CamelBak · Insulated Drink Tumblers
CamelBak Tumbler 16oz
Low risk. Stainless steel core resists PFAS contamination.
CamelBak tumblers use stainless steel, which naturally avoids PFAS. Plastic components and lid coatings lack public PFAS disclosure.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel with plastic lid/base
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 degradation and microplastic release under heat or UV
Polypropylene lids can soften or emit trace volatiles if exposed to boiling water or left in direct sunlight for extended periods. Risk is low in typical cold/warm beverage use but increases if heated above 70°C or stored in heat.
Bacterial or mold growth in lid seal or threads
Stainless steel core resists microbial growth, but the plastic-to-stainless seal junction is a common site for moisture and bacterial colonization if not dried thoroughly after washing.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
No public recall or testing data specific to this model. Material is almost certainly BPA-free under current US manufacturing standards, but explicit certification is not advertised.
Source, FDA ↗Aluminum leaching (if aluminum used in lid hardware)
CamelBak tumblers typically use stainless steel or anodized aluminum in lid hardware. If aluminum is present, anodizing usually prevents contact corrosion, but no product specification is publicly available to confirm.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The CamelBak Tumbler 16oz features a stainless steel (typically 18/8 food-grade) inner vessel, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals into beverages under normal use. The plastic lid and base are likely polypropylene (PP) or similar commodity plastics; these materials are generally stable at room temperature and mild heat (cold drinks, warm beverages below 60°C). The seal between stainless steel and plastic creates a compartmentalized design where the beverage contact surface is metal, reducing plastic leaching risk compared to all-plastic tumblers.
The brand's record and disclosure
CamelBak (Camelbak Products LLC, owned by Vista Outdoor) does not publish detailed material safety disclosures or third-party certifications (e.g., NSF, BPA-free labeling) for most tumbler lines on readily available channels. The brand has no documented recalls specific to this tumbler model for chemical contamination. Industry practice suggests the plastic components are BPA-free, but explicit warranty or testing data is not publicly verifiable for this SKU.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tumblers with plastic lids are a midrange safety choice. They outperform single-wall plastic tumblers (higher leaching risk from temperature cycling) and match insulated stainless variants in material safety, though insulation sometimes involves epoxy resins or adhesives that are not publicly detailed. Compared to ceramic or glass alternatives, stainless eliminates chip/lead glaze risk but requires plastic lid maintenance. Brand transparency is weaker than premium competitors (e.g., Hydro Flask, which publishes BPA-free claims).
If you buy it
Wash the lid and base by hand in cool to warm (not boiling) water; avoid prolonged dishwasher exposure, which can degrade plastic seals and triggers. Do not fill with beverages above 60°C; heat can cause minor plastic off-gassing from lid components. Replace the lid if cracks, discoloration, or odor appear, as degraded plastic increases leaching. Store empty and dry to prevent bacterial or mold buildup in the seal.
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.