Dave’s Take: The Yeti Rambler Insulated Bottles

[GolfSpy Dave]

I have a good attitude toward hydration.

Ah summer golf. Where I live in Sacramento that either means that you pay more to play in the cooler morning or pay less and brave the afternoon heat. In either case, I learned very quickly that having an extra bottle of water may be more valuable than having an extra sleeve of balls.

Covid didn’t help either. I don’t know what it was like around your course, but our courses dropped all on course water, even turning off the faucets for Covid. With this, packing in water became paramount.

As with many of you, my water transport is accomplished with double insulated bottles. While companies like Hydroflask may have been the early producers, lots of companies make them these days. Some work great, some not at all. All I know is that an insulated bottle that doesn’t insulate is super annoying. As such, I tend to keep an eye out for new bottle designs.

The New Yeti Rambler Bottles

Yeti is one of those companies that has made insulated bottles for a while now. Through the years they have made a few different versions. You may remember that I ran a Yeti 64oz jug through its paces a few years back. With that growler, the double lid design made cleaning a breeze. Something that can’t be said for other narrow-necked containers.

It is once again the top design that sparked my curiosity with these Yeti Rambler bottles. I’ve got lots of other Yeti drinkware, so I was confident that these bottles would keep drinks cold. This new top though, was a curiosity.

Chug Cap Love

Now I know that I am not the only one to drink from a wide mouth bottle and end up wearing some of the liquid. When I’m on the hot course, I don’t mind this. When I’m drinking from the bottle at work, this refreshing overflow is not as welcome.

The new Yeti Chug Cap does an amazing job of removing the slosh that comes with wide mouths, and also still allows you to have easy access for cleaning. As you can see from the photos, the Yeti Chug Cap is a two-stage lid. The top lid has the usual handle design, that is great for carabiner clipping by the way. Under that lid, we see the Chug Cap. This clear plastic cap has a smaller aperture, dramatically reducing the flow rate. You can still chug but doing so no longer becomes a whole body experience.

This cap also unscrews from the bottle, allowing you to access the wide opening for easy bottle cleaning. It drinks like a narrow bottle and cleans like a wide one.

Out on the course, the bottle performed as expected. It still had plenty of ice when I refilled it with water at the turn. I think it was 103 °F that day. Insulation is not an issue.

As an added bonus, even full of super cold liquid, I did not notice any condensation on the outside of the bottle. This too speaks to the amazing insulation in the bottle.

BONUS COVERAGE: The Yeti Bottle Sling

One of the other things that motivated me to check out the Rambler bottles was the Yeti Bottle Sling. A drawback of packing a big bottle of water to the course is that you need to pack said bottle. Smaller bottles fit well in golf bag hydration pockets, but larger bottles can be problems. Usually, they get stuffed in the big side pocket, smashing all other contents. Hello PBJ pâté.

When I saw the bottle sling, I wondered if this was a way that the bottle could be attached to the bag or push cart to make carrying the bottle easier.

The short answer for me was yes. I used the sleeve and its strap to secure the bottle to my push cart, and also to my usual golf bag. The best fit though was with my Ogio bag, as this bag features the same web design as the Yeti soft sided coolers.

That is another place where the sling shines. You can see in the photos how the bottle sling attaches to the front of my Hopper 12. This allows you to carry the bottle with the cooler, and not sacrifice the internal space doing so. Translation: The bottle does not kick beer out of the cooler.

Anyway, on the Ogio bag, the clips fit perfectly. While I wish the bag was a little stiffer at the connection, it worked quite well as a bottle holding bag accessory. If you don’t have the attachments, you could also thread straps of bungee cords through the loops on the sling as the clips can be easily removed.

Worth the Price

It will likely not surprise you that these bottles are more expensive than others out there. The 26 oz bottle is $40 and the 36 oz is $50. There is also a 46 oz version, but I am not sure if that one will be golf friendly as it is kind of a monster. When you compare these prices to Hydroflask, they are not that much higher though. A 32 oz Hydroflask bottle is $45 and their 40 oz bottle is $50. Chug Caps not included with those either.

Of course, there are other companies out there also making similar products, but I would warn you that similar does not mean the same. I bought a cheap double walled bottle from Walmart and the insulation failed as soon as I dropped it in the parking lot.

I know that Yeti gets PXG-like hate sometimes for their pricing, and I too wish their stuff was less expensive. That said, I have run a bunch of Yeti gear through the paces through the years and I am still using that gear. Such cannot be said for similar products I’ve used from other companies. You get what you pay for I suppose.

I’d like to wrap this up by saying that the Yeti Rambler is my new go to bottle for golf. I’d like to,  but that would be a lie. You see, my wife happened to see what I was working on and commented on how much she liked the teal color of the bottle and how well it would be for her to take tea to her classroom. “Oh, is that a carrier for the bottle too?” Needless to say, I am out one 36 oz bottle and one large sling.

