The best reusable coffee cups for run-commuting
Because runners want to look after the planet, too
Whether you're training for your first marathon and have taken up run-commuting to help hit your weekly miles target, or would just rather run to work than take the bus or train, we understand the struggles of trying to fit everything into your running backpack. While there are a few run-commuting tips to make things easier (have a pair of shoes you can leave under your desk at work as they can be bulky, and leave your laptop in the office, as it's far too heavy to run with), there are some essentials you'll end up ferrying to and from the office.
One of these is your reusable coffee cup. Sure, you want to do your bit for the environment and save money per drink by using a reusable cup, but which is the best reusable coffee cup to run to work with? To help you decide, we've rounded up the best reusable cups that won't weigh you down or take up too much space in your running pack.
Are reusable coffee cups good?
Roughly 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away each year in the UK alone, with just 0.25 percent of them recycled. That's a shockingly low figure, so to help reduce the impact on the planet, a reusable coffee cup is highly recommended. Many coffee shops offer a discount on the price of your drink if you use a reusable cup, so it quickly pays for itself, and you know that you are saving around 250 cups from landfill a year (if you buy one coffee every work day).
In addition to that, for runners, reusable coffee cups are ideal to chuck in your back for your run commute. Simply grab it when you arrive for your post-run, pre-work coffee and carry it into work. The only tricky part is remembering to put it back in your back afterwards for the next day's coffee.
Pros
- Spill-proof
- Stylish looks
Cons
- Not the cheapest
These are ideal for runners – this limited-edition model made with Volcano Coffeeworks is ceramic stainless steel so won't smash if you drop it, or your bag with it in. It's operated via an easy one-press system for you to access your warming cup of Joe, and is spill-proof for when you're on the move. Frank & Green's cups are also sustainably produced – use it just 15 times and you have offset the environmental impact of creating it.
Pros
- Better for those needing a bigger coffee hit
Cons
- Prone to spills
Ideal for latte lovers, this large-sized KeepCup is light in your backpack and not too bulky. The plastic design means your drink won't retain its heat for as long as some of the others on this list, so is only really designed for drinking your coffee soon after purchase. Also is prone to leaking if you slosh it around.
Stojo On The Go Coffee Cup: Best Reusable Coffee Cups
Pros
- Leak-proof
Cons
- Not a lot of insulation
A collapsible reusable coffee cup feels like it was built for runners – the kind of thing you can not only take with you on your commute but can also use on longer ultra races. Simply pop it down and you have a compact cup that can easily fit in your pack pocket. It's reliably leak-proof, even when collapsed down to its smaller size, and breaks into smaller parts for easy cleaning.
Pros
- A bamboo reusable coffee cup
- Low price
Cons
- Won't keep drink warm for long
Ditch the plastic for bamboo – Ecoffee's range is made from highly sustainable bamboo fibre, cornstarch and resin. It's lightweight, feels tougher than plastic and features a spillproof lid. It’s also BPA and phthalate-free, and comes in a range of bright colours and bold patterns. We like this dazzling all-orange wake-up cup.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly
- Leak-free
Cons
- Price
Built to take plenty of knocks and accidental drops, this is a robust glass reusable coffee cup – made from hand-blown borosilicate glass no less – with a non-slip silicone sleeve to help it bounce when fumbled onto the pavement. With its stylish design and 100 percent leakproof lid that can be operated one-handed, you can sip your black Americano safe in the knowledge you are helping the environment.
Pros
- The leakproof design is handy
- Made from recycled paper coffee cups
Cons
- Not insulated so drink cools quickly
The first reusable coffee cup to be made from throwaway paper coffee cups, the Circular cup is designed to be 100 percent leakproof, so don't worry if there are a few coffee dregs at the bottom of your mug for the run home. The simple one-handed open and close mechanism and the 360-degree drinking make this a good choice.
Pros
- Insulates liquid
- Helps fund the City To The Sea campaign
Cons
- It's heavier to carry in your backpack
If you're after a reusable mug that will look beautiful on your desk at work, Chilly's insulated coffee cups are some of the nicest looking reusable mugs on the market. This one is made in collaboration with Refill, City To The Sea's campaign to remove more plastic from the sea. For every cup bought, £10 goes towards its campaign, which has so far stopped 100 million bottles from entering the sea. It might be heavier than others, but the food-grade stainless steel will keep your coffee warm for hours.
Pros
- Collapses to take up less space
Cons
- Thinner walls so can easily spill
Another collapsible reusable coffee cup option that quickly pops down to stash away in your bag. This will hold up to 350ml of coffee or tea, which is more than enough for your morning reviver. Just try not to squeeze it when it's full or you will end up with hot coffee all over your hand.
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