Contigo · Insulated Drinkware Tumblers
Contigo Shake Go Tumbler
Lower concern. Plastic tumbler with no known PFAS-typical coatings.
Contigo Shake & Go uses BPA-free plastic and stainless steel without reported water-repellent or nonstick coatings. No PFAS disclosures found, but primary materials suggest lower PFAS risk typical of standard drinkware.
Shop Contigo on Amazon →Material
Plastic (BPA-free) and stainless steel interior
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Contigo Shake Go uses a plastic exterior (stated BPA-free) bonded to a stainless steel interior chamber. This dual-material design keeps beverages isolated from the plastic shell, reducing leaching risk compared to all-plastic tumblers. The stainless steel liner is the functional barrier for hot or acidic drinks, which is the standard safety approach for insulated tumblers in this price range. BPA-free plastic formulations typically substitute BPS or other bisphenols, which have lower but not zero concern for endocrine activity.
The brand's record and disclosure
Contigo does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, manufacturing testing, or third-party certification for chemical safety beyond stating BPA-free claims on product pages. The brand has no known product recalls or contamination incidents on record for this tumbler line. No published stance on phthalates, BPS alternatives, or manufacturing chemical management is available, which is typical of mid-market hydration brands and does not signal a safety failure, only limited transparency.
How it compares in its category
Plastic-stainless tumblers like the Shake Go are mainstream and represent a middle ground: cheaper than all-stainless alternatives, less chemical exposure than all-plastic bottles. Competitors (Hydro Flask, S'well) similarly use plastic exteriors with steel liners and provide no better chemical transparency. This product's construction is functionally equivalent to category norms and carries no documented higher risk.
If you buy it
Use for cold to room-temperature beverages primarily; avoid prolonged contact with boiling liquid against the plastic exterior, as heat can accelerate minor plastic degradation. Wash by hand (top-rack dishwasher is listed as safe by the brand, but hand wash extends plastic lifespan). Replace if the plastic develops cracks, discoloration, or odor. Avoid leaving acidic drinks (vinegar, citrus) stored for days, as acidity can increase trace leaching from plastic bonding adhesives.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
BPA/BPS and bisphenol alternatives in plastic shell
Contigo states BPA-free, but replacement bisphenols (BPS, BPF) are commonly used in BPA-free plastics and have similar endocrine effects at high doses. Risk is low during normal cold beverage use because the stainless interior isolates liquid from plastic; direct mouth contact occurs only at the lid/plastic rim.
Phthalates in plastic or adhesive sealants
No evidence of phthalate use in Contigo tumblers; modern food-contact plastics for this product type rarely include phthalates. However, Contigo provides no public testing or certification to rule this out definitively.
Plastic degradation and microplastic shedding
Over 2-3 years of use, the plastic exterior can develop micro-cracks or whitening, especially if exposed to hot water, dishwasher cycles, or UV light. Microscopic particles may shed into drinks if the plastic degrades significantly, though the degree of risk is not quantified for this specific product.
Adhesive or bonding agent leaching at plastic-steel interface
The bond between plastic shell and stainless liner relies on adhesives that are not disclosed. Prolonged exposure to hot liquids or acidic beverages may cause trace migration of adhesive components, though the stainless barrier mitigates direct beverage contact in most cases.
Lid/gasket materials and seal degradation
The flip-top lid mechanism typically uses silicone or rubber gaskets; no contamination or off-gassing issues are documented for Contigo lids. Gaskets may accumulate mold if not dried thoroughly, but this is a hygiene rather than chemical hazard.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Insulated Drinkware Tumblers
Contigo
Byron 2.0 Stainless Steel Travel Mug Snapseal
Stainless steel, silicone gasket
Travel mug with lower PFAS concern; stainless steel typically safe.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
Stainless King Travel Tumbler
Stainless steel exterior, vacuum-insulated, minimal internal coating
Lower concern. Stainless steel tumbler with standard design, no PFAS-prone features.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Thermos
Stainless Steel Tumbler w/ Slide Lock Lid
Stainless steel tumbler with plastic slide lock lid
Lower concern. Stainless steel is PFAS-free; monitor lid material.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More insulated drinkware 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.