Planning a day out at the beach, a camping trip, or just an afternoon picnic can be exciting, but there's one hiccup that often frustrates many of us: keeping our food and drinks cold.
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Lugging around a big hard cooler is not always practical. It's heavy and takes up too much space. This is where soft coolers come in handy! They're lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for those short getaways.
Did you know? The best soft cooler on the market can keep your ice solid and your snacks chilled for over 24 hours – even in the hot sun! In this guide, we'll reveal everything you need to find the perfect soft cooler for any occasion.
We've got tips on sizes, durability, cooling capabilities, budget-friendly options and more. Plus, we've handpicked some top picks to save you time on research. Ready to chill out with ease? Keep reading for cold facts that heat up your knowledge!
Soft coolers offer more flexibility and portability compared to hard-sided coolers, making them ideal for day trips and outdoor activities. Understanding the benefits of soft coolers will help you make an informed decision when choosing the best one for your needs.
When it comes to keeping your food and drinks chilled, choosing the right cooler is essential. Below is a table comparing the characteristics of soft-sided coolers to hard-sided coolers.
Feature Soft-Sided Coolers Hard-Sided Coolers Portability Lightweight and easy to carry Heavier and bulkier Flexibility Can collapse for storage Rigid and takes up more space Capacity Varying sizes, typically smaller than hard-sided Larger capacities available Durability Generally less durable but improving More durable with hard exterior Ice Retention Good insulation, but less than hard-sided Excellent insulation, longer ice retention Cost Often more affordable Can be more expensive Usage Ideal for day trips, picnics, and personal use Best for longer trips, large gatherings, and fishingAs we explore the various options available, it's clear that soft-sided coolers like the YETI Hopper Flip 12 offer outstanding performance while ensuring easy transport. Moving forward, let's delve into the comprehensive guide to choosing the best soft cooler for your needs.
Consider your usage priorities, temperature retention needs, portability, durability factors, and value for money when choosing the best soft cooler. Read on to find out more about how to select the perfect soft cooler for your needs.
Selecting the right soft cooler means considering how much space you'll need for your items. If you're planning a day trip, opt for a smaller size that's easy to carry and fits just enough food and drinks.
Those who often embark on longer adventures might require a larger cooler to store several meals and beverages. Keep in mind that every extra pound counts when hauling gear to your destination, so the balance between capacity and convenience is crucial.
Assess the nature of your activities before choosing a soft cooler's size; solo hikers may only need room for personal snacks, while group outings will benefit from more spacious options.
Don't overestimate what you'll pack — an overstuffed cooler becomes cumbersome. Think practically about your typical loadout to ensure you select a model with adequate space without unnecessary bulk or weight.
Knowing how long your soft cooler needs to keep items cold is crucial for picking the right one. If you plan on extended trips or will be in hot environments, look for coolers with superior insulation like closed-cell foam that can maintain a chilly interior longer.
Consider what you'll typically store inside; perishable foods require consistent low temperatures, whereas beverages might not need as much ice retention.
Choose a cooler based on its actual performance rather than the manufacturer's ice-retention claims alone. Check out detailed reviews and product ratings focusing on insulation effectiveness.
Coolers like the Pelican Dayventure Sling Soft Cooler are designed with specific materials and features to enhance their temperature retention capabilities, making them ideal for those who prioritize keeping contents cold for longer periods.
Soft coolers are designed for easy transport and convenience, making portability a crucial factor to consider. The collapsible design, lightweight materials, and comfortable carrying options of soft coolers make them ideal for outdoor adventures such as picnics, camping trips, or beach outings.
Their compact size also allows for ease of use in smaller spaces like kayaks or canoes.
Considering the relationship between weight and portability is essential when choosing a soft cooler; lighter options are easier to carry during treks or backpacking trips. Additionally, factors such as webbing, buckles, and backpack-style straps contribute to the overall ease of transportation for these innovative cooling solutions.
When considering the value for money, it's essential to weigh the features and durability of a soft cooler against its price. Comparing prices from different retailers can help consumers find cost-effective options without compromising on quality or functionality.
By evaluating the overall value, consumers can make informed decisions based on their budget and long-term usage priorities.
Moving forward to "Durability Factors", let’s delve into what makes a soft cooler resilient and long-lasting.
Soft cooler durability is essential for long-lasting use, especially during outdoor activities. Factors influencing the durability of soft coolers include the quality of materials used in construction, reinforced stitching and seams, and resistance to tears and punctures when faced with rugged terrain or sharp objects.
Additionally, waterproof exteriors contribute to longevity by preventing mold and mildew growth while protecting contents from water exposure.
The YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler stands out for its lightweight, durable, and waterproof features. The testing of soft coolers in various outdoor conditions has been instrumental in assessing their durability.
Soft cooler capacities are often listed in liters or cans. Different sizes and shapes of soft coolers offer various advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to consider your specific needs before choosing one.
