PWD NOTE: The following is not a paid endorsement.
A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by the folks at Xela, LLC, the makers of the "Original" Disposable Flask. They wanted me to review their product. Given my love of booze, tailgating and football, this seemed like the perfect product for me to investigate.
Their Sales Pitch:
"Stop carrying bulky metal flasks and cumbersome containers. Disposable Flasks are the most convenient and inexpensive way to transport your favorite spirit or other liquids. Our flasks fit comfortably in your pocket or jacket.My Review:
The flask is durable, compact, collapsible and lightweight. It stands freely when filled, empties completely flat and freezes safely."
I put this product through its paces for my readers. I tested fluid capacity, leakage, temperature tests and "wearability." (All while drinking bourbon.)
- Fluid Capacity - The web site lists a max capacity of 7.5 fluid ounces, which translates to 5 shots of liquor. In my tests, you could put 7.5 ounces of fluid into the flask; however, that much fluid really pushes the flask to the limits of overflow. It also makes it a bit more difficult to hide. I found the ideal capacity to be around 6 fluid ounces (4 shots). Score: B- (it's big enough)
- Leakage - The company sent me three flasks. I filled all of them with water and shook them for as long as 60 seconds. I also stored them over night upside down. No leakage. The two most important factors in a traveler are lack of leakage and ability to hide it. Score: A
- Temperature Test - I have no idea why anyone would freeze their flask, but the web site says it will freeze safely so I tested that too. Score: A
- Wearability - To put the flask through its true game day test, I put on my game day pants and shirt. I walked around the house with the flask in the front pants pocket, back pocket, small of the back, ankle/sock and behind the belt. I generally wear pants to games, and I felt like security would be able to see the line of the flask from the front pocket. However, the back pocket (shirt untucked), behind the front of the belt and behind the leg worked great. I didn't notice any visible flask lines in any of those places. I didn't like the way it felt in the small of the back.
The lid area around the mouth of the flask is solid so it provides a little less slippage when placed behind your belt. The contours of the plastic flask also make the behind the leg (calf area) in the sock a more natural fit than the ankle area. It would be much easier to hide this thing in any of those locations than a bulky metal or hard plastic flask. Score: A - Pourability - If you've been drinking for a few hours, ringing the tiny mouth of a small flask is a bit dicey. You're going to want to buy a tiny funnel. They sell those on the site,or you can do the old folded paper plate trick as well. Score: B (If sober) C (If drunk)
- Cost - The price starts at $1.99 each and it drops as you purchase more flasks. Score: A
- Colors - They have a red and black flask. Score: A+
Overall:
The 6+ oz size is a nice amount for one solid first quarter drink in one of big collectors cups available at Sanford Stadium. If you sneak two flasks in, it should reasonably help even big fellas hold a nice buzz through the game. However, if you're looking to get drunker as the game goes on vs. simply maintaining a buzz, you need to consider re-enrolling in college....or a much bigger flask.
Compared to ZipLock baggies, metal flasks or the way too large plastic flasks that they usually sell at liquor stores, this is just about the ideal size. I'd use it.
PWD
DISCLAIMER: Your experience with this or any product may vary. If you get thrown out of the stadium, arrested, if it leaks on you, or if you don't like it, that's between you and the vendor. It's against the rules to sneak booze into the stadium. That's why it's called "sneaking."
