RTIC · Insulated Drink Tumblers
RTIC 16oz Insulated Road Trip Tumbler
Lower concern. Stainless steel core, but lid material unclear.
RTIC tumblers use double-wall stainless steel bodies, which have low PFAS risk. Plastic lids and seals are unspecified; brand provides no PFAS disclosure.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Double-wall stainless steel with plastic lid
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 RTIC 16oz tumbler uses double-wall stainless steel as its primary container, which is chemically stable and does not leach metals into beverages under normal conditions. The lid is plastic, likely polypropylene or similar food-contact polymer, though RTIC does not publicly specify the exact resin. Stainless steel is an excellent material for insulated drinkware because it is non-reactive with acidic or hot liquids. The critical variable is the plastic lid composition and whether any adhesives or coatings introduce contaminants.
The brand's record and disclosure
RTIC is a direct-to-consumer outdoor products brand with no significant public safety recalls or disclosed material certifications for this tumbler model. The company does not proactively publish material safety data sheets or third-party testing results for their drinkware. RTIC's website contains no statements on BPA, phthalates, or chemical compliance, which is typical for the casual drinkware market but leaves end-users without transparency. No independent lab testing of RTIC tumblers has been published in widely available sources.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tumblers are among the safest drinkware options; RTIC's double-wall construction is standard in this segment and comparable to brands like YETI and Hydro Flask in material choice. The lack of ceramic or polymer interior coating removes the risk of glaze leaching or non-stick degradation that affects some cheaper insulated mugs. The unspecified plastic lid is a minor weakness compared to competitors who explicitly certify lids as BPA-free or publish material specs. Overall, RTIC sits in the mid-to-upper safety tier for insulated drinkware.
If you buy it
Use the tumbler with cold or hot beverages up to the manufacturer's stated temperature limit (typically 200F for plasticware lids). Hand-wash the lid separately and inspect it annually for cracks, discoloration, or odor that may indicate degradation. Do not microwave the entire unit or place the lid in direct heat. Replace the lid if it becomes cloudy, brittle, or emits chemical odors; replacement lids are inexpensive and widely available.
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.”
Plastic lid composition uncertainty
RTIC does not disclose whether the plastic lid is BPA-free or specify the resin type. Food-contact plastics used in drinkware lids are typically polypropylene (safer) or polycarbonate (potential BPA risk), but without confirmation, low-level leaching into hot beverages cannot be ruled out.
Stainless steel integrity and corrosion
Double-wall stainless steel tumblers do not exhibit corrosion or leaching under normal use conditions. The stainless steel grade is not publicly specified for this model, but corrosion reports specific to RTIC tumblers are not on record.
Lid adhesive or coating off-gassing
The plastic lid may be bonded to the tumbler body or coated with a liner; volatile organic compounds from adhesives or linings can off-gas into beverages if the product is new. Airing the tumbler and hand-washing the lid before first use reduces this risk.
Heat-related plastic leaching
If the lid plastic is not heat-stabilized for hot liquids above 180-200F, heating may accelerate leaching of plasticizers or oligomers. RTIC does not publish temperature resistance specs for the lid material specifically.
Microplastics from lid degradation
With proper care, stainless steel tumblers do not shed microplastics. Risk emerges only if the lid cracks or degrades significantly; replacement at first sign of damage prevents this.
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 Drink Tumblers
Reduce
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✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Cuppa
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Klean Kanteen
Steel Pint
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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.