However, our igloo soft cooler melted fast on hot days, and with minimal room in the cooler, the food can get wet. But, the seamless liner did hold the water and showed no sign of leaks. Despite being left in the car for a full day following the river outing, the cooler still had ice and felt cold. 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. Some of these designs are actually very rigid, stout, and stackable.
The AO 24 igloo water cooler has a padded shoulder strap and malleable exterior that make it more comfortable to carry. Meander through the wilderness more easily with a backpack cooler. Though it’s not the most amazing cooler we tested, it does offer respectable insulation and a high degree of usability for an impressively low price. In our testing, we found the side handles of the Fishpond Blizzard Soft Cooler and OtterBox Trooper 20 Cooler were stalwart and comfortable to grab. We liked the wide, soft material of the two swing-up straps on the Snow Peak Soft Cooler. With a unique spin, the cooler is compatible with a removable insert called the KeepR ($150), which organizes fare into different compartments like a golf bag.
When you create your custom soft cooler, we not only want your design to shine but your last soda and snack to be as satisfying as the first. At Custom Branding, we know how important it is to have your soft cooler keep everything perfectly chilled when you’re going from tailgate to picnic to the beach. This comfortable, tough, waterproof backpack cooler insulates just as well as any soft cooler we’ve tested. As with all soft coolers, you shouldn’t leave the RTIC 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.
Once every cooler was completely loaded, we carried the coolers around to see which were the easiest to travel with. After unpacking and assessing the drain spouts, we combined soda with half an onion inside each to determine which retained odors after cleaning. Overall, we collected over 1,800 datapoints to determine which coolers would best withstand a typical day of use and longer.
Hard coolers are more durable and stout and have a larger size range, given they can hold more weight without collapsing. If you’re going on a weeklong car camping trip with limited access to ice, it’s advantageous to have a hard cooler for fresh food. Soft coolers may have shoulder straps — which are typically removable — buckles, attachment points, and interior or exterior pockets. Some pockets have durable, waterproof zipper closures, but many are not weather-resistant or secured with a closure. Soft coolers offer a lightweight, easy-to-transport solution for preserving food and keeping drinks cold when you’re on the go. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best soft coolers for your next outdoor adventure.
It doesn’t have the snazzy laminated exterior and waterproof zipper that so many others boast. Yet underneath this unassuming exterior, this is a totally decent soft cooler that’s simple to use and easy to love. Thick foam surrounding the entirety of your contents provides reliable insulation for an above-average amount of time.
Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store where some exclusions may apply. Front slip pocket for additional storage, Leak-resistant, easy-to-clean, antimicrobial liner. RTIC makes great products, and their soft-sided cooler is no exception. It’s a great alternative to the Igloo Reactor and comes with 4 size options.
The dividers are secured via Velcro, so the compartments are adjustable. The center of the basket has a circular sleeve for the 3L igloo trailmater ($50), a double-wall vacuum-sealed ice holder with a 3.5-pound capacity. Both the KeepR and Icer are sold separate alongside the stackable SnackR ($30) containers for food. In an uncommon and fun shape, the 5-gallon KULA Softy Cooler ($240) is round with a zipper top, but still features bomber construction. The cooler’s exterior is made with stout ripstop nylon that easily wipes down. Inside, the insulated polyester liner is durable and removable.
When transformed into a box or bag shape, the cooler is light, nimble, and malleable. No other cooler would’ve fit into the awkward floor space behind our seats. At the brand’s partner factory in the Philippines, the designers and sewers choose mixed-and-matched fabric for each pack. No two coolers bags are the same — each one is creatively unique.