Instead of carrying all the weight on one shoulder or in your hands, you can toss it on your back and walk comfortably. It features padded straps, a cushioned back panel, and a chest strap, making you feel supported and balanced on long hikes and igloo water cooler walks. The most durable coolers we tested are the Engel HD30 and Yeti Flip 12. These models feature incredibly tough, wear-resistant outer fabric, durable components, sturdy zippers, reinforced stitching, and a design made to be used and abused.
Hard coolers are still the gold standard in cold-retention, but soft coolers provide distinct benefits, such as portability made possible by their lighter weights and flexibility. To find the right cooler, browse our tested recommendations and read our tips at the bottom of this article. Waterproof igloo soft cooler Soft Coolers
Many of the coolers above utilize highly water-resistant zippers or openings, but very few have fully waterproof constructions. One exception is the ICEMULE Classic, which has a dry bag-like shape and exterior with a roll-top closure that can be fully submerged in water.
Our most recent test compares 13 of the best models available today. Soft coolers offer portability and versatility that traditional hard coolers can’t. We fully loaded these coolers, walked with them for miles, and went through hundreds of pounds of ice. No matter your budget or needs, our exhaustive testing will help you identify the perfect cooler for you. 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.
We’ve taken this cooler and Yeti’s BackFlip 24 on many fishing and fly-fishing trips. We like the Hopper Flip because of its size and ability to keep drinks cold all day, even in the warm sun. It’s the perfect companion and size for a group of three or four to have a few cans each throughout the day. While our testers noted this cooler is large and heavy and not the easiest to lug around, we also appreciate that the cooler floats in the water, is spill- and leakproof, and comes in four sizes. We also found it to be an ideal road trip size as it’s small enough to fit easily into a car yet sufficient to carry drinks and snacks for a few people. We enjoyed using this cooler on a road trip from California to the Midwest and back to California and saw it as the perfect cooling copilot.
Some soft coolers have materials that are mildew resistant and antimicrobial like the interior liner of the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler. YETI also treats the interior and exterior of its Hopper Flip soft coolers to be mildew resistant, which helps with keeping your tote sanitary while extending the life of the product. For this soft cooler guide, we examined the most popular, innovative, highly acclaimed, and bestselling products with diverse storage and carry capacities, ice retention ability, and across a price spectrum. However, our ice melted fast on hot days, and with minimal room in the cooler, the food can get wet.
Igloo also focuses on keeping nature lovers happy with options such as the Outdoorsman group. Some versions of this ice chest come in the form of soft lunch boxes for short journeys or use for kids, while Square and Hardtop Gripper cooler bags are better suited for heavier packing. Weights for Igloo Marine Ultra options range from 1.5 to 3 lbs., making it easy to carry over your shoulder. Color options include white and navy or gray and seafoam, emphasizing design for trips on lakes or at beaches. The most airtight, temperature-regulated, and waterproof soft coolers boast burly zippers that take hand grease to open and close.