Reviews > Cook Gear > Cooking Accessories > Big Sky Products Cup 2 Go > Clifford R. Haynes > Long Term Report

Big Sky Products
Cup 2 go
Long Term Report
11/23/2004

Personal Stats:

Backpacking Background:
I am from and live in Maine. I have been hiking, backpacking, and canoe camping for over 45 years. I average 2 to 3 days a week in the woods year round.
Over the years I've used or tried a variety of different gear. When I joined Scouts as a boy, most of the boys my age didn't have backpacking gear, and their families didn't have money enough to buy it. So we had great fun making our own gear.
I can't really say that I have a backpacking style. I take what I need or want, depending upon what I plan to do on the outing. Even before my knees became a problem, I could never see being in a big rush. It is my opinion that camping is part of backpacking, and should be enjoyed at least as much as the hiking.

Product Description:
The Big Sky Products Cup 2 go is a Polycup (plastic cup) with a slip on neoprene cozy. 

The cup is very similar to (looks like and feels like) the cups that are included with most mess kits that I have seen. The Cup 2 go can be used as a measuring cup in the field and is marked at 1/4 cup (2 oz or 59 ml), 1/2 cup (4 oz or 118 ml), 3/4 cup (6 oz or 177 ml) and 1 cup (8 oz or 236 ml) which is the maximum volume of the cup. The volume marks are molded (raised) into the cup and are easy to read. The cup's handle is a hook that is flat on top, providing a place for the thumb and aiding in control of the cup.

The cup's insulating cozy is 5/32 in (3.96 mm) thick neoprene. The seams are glued and not sewn. There is a hole in the center of the cozy's bottom that vents air from the bottom when putting the cozy on and prevents a vacuum when removing the cozy. The cozy fits snugly but not tight. The cozy stays on the cup when I lift it, but falls of frequently when the cup is in use.

Since the Field Report, I have continued to use the Big Sky Products Cup 2 go cups for all of my hiking, backpacking and some of my canoe / kayak outings. The duration of these weekly outings ranged from day hikes to a five day / four night outing, but the majority were overnight or weekend outings in western Maine

The Cup 2 go has proven to be durable. A carefully inspection of both cups revealed only a few minor scuff marks of one of the cups. I have washed the cozies twice in the washing machine (with other laundry, they were not thrown in the dryer) to get rid of some of the trail grime. After six months of weekly use, cozies are still in good shape, showing only a little fraying of the fabric along the bottom seam. The glued seams are still tight and show no signs of parting. Unfortunately the cozies still don't stay on the cups well. My opinion of the cups has not changed since my field report. The Cup 2 go is too small  in my opinion, I prefer about a 12 oz (355 ml). They are difficult to clean due to the raised internal measurement marks (especially dry powdered ingredients, instant oatmeal or pancake batter). In my opinion the cozy doesn't provide enough insulating value to justify trying to keep it on the cup. The Big Sky Products Cup 2 is very lightweight and inexpensive, but frankly if cup weight were my primary concern I'd leave the cozy at home and just carry the cup.

I will not continue to use the Big Sky Products Cup 2 go after completion of the test. In my opinion the idea has merit, but the needs some work. In my opinion if the cup had straight sides the cozy would stay on better. I feel the addition of a light weight sipper cover (for use in cold weather) would also be a significant improvement. 

Field Information:

Testing has been conducted in western and northern Maine, at elevations between sea level and 4000 ft (1200 m). The temperature during field testing was between 28 F (-2 C) and 90 F (32 C). Precipitation experienced during testing consisted of light to moderate rain, sleet, and light to moderate snow fall.

Final Thoughts:

Likes:
The Big Sky Products Cup 2 go is lightweight, durable, and inexpensive.

Dislikes:

The Cup 2 go cups are smaller than I normally prefer to use when camping, and I have not yet gotten used to their smaller size. I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with the cozies. They do not stay on the cup well. I don't feel the cozy alone provides enough insulation value without a cover.

I would like to thank Big Sky Products and BGT for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cooking Accessories > Big Sky Products Cup 2 Go > Clifford R. Haynes > Long Term Report