I don’t think there’s a much better moment in the hills than when you find a corner to sit out of the wind, high on a ridge with a perfect view, pull up your hood, pour a hot drink and let out a sigh as you savour the moment. For many years, I would fire up a lightweight stove whilst backpacking, having picked up water on the way; but the increased frequency of shorter, done-in-a-day hill trips has seen me reaching for a flask more and more often.

There’s a lot to be said for a flask: there’s no water supply to worry about, and there’s a time saving on the hill. A flask is not just for winter, either – it keeps your water or squash far colder than a plastic bottle during the warmer months.

Putting this review together gave me an opportunity to test a variety of current models, and I was pleased with how well technology has moved on in recent years, with lighter weights and better insulation. OK, so there’s still a little faff: you have to boil the kettle twice to prepare a flask – once to prime it (warming the inside ready for its contents) and once to fill it. Cold drinks are easier: a few ice cubes in with your drink work well. 

On an overnighter, smaller flasks are still a viable option. Prepping a hot flask after a night of disturbed sleep due to high wind is a revelation when you get to your first rest stop. The roar of a gas stove is one of my favourite moments on any outdoor trip, but that first sip of a cuppa is right there alongside it – and it’s always good to have more than one reliable option to achieve that.