If you’re wondering what kind of foam your cooler has, a good rule of thumb is to try to squeeze the foam with your fingers. If your fingers can compress the foam more than 75%, you’re probably dealing with open-cell foam. If the foam feels denser than that and doesn’t compress much at all, you probably have your hands on closed-cell foam. This comfortable, tough, waterproof backpack cooler insulates just as well as any soft cooler we’ve tested.
coleman ice chest are built into the lid to keep your drink close and prevent spills. Made to withstand the challenging conditions of being on the water, the UVGuard coating helps protect the cooler from damaging sun rays. Stainless steel hardware prevents rusting and corrosion, extending the life of the cooler. With room for up to 100 cans, you’ll easily fit refreshments and the day’s catch on fishing trips.
The Coleman Company was founded in 1900 to manufacture and sell its signature gas pressure lanterns for outdoor recreation and camping. If you’re an angler, you might appreciate a model with an integrated ruler across the top to measure your catch. Many of the options we tested have this feature, including the Pelican Wheeled, Arctic Titan, Xspec, and Igloo IMX. Still, others have specific slots to tie them down in your boat, backseat, or truck bed. Both the Orca 40 and the Orca 58 have a velcro-sealed mesh pocket on the back to help you more easily get everything you need all in one trip. Over time, we grew to appreciate these handy pockets much more than we anticipated.
Higher-end coolers cost in the range of $80-$150, while the marine model is much more expensive. The drain plug isn’t the only factor that makes emptying water easy or annoying. Most of the contenders we tested also have a sloping channel behind the drain to help gravity pull water out. Still, several have unfortunately paired this with a large lip or other obstruction that then stops your drainage progress before it’s 100% complete. Models that we found the easiest and most thorough to drain include the Engel, Kenai, Xspec, Orca, Titan, and Tundra, which all feature either a tiny lip or a sloped lip to make emptying your meltwater a breeze. The Arctic Titan has an oversized drain to decrease the time you spend emptying it.
The distinctive of Picnic at Ascot includes side supports and threading on the steel edge to prevent sagging and water spilling. With maximum comfort and stability provided by this design, you can engage in outdoor activities without being concerned about the product’s durability or safety. Another plus is the ice-filled high-density foam insulation, which keeps 32 cans cooled for 12 to 18 hours.
This simple lunch-box-style coleman instant tent is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon. This roto-molded cooler costs far less than the Yeti Tundra 65 but performs just as well in nearly every way. It’s almost indestructible, it has two drainage ports and replaceable parts, and it kept our ice frozen for 10 days. Our tester appreciated the “excellent” turn radius and “secure seal” provided by the latches which kept the contents “really cold even after 24 hours,” with minimal melted ice or temperature change.