfortunately, titanium processing has a high technical hurdle, and the reality is that until now there has been no option other than Thermos (Thermos has been vacuum insulated titanium bottles for over 30 years ).
Meanwhile, titanium models have gradually emerged from other manufacturers due to advances in welding and processing technology over the past few years. And at the end of 2023, Montbell, a well-known mountain insulation bottle, released a new titanium model, and it can be said that the era where titanium insulation bottles can be "choose" has finally arrived.
So this time, I would like to compare and review three domestic brand outdoor models with similar designs, performance and functions, each with slightly different individuality, from various perspectives, based on how much they can be used mainly for outdoor and mountain climbing.
table of contents
Three best heat and cold bottle candidates compared this time
This time we chose three items of titanium vacuum insulated water bottles, about 500ml, for outdoor and leisure, released by outdoor brands.
THERMOS Vacuum Insulated Titanium Bottle/FJN-500T
mont-bell titanium alpine thermo bottle 0.5L
SOTO Titanium Bottle 300 ST-TN30
Six indicators are set for evaluation items as follows.
- Insulation performance: the basic functions of a water bottle. Warm things are warm, cold things are cold. Measure to see if the temperature can be maintained for as long as possible.
- Portability (weight, size, ease of carrying)...If you're in an outdoor area where the amount of luggage is severe, you should definitely choose one that's highly portable. Here we have comprehensively judged how light, storage is possible, as well as ease of holding the bottle, and how difficult it is to drop.
- Lid and drinking mouth: This indicator focuses on the high sealing properties of the lid, the speed from opening the lid to drinking, ease of use, and the good construction of the drinking mouth. The lid is tight and gives a high score for the fastest, easiest and mouthfeel hydration bottle.
- Care: We evaluate how easily it is possible to maintain the product depending on the size, structure, number of parts, etc. It is a must-have feature as it is washed every time you use it.
- Capacity: Since it is a tool that carries water, it is better to be able to carry as much capacity as possible, even with a limited weight.
- Durability: Although it is highly strong titanium, we have made it as thin as possible to make it lighter. Therefore, the processing and thickness may cause differences in scratches and dents. I tried to hurt them as much as possible and compare them.
Performance/Comparison Review Results
Performance and comparison test results list
| charm | Proven performance and high quality | Amazing cost performance | Passing insulation performance and excellent portability |
|---|---|---|---|
| item | THERMOS Vacuum Insulated Titanium Bottle/FJN-500T | mont-bell titanium alpine thermo bottle 0.5L | SOTO Titanium Bottle 300 ST-TN30 |
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| This is ◎ |
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| This is △ |
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| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |||
| Insulation performance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
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Portability (weight, size, ease of holding) |
★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Lid and drink | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆*★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Care | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| capacity | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Specs | |||
| Capacity variation | 500ml | 500ml | 200/300ml |
| Actual weight (g) | 207.4 | 195.1 | 139.2 |
| Body dimensions (diameter x height cm) | Approx. Ø6.5 x 23.5 | Approx. Ø6.8 x 22.5 | Approx. Ø6.2 x 21.4 |
| Official heat retention effect (6 hours) | 95°C ±1°C → 69°C or higher (room temperature 20±2°C) | 95°C → 70°C or higher (room temperature 20±2°C) | Unpublished |
| Official cooling effect (6 hours) | 4°C ±1°C → 10°C or less (room temperature 20±2°C) | 4°C → 10°C or less (room temperature 20±2°C) | Unpublished |
| Reference price | 14,300 yen (tax included) | 7,370 yen (tax included) | ¥9,900 (tax included) |
Impressions of each model
Best in overall performance and high quality: THERMOS Vacuum Insulated Titanium Bottle/FJN-500T
FJN-500T with a clean and stylish body
Thermos a place that no one knows about in Yamaya in Japan, thanks to its stainless steel insulation bottle "Yama Bottle" for mountain climbing , but since 1988, over 30 years ago, it has been developing titanium models. However, at the time it was expensive, but it wasn't that light, so it can't be denied that it was a position that was beyond the reach of the average user. However, although this third generation, released three years ago, is reasonably priced, it is significantly lighter than its predecessor, yet still has high insulation performance, making it perfect for excellent durability and functionality, taking into account the history that was born for mountaineers and adventurers who once challenged the limits. Furthermore, it is a highly refined model with a stylish, luxurious shape that even fulfills your desire to own it.
Regarding insulation performance, it maintains high temperatures for a long time even in original freezer tests and field tests in winter mountains. It's not impossible to eat cup ramen for lunch, but you can of course make hot water the night before and go to a solo camping session where you can eat first thing in the morning or drink hot coffee. By the way, compared to the stainless steel mountain bottle (photo below), the double screw structure on the inner lid has been simplified and the rubber anti-slip is omitted, but the insulation performance has not been reduced to that extent, and the body is slim and easy to grip, so I don't really have any concerns about usability.
