RTIC · Insulated Drink Tumblers
Personalized RTIC Little Road Trip Tumbler
Lower concern but coating composition not disclosed; contact RTIC for details.
RTIC tumblers use stainless steel construction, inherently lower PFAS risk. Exact coating composition unknown; brand does not disclose PFAS status or testing.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel tumbler with unspecified internal coating or sealant
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
RTIC's Little Road Trip Tumbler is a double-wall stainless steel beverage container with an unspecified internal coating or sealant applied to the interior surface. The stainless steel exterior itself poses minimal chemical hazard under normal use. However, the interior coating composition (type, curing process, additives) is not publicly disclosed by RTIC, making it impossible to assess whether it contains epoxy-based liners, polyester resins, or other formulations that may leach into hot beverages or degrade over time with repeated washing and thermal stress.
The brand's record and disclosure
RTIC has maintained public silence on internal coating chemistry, material safety data sheets, and PFAS content across their product line. The company has not published third-party testing results, safety certifications (such as FDA compliance for food-contact surfaces), or ingredient transparency statements. This stance falls short of the disclosure practices increasingly expected in the drinkware category and limits independent verification of safety claims.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tumblers are generally considered safer than plastic alternatives because they avoid BPA, phthalates, and microplastic concerns. However, many competing brands (such as Hydro Flask, S'well, and Yeti) publish material certifications or confirm FDA food-contact compliance. RTIC's refusal to disclose internal coating details places it below the transparency standard of mid-tier competitors, though the stainless steel substrate itself remains a lower-risk base material compared to epoxy-lined aluminum bottles.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact with very hot beverages (above 160F) immediately after filling, as thermal stress can accelerate micro-degradation of interior coatings. Hand-wash rather than using high-temperature dishwashers to extend coating life and reduce leaching risk. Inspect the interior annually for scratches, cloudiness, or peeling; replace the tumbler if coating integrity appears compromised. Contact RTIC directly to request written confirmation of internal coating type and FDA compliance before purchase if this uncertainty concerns you.
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.”
Interior coating leaching (unspecified composition)
RTIC has not disclosed the chemical identity of the internal sealant or liner. Epoxy-based coatings may release trace bisphenols or other endocrine-active compounds under thermal or mechanical stress; polyester resins may hydrolyze over time. Without disclosure, risk cannot be quantified but cannot be ruled out.
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Repeated hot-fill cycles and dishwasher exposure can cause peeling or spalling of interior coatings in stainless steel tumblers. Small coating fragments could theoretically be ingested; long-term effects are unknown but represent a physical rather than chemical hazard.
PFAS in interior sealant
Many industrial interior liners in metal tumblers historically relied on Teflon-type coating or PFOA-based coatings for non-stick and water-repellent properties. RTIC's silence on this point and the 85/100 PFAS safety grade suggest coating composition remains unverified for legacy PFAS contamination.
Metal-to-coating interface corrosion under acidic beverages
Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion from water and most beverages. No documented cases of RTIC tumblers failing under normal acidic beverage use (coffee, juice) have been reported, and this hazard is lower for stainless steel than for aluminum-lined bottles.
Allergen exposure from coating resins
No published cases of allergic reactions to RTIC tumbler coatings have been identified. However, individuals with epoxy or resin sensitivity may wish to request material disclosure before use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Drink Tumblers
Reduce
Halo Tumbler
Stainless steel and plastic lid
Lower concern tumbler; stainless steel is inherently PFAS-safe.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Cuppa
To Go Tumbler
Stainless steel with plastic lid
Lower concern. Standard tumbler with no known PFAS risks.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Klean Kanteen
Steel Pint
18/8 stainless steel, bare metal
Lower PFAS concern. Bare stainless steel container, no coatings.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More insulated drink 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.