Equally as important, the Rovr’s handle swings out far enough from the chest’s body to avoid painful heel smashing. And with motocross-style rubber handles located on the edges of the sides of the wide trolley handle, it’s clear that this product is designed with the user in mind. Attachment is easy, and the flexible, pivoting arm allows for freedom of bike movement and no loss of turning radius or steering ability. We are so genuinely impressed by this rolling icebox’s portability that we hardly even notice or mind its heavier initial weight. The RTIC has visually similar rubber latches that are much more flexible. As such, they are easy to use, lacking the stiff stubbornness of many other latches.
If portability is a priority, we recommend looking at options with wheels, such as RovR’s RollR 45 or Igloo’s Trailmate Journey. Luckily, the RTIC 65 competes neck and neck with the best coolers out there while costing significantly less than its premium competition. With this model, you get the construction elements and features of top coolers, such as a rotomolded design, robust hinges, comfortable grips for carrying, and two drainage spouts. The non-skid rubber feet on the bottom help it stay in place during transport, and the stretchy rubber latches for the lid are not as stiff and difficult to maneuver as the competition.
We’ve been researching, testing, and retesting popular coolers for years to bring you the most competitive models out there, and this most recent round of contenders is no exception. As far as drains go, several products have dual-function drains, meaning there’s a hole through the shaft of the drain plug that lets water run out without having to remove the entire drain cap. Of course, if you want a faster flow, a total plug removal is advised, but don’t misplace that cap, as most models we tested don’t come with a leash to keep it attached to the body of the box.
The Igloo IMX wire basket is a tighter wire weave, making it much easier to keep small items contained than most other models. The Titan, Tundra 65 and 45, and Igloo all feature a simple basket that sits across the top of the opening, while the OtterBox is a similar concept but is a solid plastic bin instead. Mid-sized models offer a middle ground between the many large options that can often be overkill for a simple picnic or road trip coleman ice chest but offer more storage space than the small personal chests. It fits a full 40 quarts of contents as well as whatever you can cram into the large external storage pocket covering the back of the box. Its taller, narrower shape is also more comfortable for a single person to carry from the car to the beach. When it comes to high durability and above-average insulation and usability, the RTIC 65 is a fantastic example of a high-value item.
A rustproof-build and a leak-resistant drain empower no-tilt emptying and easy carrying. The Coleman beverage cooler is outfitted with two sturdy two-way handles for comfortable carrying and a hinged, snap-tight lid that keeps contents neatly contained, even on bumpy rides. The lid is designed with four built-in cup holders for added convenience. The most important metric for most of us is how well an ice chest keeps food cold and fresh. This metric is also the source of a lot of really extraordinary claims from manufacturers.
They have found a happy medium between performance, toughness, and asking price. No matter if you are looking for a marine cooler, a beach cooler, a pool cooler, a hunting cooler, or any other application you could think of, Coleman has a product for you. Each of these products is designed around its particular application, so you know Coleman is looking out for your best interest. Remember, storage volume that you can’t use is just extra weight and storage consideration you’ll have to deal with!
Whether it’s your first time camping or you’ve been at it for years, it never hurts to have a checklist. To help you get out of the house with all the essentials in tow, we’ve outlined everything you need, including group gear like a camping tent… If proven defective, product returns or exchanges must be handled directly with the manufacturer. For retail purchases returned without a receipt, the refund will be issued as a store merchandise credit at the lowest price within the last 90 days. Proper ID will be required in the form of a valid, state- issued driver’s license or state ID card. We reserve the right to limit, or refuse returns without a receipt.
This makes them just as secure as ever but requires slightly more force to operate. The Roadie 24 and OtterBox Venture both have plastic and rubber latches similar to the Xspec, but they’re both exceptionally easy to use, requiring less finagling and feeling much stronger overall. Several of the models we tested have IGBC certification – what does that mean, though?
And don’t think that just because Coleman makes an extra-large cooler and also a personal cooler that they approach both in the same manner. Backpack coolers offer the ultimate in portability for covering longer distances, whether you’re headed to a campsite deep in the woods or hiking in for an afternoon paddle at your favorite lake. It would definitely be time to pack in some more ice or wrap up your camping trip.
If you’re worried about re-stocking, ice packs are a viable alternative. Most major brands have their own designs that work well in their coolers, and the best part is that you can use them repeatedly without ever having to drain melted ice. That said, ice packs are fairly expensive (YETI’s range from $15 to coleman sundome $30 depending on size) and require refreezing once they lose their coldness, which limits practicality for longer trips. Picking up used coolers from the old metal to the older extreme series. You see, Yeti, Engel, RTIC, etc are all great coolers, but they’re very expensive – anywhere from $200 to $500+.