Introduction: It’s been nearly two years since we purchased the YETI Rambler Jr. 12 oz water bottles with their corresponding Straw Caps for our kids. If you’re perusing this, chances are you’re already acquainted with YETI drinkware. However, you might be contemplating whether the Straw Cap variant is the optimal choice. For those unfamiliar with YETI drinkware, in essence, all Yeti bottles are made from stainless steel and come in an array of colors that has turned out to be a distinct hallmark of YETI.
Nevertheless, YETI has recently introduced the Yonder—a plastic bottle option.
Build Quality: The Rambler itself is an exceptional bottle; it maintains cold or warm temperatures to a degree where anticipating enhanced performance would entail superior insulation, resulting in increased weight and likely a more unwieldy design.
All Ramblers are built like tanks, and it’s doubtful that any kids could easily destroy them.
Straw Cap: With the Rambler addressed, let’s delve into the Straw Cap—how good is it?
The answer is a mixed one. First, let’s explore the positive aspects. The Straw Cap is nearly leak-proof. Accidental knocks won’t result in puddles on your table or floor; at worst, a minor leak might occur.
If leakage arises between the Rambler and the Cap, inspect the Cap’s seal above the threading—it could be pinched. So, straighten it out and ensure smoothness all around; this should eliminate any potential leaks.
The straw cap is especially suitable for younger kids who struggle with traditional screw-on caps.
In contrast, the Yeti Straw Cap’s mouthpiece easily pops up, allowing effortless drinking.
Most importantly, you won’t hear your child saying that they didn’t drink enough water due to difficulty opening the bottle.
Now, let’s address the downsides of the Straw Cap. Due to its nearly leak-proof, easy-pop up design, the Straw Cap is notably challenging to thoroughly clean. When kids use it outdoors, at daycare, or school, it accumulates dirt and various residues. Stagnant water also leaves a thin film on the backside of the cap and inside the hole where the straw is mounted. Over time, this can become moldy if not cleaned properly.
A significant problem area is around and beneath the mouthpiece, where a silicone seal ensures a watertight connection between the interior straw and the mouthpiece.
This region is so difficult to clean that complete disassembly becomes necessary, and even then, multiple cleaning tools are required.
I use a regular dishwashing brush, a toothbrush, a straw brush, and a knife to delicately remove residues from the silicone seal itself.
YETI’s official cleaning instructions do not mention mouthpiece removal but instead suggest:
Dishwasher: Remove the straw and place in the dishwasher’s utensil compartment. For more thorough cleaning, use a small cleaning brush.
Hand Wash: Submerge all parts (cap, straw, gasket) in warm, soapy water for up to 2 hours.
Practically speaking, neither of these approaches suits our family. We require the ability to swiftly clean the bottles since they’re used daily. Neither option fulfills that requirement, nor do they provide a satisfactory cleaning outcome.
Conclusion: If you’re in search of an insulated, leak-proof water bottle with a straw, then the YETI Rambler with the Straw Cap might currently be your best option despite the potential cleaning challenges.
Alternatively, the Camelbak Eddy offers easier cleaning but sacrifices the ability to keep water cold over extended periods.
For slightly older kids who don’t necessarily require a straw, I would recommend opting for either the Chug Cap or the Magdock Cap. Both options are considerably easier to clean, and they don’t accumulate dirt in the same manner.
The YETI Rambler Jr. 12 oz water bottle, paired with either the Chug Cap or Magdock Cap, makes for an exceptionally good water bottle. That ensures cold water all day long.
