This is a pretty bold statement considering we have reviewed a ton of wheeled coolers in the past. However, this claim is easily defended considering the superior ice retention and the included features/accessories. As for its cooling purpose, the Journey 70 Qt Cooler uses Thermocool foam insulation on the body and lid for superior ice retention. Cool Riser Technology also helps improve cooling performance by elevating the cooler’s body away from hot surfaces. The interior also comes with a suspended food basket to segregate food items and keep them dry.
In the ongoing cooler wars, Igloo has taken the “more is more” philosophy, and thrown just about every trick into their new Trailmate wheeled cooler. Designed to be rugged enough to handle bumpy boat docks, rough shorelines, and sandy beaches, the Trailmate
is ideal for aquatic adventures. The Trailmate has a little detachable waterproof storage box that clips onto the front of the cooler. This is a great little spot for items like a cell phone, wallet, keys or anything you don’t want to get wet.
It is therefore important that it be kept as light as possible to make hauling it around an easy job. The first thing we always want to look at in a cooler is how well built it is. In this case, the Igloo Trailmate Cooler wasn’t a disappoint because Igloo put a lot of thought into its construction, making sure it is made to be tough and durable.
These provide additional stability when the cooler is laid flat. The no-slip grip combined with the aggressive tire tread means that you can place this cooler on uneven surfaces and slopes without worrying about it falling over or rolling away. The Rexford RUT V4 features what TAD calls a “wrap-around puzzle piece construction” that holds the front end together without fasteners. The Adventure 1 Electric has a kitchen, a bed, modular storage spaces, and automatically adjusts driving according to the terrain for the smoothest off-road travel.
But for someone who is after a truly unique, mobile, and well-performing ice chest, the asking price is more than fair. Built with never-flat, extra wide wheels, UV inhibitors that help protect the cooler in broad sunlight, and non-marking anti-skid handles and feet, they work equally well on and off the boat. Complete with butler tray, iPad or mobile device holder, bottle openers, fishing pole holders and more, this cooler line is intended to address many needs beyond a cold beverage.
But if wheels and features are what you’re after and a budget is what you’re on, the Igloo might be the right fit for your life. Igloo makes a lot of products, many of which we think are excellent values for what they bring to the table. Unfortunately, we don’t feel the same way about the Trailmate Marine. We found its performance and overall quality to be less than what we had hoped, though its price is not much less than many of the seriously impressive coolers we tested. We like both products and feel that it boils down to the individual.
They also never go flat, which means you have a set of wheels you can take anywhere that is also going to last you a very long time. One of the drawbacks of this cooler not being rotomolded is that all the extra insulation has made the cooler larger, heavier, and more expensive than it would be had it been rotomolded. Whether you think it’s worth it too is something you’ll have to figure out. However, there was still something missing from Igloo, and that was the fact that they didn’t have a proper wheeled cooler for those who just didn’t like the idea of carrying a cooler. That problem was solved with the arrival of the
.
The competition for the Trailmate consists of rotomolded coolers with superior ice retention. They also come from superior brands and cost significantly more. However, if you would love a cooler with the kind of features that you get on the Trailmate, then it is definitely worth buying. It has a variety of capacities with the smallest being the 20 qt and the most being the 55 qt. It has an ice retention of 7 days and happens to be rotomolded. According to Igloo, this cooler will keep your ice icy for up to 4 days.
Also, this latter comes with huge wheels that offer 10 inches of clearance off the ground while the Yeti Haul is not as high and bulky. Igloo today offers one of the largest platforms for everyone and anyone to find the perfect cooler for their needs and vision. In stock expedited shipments will ship the same day, or the next business day for orders placed on a weekend, if the order is placed before 12 PM Central Time. Non-expedited orders are processed for shipment within two business days of payment verification, excluding holidays. You will receive a shipping confirmation e-mail once your order has shipped. The e-mail will provide your tracking number and link to the shipping carriers tracking page.
That being said, all you’d have to do is fill the Trailmate Cooler with ice, drinks and food and you’re ready to enjoy 4 days of outdoor fun if not more depending on the weather and other factors. And to make this cooler even tougher, Igloo added marine grade aluminum construction and stainless steel to its overall built for maximum durability and functionality. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products.