Igloo Trailmate Marine Review Tested by GearLab

Given that it has the name Trailmate I knew it had to go on a trail to truly earn it’s name. The adventure-ready Trailmate Series — our bestselling durable coolers for the great outdoors — has lots of fun members in its crew. 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.

Born from a modest metalworking shop back in 1947, Igloo has been instrumental in redefining how we live, work and play. What began with bringing clean water to the worksite quickly moved into super-functional, best-in-class ice chests. Igloo products made the family outdoor recreation movement igloo water cooler of the 20th century possible. Suddenly, taking your kids camping on the weekend became easy and cross-country road trips became a summer vacation staple. Additionally, its telescoping trolley handle provides an ample amount of space between the front of the cooler and the backs of your heels.

While the coolers we tested averaged 4.5 days maintaining these cooler temperatures, the Trailmate managed just 3.2 days of wavering right at or just below 40º. You’ll get long-lasting, extended ice retention, thanks igloo water cooler to a THERMECOOL™ (it’s eco-friendly!) insulated lid/body and Cool Riser Technology®. Often referred to as “the Swiss army knife of coolers”, Trailmate Journey is truly the cooler that does and has it all.

This model is suited for adventures on the water with features like UV inhibitors, comfort-grip handle, non-marking wheel tread and an antimicrobial liner. Get out there with our Trailmate cooler bags — easy to carry and crafted to withstand the elements while keeping drinks and food chilled for your long outdoor excursion. So more realistically, aim for around 2 ½ to 3 days of ice if you fill it up 1/3 to ½ way.

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. 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. But for someone after the maximum storage space, the 70-quart model may prove to be a bit limited.

As for the hardware, it is made of stainless steel which is also rust-resistant and extremely tough. 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. In addition, it comes with an anti-skid base that helps to avoid creating scuff marks on your boat deck. Easily the most recognizable feature has to be the massive wheels.

This feature is something that you will find on very few other coolers on the market and it is a great way to stand out from the crowd while having a nifty feature. In no event will Free Delivery benefits be available to you if reside outside the delivery service area of a Participating Beta Test Program Retailer. Currently we offer FREE FedEx/UPS small package Ground shipping and FREE ABF/YRC freight ground shipping on most orders of $199 or more within the 48 contiguous states. Most orders under $199 will receive $6.49 flat rate shipping. Some irregular shaped or oversized items may include a special handling charge.

This cooler others impressive ice retention, more features than most competitors, yet doesn’t break the bank. Prices are constantly fluctuating, but normally the Trailmate can be picked up for under $250. Some may find this price point to be steep, but a comparison of a similar sized roto molded cooler will reveal the value.