S'well · Insulated Drink Tumblers
S'well Traveler with Flip Straw Lid 16oz
Stainless steel bottle with plastic lid and straw, no PFAS coating on record.
The main material is double-wall stainless steel, not a material linked to PFAS. The plastic lid and straw have no water-repellent finish on record. S'well has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Double-wall stainless steel with plastic lid and straw
Lab data
No public lab test
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What S'well Traveler with Flip Straw Lid 16oz is made of, ingredients and materials
The S'well Traveler's primary vessel is double-wall stainless steel (typically 18/8 or similar food-grade alloy), which does not leach metals into beverages under normal use and resists corrosion. The removable flip straw lid and straw are plastic (likely polypropylene or similar commodity resin), which is thermally stable at typical drinking temperatures but can degrade if exposed to very hot liquids or prolonged sunlight. The stainless steel construction avoids ceramic-glaze lead risks, Teflon-type coating nonstick hazards, and aluminum leaching that plague other drinkware.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Plastic lid and straw thermal stability
Commodity plastic lids and straws can soften, leach, or shed microplastics if regularly exposed to hot beverages or direct sunlight. S'well does not disclose resin type or thermal limits, so risk is speculative but standard for this product category.
Bacterial or mold growth in straw and lid seams
Reusable straws and flip-lid designs can trap moisture and organic matter in hard-to-clean seams. This is a hygiene issue rather than a chemical hazard but is common to all reusable drinkware of this design.
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 and ion leaching
Food-grade stainless steel (18/8) does not corrode or leach nickel, chromium, or iron into non-acidic beverages at room temperature under normal use. No documented leaching incidents for S'well bottles have been reported.
Adhesive or coating on stainless steel seams
S'well does not disclose whether adhesives or gasket materials in the double-wall construction contain regulated chemicals such as BPA or formaldehyde releasers. Food contact surfaces are presumed food-grade, but lack of transparency limits certainty.
Fragrance or plasticizer migration from lid gaskets
Rubber or silicone gaskets in the flip lid may leach odor compounds or trace plasticizers into beverages, though this is rare with modern food-grade gaskets. No incidents have been documented for this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
S'well has not published detailed material safety disclosures, third-party certifications (such as NSF or FDA compliance statements), or PFAS testing results on this product. The company maintains a general 'eco-friendly' marketing stance but does not transparently address chemical content of lids and straws. No major recalls or safety controversies have been established for this product line in public records, suggesting no acute hazard history.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel drinkware is lower concern than coated aluminum or plastic-lined alternatives for leaching risks. The plastic lid and straw are a weak point compared to all-stainless or glass-topped competitors, but are standard across most insulated bottles at this price point. S'well occupies the mid-premium segment and is comparable in material hazard profile to Hydro Flask or Klean Kanteen, though less transparent on chemical testing.
If you buy it
Avoid filling with liquids above 60°C (140°F) to prevent plastic lid and straw degradation and potential microplastic shedding. Hand-wash or use a straw brush regularly to prevent bacterial biofilm growth inside the straw, a common issue with reusable straws. Replace the plastic lid or straw if cracking, cloudiness, or odor develops, as these are signs of material breakdown. The stainless steel vessel itself should last years; the plastic components are the consumable wear items.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- S'well has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to S'well Traveler with Flip Straw Lid 16oz?
- Stainless steel bottle, stainless steel cap
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Powder-coat cap degradation over time
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Stainless steel body, powder-coat finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Powder-coat finish degradation
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Stainless steel bottle, plastic cap and silicone gasket
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone gasket degradation and leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.