The base of a soft cooler plays a crucial role in maintaining its integrity and insulation, so look for a strong, insulated base to keep your contents cooler for longer. Prices of soft coolers can range from $30 to $250, depending on factors like size, durability, materials used, design features, and ice retention capabilities.
Ice retention times for various soft coolers have been tested with results ranging from 21 hours to 72 hours based on the brand and model. Quality options with spacious capacity can typically be found around the $100 price range.
With these key points in mind when considering the best soft cooler for you: Matching capacity according to usage priorities will help ensure you have enough space without lugging around more than necessary; understanding temperature-retention needs will help maintain food/beverages at an appropriate level; portability is crucial if you plan on carrying it long distances or over rough terrain; durability factors are important as they impact how well the cooler holds up over time; value for money should also be taken into account considering all other aspects such as size/capacity; finally opening styles/closure systems may differ between models which could impact ease of access or potential leaks during transport.
Soft coolers are designed to retain ice and keep items cold for extended periods. The Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote is a standout performer, capable of retaining ice for up to 70 hours.
Additionally, the YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler is renowned for its exceptional ice retention capabilities, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize keeping their contents cold for longer durations.
The blog outlines feature ice retention test results for recommended soft coolers, providing readers with valuable insights into the cooling capabilities of these products.
When considering the weight and portability of soft coolers, it's important to note that these factors directly impact the convenience and ease of use for consumers. Soft coolers with lightweight designs are preferred for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, or picnics as they are easier to carry over long distances.
Additionally, portability features like padded shoulder straps, grab handles, and additional pockets enhance the overall user experience by providing multiple options for transporting the cooler.
Prices of soft coolers can often correlate with their weight and portability. Lighter models that offer enhanced mobility tend to be priced higher due to the added convenience they provide.
This increased cost is justified by the advanced engineering that ensures durability while reducing bulkiness. The correlation between weight, portability, and price makes it essential for consumers to carefully consider their specific needs before making a purchase decision.
Matching the capacity of a soft cooler with individual usage priorities is crucial in ensuring practicality while on-the-go. Whether tailgating at sports events or enjoying a day at the beach, evaluating not only storage space but also transportation ease facilitates an informed buying decision.
When considering the construction and durability of soft coolers, it's essential to focus on materials and design. Many high-quality soft coolers use robust, puncture-resistant fabrics such as vinyl or thick nylon, ensuring longevity and resistance to wear and tear.
Additionally, welded seams enhance strength and prevent leakage, while reinforced stitching contributes to overall durability. Some models feature sturdy zippers with waterproof or leak-proof technology for added protection against moisture intrusion.
Furthermore, attention should be given to the insulation layer - often comprising dense foam or advanced thermal materials - which plays a crucial role in maintaining internal temperatures.
The thickness of this insulating layer directly influences ice retention capabilities. It's vital that consumers assess these construction elements when seeking a durable soft cooler that can withstand outdoor adventures while keeping contents cold for extended periods.
As we delve into the construction and durability aspects, it's equally vital to address the price considerations when choosing between budget and premium soft coolers.
Price Range Features Examples Under $100 (Budget) Basic insulation, limited durability, fewer extra featuresArctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler
$100 - $150 (Mid-Range) Better insulation, improved construction, some added features RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag $150 and above (Premium) Top-notch insulation, high durability, advanced features YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft CoolerSoft coolers come in varied price points. Customers can find options that align with both their budget and outdoor needs. Mid-range coolers often strike a balance between affordability and functionality, while premium models cater to those seeking the best in cooling technology. It's important to weigh both the initial investment and the long-term benefits when making a selection. Keep in mind, prices and availability may vary across retailers.
Understanding the different opening styles and closure systems of soft coolers is essential in choosing the right one for your needs. Some soft coolers come with waterproof and leakproof zippers, while others have non-waterproof ones.
Additionally, the quality of materials used in soft coolers can influence waterproofness, durability, insulation value, and overall cost. It's also important to consider additional features such as hard clip points, daisy chains, webbing straps, and bungee cords for carrying extra gear.
By paying attention to these details, you can find a soft cooler that suits your specific requirements and preferences.
After understanding the opening styles and closure systems of soft coolers, it's important to explore the additional features that make them versatile for various outdoor activities and adventures. Here are some common additional features found in soft coolers:
The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag is a top pick for its impressive insulation and spacious capacity. It's designed to keep your items cold for days, making it perfect for extended outdoor adventures or weekend getaways.
With durable construction and multiple carrying options, this cooler bag is a versatile and reliable choice for anyone in need of a high-quality soft cooler.
The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag is available in a 20 can or 30 can size. Both sizes feature a durable and structured design, making this an ideal choice for outdoor adventures. Its top-notch insulation ensures that drinks and food stay cold for extended periods, offering reliable performance.
