The shoulder strap is adjustable in case you’re bringing plates of food or other items to a party, and the front slip pocket has space for extra food. Whatever food and drinks are stored inside this ice chest will be able to stay cold for the entire day. While standing as one of the smaller options on this list, enough retention is provided for a day at work or an afternoon at the park with friends and family. Color options for this cooler include slate blue and tan, sandstone and red, and tank green and black, which should blend in depending on what environment you’re exploring. Ice bags weigh between 1 and 3 lbs for an easy carry, and you can carry up to 30 cans, depending on which bag you choose. The attachment points and rubberized grip top handles provide an easy carrying experience, and the front pocket is deep enough for storing extra food.
That translates to the Coleman Xtreme being 20% more efficient than the Igloo MaxCold overall in ice retention during the same time period. We also started tracking the internal temperature of the coolers with the ThermoWorks Signals thermometer to see exactly when temperatures began to rise. 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. The cooler’s multilayer insulation didn’t keep the ice very well, and the waxed canvas is stylish and soft but soaks up water and gets heavy.
That said, temperature retention isn’t the only factor to consider while shopping. Given the differences in construction, capacity and value, the best cooler for you will depend on its intended use. When you’re igloo soft cooler ready to store this backpack cooler, you simply reverse the bag to empty out the air and fold up the bag. According to the brand, it’s 100% waterproof and can even float, but we haven’t tested that claim yet.
With 25% more foam, your items will stay cold for longer periods no matter how quick the ice melts. The soft cooler options on the list below come in handy igloo water cooler no matter what you have planned, putting Igloo ahead of the competition. We also wanted to pick a diverse list is prices, functions, and specialties.
They also have a lot of practical features like external pockets as well as water bottle holders and the zipper is fairly easy to open and use. This brand has been around for over 25 years and their soft sided coolers are cheap compared to other coolers but still tough as nails. See how tough they are in my full AO Cooler review, you’ll be surprised at the punishment they can handle. They are waterproof, scratch and puncture resistant and have a reinforced base for extra durability. Everything from the side handles to the shoulder strap to even the Hitchpoint grid accessory straps feel high quality and well made. In this article I will be ranking coolers based off their ice retention, with coolers that can hold ice for longer being ranked first and coolers where ice melts quicker further down the list.
The materials are high-quality with closed-cell foam insulation, a vinyl-coated polyester exterior, and snazzy YKK zippers. But without a shoulder strap, it wasn’t ideal to transport the Hobie Cooler more than short distances. Ultimately, due to the ice retention, the Pursuit Tote is a solid option for errands and small trips but be sure to cool the bag before use.
If you plan on staying out in the woods for more than a day, then be prepared to carry extra packs of ice, as well as more than one of these coolers so that you enjoy tasty meals. And 1.2 lbs., while the Cool Fusion 36, which provides more space, weighs 6.4 lbs. The locking and telescoping handles make sure that users have a tight grip when carrying the cooler. Several compartments are included in all variations for extra storage, and leak-resistant liner is included so that no water escapes and leaves the inside warm. The retention foam allows drinks and food to stay cold for a whole day, which will keep everyone at the occasion you’re attending satisfied.
And not surprisingly, it had some of the best ice retention and coldest temperatures at the end of our 24-hour test. The Hopper Flip’s inside temperature only raised by about 6 degrees over 24 hours, thanks to Yeti’s closed-cell insulation, for which it’s become infamous. While we tested during cooler fall temperatures, the Walker delivered days of ice retention versus the hours we got from flimsier bag-style soft coolers. Those times would be shortened in direct sun and high temps, but the thick walls of the Walker are more than enough for a day at the beach. In our lab, the temperature inside the tote actually dropped 8 degrees between two hours and 24 hours after filling it with ice.