One of the reasons I have more plastic glasses at home is that I’m clumsy. I can’t count the number of pieces of nicer glassware I’ve had to throw away after dropping them. Every once in a while, you do want to have some nicer-looking drinkware when you have company over, but practicality always wins over aesthetics, at least in my household. What if you could have both, though?
That’s the problem that the Flex Glass Tumbler wants to solve for people like me. It looks like decorative glassware, but it doesn’t have the usual fragility associated with it. That’s because it’s made from flexible silicone rubber, so it won’t shatter like glass if you drop it. You get the best of both worlds: the faceted look of cut glass but the flexibility that comes with the actual material used.
The silicone construction used for the tumbler flexes under impact, such as when it’s dropped on the floor. This means you won’t have to be so careful when carrying it outside, setting it on hard surfaces, or even packing it for use somewhere else. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible, as sharp objects and strong impacts can cut or tear the material. It also isn’t spillproof, so you still have to be careful when it already has liquid in it.
What it is able to do is retain a decorative tableware aesthetic when that’s what you need. The faceted pattern actually draws inspiration from kiriko, or Japanese cut glass. Normally, silicone would look soft and practical, but this time it’s designed to look more like delicate drinkware using a detailed metal mold. The pattern is formed in the material rather than applied afterward. It looks at home at a dinner table and also in more casual settings.
The thick hemispherical base is also designed to reduce the effect of hand heat on your drink. The construction slows ice melting, too. However, it doesn’t provide comparative test results or a cooling duration, so I wouldn’t expect the temperature retention of a vacuum-insulated tumbler. Still, you can expect your drink to stay a little cooler for a few minutes or even a couple of hours than with a regular glass.
The manufacturing background helps explain the unusual choice of material. KINJO’s parent company was founded in 1936 and makes rubber components for products such as rice cookers. Made in Yao, Osaka, Japan, the tumbler brings that industrial experience to something intended to be seen on the table.
At about 8.5 fluid ounces (250 milliliters), this is more suited to a small serving of water, juice, or a mixed drink than an oversized iced coffee. Add ice, and you’ll have even less room. It’s currently listed at $60 so this isn’t really a budget replacement for plastic cups but rather something you’d want to have a couple of in your cupboard.
It is dishwasher safe, although hand-washing with mild detergent is recommended to help prevent discoloration. Some foods and drinks can also leave odors or stains. Microwave use is allowed, but oven use isn’t. Those details matter if you’re expecting it to be completely carefree just because it won’t shatter.
There are other approaches to the same problem. Silipint’s 12-ounce Crystal Clear Wine Glass also uses transparent silicone and is listed at $19.95, making it a less expensive option with more capacity. YETI’s Rambler 10-ounce Stackable Lowball uses stainless steel, a ceramic lining, and double-wall vacuum insulation. I’d consider the YETI for its insulated construction; the Flex Glass makes more sense when the cut-glass-inspired appearance is the attraction. Its distinction is the decorative treatment, not simply being a silicone cup.
I’d choose the Flex Glass Tumbler for those occasions when I want the table to look a little nicer without worrying so much about breaking something. The cut-glass-inspired pattern gives it the look I’m after, while the flexible silicone makes it a practical fit for my clumsy household. It’s the kind of drinkware I’d bring out for company rather than leave safely tucked away in the cupboard.