We love that the RTIC Insulated Cooler bag is equipped with backpack style straps to keep your hands free during excursions. Plus, for a day on the water, this cooler floats. With ample capacity and portability, this cooler bag is designed to meet the needs of any outing or event.
Highlighted by its excellent overall value and insulation capabilities, the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag excels in keeping items fresh while being convenient to transport. Offering a perfect balance of durability and functionality, this soft cooler bag stands out as an exceptional option for those seeking reliability and high-quality performance during their outdoor activities.
The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag has excellent ice retention capabilities, making it suitable for extended outings. It is made of durable materials and comes with a leakproof zipper, ensuring long-lasting use.
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler is a budget-friendly option that offers great value for money. With its superior cooling capabilities and durable construction, it's a solid choice for those looking for an affordable yet reliable soft cooler.
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler boasts a generous 30 can capacity, making it suitable for longer outings or gatherings. With an impressive ice retention capability of up to 3 days, this cooler ensures that your beverages and food stay refreshingly cold.
This innovative cooler features a removable hardbody liner and a quick-access flip-open lid. Its spacious front pocket is insulated and external securing bungee provide convenient storage options while on the go. The durable build of the Titan Deep Freeze Cooler, in addition to its leakproof features, makes it a practical and reliable choice for outdoor adventures.
This budget-friendly soft cooler is ideal for those seeking ample space, long-lasting ice retention, and additional storage pockets without compromising on quality.
After understanding the features and description of the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler, it's important to weigh its pros and cons before making a decision. Here is a detailed list:
The Pelican Backpack Cooler is a top choice for those looking for a versatile and durable soft cooler. With its roll-top closure and spacious interior, this cooler is perfect for all your outdoor adventures.
The Pelican Backpack Cooler boasts a rugged, structured design that ensures durability. It features an advanced insulation system that effectively maintains cold temperatures for an extended period, making it ideal for outdoor activities and adventures.
With its roll-top closure and reinforced stitching, this soft cooler guarantees secure storage and reliable ice retention. The spacious main compartment has plenty of storage space for your dry goods while the lower compartment is insulated to hold up to six cans of soda and ice. The dedicated dry goods and insulated cooler portions make this a perfect all-in-one bag.
In addition to its durable build, the Pelican Backpack Cooler is lauded for its practical features such as built-in bottle opener, cup holders, and cushioned strap. Its large capacity makes it versatile for beach outings, boating trips, or sporting events.
The YETI Hopper Flip is known for its exceptional durability, making it perfect for outdoor adventures and rough handling. Its tough and rugged design ensures that it can withstand the demands of any environment, while still providing reliable cooling performance.
The YETI Hopper Flip, known for its exceptional temperature retention and roomy interior, is a top choice for those seeking a reliable soft cooler. Boasting an impenetrable design, this cooler has aced leakproof tests, offering peace of mind during transportation.
Constructed with robust materials and engineering prowess, the Yeti Hopper Flip not only maintains internal temperatures but also exudes durability in every aspect. Whether you're headed to the beach or embarking on a camping trip, this soft cooler ensures your perishables stay fresh without compromise.
While we're looking specifically at the 12 can capacity option, the Hopper Flip line-up also includes 8 can and 18 can options.
With ample space for drinks and snacks while being leak-resistant, it's an ideal companion for outdoor adventures.
The YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler offers excellent insulation, keeping contents cold for extended periods. Its robust and waterproof construction ensures durability even in rugged terrain. Below are the pros and cons of the YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler.
The Iron Flask Soft Cooler is a versatile option that offers excellent temperature retention and durability. With its leak-proof design and multiple carrying options, it's perfect for outdoor adventures or everyday use.
The Iron Flask Soft Cooler boasts a spacious 24 can capacity, offering ample storage for food and beverages. Its cushioned strap ensures comfortable carrying, while the built-in cup holders add convenience, allowing you to keep your hands free.
Constructed with durable materials and designed for practicality, the Iron Flask Soft Cooler is an excellent choice for keeping your items cold while providing ease of use during outdoor activities or picnics.
The Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote is a stylish and functional option for keeping your drinks and snacks cool on the go. With its spacious interior and durable construction, it's perfect for errands around town, picnics, or a trip to the beach.
The Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote boasts a tote-style carrier design with a generous 26-liter capacity, providing ample space for your items. With the ability to hold up to 42 cans, this lightweight and leakproof cooler ensures you can stay refreshed on outings without worrying about leaks.
Its water-tight zipper adds an extra layer of protection, making it ideal for outdoor activities like beach days, boating trips, and soccer games. The durable construction means you can rely on it to keep your refreshments cool while enjoying your favorite outdoor adventures.
The Igloo Soft Cooler with Rolling Wheels is the perfect soft cooler for grocery shopping, with its spacious interior and convenient wheels making it easy to carry all your perishables home on a hot summer day.