Disassembled stainless steel models FFX-500 (left) and FJN-500T (right) from the current generation before
This model is highly reliable and highly reliable, with the most irreplaceable performance when used outdoors. However, it is inevitable that the price is the only problem.
Best in terms of light footwork: SOTO Titanium Bottle 300 ST-TN30
300 titanium bottles with smooth drinking style and direct drinking style
When the first generation was released in 2022, I couldn't help but mutter, "I've been waiting for something like this," so SOTO (Shin Fuji Burner)'s first entry into the insulated water bottle market, making its titanium insulation bottle for the first time. There are bold "discontinuation" that a decent thermos manufacturer would never have made a decision, and in one scene, this characteristic that is not enough for a normal viewpoint, appears as "charm." In some situations, it is an even better option, and it is a bottle that I will never overlook.
The most attractive feature is that it is "it's lightweight, compact, simple to make and easy to maintain." However, instead, it has decent heat retention, capacity and durability. However, the hot water you put in early in the morning can be enjoyed warmly until around noon, and the 300ml capacity is a sufficient amount for drinks with a short period of time (although it's certainly true that 500ml is even better).
Simple structure with no inner plug and only a lid with a rubber gasket
This bottle is perfect for short autumn and winter routes and routes with high prospects to avoid emergencies, and you don't have to make cup ramen on the summit, but you don't have to make a cup of hot coffee, or if you need to keep your luggage as light as possible, it's the perfect bottle.
The best cost performance is overwhelming: mont-bell titanium alpine thermo bottle 0.5L
Titanium Alpine Thermo Bottle 0.5L (left) has been used in Hokkaido during the harsh winter, and 300 titanium bottles with outstanding lightness (right)
The titanium model has finally been released in the Alpine Thermo Bottle, a powerful rival to Yamasen Bottle.
The external plug of the cup cover and the internal plug with a gasket are almost the same as the stainless steel model. However, the vacuum double structure, which is made thin to the limit to ensure strength and is subjected to reflective processing to suppress heat flow, is lighter than the previous Thermos model, while also providing an evenly matched performance in insulation. What's more surprising is that while achieving such high performance, it is overwhelmingly cost-effective compared to the other two models.
A typical structure for a thermos, with an inner plug with a spout and an outer plug of a cup.
It's also great that there are plenty of options such as silicone protectors and active lids that allow you to change the mouthpiece to a direct drinking type. The sturdy body and extremely prominent logo may be a matter of preference, but aside from that, this bottle is packed with the usual Montbell-like charm of practical profit.
See details on the official Montbell online store
Detailed reviews of each item
Insulation performance
Measure temperature changes in two environments: cold regions and normal room temperature
The most basic part of the performance of vacuum insulated bottles, the insulation performance, is the official specifications for Thermos and Montbell, but SOTO has not been announced. So we tested how much heat retention it has, even if it is not strict.
There were two tests. The first time, pours freshly boiled water into each bottle, put it in a freezer where the inside is around -16°C, assuming the winter mountains in the harsh winter, and measure the temperature after 7 hours (photo below).
Put boiling water in the freezer for 7 hours
For the second time, the same boiled water was placed in a bottle, stored at normal room temperature (17-23°C or so), and the temperature was measured after 5, 6, and 7 hours. The temperature changes in each were as follows:
■The bottle is placed in the freezer at around -15°C and the temperature is 7 hours later.
| Elapsed time (hours) | THERMOS FJN-500T (℃) | mont-bell titanium alpine thermo bottle (℃) | SOTO Titanium Bottle 300 (℃) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 96.8 | 97.3 | 94.4 |
| 7 | 68.7 | 67.5 | 41.5 |
■The bottle is placed in a room of around 20°C and the temperature is after 5, 6, and 7 hours.
| Elapsed time (hours) | THERMOS FJN-500T (℃) | mont-bell titanium alpine thermo bottle (℃) | SOTO Titanium Bottle 300 (℃) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 95.0 | 93.1 | 93.2 |
| 5 | 76.2 | 75.4 | 62.3 |
| 6 | 73.3 | 72.3 | 58.1 |
| 7 | 68.2 | 68.3 | 53.3 |
Please understand that this is a simple test using household equipment and equipment, and the results show that the temperature for Thermos Montbell was kept above 70°C after 6 hours, and even after 7 hours, the temperature was in the low 60s (the temperature felt so hot when you try to drink it), which was not much different from the official measurements, and it was actually a temperature change that could be said to be written in a modest way.
On the other hand, the SOTO bottles have a temperature of about 58°C after 6 hours at normal room temperature, and about 42°C after 7 hours in cold conditions, which unfortunately resulted in a temperature of just one or two steps inferior to the two models. By the way, the image is that although water at around 60°C is different to individuals, it is probably a little hot to drink, while water at around 50°C is a warm water that can be consumed slurpingly. If you use SOTO, you should understand that you can't imagine cup ramen on the summit from the outside, and that you can drink just the right amount of warm drinks.