Her review is a positive one as well. She was concerned that her smaller hands wouldn’t fit the bottle and that the top would be too tight for her to turn. Unfortunately for me, neither one of these things was an issue, and my Rambler rambled on the to Mrs.

[Middler]

Once I got tired of cheap bottles that melted ice in less than an hour, I bought a Yeti Rambler 30 oz tumbler and a 36 oz bottle. The first time I used them, I completely filled them both with ice and then topped them off with cold water. It was a 90F+/80%+ humidity day and I went through the tumbler before finishing the front nine. I refilled the tumbler from the bottle and noticed there was lots of ice still. At hole #15, when the tumbler was empty again there was hardly any water in the bottle - but there was a lot of ice left that I couldn't drink!!! I had to buy lemonade on #17 from the beverage cart because I had lots of ice and no water! I learned to use a max of 20-25 ice cubes in the bottle on really hot days (less when it's not so hot) and all the ice will melt somewhere on the back nine so I max out fluid carrying capability.

Yes, Yeti stuff is expensive, probably overpriced even - but it works FAR better than any of the bargain crap I wasted money on before. I use the tumbler and bottle every time I play in Spring-Summer-Fall, and just the tumbler in Winter. Staying hydrated is important, those who've actually experienced dehydration know it's no joke (I did it boating a couple times, never again).

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

Because of that PXG-like hate, I wanted to dislike this bottle, but I just can't do it. I bought one for my wife's birthday first, then picked up my own thanks to The Buck Club's new member gift package, and then decided to grab one more because they worked so well (this time with The Golfers Journal logo). The 26 is perfect for my golf bag's bottle pocket, and it kept water cold even when sitting in direct sunlight for hours on a recent 90+° day. 

I suggest trying out the magnetic version of the Chug Cap - you lose the cap handle, but I like it better overall (smaller cap, stashes magnetically on the side rim). 

[golfish!]

I bring a 40oz insulated hydroflask filled with ice then topped off with water. In addition, I bring another 2 liters of water and a smaller hydroflask with lemonade and salt mix. Hydration is key out here in the deserts of Southern California lol.

[bens197]

YETI got me for two 36oz ramblers last week (one for me and one for my wife) and here's why...I kept waking up with headaches and it doesn't take a genius to realize its from lack of hydration.  I love how this one has just a simple opening at the top.  It keeps water cold but honestly, spending $40 on a water bottle is a pretty good motivator to stay hydrated.

It's a mainstay while I'm at work.  

 

 

 

 

[MGoBlue100]

3 hours ago, bens197 said:

YETI got me for two 36oz ramblers last week (one for me and one for my wife) and here's why...I kept waking up with headaches and it doesn't take a genius to realize its from lack of hydration.  I love how this one has just a simple opening at the top.  It keeps water cold but honestly, spending $40 on a water bottle is a pretty good motivator to stay hydrated.

It's a mainstay while I'm at work.  

 

 

 

 

Are you a fire fighter?  If so,   to you!  I'm in the fire sprinkler business, and we love the fire service!

[MGoBlue100]

16 hours ago, GolfSpy Dave said:

 

I

You had me at:  Chug Cap Love

 

Now I know that I am not the only one to drink from a wide mouth bottle and end up wearing some of the liquid. When I’m on the hot course, I don’t mind this. When I’m drinking from the bottle at work, this refreshing overflow is not as welcome.

 

The new Yeti Chug Cap does an amazing job of removing the slosh that comes with wide mouths, and also still allows you to have easy access for cleaning. As you can see from the photos, the Yeti Chug Cap is a two-stage lid. The top lid has the usual handle design, that is great for carabiner clipping by the way. Under that lid, we see the Chug Cap. This clear plastic cap has a smaller aperture, dramatically reducing the flow rate. You can still chug but doing so no longer becomes a whole body experience.

 

This cap also unscrews from the bottle, allowing you to access the wide opening for easy bottle cleaning. It drinks like a narrow bottle and cleans like a wide one.

Thanks for the awesome review.  Looks like YETI will be getting some more of my money!

 

 

 

[bens197]

37 minutes ago, MGoBlue100 said:

Are you a fire fighter?  If so,   to you!  I'm in the fire sprinkler business, and we love the fire service!

Every once and a while

Thanks for the support!

[GolfSpy Dave]

Thanks for sharing your Rambler stories guys. It's nice to have the validation that my experiences are shared by others.

I may go and buy the big version now just to see how it will work camping/kayaking this week. Admittedly, hydration will be accomplished primarily in 12oz containers this trip...

[Lenge13]

Love the rambler too (especially drinking from the chug cap)!  The only downfall or negative aspect I have found is leaving it in the sun or a hot car for too long, my cap starts to smell like mildew or something and then the chug cap has that smell when drinking.  I noticed this on my trip to Florida last month.  Anyone else have this issue or notice an awkward smell?

Also thank you for letting me know about the “sling”! 