Its durable construction and excellent insulation ensure that your groceries stay fresh on the way home from the store.
With a large, 40 can capacity, the Igloo Large Portable Soft Cooler offers a telescoping handle for easy maneuverability that can then be stored away for travel. This cooler also features side carry handles for easy lifting.
Constructed with convenience in mind, the Igloo Wheeled Soft Cooler features a large front pocket for storing smaller items.
The Carhartt Deluxe Dual Compartment Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag is a versatile and reliable option for keeping your lunch cool on the go. With its compact size and durable construction, it's perfect for bringing your meal wherever you need to go.
The Carhartt Insulated Lunch bag is a compact and lightweight option, perfect for packing lunch. With the Carhartt name you know this lunch bag can stand up to daily use.
This cooler is has a convenient should strap and top handle for easy carrying. It's construction includes a water repellent fabric to help keep its contents from being soggy even when carried on a rainy day.
With a two insulated compartments, you'll have plenty of space for storing your lunch. This cooler also features a small pocket for utensils or other small goods.
Soft Cooler Accessories and Extras can enhance the functionality and convenience of your soft cooler. Here are some popular options to consider:
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Cooler Bag Manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
To keep your soft cooler in top condition, follow these care and maintenance tips (always first double-check that these tips are compatible with your the guidelines provided with your particular cooler):
In conclusion, this guide has covered the essential factors to consider when choosing the best soft cooler for various activities. The practical tips and detailed insights provided here empower you to make an informed decision that matches your specific needs.
How will you apply these strategies to enhance your outdoor experiences? By prioritizing these key aspects, you can ensure a significant improvement in cooling efficiency and overall convenience on your adventures.
Explore more options of soft coolers featured within this guide for further customization based on your preferences. Let's elevate our outdoor experiences with the best soft coolers available!
Soft coolers are very effective at keeping things cold with proper insulation—some can even match regular ice chests in performance but are lighter, like convenient daypacks.
You can pack quite a bit! Soft coolers come in various sizes from small ones that fit a few pounds of essentials to large models comparable in size to traditional fridges.
Absolutely! Look for innovations in newer models – many now include extra pockets for dry goods or special compartments separate from where you’d put your sleeping bags when camping.
Better insulated and less expensive than the competition, this hard cooler keeps things ice cold for five days, and well-designed drain ports make it easy to clean.
Lightweight and well-insulated, the RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Cooler is a perfect cooler for a long weekend away, car-camping trips, tailgating, or keeping as a backup cooler in your garage in case your power suddenly goes out.
It’s lightweight but sturdy. The Ultra-Light Cooler compares in strength to roto-molded coolers (roto-molding creates evenly distributed plastic parts through a heated rotating mold), such as ones from Yeti, but at 21 pounds, it’s significantly lighter. This is because, despite looking like a roto-molded cooler, the Ultra-Light series is injection-molded, which uses less plastic and results in a lighter cooler. It is true that injection molding is potentially less durable than roto-molding, but at this quality level you’re essentially splitting hairs between the strength of a concrete wall versus a brick wall.
It’s easy to move. It’s lighter than any of the other comparably sized hard coolers we tested and the easiest to move around. The Ultra-Light Cooler has two nylon ropes slotted through plastic handles that are easy enough to use. It also has a small area to insert your hand for lifting, but it’s less comfortable to carry that way.
It has plenty of insulation without sacrificing capacity. The Ultra-Light Cooler has less insulation around the sides while keeping the standard 3 inches of insulation within the lid (similar to a Yeti cooler). Compared with our roto-molded picks, the interior is very spacious. It can easily carry a week’s worth of refrigerated groceries for two. I use the 52-quart model every week to pick up groceries in Hawaii and drive them home. It fits easily in my trunk, and I can count on it, with a few ice packs, to keep dairy cold even after hours driving around in tropical heat. In our testing, we also found that the Ultra-Light Cooler consistently keeps ice frozen and maintains a food-safe temperature (40 °F) for up to three or four days in the shade with use. RTIC also sells a freezable divider and basket. They’re good if you prefer a little extra organization while packing your cooler.
It cuts price, but not details. RTIC coolers—both the ultralight and rotomolded variety—are somewhat notorious for being two-thirds of the price of Yeti coolers without sacrificing performance. Yeti can (and does) charge a premium for its name. But cutting the price doesn’t necessarily mean that RTIC cut any corners. The latches on the Ultra-Light Cooler are made from a stiff rubber and seal down the gasket of the lid with the telltale exhalation of air from a full seal. However, over time I wouldn’t expect this seal to remain watertight—it’s just not built to that high a specification. The Ultra-Light Cooler has two drain ports with cap stays made of wire.
The three-year warranty seems a bit chintzy. Used correctly, the Ultra-Light Cooler should last a lot longer than that (and ours already has). We’d love to see a company warranty that extends deeper into the life of the gear.
