We tested this cooler on packrafting and SUPing trips in the Elk and Sawatch mountains of Colorado. The unique REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler ($100) is an adaptable backpack cooler with a removable cooler insert, so you can drop the liner for a traditional day pack. Essentially, you’re getting two pack styles in one piece of gear for only $100, which is a good ozark trail chair deal if you’re not looking for a specialized item. This design’s exterior MuleSkin 1,000-denier fabric withstands rough conditions. The shoulder straps are on the wider side but not as motion-limiting as the straps of other pack coolers we’ve tested. The Backpack cooler should be able to hold ice for a day while the tote holds ice for 1 and a half days.
This cooler is also made for easy carrying, featuring a stainless steel handle with a comfort grip. The Ozark Trail 45 quart cooler is known for its convenience and durability, with an industrial-strength locking plate to keep it sealed tight and wheels for easy transport. Featuring a fish ruler and confirmed bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, it’s perfect for back-country adventures. Not to mention, it has a built-in bottle opener and four drink holders on the lid, so you can have a good time no matter the temperature.
RTIC coolers are the coolers most similar to Yeti but for a cheaper price. If, after reading this, you want to steer away from s altogether then they are a few different cooler brands that are quite similar but still cheaper than Yeti. The coolers are less than half the price of Yeti coolers, so I fully expect them to not be perfect. But for their price they perform pretty well are are overall pretty great coolers. This can be extremely frustrating when you are a couple of days into your trip and you want to empty out some of the water but you still have items in your cooler.
Also, there is nothing in the way of custom colors, decals, etc. That being said, the two premium soft-sided coolers were no slouches. The tote, in real-life conditions, should hold ice for around 1 ½ days while the backpack should last a full day. You will find both low-cost models as well as a “premium” lineup. The low-cost model won’t wow you with features, build quality, or long ice life but instead tries to find a happy medium while still being extremely cost-effective. The premium lineup will cost more but will also utilize features that help it to hang with other premium soft-sided coolers.
After pre-cooling the main cooler space, we found the Ice Walls to be impressive and hold a consistently cool temperature for an entire weekend. We also appreciated the separate ice pack compartments that kept condensation off food items. The Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler ($70) is a great value pack with impressive ozark trail canopy ice retention. One of our most memorable tests with this cooler was while working at an ultramarathon in the Sawatch mountain range of Colorado over a hot July weekend. There are many features to consider before placing an order. Since they are used to carrying heavy drinks, fruits, and meals, people tend to buy the lighter ones.
You can get this cooler in three colors, Tan which is featured here, as well as graphite and white. The other two colors will have different rims and accents, so if you don’t love the orange you have options. I spend a great deal of time on the water every summer boating and fishing in Northern Michigan. I will often load a large cooler up at the beginning of the week and leave it on my Pontoon packed with drinks and ice.
This model’s interior bin features a handle, along with a locking plate on the outside. This is a much larger and diverse selection of products than the Ozark Trail hard-sided coolers. Also, you will find a larger variety of layouts and cooler types. Our team has developed backpack cooler guides for several years, objectively testing dozens of coolers in the field from whitewater raft trips to fly fishing adventures. For this guide, we examined the most popular, highly acclaimed, and bestselling backpack coolers with diverse capacities, ice retention ability, and a wide price range. You can probably expect the soft-sided wheeled cooler to keep your food cold for a day out, but it won’t perform as well as the hard-sided coolers.
And the YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler is made with high-density fabric. Backpack coolers have a range of firmness, and the firmest packs have more insulation, which increases ice retention. On the other hand, softer packs can feel more malleable and comfortable to wear. Also, some designs have a stiff back panel and others have padded mesh. To carry the goods, the side pockets and front sleeve pocket are great for your water bottle, sunscreen, and a book for a day at the lake.
To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit two dozen 12-ounce cans. The shoulder straps aren’t super robust, but for toting a moderate load for a few hours, the pack provides fair support. The 600-denier strong polyester material is tough and treated with a DWR coating to protect against a drizzle. A stout handle at the top of the bag is comfortable to grab. With premium ice retention and a more accessible size and capacity for folks, the YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Cooler is one of our favorite packs that we’ve tested.