[Josh Ross]

I'm curious @GolfSpy Dave, @ChiefMikeOfficer, and others that have experience. Does the 26oz easily fit in standard cupholders in the car and golf cart? I just ordered one since this review brought them to my attention but I'm wondering if I should've gone smaller. I have a real issue with staying hydrated on the golf course because my drinks all end up boiling hot in the 100 degree weather but it sounds like this will help a ton!

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

20 minutes ago, Josh Ross said:

I'm curious @GolfSpy Dave, @ChiefMikeOfficer, and others that have experience. Does the 26oz easily fit in standard cupholders in the car and golf cart? I just ordered one since this review brought them to my attention but I'm wondering if I should've gone smaller. I have a real issue with staying hydrated on the golf course because my drinks all end up boiling hot in the 100 degree weather but it sounds like this will help a ton!

I actually screwed up the dimensions in my post. I use the 18oz most often, and that's the one that works well for me - it fits nicely in cupholders. I do have a 26, which is the same cap with a wider body, but I haven't actually used it yet. 

[bens197]

On 7/21/2021 at 11:35 PM, Josh Ross said:

I'm curious @GolfSpy Dave, @ChiefMikeOfficer, and others that have experience. Does the 26oz easily fit in standard cupholders in the car and golf cart? I just ordered one since this review brought them to my attention but I'm wondering if I should've gone smaller. I have a real issue with staying hydrated on the golf course because my drinks all end up boiling hot in the 100 degree weather but it sounds like this will help a ton!

26 does not fit in a standard...I bought an 18 on Wednesday for around the house and the occasional longer road trip...that one fits precisely in a standard cupholder.

[RPD3]

The 26oz does not fit in standard car or cart cupholders. Its pretty big. At a course near me with Ez-go carts, I cant even fit the 26oz in the front dash cubbies. Its great for more water, but about the only place it'll fit is in the back basket. It barely fits in the drink holder on my bag.

I have had the 18 and 26 for years though and love both of them. As others mentioned, have to be careful to not get too much ice because it doesn't melt fast enough. 

Edited July 23, 2021 by RPD3

[Middler]

No one asked so FWIW, the 30oz Rambler tumbler (pic above) fits in our cars easily, and the big cupholder in every golf cart I've used - though just barely. The 36 oz Rambler bottle doesn't fit any cupholder I've ever seen, way too big.

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

On 7/21/2021 at 9:49 AM, Lenge13 said:

Love the rambler too (especially drinking from the chug cap)!  The only downfall or negative aspect I have found is leaving it in the sun or a hot car for too long, my cap starts to smell like mildew or something and then the chug cap has that smell when drinking.  I noticed this on my trip to Florida last month.  Anyone else have this issue or notice an awkward smell?

Also thank you for letting me know about the “sling”! 

Need to get it really clean, and even then, it may not be avoidable -- any kind of impurity can cause this in an environment like a Florida summer (e.g. saliva, maybe even the minerals in the water). Something similar I've noticed with ours: my wife sometimes puts lemon in her bottle, and even after washing, when I end up with her cap that flavor lingers a bit (and I think has contributed to the mildew-like smell). More thorough cleaning seems to help. 

[dlm]

I like that 26 oz size bottle

[Josh Ross]

I'm exchanging mine for the 18 oz, I'll keep extra bottles of water or Gatorade in the bag and just keep refilling. Can't wait to combat this heat!

[B_R_A_D_Y]

Based on the reactions to this post, I bought 2-36oz Ramblers … one for me at golf, and one for my wife at Pickleball. First day I used mine, I too, ran out of water before I ran out of ice. The insulation is so good, when I got home I put my Rambler on the counter with the left over ice still in it, but took the cap off, just to see how long it would last. Over 16hrs later, there is still ice in it … and it’s open.
Normally I’m going thru 6-12oz foam cups of water (3 stops at the grill room) during a +90* round of golf. On any 2 cups of ice water, the ice will be melted by the 4th hole. Now I have water so cold, the draft I have at the end of the round doesn’t taste as cold as it used to.
By the way: There’s a pressure buildup warning on keeping beer in it for 2 hours or more. Easy fix: You simply open the Rambler, take a chug, reseal it, and you won’t need to worry about pressure building up. Don’t leave it unopened for extended periods of time, sloshing around as you drive the course. The pressure could blow the top off the Yeti. You’d be hard pressed to explain the hole in the roof of your golf cart.

[DukeStKing]

On 7/21/2021 at 10:49 AM, Lenge13 said:

Love the rambler too (especially drinking from the chug cap)!  The only downfall or negative aspect I have found is leaving it in the sun or a hot car for too long, my cap starts to smell like mildew or something and then the chug cap has that smell when drinking.  I noticed this on my trip to Florida last month.  Anyone else have this issue or notice an awkward smell?

Also thank you for letting me know about the “sling”! 

THATS WHAT’s causing it!!! I couldn’t figure it out. Thanks man!