People don’t love the latch handles. The biggest complaint we’ve seen online is that people feel the latch handles aren’t secure enough. I haven’t had an issue with it and, for day-to-day life, it shouldn’t be a problem. Strapped to the back of an ATV? Yeah—maybe I’d start to worry.
It’s tough, but not bear-tough. Despite borrowing the looks of a roto-molded cooler, the Ultra-Light Cooler is injection-molded, which means it’s just not as heavy and durable as those roto-molded coolers. You can stand on it, but I wouldn’t fish from it for hours on end. And they are not grizzly-certified.
Exterior dimensions: 27.25 by 17.25 by 17 inches (WDH)
Interior dimensions: 21.25 by 12 by 12 inches (WDH)
Weight: 21 pounds
Capacity: 52 quarts
This roto-molded cooler is almost indestructible and has a lifetime warranty to back it up. It kept our ice frozen for a week and costs a touch less than a comparable Yeti cooler.
The Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55 Quart Cooler is all but indestructible for longer camping and rafting trips if you don’t mind giving up a bit of interior space for thicker insulation.
It’s just as effective as any big-name brand, with a better warranty. Most people do not need a roto-molded cooler. Those coolers are big. They’re heavy. They carry less than other, same-size coolers because of the amount of insulation they’re packed with. In short, they’re impractical for most mundane needs—a fact that has stopped absolutely no one from buying them in record numbers. That said, the Outfitter cooler stood out during our testing for its excellent insulation and sleek construction: It’s just as tough as any of its competitors and, with 2.7 inches of insulation, it keeps ice from melting for as long as any cooler we tested. And unlike its RTIC or Yeti competitors, it’s protected by a lifelong warranty.
It’s nearly indestructible. To be fair, we could say this about most any roto-molded cooler with bear-resistant certification. But the Outfitter is tough in an already tough field. It weighs 26 pounds with a hinge molded into the frame. The Outfitter’s trick is its minimal exterior, which leaves very little purchase or edge to catch on if the cooler takes a fall. It feels and carries like a well-packed brick, which makes sense given its IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) bear-resistant certification. As with all such certified coolers, you do need to add a bolt or padlock.
It’s as strong as a comparable Yeti cooler, at a better price. This is the hardest cooler category to test and ultimately choose a pick within. All high-end roto-molded coolers are increasingly coalescing into a single position, with similar price, performance, and construction. The three that currently rise to the top are from RTIC, Canyon, and Yeti. RTIC’s coolers are always the least expensive, but they aren’t certified as bear-resistant. Yeti has all the name recognition, a consistent track record, and bear-resistant certification. But in our comparisons, The Outfitter cooler is a touch cheaper per quart of space and has slightly more insulation than either the RTIC or Yeti coolers. It’s bear-resistant-certified and has the best warranty of the three brands. Plus, certain small details in the Outfitter’s shape and design make it ideal for rigging to outdoor vehicles like ATVs and rafts.
What about the Pro model? Canyon Coolers makes a similar model to our pick called the Pro 65 Quart Cooler. It’s mostly the same cooler but larger and beefed up with oversize latches, insulated drainage, heavier insulation, and small modifications to the body to make it easier to stow cam latches when securing down the cooler. These upgrades would seem to exceed the needs of most people, but you may prefer the extra performance.
We haven’t tested it long-term yet. We’ve only started to recommend the Outfitter cooler in , and so far we haven’t found any flaws. We’ll update this as we continue to test.
Exterior dimensions: 28 by 15.5 by 16.75 inches (WDH)
Interior dimensions: 21 by 10.5 by 12.75 inches (WDH)
Weight: 26 pounds
Capacity: 55 quarts
The handle and wheels on the Tundra Haul are the best we’ve come across. This cooler feels like you can roll it across anything without the handle straining or bending or the wheels breaking.
The Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler pairs the indestructible nature of a roto-molded cooler with top-of-the-line handles and wheels for moving around with ease.
It has strong hardware. The Tundra Haul is expensive, but when you’re choosing a wheeled model, it’s worth paying for hardware that won’t break or strain under heavy loads. It has taken us a few years to recommend a wheeled cooler simply because none have seemed built to last longer than a season or two—especially in the handle. Once loaded with ice, drinks, and food, a 37-pound cooler can more than double in weight. When someone then tilts the cooler up, all that weight goes into the wheelbase or leans into the handle hinge. The arm of the Tundra Haul is made from a thick-gauge welded aluminum, the quality of which you can feel immediately when you lift it.
It has tough wheels. The wheels are a single-construction plastic and not hollow or feeble-feeling as on so many other coolers. Remarkably, when we lifted this cooler—fully loaded with cans, food, and many pounds of ice—by the handle, the experience didn’t feel that different from wheeling around a high-end piece of luggage.
It’s built to last and bear-resistant. This cooler, like everything in the Tundra collection, is certified bear-resistant by the IGBC.
