Pelican 22-Ounce Traveler Stainless Steel Tumbler Review

Working and playing in the great outdoors isn’t always about camouflage and chainsaws. We gotta stay hydrated while we’re out there! And to that end, Pelican sent me one of their stainless steel vacuum tumblers to try out. After more than a year of regular use, it’s time to talk about it here.

Specifically, it’s the Pelican 22-Ounce “Traveler” tumbler. Here are some specs:

Manufacturer Specs

• Double-wall vacuum insulation
• 18/8 BPA-free stainless steel
• Copper plated inner wall
• Extreme cold & heat retention
• Guaranteed for life (“You break it, we replace it… Forever”)
• Spill-resistant lid with sliding cover
• Generous “lip” on lid keeps your lips off of the stainless steel
• Available colors: Black, OD Green, Seafoam, Stainless

It Works

I ordered my Pelican tumbler in OD Green, which is a really attractive color in my opinion. And even though my wife doesn’t usually love green, she commandeered my Pelican tumbler almost immediately. One reason is that when she drives somewhere with her sisters, this Pelican fits in cup holders where her other stainless tumbler just won’t.

Pelican claims it “fits in up to 99% of all car and truck cup holders,” and so far they’ve been correct.

The smaller portion at the base which allows it to fit so many cup holders also makes it easier to hold in your hand, and the shoulder helps prevent it from slipping down in wet (or weaker) hands.

As for ice retention, the Pelican Traveler is certainly up to snuff. Even after sitting in a closed vehicle in the hot Florida sun for hours, the Traveler still has ice inside. In fact, we had to stop filling it all the way with ice before adding water, because after drinking all the water, the ice would never melt! Being thirsty with a tumbler full of ice is no fun.

We Like the Lid

The Traveler’s lid is the best I’ve ever seen for one of these stainless vacuum tumblers. Instead of cramming it down into the tumbler and later fighting with a tight rubber seal to remove it, you just screw it on and off. Not only is it easier to put on and off — my sweetie says it doesn’t hurt her hands like other lids — but this also means the lid is not going to come flying off if you drop your Traveler.

The sliding cover is also a nice touch. This is great for dusty conditions like when you’re mowing the lawn or trail riding, and it helps prevent your drink from splashing out too.

The cover is easily removed so you can thoroughly wash it and the lid.

Our other favorite feature of the Traveler’s lid is that your mouth doesn’t touch the tumbler when you drink. The lid has a large lip or spout area, which makes it easier and more pleasant to drink from than most stainless steel tumblers.

It’s Well-Made

The Traveler is a quality product, as is every Pelican product I’ve ever tried. It’s well-made, and the powder-coat finish has held up well.

Of course, the Pelican Traveler has the same recommendations as other vacuum-insulated stainless steel vessels: Don’t freeze it, don’t microwave it, and hand-wash instead of using the dishwasher.

Conclusion

The Pelican 22-Ounce Traveler stainless steel tumbler is a well-made drinking vessel that should last for a heck of a long time. It’s well-designed and durable, easy to hold, fits in most cup holders, won’t sweat, and has the best lid around.

We sure like ours, and my wife is certain to keep her claim on this one. And that’s okay, because I’d rather have the 32-ounce model anyhow.

As I write this, the 22-ounce Pelican Traveler is available for about $20 shipped ($21 if you want green).

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.