Yeti 36 Ounce Rambler Review

Have you heard or Yeti Coolers?  They are probably the most rugged coolers on the market.  Yeti was founded by Roy and Ryan Seiders and is based out of Austin, Texas.  Roy and Ryan always had a passion for being outdoors and loved to hunt and fish.  The problem that they found was that coolers out there just couldn’t handle the demands of their adventures.  The brothers decided in 2006 to start Yeti Coolers with a simple mission: “build the cooler we’d use every day.”  They sure didn’t make your ordinary cooler though.  Their coolers are designed and marketed toward more serious outdoor enthusiasts.  The prices of their products reflect that. 

The benefits of Yeti Coolers can be worth the money depending on your needs. They are simply made to not break.  Roy and Ryan never want to sacrifice quality to save a few bucks.  Originally only offering coolers, they have branched out to cups, bottle openers, Hoppers, and more.  I was thrilled to test out the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler.

I have used a vacuum sealed Contigo bottle in the past before it broke.  I then went to a Hydroflask bottle, which has been decent.  I will be comparing the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler to the 20 ounce Hydroflask and a non-insulated shaker cup.  Let’s first talk about what the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler has to offer. 

They classify the Rambler as 100% over-engineered stainless-steel drinkware.  “It is over-engineered for maximum beverage enjoyment” they say.  What does that mean though?  Unlike some openings, the Rambler uses Over-the-Nose Technology (a large opening over 2.5” across) so you can drink without your nose getting in the way.  This especially good if you have a big honker like me. 

The 36 ounce Yeti Rambler uses 18/8 kitchen-grade stainless steel so they are not only puncture-proof and rust-resistant, but it won’t leave a metallic taste in your mouth.  It has a double-wall construction with vacuum insulation.  This is important because it will help keep your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot.  The vacuum insulation also will prevent sweating so you can say goodbye to rings on the coffee table as well as wet and frostbitten hands.  The 36 ounce Yeti Rambler is BPA-free as well. 

Yeti uses a TripleHaul Cap, which is a loop that is easy to grip with 2-3 fingers depending on how big your fingers are.  The cap is insulated as well, unlike my previous two vacuum bottles (from Contigo and Hydraflask) which is where they lost most of their benefit.  You can get your 36 ounce Yeti Rambler personalized with a monogram, logo, or picture on the Yeti website.  There are also 3^rd part companies who sell vinyl wrap for your Rambler.  I just ordered an American Flag one for $15 including shipping.  The Rambler is covered for 5 years against any manufacturing or material defects.  So let’s get to the field testing.

I filled up three bottles, a shaker cup (non-insulated), 20 ounce Hydraflask, and the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler with about 18 ounces of ice.  Then I filled them all up with cold water.  I left them out on my counter to see how long it would take for the ice to melt.  I started on Friday at 6:00 PM. The non-insulated shaker cup’s ice melted after 4 hours (Friday at 10:00 PM).  The Hydraflask’s ice melted after 28 hours (Saturday at 10:00 PM).  The 36 ounce Yeti Rambler’s ice melted after 51 hours (Sunday at 9:00 PM), a full 23 hours after the Hydraflask.  That is amazing! 

Pros:

Overbuilt to take abuse

Easy to hold with the TripleHaul Cap

Over-the-Nose Technology makes it easy to drink

Ice last for days

18/8 Kitchen Grade Stainless Steel won’t leave a metallic taste in your mouth

BPA-Free

Cons:

Priced higher than its competition at $59.99

I knew I would be impressed by the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler.  I have friends who bought the large Yeti ice chests and had ice in it for over a week without the ice melting.  I never expected the ice to last 23 hours longer than my Hydraflask bottle.  I like the way the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler feels, and it is awesome to have ice water even after it has been sitting in my hot car all day.  This is great for trail running when you get back to your car and just want some ice cold water.  You can pick up your 36 ounce Yeti Rambler at the Yeti website or online through other retailers, although the prices are almost the same wherever you buy it.  As a runner and cyclist, hydration is vital in performing at my best.  Hydrating when you are not running is just as important, if not more important before and after a run than during your run.  Pick up a Rambler for yourself and let me know what you think.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.