We’d like to see more internal division (or at least the ability to add a divider). Once you tip your cooler up at an angle, you should expect the contents to shift around a bit, and it would be nice to have more control over that situation as you shuffle and roll your cooler across, say, a boardwalk or a pool deck.
The warranty is for only five years. For a company charging a premium price for its coolers, which are built to last a long time, we’d expect a longer warranty protecting its gear. It’s difficult to imagine what you would need to do to a Yeti cooler to break it within its five-year warranty. It would require destructive determination.
Exterior dimensions: 28.1 by 18.6 by 19.6 inches (WDH)
Interior dimensions: 19.1 by 11.4 by 14.1 inches (WDH)
Weight: 37 pounds
Capacity: 55 quarts
This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick, closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon. Like all soft coolers, though, it will show the effects of sun and heat damage over time.
We recommend the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 20 Can if you need a simple soft cooler for a lunch box or daily carrying that’s durable enough to stand up to some decent abuse and time in the sun.
It has heavy insulation in a small package. The lid of the Soft Pack Cooler is capped by more than 2 inches of closed-cell insulation, half an inch more than in the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler. The walls of the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler are also a touch thicker than those of the Yeti Hopper Flip. Head-to-head, all that extra insulation seems to give the Soft Pack Cooler an insulating edge, though the difference in daily use remains marginal.
It’s cheaper than comparable options. The Soft Pack Cooler has a design similar to that of the Yeti Hopper Flip but costs less than half the price. That said, when you compare all the details—the hardware, the stitching, the material design—the Yeti cooler is likely to last longer with daily use.
It’s reasonably tough yet light. The exterior of the cooler is made of a durable, thickly coated nylon—waterproof and tough. Its malleability and light weight also make it easy to carry.
Its waterproof zippers aren’t as easy to manipulate as those of the Yeti Hopper Flip. The RTIC cooler’s zippers are slimmer and require a little more effort to open and slide along. We also found that the shoulder strap on the RTIC cooler was a little short—at least for taller testers.
Heat and the sun will, inevitably, degrade the material. After seven years of testing and considering several dozen soft coolers, we’ve come to the conclusion that—given enough time—many will wear out. And the soft coolers—such as this one—that truly are better in quality cost nearly as much as, if not a lot more than, a hard cooler. But you shouldn’t leave the Soft Pack Cooler out in the sun or resting on very hot surfaces like the back of a pickup truck or on top of a picnic table for a long time. If you want to do that, you need one of our hard cooler picks.
Dimensions: 13.75 by 9.5 by 13.5 inches (WDH)
Weight: 3 pounds
Capacity: 15 quarts
This comfortable, tough, waterproof backpack cooler, which holds about 36 cans, insulates just as well as any soft cooler we’ve tested. It is very expensive, though.
The Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler is great if you need a backpack that can last longer than any other soft cooler available.
It’s built for tough use. Like all Yeti gear, the Hopper backpack verges on being overengineered for strength and durability. Everything from the TPU-laminated nylon, which makes it waterproof and tough as nails, to the bar tack stitching (that is, zigzag stitching reinforcing the shoulder straps, which increases the bag’s integrity under weight) is designed to ensure that this bag will last for years through some of the toughest conditions you’ll encounter. Of course, the interior is insulated by closed-cell foam and secured with a magnetic roll-top lid. It’s not as tough as our hard cooler picks, but it’s the toughest soft cooler we’ve tried.
It’s easy to carry. After using and testing 15 backpack coolers over the past seven years, we’ve found that the extra attention to detail becomes increasingly important the more straps and layers a soft cooler has. Fully loaded—with 22 pounds of ice or 36 cans—the Hopper backpack cooler is still remarkably easy to carry. The waterproofing both within and without protects your body from any leaks or moisture sweating through from your load of ice.
It retains ice for a day. Over the years, we’ve tested the Hopper backpack in a variety of climates. While the bag can occasionally keep things cold for more than a day, this depends on how it’s packed and where it’s stored. On average, I’m comfortable assuming that the Hopper will keep whatever I’ve packed cold for a solid day regardless of the situation.
Strong magnets tend to snap closed. Yeti introduced a magnetic closure in , which offered a huge improvement on the former zipper closure but also introduced its own complications. The bag is now significantly easier to open but also more difficult to keep open. Yeti seems to have added some bridging support to help hold the bag open, but those magnets simply want to be together.
Note: These magnets were the reason that Yeti voluntarily recalled this bag in . The liner containing them was reported to fail on many occasions, releasing the magnets and creating a serious hazard for anyone who might swallow them. Yeti has since updated the design, securing the magnets more firmly.
Dimensions: 15.3 by 9.9 by 18 inches (WDH)
Weight: 6.6 pounds
Capacity: 20 quarts
Skip the Styrofoam next time you need a disposable cooler. The paper pulp of the Recool composts easily in the backyard, and it performs basically as well as any cheap single-use cooler
The Igloo Recool 16 Qt Cooler is a disposable alternative to the ubiquitous Styrofoam cooler you see on grocery shelves in the summer.
