Choosing the Best Material for Your Flasks: Stainless Steel, Leather, and Beyond

Whether you’re a certified connoisseur or simply someone who appreciates fine spirits, a hip flask can be your best friend. Hip flasks are a tried and true way to bring your favorite liquors on your trips. Whether you’re camping, attending a music festival, or celebrating a wedding, a hip flask is an ideal way to elevate any experience with your preferred beverage.

Thanks to the hip flask’s popularity as a modern and stylish accessory, you have a lot of different options available for you on the market. From the shape, to design, and customizations, there’s a flask perfect for everyone. However, there’s no choice more important than what material your flask is made of. 

In this guide, we’ll take you through all the different options including steel, pewter, and leather flasks so you can make the right choice for you.

Stainless Steel Hip Flasks

Stainless steel is by far the most common choice for flask material. Stainless has several benefits that make it clear why.

• Its strength makes it extremely hard to dent or scratch and will look like new for years.
• Stainless is easy to work with making it a more affordable option.
• It’s resistant to rust and easy to clean.
• Easy to customize through different design and engraving options.

However, stainless isn’t perfect. It can imbue spirits with a metallic taste if you don’t clear it thoroughly after every use. And without any sort of embellishments, stainless steel can appear plain, even boring, to some people.

Leather Flasks for Liquor

Another option for hip flasks is a leather-wrapped flask. People may choose a leather flask for some of the following reasons:

• They have an extra level of sophistication and old-school charm.
• Leather provides grip, falling out of a pocket or being dropped less likely.
• The wrap adds an extra layer of insulation.

However, leather requires a little extra care to protect them from moisture and damage.

Pewter Drinking Flasks

Pewter was a common flask material for centuries and pewter flasks remain highly-desired items to this day. Some reasons people prefer pewter include:

• Pewter’s finish and shine are superior to steel.
• It’s a classic material and quality flasks often become family heirlooms.
• Pewter doesn’t impart a metallic taste to your spirit.

There are two main drawbacks to getting a pewter flask. First, it’s soft so it’s more likely to be scratched or dented. Second, pewter used to be made with lead, which can cause dire health problems when ingested. Never use a pewter flask made before 1974 in the US. 

Other Materials for Flasks

Steel, leather, and copper aren’t the only materials available for flasks. There are other, less common options you can choose from.

• Titanium: Lightweight and incredibly strong. However, it’s more expensive than other materials.
• Glass: Elegant and refined but very delicate and easy to shatter.
• Copper: Durable and has a unique look but can be expensive, hard to clean, and can make contents taste metallic.
• Plastic: Light, inexpensive, and easy to find but are less interesting and unique.

When you’re in the market for a new hip flask, choosing the material is your first consideration. Once you pick the best one to meet your specific needs, consider customization options such as engraving to make your flask even more unique.