It’s really cool to see a cooler that can do so many things and isn’t missing something as simple as a bottle opener or cup holders (see my list of problems with Yeti coolers). It has a very innovative design featuring large wheels, a pull out side handle and everything for external baskets and compartments to cup holders, interior dry baskets and bottle openers. This cooler not only stands out from the crowd but it performs really well too. This is the part where we usually pay more attention to what a cooler has to offer and that makes sense because this is every cooler’s primary purpose. Igloo promises a solid 4 days of ice retention for The Trailmate cooler which is pretty decent for its size and the fact that it’s not roto-molded.
But we still would encourage you to be cautious with storing items that are particularly sensitive to wet environments, even if you are putting them in the dry storage bin. The same
mounting bracket that is used for the removable rod holders can be used with removable Igloo cup holders. Needless to say this is the perfect cooler for a beach day or surf fishing.
When traversing grassy fields to beach dunes or dirt roads to wooded trails-wherever your heart desires, the Igloo Trailmate will get there with ease and be the life of the part day or night. Overall, this cooler crushed the trails and kept ice for days. If you need a go anywhere cooler that looks cooler than most may be suggest the Trailmate Cooler from Igloo.
There are a ton of great features that Igloo has included that makes these ice chests stand out from just about everything else on the market. While we always prefer more size options, if we had to choose just
one size, a 70-quart is pretty good. It is large enough to fit all of the food and drinks for a decent-sized group while still not being overly large to the point that it is a challenge to transport and store.
It won’t be on the level of toughness as an IGBC-certified rotomolded cooler but it will still be more than capable in most settings. In the case of the Trailmate Marine, it comes with special UV inhibitors built into the wall. They help to protect against sun damage (which can be a major concern in marine settings). You will also find an antimicrobial liner that helps to offset bacteria growth and is very easy to clean up as well.
Igloo also includes a tray/cutting board which lays on top of the extended handled. When the tray not in use, this can be placed on the inside of the cooler lid. It also has exterior storage pockets to hold small items and a dedicated slot to keep your phone upright. Then another lockable, water-resistant storage compartment with an anti-leak gasket to keep tech gadgets or other important items dry.
Given that it has the name Trailmate I knew it had to go on a trail to truly earn it’s name. As for toughness, the cooler is comprised of an aluminum frame and utilizes stainless steel hardware. You don’t have to worry about this ice chest falling apart when you are towing it to your next adventure. However, it still won’t be quite as tough as the simpler premium coolers on the market from Yeti, RTIC, Engel, etc. Its combination of impressive ice performance, great build quality, and helpful features make it a go-to for many outdoor enthusiasts.
While you will pay more for the Igloo Trailmate than most other Igloo products, we still feel that it is a bargain for what you are getting. The sheer number of great accessories justifies a lot of this higher asking price and even as a simple cooler, it does a decent enough job to not make us gasp too much at the asking price. The combination of the aggressive wheels and the rigid exposed metal makes for a very tough and intimidating look. And the layout of this cooler is unique and is sure to stand out from the crowd.