It’s biodegradable. A disposable cooler is always just a backup option, but sometimes it’s nearly unavoidable, such as when you’re caught out at a picnic or having a lucky day fishing. The Recool lives up to the hype: It’s as effective as a polystyrene cooler, you can reuse it a few times, and it composts easily. The Recool’s wood-pulp material (similar to papier-mâché), bound with a biodegradable wax called alkyl ketene dimer, doesn’t dissolve when wet.
It stacks up to the polystyrene alternative. We tested the Recool and a number of cheap, comparably sized foam competitors, filling them up with ice (both types held roughly 16 quarts) and then waiting, measuring the accumulated meltwater over time. The Recool promises to keep ice frozen for up to 12 hours, but we found in our testing that the cold lasts for more like six or eight hours, depending on how much food or drink you have in there—a result similar to what we saw in our testing of polystyrene equivalents. As for the testing units themselves, well, they’ve disappeared now. More dirt for my garden.
It should be a cooler of last resort. We don’t recommend getting any disposable cooler if you can buy a halfway decent hard cooler or soft cooler (such as any of the models we recommend above). A hard cooler like our top pick, for example, can keep ice frozen for a full week. Of course, the comparison isn’t quite fair. But even our soft cooler picks provide almost double the insulation time of the Recool.
Dimensions: 15 by 11 by 11.38 inches (WDH)
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Capacity: 16 quarts
If you can’t spend more than $100 for a chest cooler: Consider the Coleman 316 Series 52-Quart Marine Hard Cooler, a version of our previous top pick for everyday use. Don’t expect week-long ice retention from this cooler. But if you need a lightweight workhorse for grocery runs or a daylong picnic for less than half the price of our top pick (but far less than half the performance), the Marine Hard Cooler is a good choice. The problem we’ve had with it over the years is keeping up with the company’s naming and model conventions, which seem to change out of the blue with accompanying changes to design and performance.
If our roto-molded pick is sold out: Consider the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler, which carries the IGBC bear-resistant imprimatur. It’s the same price as the Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55 Quart Cooler, our roto-molded pick, but the Outfitter has a lifetime warranty versus the Tundra cooler’s five-year warranty. Yeti is the brand that everyone recognizes, though, and many people covet. If you already know you want the name, buy the name. At least you know that this cooler is also well made and (with the proper locks) built to resist hungry bears. We’re very much splitting hairs in this category, any of our picks for roto-molded design will serve you well.
If you’re looking for a soft cooler that floats: Consider the Icemule Classic Medium 15L, which is capable of floating even when loaded. This cooler has an interesting design, similar to that of a stuff sack you might use while camping. It’s really meant for the sporty crowd, paddleboarding or kayaking specifically. It performed fairly well in our tests, although its light, open-cell foam insulation hindered it some in our melt testing.
After nearly a decade testing coolers, I can say one thing for certain. Ice melt tests are overrated. At this point, every YouTube reviewer we’ve seen (many of whom do excellent work) has done ice measure tests on every conceivable cooler, and the results are so far, after some analysis and comparison, unsurprising. The coolers with the most insulation tend to keep ice frozen the longest. Arguing over a few hours difference of ice melt between high-end coolers after several days of testing is just not that interesting or informative.
For all coolers we tested, here are the criteria we used:
Insulation: Different types of insulation work in their own ways to minimize heat transfer into a cooler. Open- and closed-cell foams act as insulators to reduce heat conduction, while fabrics and liners, such as coated polyurethane and reflective Mylar, create a radiant barrier that reduces and reflects heat radiation.
Closed-cell foam is considered a better insulator than open-cell foam because the tiny bubbles of gas in closed-cell foam remain independent from one another. Air bubbles that do not share cell walls and in effect stay insulated from one another are better at reducing the overall transfer of heat through the foam. In contrast, open-cell foam is permeable to air and water like a sponge (which is why it frequently appears in foam pillows, as it’s squishier and it breathes).
Every cooler maker (especially soft cooler manufacturers) wants to claim that it uses closed-cell foam in its coolers, but after hours of research, we’ve found a lot of gray area between what is advertised as closed-cell foam and what actually is closed-cell foam. Generally, the more expensive the cooler, the better it insulates, the better the foam.
Construction: We looked closely at how every cooler is built. The design of the hard coolers—how they fit into tight spaces, the durability of the walls and lid—is a mark of how they perform in tough environments. For soft coolers, we considered the stitching and welds, while paying close attention to the overall durability of the soft materials chosen for each bag.
Hardware and fabric: We considered the external hardware, the shoulder straps, the buckles, the zippers, and the fabric, all of which had to make the cooler comfortable to carry and sturdy enough to survive regular use in a boat, on an ATV, or sliding around in the trunk of a car. For backpack coolers, we also specifically looked for reports of how comfortable (or uncomfortable) they were to wear, and we took into account our own experience as well.
