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Whether you're relaxing after a long day at work or want to break out some bourbon to share with a buddy, there's no better way to keep a swig handy than with an iconic, hip flask.
Although people have been finding creative ways to carry booze for ages, the flask as we know it came around the 18th or 19th century, and was especially popular when alcohol became heavily restricted or even outlawed in certain states or countries.
Today, flasks are generally made of metal — a definite improvement over the leather or earthenware canteens of days long past — with pewter, copper, and steel being the most common. The sleek, usually curved design serves two practical purposes: It lets you easily and comfortably carry it in your pocket and is more discreet and convenient than lugging around a bottle or can.
Although the days of prohibition are long gone, a well-made flask remains an indispensable part of any gentleman's or lady's EDC kit. Just remember to keep abreast of your local regulations, as flasks do fall under open container laws.
Whatever your reason for wanting one, we've done the research and picked out the best flasks across a range of styles, needs, and price points.
Here are the best flasks:Updated on 9/15/2020 to edit prices, links, and formatting.