Also, it is important to note that in the case of SOTO, the temperature drop speed in low temperatures becomes even more severe. For Thermos Montbell, the results will be almost the same as when the temperature is at room temperature (the above freezer). The reason for this is the structure of the cap, and with a wide mouth and external plug only, like SOTO, it inevitably leads to heat passing through the cap and escaping, making it more susceptible to outside air.
Portability (weight, size, ease of holding)
Weight and size
Needless to say, one of the biggest reasons to choose titanium is its light weight. Their portability, including their compactness, is of course something that makes them want to buy in the expensive titanium shopping area. Although there are differences in capacity, the lightweight and compactness of the SOTO is overwhelming here (though this is a division that has only been realized because they gave up on a variety of things).
And he also seems to be clearly conscious of the late Montbell and Thermos, which are the latecomers, and is slightly lighter (about 10 grams) than the Thermos (by the way, he is also very careful about his nominal insulation performance being slightly higher than the Thermos). However, when you actually try using the 10 gram difference, it seems that you don't need to worry too much unless you're a very sensitive person. Personally, I'm more interested in the "easy to hold" topics, which I'm talking about.
Ease of holding
In autumn and winter, water bottles are often used to keep their gloves on, so you can't overlook the grip when you hold the bottle. It is easy to hold and has a rubber grip, making it less slippery, but none of the three models have this design. The difference is that the SOTO bottles are slim and easy to grip, and have a rough surface that makes them less slippery and less slippery. The Thermos is smooth and slightly slippery, but it is slimmer than the stainless steel model and fits easily within the size of your hand. Because Montbell is the fattest of these, I found it relatively difficult to hold.
Lid and drink
Due to the structure, the wider the drinking opening and the more air layer is created by the inside and outside plugs, the less its insulation effect will be. However, if this occurs, the drinking tip will become more complicated and there will be more parts, and the effort required to drink it will be more difficult.
When comparing the drinking styles from this perspective, the two Thermos Montbell models have a double structure with an inner plug that emphasizes insulation performance and an outer plug that becomes a cup, while the SOTO has a direct drinking cap structure that emphasizes ease of drinking and simplicity rather than insulation performance. Therefore, if we evaluate it in terms of comfort in the drinking style and ease of use such as drinking or storing it, the simplicity of SOTO is a great advantage.
There was little difference between the mouthpieces of the Thermos and Montbells, but in the case of the Thermos, the spout is made of two different types of mouths, one that allows you to adjust the amount of mouth poured (photo below).
Replacement Active Lid offered as an optional sold separately , and if you replace the drinking vent with this, you can operate it as quickly as it would surpass SOTO.
Easy to care for
The bottle structure is simple. The simple structure makes it easy to drink and easy to maintain. On the other hand, models that use a lot of parts are a hassle to drink, and it's difficult to disassemble them every time. In this regard, SOTO is definitely the main favorite I recommend. As for Thermos and Montbells, there is almost no difference between them, and it seems that they are neither good nor bad in terms of ease of maintenance (photo below).
The SOTO bottle has a wide drinking port and few parts, making it easy to maintain.
Durability
This lineup includes all the body materials made from titanium, so there doesn't seem to be much difference, but the processing method and thickness are different, so of course not only the weight but also the durability will vary. However, since it is impossible to measure the subtle differences, I tried to test the strength of the exterior walls as much as possible.
Even though I tried it, I simply pushed it all the way through and dropped it from a small height on the hard ground, but I was able to quickly understand the delicateness of the SOTO body. Pressing it with your thumb makes it quite dent (photo below). It is easy to imagine that in exchange for the weight, the exterior walls have also been stripped to the extreme. It's not a problem for normal use, but if it causes a big impact, you need to be a little careful. The other two items are thin, but they are not that soft, and although they are not as strong as stainless steel, they do not seem to be of any problem with durability.
Unlike the other two models, SOTO's body was surprisingly easy to dent when you press it hard with your thumb...
Summary: Choose three models that each have a good reputation based on the points you prioritize.
When we combine the evaluations from various angles, each of the three models has a unique appeal, and it was quite difficult to say which one is simply the best.
With this premise, if I were to draw my personal conclusion from this comparison review, first of all, Thermos is the most recommended performance, functionality and design, excluding the price. This time, we have once again realized the high quality of our top manufacturers. The unfashionable design that is found in the Yama-only bottle is truly sophisticated, and there is no appeal in terms of functionality or appearance.
On the other hand, if you only do activities that focus on lightness, then SOTO. In my case, I use Thermos for normal snowy mountains, but I would bring them with me in cases where speed and lightness are important, especially in day trips, backcountry, where I don't need slow, hot water.
Finally, regarding Montbell, it doesn't matter if it's a bit bulky and doesn't matter if you place the most importance on functionality and cost performance (I don't particularly care about the appearance), so I'd like to choose it. It's absolutely amazing to see such performance and scalability at this price.
The cold is still not over on top of the mountain. Keep your eyes on and have a good journey with good tools.