Cost: This is always a consideration, of course. The baseline price of good coolers has increased over the years. Thankfully, the performance of these coolers has also increased (while at least somewhat matching the price increase). Where possible, we tried to find the best balance of performance, cost, and warranty.
Over the years, as we’ve published and updated this guide and related articles, we’ve stuck by two testing methods: measuring meltwater over time to illustrate the relative performance of insulation between coolers, and measuring temperature change over time to determine the total length of time that ice stays preserved in a cooler. This year we began a meta-analysis of online reviews to look for trends and compare the average findings with our own results.
Everybody has different needs, and we couldn’t test every single size of cooler available. Instead, we decided to focus on the most utilitarian and family-friendly sizes we could find. (The exception is backpack coolers, which often come in only one size.)
Among hard coolers, if you’re using your cooler for something like grocery shopping, small weekend gatherings, or barbecues, 50 to 55 quarts is plenty. It’s the standard size we now recommend for most families.
Larger coolers work best for specialized situations. If you’re a boater, as Carolyn Shearlock of The Boat Galley wrote, a “65- or 70-quart cooler is about the minimum size needed to have enough ice and space for food” for a weeklong trip for two. Again, the right size for you depends on how you pack your cooler and how long you need to keep things cold (more ice takes up more volume). Another example came up last year during a power outage, when one of our staff members was able to move most of the contents of a fridge into a 70-quart cooler, along with the necessary ice to keep it cold.
For soft coolers, we recommend anything in the 20- to 24-can range. That’s enough to hold plenty of ice, drinks, and food for a family of three. Anything smaller, and you end up carrying a lot of bag and not much of anything else. The smaller sizes just don’t have enough room to be functional for anything except an individual lunch or a few drinks.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the coolers we’ve ever tested. We have removed models that have been discontinued or no longer meet our criteria.
RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Cooler: Its performance is right in line with all the other roto-molded coolers we’ve tested. However, it costs $10 more than our Canyon Coolers Outfitter pick while having a smaller capacity and offering a shorter warranty (five years versus a lifetime). And although it costs about $100 less than the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler (listed as a backup to the Outfitter in our Other coolers worth considering section), it lacks the bear-resistant certification that both the Yeti Tundra and the Canyon Coolers Outfitter coolers carry.
Engel 45 High Performance Hard Cooler and Ice Box: It almost meets the level of other top-end coolers, except it’s consistently let down by its latches, which garner numerous complaints online—complaints we had as well during testing. They just aren’t robust enough.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler: The cooler has bizarre plastic ribbing and extended hard handles that take up needless space in most situations, making it awkward to use on boats or utility vehicles.
Bison Coolers 50 QT Cooler: This roto-molded design, intended for hunters and fishers, is as good as any we tested, but our top-pick roto-molded cooler from RTIC is just as good—and a good deal cheaper.
Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler: The Roadie cooler is designed with a telescoping handle, similar to a carry-on piece of luggage. This change in the center of gravity may make it easier to maneuver than our top rolling cooler pick in certain situations, but the difference wasn’t immediately clear to us in testing. Our main concern is the price; the complexity of the telescoping handle adds to the price per cubic liter significantly.
Polar Bear Coolers 24 Pack Original Nylon Soft Side Cooler: This cooler, our former top pick among soft coolers, is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pack. But the cooler’s lack of durability (especially to sun damage) over the years prevents us from continuing to recommend it.
AO Canvas Series 24 Pack Cooler: A decade ago this cooler worked decently well when compared with the competition. But its 0.75-inch open-cell insulation doesn’t compare to our current pick—it’s not as well insulated and nowhere near as durable.
Coleman Chiller 30-Can Soft-Sided Portable Cooler: This Coleman soft cooler, which comes with a removable hard-plastic liner meant to keep your food from being squashed, has thin insulation that just didn’t perform well.
Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler: Similar in design to our soft cooler pick, the Hopper Flip cooler is a good option, but as with all Yeti models, this soft cooler’s build and attention to detail are reflected in the price. For a simple design like this, we just didn’t see that it made much of a difference, and the RTIC soft cooler is practically just as good and much less expensive.
Yeti Hopper M30 Tote Soft Cooler: This tote is similar to our backpack cooler pick from Yeti, but it’s larger and designed to carry as a shoulder bag. We found it unwieldy for the size. I suppose for short distances or as a car cooler it would work well for a family. But the backpack form seems much more functional.
Brumate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler: The Brumate isn’t bad. We’re a fan of the company’s innovative water bottle and mug designs. The stiff lid with magnetic closure on this bag is a neat upgrade, but what we miss is the flexibility of the bag to bend around some items that our top pick has. It also wasn’t quite as comfortable to carry.
This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.
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