Insulated travel mugs

Reviews by Susan Spano,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

First look: If you're looking for the Lexus SC-430 convertible of insulated travel mugs, try the Nissan Ultimate 14-Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Travel Tumbler. It has a willowy Nicole Kidman shape, tapering from the plastic lid to the rubber-grounded bottom.

Likes and yikes: The mug has an easy-to-hold band of rubber around its middle and fits into almost any vehicle's beverage holder. It keeps beverages hot for about two hours. But its real breakthrough is the handle, which was engineered to release a drinking spout on the lid, dramatically minimizing the possibility for spills.

The 411: $27.95, Sur la Table Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St.; (323) 954-9190.