CamelBak · Insulated Drink Tumblers
CamelBak Horizon Tumbler
Low risk tumbler. Brand provides no PFAS information.
CamelBak Horizon features stainless steel construction, a low-risk material for PFAS. The brand offers no testing data or claims about PFAS in plastic components.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel with plastic lid and gasket
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Plastic lid and gasket off-gassing
Polypropylene or similar polymers in the lid/gasket can release volatile organic compounds, especially when new or exposed to heat. This is a common but low-severity issue in insulated tumblers; airing out new lids before first use reduces impact.
Plastic thermal degradation
Repeated exposure to hot liquids (above 160F/70C) can cause the lid gasket to degrade, crack, or leach monomers. This typically occurs gradually after 12-24 months and is indicated by visible wear or odor changes.
Gasket material allergens
Silicone or rubber gaskets can occasionally cause contact dermatitis or oral irritation in sensitive individuals, though this is rare. Polypropylene gaskets are less allergenic but may contain residual processing chemicals.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Stainless steel corrosion at seams
Food-grade stainless steel in the Horizon does not leach metals under normal use. However, micro-gaps at the lid-to-steel interface can harbor bacteria if not cleaned thoroughly; regular hand-washing mitigates this entirely.
BPA & bisphenols
No public record indicates BPA or BPS in CamelBak lids, and most major brands have eliminated these since 2010. However, the brand does not formally certify its plastics as BPA-free, leaving a small information gap.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Horizon Tumbler uses food-grade stainless steel (typically 18/8) as its primary liquid-contact surface, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals under normal use. The lid and gasket are plastic polymers (likely polypropylene or similar), which can off-gas volatile organic compounds and degrade when exposed to heat or prolonged hot liquids. Stainless steel tumblers have lower concern for leaching from the steel itself, though the sealing components warrant attention.
The brand's record and disclosure
CamelBak (owned by Peloton/parent company Calpack Holdings) does not publish detailed material safety or PFAS disclosure statements on this product line. No major recalls or safety controversies are on public record for the Horizon Tumbler specifically. The brand's silence on chemical composition is typical of mid-market hydration brands but represents a missed opportunity for transparency that more premium competitors (like Hydro Flask) have begun adopting.
How it compares in its category
Insulated tumblers with stainless steel bodies have lower concern compared to alternatives using vacuum-sealed glass or aluminum, which pose different trade-offs (glass breakage, aluminum leaching at low pH). The Horizon's plastic lid is standard across this price tier, though some competitors offer silicone or stainless alternatives that reduce off-gassing. Overall, this product sits in the middle-ground, lower concern than single-wall plastic bottles, comparable to similarly priced competitors like Contigo or S'well.
If you buy it
Hand-wash the lid and gasket in cool to warm (not hot) water to minimize plastic degradation and off-gassing into food contact surfaces. Do not leave hot beverages (above 160F/70C) in the tumbler for extended periods, as heat accelerates polymer breakdown. Replace the gasket or lid if visible cracks, discoloration, or persistent odors develop (typically after 18-24 months of heavy use). Avoid prolonged contact with acidic beverages (citrus, vinegar-based drinks), which can accelerate micro-corrosion at plastic-metal interfaces.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- CamelBak has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Insulated Drink Tumblers
Klean Kanteen
16oz Rise Tumbler
Stainless steel body, powder-coat finish
Powder-coat finish degradation
Limited concern
Seal degradation and microbial growth
Limited concern
Thermal shock to seals
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Klean Kanteen
Rise Tumbler
18/8 stainless steel body, likely stainless steel or silicone lid
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Silicone lid degradation
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Klean Kanteen
20oz TKWide with Café Cap, Tofu
Stainless steel bottle, stainless steel cap
Powder-coat cap degradation over time
Limited concern
Bacterial biofilm in cap threads and seals
Limited concern
Thermal stress on seals at extreme temperatures
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More insulated drink tumblers grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.