Winter is officially here, and with it come cold mornings when your coffee goes lukewarm before you reach the car. A good insulated mug fixes that, and tortoiseshell travel mugs look smart doing it. Here are four tortoiseshell picks from Simple Modern and Ello, ranging from a classic mug to a big bottle for all-day sipping.
The brown and amber pattern goes with cozy knits and wool coats, so these make easy winter gifts too. Pair one with the soft throw from our winter blanket pick, and you have a ready-made cold-weather kit. For more gift ideas, see how to shop Amazon smarter this holiday season.
Simple Modern Voyager 16 oz: Best for your morning coffee
The Simple Modern Voyager 16 oz insulated travel coffee mug in Tortoise has a ceramic-lined interior, so your coffee doesn’t pick up a metallic taste. The 360° push-button lid lets you sip from any side, with no mouthpiece to find or flip open. It’s double-wall vacuum-insulated, fits most cupholders, and the lid goes on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Check price at AmazonEllo Magnet 18 oz: Best leakproof mug with a handle
The Ello Magnet 18 oz travel mug in Tortoiseshell is the one to toss in your bag. Its slider lid seals inside the mug, making it leakproof and splash-resistant, and Ello rates it to keep drinks hot for up to 5 hours and cold for up to 10. The cork side handle gives you a steady grip, and the cork base protects your desk and fits cupholders. All parts are BPA-free; the lid is top-rack dishwasher safe, and Ello recommends washing the body by hand.
Check price at AmazonSimple Modern Iced Coffee Tumbler 24 oz: Best for iced coffee fans
Not everyone switches to hot coffee in December. The Simple Modern Iced Coffee Tumbler 24 oz in Tortoise comes with a straw and a tapered shape that fits most cupholders. Double-wall insulation keeps the outside dry, so it won’t leave a ring on your desk or car seat. A silicone gasket holds the straw in place to reduce splashes. Simple Modern calls it spill-resistant, not leakproof, so keep it upright in your bag.
Check price at AmazonSimple Modern Mesa Loop 30 oz: Best for all-day sipping
For a bottle that lasts from the morning commute to the evening workout, the Simple Modern Mesa Loop 30 oz water bottle in Tortoise holds the most. It has a covered straw, a loop handle you can clip to a bag strap, and a silicone base for soft landings. Additionally, the lid locks and is leakproof when closed. It’s made of 18/8 stainless steel, fits most car cupholders, and is dishwasher safe. Simple Modern says not to use it for carbonated drinks.
Check price at AmazonHow to choose a tortoiseshell travel mug
- Hot coffee in a bag: pick a lid that seals. The Ello Magnet and the Mesa Loop (when locked) are sold as leakproof; the 24 oz tumbler is spill-resistant.
- Taste: the Voyager’s ceramic lining keeps coffee from tasting metallic.
- Iced drinks: the 24 oz tumbler and the 30 oz bottle both have straws.
- Size: 16 oz for one coffee, 18 oz for a big mug, 24 to 30 oz for drinks that last all day.
- Car: all four fit most cupholders.
Sources and further reading
- Simple Modern Voyager 16 oz, Tortoise, Amazon, ceramic lining, 360° lid, insulation, cupholder fit
- Ello Magnet 18 oz, Tortoiseshell, Amazon, slider lid, heat times, cork handle and base, cleaning
- Simple Modern Iced Coffee Tumbler 24 oz, Tortoise, Amazon, straw lid, insulation, steel, cupholder fit
- Simple Modern Mesa Loop 30 oz, Tortoise, Amazon, straw lid, handle, base, cleaning, cupholder fit
Changelog
- Written.
What we could not test
- We haven’t tested these mugs; details come from the makers’ Amazon listings.
Questions
How long does the Ello Magnet keep coffee hot?
Ello rates it for up to 5 hours hot and up to 10 hours cold.
Which of these tortoiseshell travel mugs are leakproof?
The Ello Magnet, and the Simple Modern Mesa Loop when its lid is locked. The 24 oz tumbler is sold as spill resistant.
Can these mugs go in the dishwasher?
The Voyager and Ello Magnet lids go on the top rack, and Ello recommends washing the body by hand. Simple Modern lists the Mesa Loop as dishwasher safe.