The Stanley Aerolight: no TikTok star, but really good

The Stanley Quencher is so in that it’s almost out again. It almost feels like every TikTok and Insta influencer is traipsing around with oversized straw cups as if there’s a collective desert hike planned.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve nothing against the Stanley brand. In fact, I’m even a fan. Just not of the 1.18 litre Quencher, but of the often overlooked, much more suitable for everyday life, Aerolight.

Why do I like the more modest Aerolight so much? At 350 millilitres, it holds the exact amount I need for coffee, tea or a cold drink on the go. Perfect for when I’m a bit thirsty or need a caffeine boost now and then. If that’s not enough for you, the same mug is also available in a volume of 470 millilitres.

Nothing drips

But what excites me the most is that it’s sealed tight. Really tight. Nothing drips and nothing leaks. Provided I’ve tightened the cover sufficiently, of course. In the manufacturer’s description, it’s referred to as «leakproof». And that’s a non-negotiable factor for me. Because while many other thermal mugs fit nicely in the cup holder of my car, they soak my office gear or sports clothes as soon as I throw them in my bag or rucksack. This isn’t something I need to worry about with the Aerolight.

The lid isn’t just leakproof, it’s also comfortable to drink from. You can fold the cover back completely so that it doesn’t hit your nose when you take a sip. You can also clean it in the dishwasher together with the mug. From a hygiene point of view, this is a plus.

I also like the fact that the Aerolight is shaped like a cup and not a bottle. Thanks to the large opening, it’s easy to fill up and clean. The compact shape means it fits effortlessly into any sports bag or rucksack. And with an empty weight of around 200 grammes, I’m more than happy to take it with me. Stanley states that the thermal mug is 33 per cent lighter than its other double-walled steel cups.

For hot and cold contents

The mug insulates reliably. I’ve not measured whether it actually lasts the six hours specified by the manufacturer. And it always depends on the outside temperature and the temperature of the beverage poured in. But at least for me, my ginger and lemon tea stays warm for several hours, so I can warm up again after doing water sports in autumn weather.

I love it just as much in summer. I stopped drinking lukewarm water from plastic bottles a long time ago. My drink stays refreshingly cool in the Stanley cup even when temperatures outside are high. This is probably no different to the larger models in the Stanley range. But for me, the Aerolight is simply the right model.