A genuine 5-in-1 stubby cooler needs five things done properly: a flip-top chug opening for hot drinks, a removable straw for cold drinks, a permanently integrated bottle opener, a body that fits the full range of Australian can and bottle sizes, and a tapered base that actually fits a cupholder. The StubCup from RUGD is the only product on the Australian market delivering all five — the original 5-in-1 and still the most multifunctional.
The 5-in-1 stubby cooler label is appearing on more Australian products every year. Most of them get two or three of the five functions right. Some get four. Very few get all five — and when you look closely at the details, the gaps are usually in exactly the features you use most.
Here's what a genuine 5-in-1 stubby cooler actually needs, and why the StubCup has been the benchmark since 2023.
Australia's Original
The StubCup Black
The original 5-in-1. Chug lid, removable straw, built-in opener, fits every can and bottle. $49 AUD.
SHOP BLACKThe SwigSip lid — a chug opening and a removable straw in one
Most insulated cups that claim a coffee function give you one lid and call it done. The StubCup's SwigSip system gives you two distinct drinking modes in one lid, and this is the detail that separates the StubCup from almost everything else on the market.
Swig mode — the flip-top chug opening is the hot coffee function. Open it with one thumb, drink directly without removing the lid, and it seals shut when you flip it closed. The suction seal keeps hot drinks hot for 6 hours and prevents dripping on the drive. This is the mode for the morning coffee, the hot Milo, the tea on a cold campsite morning.
Sip mode — the removable stainless steel straw converts the same lid to a cold drink mode. Insert the straw and the lid becomes a sealed tumbler cap with a straw hole. This is the iced coffee, the cold water, the afternoon drink you want to sip rather than chug. The straw is food-grade stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and included with every StubCup.
Most insulated cups on the Australian market include a coffee lid or a cold lid — not both, and not a removable straw. The SwigSip dual-mode lid with removable straw is a StubCup exclusive. It is the feature that makes the cold drink tumbler function genuinely work rather than just being a claim on the packaging.
What fits, and how it fits
The StubCup fits the full range of standard Australian cans and bottles, but it's worth being specific about how, because the fit varies slightly depending on the format.
330ml to 375ml — the perfect fit
The sweet spot the StubCup was designed around. Great Northern, Carlton Draught, XXXX Gold, VB, Corona, Heineken, Jack Daniel's and Cola, most craft beers — they all sit fully enclosed inside the cup with the silicone lid sealing firmly over the top. The VB glass bottle also fits, which is worth noting because it is a format many coolers struggle with. Standard bottles in the 330ml to 375ml range fit the same way.
250ml to 330ml slim cans — fits, less snug
Red Bull, V Energy, Fever-Tree mixers, CAPI, and other slim can formats sit inside the StubCup and the insulation works normally. The silicone lid fits over the top with slightly less grip than on a larger can due to the narrower diameter. The can is held securely and thermal performance is unaffected.
375ml to 500ml — fits but sticks out slightly
Taller cans and bottles in this range sit inside the StubCup but extend above the rim slightly. The bottom portion of the can is insulated and the drink stays significantly colder than without any cooler. These larger formats are less common at Australian BBQs but the StubCup handles them better than most alternatives.
A permanently integrated bottle opener
The bottle opener is permanently integrated into the stainless steel base. Not clipped on. Not attached via a keyring. Not a separate accessory that can be lost or left behind. It has been there since the original 2022 design.
Flip the StubCup upside down and it opens a bottle. Every single time. The VB glass bottle opens cleanly on the StubCup base without any fuss. This is the detail that comes up constantly in customer reviews because the bottle opener that's always exactly where it needs to be turns out to matter more than most people expect.
The cupholder test — most cups fail it
Almost every insulated cup on the market claims to fit a standard cupholder. Most have a straight cylindrical shape from base to rim — meaning the widest point of the cup is also the widest point at the base. The result is a cup that tips over in cupholders it doesn't quite fit.
The StubCup's base is tapered — narrower at the bottom than the body — specifically to sit correctly in standard Australian vehicle cupholders. Ute cupholders, 4WD centre consoles, marine holders, camp chair arms, golf cart holders. A useful practical rule: if the StubCup doesn't fit a cupholder, a straight-base cup of the same diameter won't fit either. It is the most cupholder-compatible design available in this product category.
Why the StubCup is the only genuine 5-in-1
Chug opening for hot coffee. Removable straw for cold drinks and iced coffee. Silicone beer lid for cans and bottles. Permanently integrated bottle opener. Tapered base that fits 98% of cupholders on the market. Most products in this category offer two or three of these. The StubCup offers all five — as the original 5-in-1, designed in 2022, launched in 2023, and still the most multifunctional insulated cup on the Australian market.
"Giving the big names a run for their money!"
Recently bought 3 of these - one for me and two for gifts. Really impressed with the versatility of the StubCup! The 2-way drinking options and the separate can holder are brilliant. Will definitely be getting more for family and friends.
Andrew · Review of the StubCup
Frequently asked questions
What features should a genuine 5-in-1 stubby cooler have?
A genuine 5-in-1 stubby cooler should have a flip-top chug opening for hot drinks, a removable straw for cold drink and sip mode, a silicone lid that fits over cans and bottles, a permanently integrated bottle opener, and a tapered base that fits standard Australian cupholders. The StubCup from RUGD is the only product on the Australian market delivering all five as the original 5-in-1 design.
Does the StubCup come with a removable straw?
Yes — every StubCup includes a removable food-grade stainless steel straw. Insert it into the SwigSip lid for Sip mode — sealed cold drink tumbler with a straw. Remove it and use the flip-top chug opening for hot drinks. Most insulated cups on the Australian market do not include a removable straw. It is a StubCup exclusive.
Does the StubCup fit a VB glass bottle?
Yes — the VB glass bottle fits the StubCup. The 330ml to 375ml bottle range including the VB glass stubby sits inside the cup with the silicone lid fitting over the top. The built-in bottle opener in the base handles the cap before the bottle goes in.
Does the StubCup really fit in a cupholder?
Yes — the StubCup has a tapered base specifically designed to sit correctly in standard Australian vehicle cupholders. Unlike straight-base cups that claim cupholder compatibility, the tapered design means it fits where other cups don't. If the StubCup doesn't fit a cupholder, a straight-base cup of the same diameter won't fit either.
How long does the StubCup keep hot drinks hot?
The StubCup keeps hot drinks hot for 6 hours using double-wall vacuum insulation and the SwigSip flip-top chug lid seal. Cold drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours using the silicone beer lid or Sip straw mode.
