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Threads Stripping with YETI's Chug Cap (and How to Avoid It)

1/16/2023

2 Comments

 
How to Avoid Stripping Threads with YETI's Chug Cap

YETI Chug Cap Stripped Threads - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video about this topic, then check out our YouTube video!
Or keep reading our full post below.
​

How to Avoid Stripping Threads with YETI's Chug Cap

At BottlePro, we’ve mostly focused on Hydro Flasks over the years.  But one of our New Year’s resolutions is to give some other brands more love, and at the top of that list is YETI.
​
YETI is possibly the most popular premium bottle brand on the market today, and for good reason.  Their products cost a relative fortune, but that’s because they are over-engineered and designed to last for many years.
YETI's Popularity Increasing Compared to Hydro Flask
YETI's Popularity Increasing Compared to Hydro Flask
​That’s why some recent reviews of the YETI Chug Cap caught our attention.  We’ve seen a lot of posts on platforms like Amazon, Reddit, and YETI’s own website that mention how the threads stripped.  The one from Amazon has a good picture showing the problem, and the description says the lid only lasted 4 months until the threads stripped.
​Given that YETI is a premium brand, all these negative reviews seemed odd so we decided to order a chug cap to test it out and see if we could recreate this issue.

We ordered a YETI Chug Cap in December, 2022 from YETI’s storefront on Amazon.  Interestingly, the storefront showed this product as unavailable when we went back in early January when we were making this video, but we assume the listing will be back up and running soon.  It might be wishful thinking on our part, but maybe they’re updating the design to fix the issue we’re about to talk about.
Picture
YETI's Chug Cap Listing
Our first impression is that the cap is well-built and feels very durable.  It definitely feels more heavy-duty than competitors like Takeya, ThermoFlask, or even Hydro Flask’s new Flex Chug.
​
Before we really tested out our lid, we took a closer look at the pictures from the negative reviews.  Our lid seems to be identical based on the locations of a few key features, which gives us confidence that both we and the reviewers used authentic YETI lids.
Authentic YETI lids - our lid has the same features as the reviewers' lids
Authentic YETI lids - our lid has the same features as the reviewers' lids

Recreating the Issue

The next step was to try to recreate the issue.  We tightened the lid as much as we could by hand, but this did not seem to do anything to the threads.

Next came the real cross-threading test.  We tried screwing the lid on-and-off at different angles.  This includes pulling up and pushing down on the lid so we got the full range of taking the lid on and off.  This is when we started to see some wear-and-tear that looks consistent with the other reviewers.
​
In particular, we started seeing some evidence of cross-threading where the black plastic threads started to get flattened out on one side.
Starting to see cross-threading damage within a short time
Starting to see cross-threading damage within a short time
​The problem with cross-threading and thread wear in general is that the issue accelerates once it starts.  So even though we were clearly stress-testing the lid by exerting quite a bit of force at different angles, the fact that we were able to create this amount of wear-and-tear over a few minutes is concerning.  We can absolutely see how the lid could wear down quickly like so many reviews have mentioned.

Why are the Threads Getting Damaged so Easily?

There are likely two main culprits to this problem.

Reason #1
The first is that the clear plastic on the base threads seems to be significantly harder than the black plastic on the spout cap threads.  And because the clear threads have fairly sharp angles on the cross-section profile, these threads can cut into the softer black plastic relatively easily.
Harder clear plastic than black plastic
Harder clear plastic than black plastic
Sharp thread cross-section profile
Sharp thread cross-section profile
Reason #2
Because of the thread design, the lid can start threading on at a pretty good range of angles.  This makes it easier to start closing the lid, which can make it a little easier to use the bottle.  But a side-effect is that this can cause the threads to not line up as intended, leading to more thread wear.
Thread tolerance
Thread tolerance
​Either one of these problems by themselves probably wouldn’t be much of an issue, but the fact that they both are happening together is leading to increased thread wear.
Reason #3
*Update 1/23/2023* Someone gave us feedback after we posted this video saying that their threads stripped because they used a hot drink, and the heat made the threads more malleable, causing them to fail. If you want to use a hot drink like coffee or tea, a better lid option would be the Hot Shot lid.

