This is my favorite travel mug. I bought it several years ago at the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Grand Rapids, MI. I didn't buy it knowing it would become my favorite, I just saw it and needed one, so I bought it. But it keeps drinks hot longer than other travel containers I own, because of a tiny detail that I used to not even think about.
To talk about why I like it so much, I first need to tell you about other travel mugs. This is the inside of a lid to a typical travel mug.
It's comprised of two plastic parts that slide together. You rotate one piece to open and close the drink spout and the vent. Here is the same thing, taken apart.
The problem with this design is that the pieces that slide together are both plastic, so you never really get a good seal. Heat escapes, even when it's closed. And as you walk or drive, little bits of your beverage spill out into the lid. By contest, here is the inside of my GRAM mug.
Can you spot the difference? Here it is with the drink spout closed.
The difference in this mug is the little rubber gasket that closes onto the drink spout. Here is a close up of this piece.
This little detail makes all the difference. It keeps the heat and the liquid inside the cup when closed. It's not something I even considered when purchasing this mug, but now I wouldn't buy a travel mug without this feature. I really appreciate a well designed product, not just aesthetically, but most importantly, functionally. This little rubber gasket sets this mug apart.
