A lifelong user of coolers, he appreciates the innovation of soft backpack coolers. We also measured for cold and ice retention by taking the inside temperature of each cooler at igloo water cooler two hours after filling them with cans and ice and then 24 hours after filling them with cans and ice. Backed by our testing, these are the best soft coolers you can buy now.
That well-founded retention is thanks to the brand’s blend of proprietary insulation, interior radiant barrier, and thick base made of three layers of SuperFoam. We also found the water- and stain-resistant exterior very durable. By measuring meltwater, we can produce data that illustrates the relative igloo trailmate performance of insulation between coolers over time. For example, after five days, the Coleman Xtreme retained 11 more pounds of ice than the Igloo MaxCold did. That translates to the Coleman Xtreme being 20% more efficient than the Igloo MaxCold overall in ice retention during the same time period.
The Icemule Pro essentially combines the two into an insulated, durable dry bag perfect for a day on the water. Like a good dry bag, the Icemule Pro has a roll-top closure that it claims igloo trailmate will not let water in or out and allows you to trap air inside for extra insulation. Our testers noticed a bit of a leak from the roll-top closure when inverting the cooler.
Additionally, the entire cooler component can be removed, converting the entire thing into an uninsulated backpack when you need it. However, we can’t quite get the top rolled tight enough to be waterproof, though it only leaks little drips when completely inverted. When fully loaded with a whopping 39 cans, we wish we had a waist belt to take some of the weight off our shoulders. But for lighter loads, wearing the IceMule is like carrying a grade school backpack.
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. Closed-cell foam is also much more expensive to produce than open-cell foam. The resulting product is strong and especially rigid feeling, and typically it weighs more than 1.7 pounds per cubic foot with more than 90% of its air cells closed to one another. Closed-cell foam is also water-impermeable—so it’s an ideal material for, say, surfers’ wetsuits. With better insulation, a cooler can maintain lower temperatures for longer, thus consuming less ice. This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon.
Even given its large size, it was still very comfortable to transport, due to the soft, malleable walls. With the simple, wide handles Velcroed together, we could sling the cooler over our shoulders when it was fully loaded. The flat backside wall alleviates bounce when we were using the shoulder strap. We also appreciated the water-resistant exterior pocket, which is easy to open and close.
This Coleman soft cooler saves that horrible battle where you have to try to clean the debris and crumbs from the soft edged corners of the bag without spilling water everywhere. 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. We believe in offering the very best value, quality, and selection. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store where some exclusions may apply.