Flasks provide you with a convenient and stylish way to keep a few nips of your favorite beverage with you while you’re out and about. They also make a great groomsmen gift. We searched high and low for all of the flasks available, made right here in the United States. Below is all of our research on American-made flasks.
Complete List of Flask Brands Made in the USA
The Nalgene flask is made of durable BPS-free plastic that will keep up with any adventure. This flask sports a leak-proof screw top, so you can throw it in a bag or a pocket without worry. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe, so you can keep your drinks tasting fresh with each use. Nalgene is also included in our list of water bottles made domestically.
The Nalgene is slim and lightweight, allowing you to store 12 ounces of your favorite drink no matter how tight your space is. It comes with a removable insulating sleeve, so you can really strip it down to the essentials if you’re out in the backcountry. The simplest flask on our list, the Nalgene is made more for practicality than style.
Woodsmen and rustic types will love the wood flasks from Autumn Woods, handcrafted in Maryland of cedar, cherry, walnut, and maple. In addition to picking a wood type, you can choose between several designs, such as a state outline, city maps, or nature and travel themes. You can even order custom engraving for special occasions.
To be clear, these flasks aren’t made of solid wood since that would affect the taste of your beverages — the interior is high-quality stainless steel. These flasks come with an attached screw top, so you don’t have to worry about leaks or losing the cap. Each flask is made by hand, and harmful chemicals are never used.
The Ceramic Flask from Misc. Goods is one of the more unique flasks out there. Since it’s made completely of ceramic with leather, brass, and cork accents, this flask is durable enough to take with you but attractive enough to be put on a display shelf. The ceramic is glazed inside and out, so you won’t have to worry about the flask changing the taste of your drink, unlike some metal flasks.
Skilled artisans craft each flask, so each one is a unique, functional piece of art. The walls of this 11-ounce flask are a quarter of an inch thick, so it’s more durable than you might imagine. Still, though, you might stick to metal or plastic flasks if you’re planning an exceptionally rugged adventure. Leather straps hold the cork in place, but you might not want to throw this one in the bottom of a bag, just in case.
How to Find Flasks Made in the USA
Americans are increasingly embracing the “shop local” trend. Whether it’s clothing, fashion accessories, or household items, more and more people are opting for products made in the USA over imported alternatives.
Sticking with locally made items is a great way to support the US economy and put money back into our own community. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, quality flask made in the United States of America, here’s where to begin your search (outside of the recommendations above, obviously).
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
Before we jump into the search for American-made flasks, let’s first look at what it means to be “made in the USA.” According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), for an item to be labeled “made in the USA,” the product must be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. This means that all significant parts and processing must occur in the USA. This includes everything from the sourcing of the raw materials to the actual assembly of the product.
If you’d like to learn more about the FTC’s guidelines, check out our “made in the USA” guide.
Materials
To ensure you’re getting a genuine product that’s truly made in the USA, check what materials are used in the flask’s construction and where they are sourced from. Flasks are typically made from stainless steel, glass, or aluminum.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel flasks are one of the most popular varieties. Thankfully, finding US-made steel is not as difficult as one might think. In fact, the USA is one of the world’s largest steel manufacturers, lagging behind only China, Japan, and India.
However, keep an eye out for flasks made of lower-grade steel, which generally suggests the steel was imported. Imported steel is often cheap and less durable than domestic steel. High-grade steel is much more likely to be sourced from a domestic supplier. In fact, American-made steel is three times stronger than Chinese-made steel, so if you’re after quality, American-made stainless steel flasks are the way to go.
Glass
Glass flasks are increasingly popular thanks to their timeless elegance and durability. Glass production in the USA is pretty sizeable, but it’s not a very significant amount of glass compared to glass manufacturing giants like China. China produces around a quarter of the world’s glass, so the glass you see on the products is likely to be sourced from abroad. Since there are a limited number of big glassware companies, it is definitely worth double-checking the country of origin when it comes to glass flasks.
Aluminum
Aluminum flasks are great for those looking for lightweight, durable options. As with most other materials, China is the world’s leading aluminum producer. On the other hand, the USA falls quite far behind, ranking 9th. In other words, although the USA does produce some aluminum domestically, most aluminum found in products is more likely to be made in China or other top aluminum-producing countries. But since aluminum is still produced domestically to some extent, definitely do your research before purchasing an aluminum flask to ensure it is made in the USA.
Labeling
Once you’ve identified the material used in the flask, be sure to check any labels. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the United States Code states that all products made abroad must be labeled as such. This law is a huge help in weeding out foreign-made products. On top of that, the FTC protects the “made in the USA” label.
But with that said, the FTC does not do the best job of policing the label. There is no pre-approval process, so it’s up to the companies to determine whether or not they meet the standards to use this protected label.
Although the “made in the USA” label is protected, some companies may use similar labels to trick customers into thinking their products are American-made. Some examples of such labels are:
- Made in America: “America” can also refer to either Canada or Mexico as well.
- Manufactured in the USA: Only refers to a portion of the product being made in the USA.
- Designed in the USA: Only refers to a portion of the product being made in the USA.
- Made in the USA with imported materials: Although the product is manufactured in the US, it is with foreign materials.
Another thing to look out for is the use of the American flag sticker on labels. The American flag on labels is not regulated, so just because you see patriotic imagery on the label does not necessarily mean the product is truly made in the USA.
Other Tips
Along with checking materials and labels, there are a few other tips to keep in mind when searching for American made flasks.
Buy from Local Stores
Try to buy from local stores where you can confirm the flask’s origin. Many of these stores have knowledgeable staff who can answer any questions you may have about their products.
Buy from Reputable Brands
Look for brands with a good track record of producing quality, American-made products. Doing some research into the company’s production process and certifications can also help you make a more informed decision.
Check The Company Website
If a company’s product is truly “made in the USA,” this fact is likely to be loudly advertised on their website, as it is a huge selling point. Check their “About Us” page or the product page. If you can’t find any information regarding the country of origin, it’s likely the product is made abroad. Companies are not required to state the country of origin on online or promotional materials.
Contact Them
Simply call the company and ask. A representative should be able to answer your questions regarding the country of origin of their product.
Flasks Not Made in the USA
Here are some popular flask brands that we came across in our research that are not making their flasks in the USA. We’ll continue to update this list as we find more.
- Stanley – Flasks are now manufactured in China.
- Brumate – Manufactured in China.
- Snow Peak – Manufactured in Japan.
- Jacob Bromwell – Flasks are now manufactured in India. They were previously made domestically.
- YETI – Drinkware is manufactured in China.
