That’s where the Realtree group comes in, as you’ll be able to choose between the Tactical Duffel, Gizmo, Square 30, Launch 2 Go and HLC 12 Cooler Bags. We also wanted to pick a diverse list is prices, functions, and specialties. From there, we purchased the best 30 coolers we could find to take to our lab in Brooklyn for testing. It’s tall enough for wine bottles and can carry about 18 cans with ice, but it’s not so big you hate to carry it, and it only weighs 3.6 pounds empty. Today we’re excited to the whole Igloo’s latest cooler series – the Reactor. For the most part, this backpack did a good job preventing leaks, though a small amount of water seeped through once the ice melted.
Our major gripe with the Hydro Flask soft cooler is that it’s less comfortable to carry for long periods of time. The shoulder strap is fine, but the handles are on the thin side and lack padding. As soft-sided coolers have become increasingly popular, the market has become more and more innovative. At one time, the presence of an airtight zipper and waterproof exterior indicated solid insulation. Now, various closure solutions continue to impress us with their ability to keep things chilled.
igloo soft coolerAccording to the ice retention test, this cooler can retain ice for 57 hours and fit ounce cans. According to our ice retention test, this cooler is capable of holding ice for up to 78 hours, which is what the brand claims — and is also the strongest ice retention among the coolers on our list. To put the size in perspective, this cooler could fit ounce cans. While the Trooper 20 ($250) is a bit expensive, it stands out as the best soft cooler on the market, and should last for many seasons of use.
RTIC says to add a couple of drops then open and close the zipper a few times. The moisturizer can be applied every six months to help protect the zipper teeth — around the time you head in for an oil change. The well-constructed, premium Hydro Flask Day Escape Tote is available at a moderate price ($150). The eco-friendly design features a recycled polyester upper and recycled nylon bottom. We took this cooler on a two-person, 3,400-mile road trip from Colorado to Washington for ski mountaineering followed by ocean surfing.
igloo trailmateYear after year, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 continues to impress us. This tried-and-true model boasts impressive insulation for a small cooler. Its shape and size are convenient and easy to use with a simple design that simply works. Yeti products are known to be strong and primed to tackle all your wild adventures, and this one is no exception.