These recyclable, shatterproof plastic wine glasses have a clever interlocking design that lets you stack and carry multiple drinks at once

• Glass drinkware is sturdy and beautiful, but it's not always practical for large or outdoor parties, and some outdoor venues such as parks and campsites prohibit glass drinkware.
• Tossware makes plastic drinkware that looks as nice as glass versions. Its pieces are more durable, affordable, stackable, and convenient to use. While 100% recyclable, they can also be washed and reused.
• I tried Tossware's 14-ounce Vino stemless wine glasses ($11.99/12-pack) and loved how easy they were to use. They were lightweight yet strong, and they looked much more elegant than a regular plastic cup.

As I rushed indoors carrying four stemless wine glasses to escape an unexpected thunderstorm, I thought to myself, "I'm so glad these aren't glass." My roommates and I were having a wine night on our rooftop when an ominous patch of dark clouds rolled in to crash the party.

The night was somewhat salvaged, though, because our drinkware emerged unscathed. The wine glasses were from Tossware, a plastic drinkware company that makes products exactly suited to these types of casual gatherings - and the very real mishaps that can come with them.

Why you should buy Tossware drinkware

While drinkware made from glass is sturdy and looks elegant, it's not always the practical choice, especially for large or outdoor parties.

Using plastic cups like red Solo cups feels too "college frat party," but there is something to be said about the durability, affordability, and disposability of plastic. Tossware turns a traditionally cheap-looking material into a classy piece of drinkware that you don't have to worry about breaking and causing a mess.

The company makes wine glasses (stemmed and stemless), champagne flutes (stemmed and stemless), cups for spirits and cocktails, and more from crystal-clear, BPA-free, and 100% recyclable plastic. It also recently released a mason jar design.

What's cool about Tossware is not only that the cups look and feel nice. They also feature a patented interlocking bottom that lets you stack pieces on top of each other. This smart design means you can carry more than one drink in one hand, and it saves room in your cabinets.

What it's like to drink from Tossware glasses

I tried its 14-ounce Vino stemless wine glasses and loved how easy they were to use. They're light, but they're still strong and durable, which I confirmed after many squeezes and drops of the cups. They have a smooth, thin rim that doesn't get in the way of the drinking experience. When you're done with them, you can recycle them, or, as I did, you can also just hand-wash them and use them next time.

If you look at the cups closely, you can tell they're not glass, but the appearance comes pretty close. They're clearly a step up from regular plastic or paper cups. All in all, they're a sophisticated alternative when glass isn't practical, or as in the case of outdoor venues like parks, beaches, and campsites, when glass is strictly prohibited.

Read more: The best wine accessories you can buy

If you decide to stack them while the cups still contain liquid, my recommendation is not to fill them fully. Once locked, the cups fit pretty tightly, and you might spill its contents if you're too aggressive with your handling.

This interlocking is what allowed me to quickly transport all our glasses out of the storm and keep my kitchen cabinets organized. If I leave the tall stack of cups on our dining table, which our cat frequently roams on, it's not a big deal if she knocks them over since they're just made from plastic.

The next time you're hosting a large party or enjoying a drink outdoors, don't worry about taking out your nice glassware. Tossware's cups look just as good, but are much more practical.

Shop Tossware Vino wine glasses (Set of 12) for $11.99 at Amazon

Shop all Tossware drinkware at Amazon