YETI's Response

As far as YETI’s stance goes, their response to one reviewer was “what you are experiencing isn’t something that happens often but can be caused by cross-threading and/or over-tightening your Chug Cap. Over time this will strip the threads.”
YETI's response to chug cap threads stripping
YETI's response to chug cap threads stripping
We find this response a little disingenuous given that many people are having this same issue, especially when you consider that a large number of people experiencing this threading problem probably won’t take the time to write a negative review.  That being said, YETI’s diagnosis of the root cause of the problem seems to be accurate.

What Can You Do about YETI's Chug Cap Threads Stripping?

#1 - Get a Replacement
​First-things-first, if you’ve already purchased a YETI Chug Cap and have experienced this thread issue, reach out to YETI for a replacement.  You shouldn’t have to cover the cost of this problem.  You can email YETI, or you can submit a warranty claim on their website.
Email:
customerservice@yeti.com
OR
Submit Warranty Claim
If the button link doesn't work, go to https://www.yeti.com/warranty-information.html.  Then under “READY TO GET STARTED?”, click the link for “WARRANTY CLAIM FORM”.

#2 - Get a Different Brand
​If you’re deciding which bottle to buy and don’t want to run across this issue, one obvious solution is to choose a different bottle brand.  There are plenty of water bottles on the market today, and some bottles like Takeyas usually come with a chug cap included.  One thing we love about Takeyas is that the spout cap is attached to the cap base, so there’s no chance of losing or dropping the spout cap.  ThermoFlask also has a similar cap style.

Links to each bottle's listing on Amazon are included.
Takeya Actives with Spout Cap
Picture
See Takeya's Listing
ThermoFlask (Spout and Straw Lids)
Picture
See ThermoFlask's Listing

#3 - Get a Different YETI Lid
If you’re a YETI fanatic, you know that going with a different brand isn’t an option.  In that case, consider using a different lid since none of the other lids seem to have the same type of threading issue.

Currently YETI has six (6!) lid designs that fit their Rambler series bottles.  We'll be testing all of them in an upcoming video, so stay tuned!

Standard Cap
YETI's Standard Cap
Comes with most YETI Ramblers.
See Listing
Chug Cap
YETI's Chug Cap
Still good, just be careful threading!
See Listing
Straw Cap
Picture
A very common choice
See Listing

Hotshot Cap
Picture
Great for coffee or tea.
See Listing
Magdock Cap
Picture
Magnet on side for spout cap
See Listing
Bottle Cup Cap
Picture
Becomes a Stanley-style thermos.
See Listing

#4 - Keep Using the Chug Cap, but Be Careful!
Even though it may seem like we've been trashing on YETI's Chug Cap design, we actually really like it.  If you want to stick with the YETI Chug Cap, just be mindful of how you use it.  Make sure you have the spout cap aligned properly and perpendicularly to the base as much as possible before you start threading it on.

​To be extra safe, just give the spout cap an easy spin without adding extra force.  The cap threads on really nicely and easily when it’s aligned properly, and then you can just snug it up a little more to make sure the seal is leak-proof.

Whatever you do, don’t pull out the gun show.  You shouldn’t have to use much force or effort to get a good seal, so if it feels like you’re straining to get the cap on, then odds are it’s not aligned properly.
Picture
We hope that YETI will take a closer look at their Chug Cap soon and redesign to help prevent this issue from happening, either by fine-tuning how the threads interact, changing the plastic composition, or maybe even overhauling the design.

Buying a YETI Rambler?  Keep us in mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
Picture
See BottlePro's Store
2 Comments
Eric
1/20/2023 06:37:00 pm

I just submitted a claim to yeti for this exact reason and then this page came up as one of my suggested pages. If you use it for hot drinks the heat makes the threading more malleable so when you tighten it down it strips easily. I normally use hotshot cap for coffee but was late for an RMV appointment and didn't have time to clean my only hotshot cap, my bottle cap failed while I was waiting in line (can you say FUN!). If they changed the material to match their other caps this wouldn't happen nearly as much.

Reply
Mike
1/23/2023 08:45:27 am

Thank you for the comment! We tested a warm drink when we were making this video thinking that heat could be a factor, but it didn't have an effect for us. Maybe we didn't get it hot enough for long enough to affect the threads. After hearing that you experienced this issue because of heat, we've updated our post and video descriptions to include a recommendation to use a different lid for hot drinks. Thanks again.

Reply



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