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Who doesn’t appreciate a quick nip now and then? It’s all well and good when you’re at home or out with friends, but what happens when the mood strikes for a sip of spirits and there’s none to be found? We have it on good authority that the Donner party didn’t pack enough alcohol for their trip across the Sierra Nevadas, and we know how that worked out for them (That’s not to suggest correlation equals causation, but it’s a very real case of people not having enough booze, then eating each other. Draw your own conclusions). You’d be smart, then, to play it safe and own a flask that can carry a few ounces of your favorite liquor. You’d be downright brilliant if that flask was capable of being concealed in plain sight.
Here are eight flasks that will have your back when you get that hankering. Traditional or novelty, there’s something here for you.
Stanley flask set
Fairly Odd Novelties oil can flask
Ink Whiskey video game flask
Wudn hip flask
Future Hydrate Outdoor Explorer flask
Mochic flask
BellFlask pouch
GoPong sunscreen flask
Related: 5 barware items for crafting the perfect old fashioned
Types of flasks
Most flasks are compact enough to conceal about six ounces of alcohol. Their slim shape was originally designed to fit discreetly under a sport coat or dress. This type of classic flask can be found in metal, leather, and wood trims to suit your personal style. If you need to get more creative, there are bag flasks and flasks disguised as everyday items like sunscreen bottles. We’re not advocating bringing your own booze on a cruise, into a game, or to a cash-bar formal event; but it would be possible with the right flask.
Key features of flasks
- Size: The smallest flasks are designed to provide you with a few sips of your favorite alcohol. Travel options can transport larger amounts when you want to go on vacation and glass bottles aren’t practical.
- Concealment: Sometimes we conceal flasks because it’s the tasteful thing to do; like when you tuck it in your waistband at a wedding. Other times, you might want to save some money by supplying your own liquor on vacation. In that case, you’ll want something that looks like an everyday item.
- Materials: Most flasks are made from stainless steel or some kind of durable plastic. Additional protection like wood or powder coating can strengthen your flask and add a dash of style.
- Perks: Each flask on our list has something unique to offer. If you’re shopping for your groomsmen, look for something tasteful. If you want a conversation starter at your next party, maybe opt for something with a sense of humor.
Benefits of flasks
For starters, flasks are incredibly portable. They are by far the best way to carry alcohol in your socks without leaving 90-proof footprints. Pick one up for times when you can’t bother with a bulky glass bottle. Flasks are also discreet by design. Even if everyone else is drinking at a formal event, you may not feel like paying $10 for a drink mixed with bargain-basement liquor. Rather than toting around plastic shooters, take the classy route and spike your soda with a stainless steel flask engraved with your monogram. Bonus points for asking the person next to you if they’ve been following recent developments in the international futures market while you pour (you don’t have to know what that means; nobody does).
Flask pricing
The great thing about flasks is that you can choose from a tremendous variety with a very reasonable budget. We found inexpensive novelty options for as little as $8. About $20 will get you a solid flask that’s versatile enough to break out around the campfire one weekend, and be your date to the ball the next weekend. Premium flasks run about $40. For that, you’ll get top-tier materials and a durable flask that’s capable of being passed down for generations. If you’re buying a flask as a gift, consider one that can be engraved or etched locally and budget for the additional cost.
Related: 13 pieces of gear that will help you enjoy a cold beer in the great outdoors