It seems the designers at Igloo tried their best to anticipate all the possible preferences users might have, and we think they have largely done a very good job. On the bottom, we have a strong compression molded igloo soft cooler base that provides stability and a firm structure to the whole bag. Sitting this bag down on its base will keep it firm and upright. All round, it’s a strong and durable bag with a pleasing aesthetic design.
Chillin’ out is easy with genuine s and lunch coolers! Hauling cold drinks and food is easier because soft coolers weigh less, and they’re ready to be custom printed with your logo for memorable gifts. There is a wide variety of sizes and all these promotional coolers are easy to clean and stow when you’re done. Additional features on soft coolers include hard clip points, daisy chains, webbing straps, and bungee cords for carrying extra gear.
One potential issue, especially when transporting for lunch, is the cooler leaked a bit from the zipper. Four tie-down points on the cooler will help with that during transport in a vehicle. It’s tall enough for wine bottles and can carry about 18 cans with ice, but it’s not so big you hate to carry it, and it only weighs 3.6 pounds empty. The Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler provides the same long-term cold-retention the brand is famous for in a sleeker, easier-to-open design.
The robust zipper closure takes some effort and time to open, but the wide T-shaped pull makes the job comfortable. According to our ice retention test, the REI Co-op Haul is capable of holding ice for up to 60 hours. To put the size in perspective, this cooler could fit one dozen 12-ounce cans.
The price tags on modern soft coolers may be shocking if you haven’t shopped for one before. Most higher-end offerings are well over $100, and the top-of-the-line options are as much as $300 or more. If your budget is tight or you aren’t sure you need the best soft cooler around, consider some of our lower-cost recommendations. The clear winners in this category are the backpack-style coolers, as this distribution of weight across both shoulders and resting behind you will almost always beat out a unilateral carry. We’ve tested several of this style, and the IceMule Pro is hands down our favorite for sheer carrying comfort.
A tight seal is another great trait, as it can both keep unwanted moisture out of the cooler as well as keep an internal spill from ruining your clothing. While portable and fairly inexpensive, the look of this cooler is not the sharpest. The zipper does include a bottle opener and there is a germ-resistant liner for good measure. We like it as a tag-long to sporting events, where you can take in the game, sip a cold beverage, and secure said beverage on the table-like lid. The added mesh all over the bag is helpful for stuffing in last-minute items.
If the cooler’s seams are not welded and leakproof, they can leak. Soft coolers can also leak through the lid closure if the zipper isn’t waterproof or the clasp isn’t leakproof. When you use a cooler outside, many factors influence a pack’s ice retention, including frequency of opening the cooler, direct sunlight, and ambient temperature. For instance, the REI Co-op Cool Haul Soft Cooler preserved ice for 60 hours during our test but only for 18 hours during one toasty car camp trip. Even the heaviest soft cooler in our guide is lighter than a hard cooler. For comparison, the YETI Tundra 45 Cooler weighs 23 pounds, and the RovR Products RollR 45 weighs more than 37 pounds.
Additionally, our pick for the best value is the IceMule Classic Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag. Greg’s a co-founder of bestcooler.reviews and author of 100+ product reviews and comparisons on this website. When not at work, Greg’s an avid sportsman who enjoys running marathons, loves snowboarding, hiking and discovering new single tracks on his bike.