There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to ice chests! There are many types of coolers, including roller coolers, classic ice chests, and backpack coolers, each catering to different preferences. Shop a range of cooler styles, including convenient rolling coolers and backpack coolers. You can also choose from different capacities, including 65-quart, 125-quart, and 54-quart, as well as smaller options like 24-can and 20-can coolers. The Igloo Reactor weighs just over 3 pounds empty, which is on the light end of average weight for a cooler of its capacity.
The Yeti Hopper Flip 18’s steep price tag—over $250—knocked it out of first place for best soft cooler. For being so small, it is expensive for the average consumer, despite its quality construction. The Yeti Hopper Flip 18 is one of the best soft coolers you can buy right now. Read on for a look at the best soft coolers on the market right now. Igloo has the best selection of coolers with wheels and handles, making it easy to bring your snacks, drinks, and other refreshments wherever the party is headed. Scroll through our collection of ice chests with wheels and find the one that suits your lifestyle.
Our food stayed nice and cool for the first couple days before the ice started to melt faster and the air inside the cooler warmed. Considering it was sitting in the sun for most of the day, this RTIC pack was reliable and effective at its job thanks to the thick walls composed of closed-cell foam. The RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler ($99) definitely compared to the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 soft cooler in that it had impressive ice retention and insulative effectiveness. Our ice retention test demonstrated that the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Convertible Cooler Tote remained cold and held some ice for 51 hours. Compared to the ice retention of all the coolers in this guide, this cooler seemed to be the least effective at staying cool and keeping ice. According to our ice retention test, the Orca Walker 20 is capable of holding ice for up to 70 hours.
A quick glance at our comparison table above reveals that most options hover somewhere in the 2- to 4-pound range, with the largest and most robust designs clocking in at 7 pounds or more. On a related note, comfortable shoulder straps and/or grab handles can go a long way toward maximizing portability, which we outline more in depth below. The Reactor 30 is advertised as fitting 30 cans inside and that’s exactly how many we were able to fit when we tested it. Its clever design is rounded in ways that make it a smooth, easy-to-use shape, while still rectangular enough to pack smartly.
All in all, this cooler performs well above its price tag and offers a strong value. If you’re looking for a model with a waterproof zipper, check out the Yeti Hopper Flip 18. Waterproof Soft CoolersMany of the coolers above utilize highly water-resistant zippers or openings, but very few have fully waterproof constructions. One exception is igloo water cooler the Icemule Classic, which has a dry bag-like shape and exterior with a roll-top closure that can be fully submerged in water. This makes it particularly great for activities like kayaking or paddle boarding when it might be exposed to a lot of water. It also floats, which provides added assurance should conditions get rougher than expected.
This origami-inspired design collapses and folds flat when it’s not a cube or a tote. When transformed into a box or bag shape, the cooler is light, nimble, and malleable. No other cooler would’ve fit into the awkward floor space behind our seats. The Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38 did well on a weekend road trip to climb in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains and camp out, but wouldn’t be able to retain ice for longer durations.
Insulated backpacks are exactly what you need to keep your snacks, beverages, and lunch fresh on your next adventure. Wherever the road takes you, you can rely on an Igloo backpack to keep your goodies cool. They’re comfortable, effective, and even stylish — find the right backpack cooler for your lifestyle today. Our huge lineup of bags comes in all shapes and sizes with multiple ways to carry, so take a dive into all our options to figure out which one/s will make your life so much cooler.
Whether you’re planning a picnic, camping trip, or a day of rigorous outdoor activities, you’ll find the perfect cooler to keep your beverages chilled and your food igloo trailmate cooler fresh. Explore the latest selection to find the ideal cooling solution for your adventures. If the cooler’s seams are not welded and leakproof, they can leak.
After sitting in direct sun for a few hours with an ice pack inside, our bubbly waters and snacks were still refreshingly cold and chilled thanks to the closed cell technology. It remained waterproof as it floated near the shore after the lake waves dragged it into the water. For the most part, this backpack did a good job preventing leaks, though a small amount of water seeped through once the ice melted. When filling it with perishable food, we were able to fit quite a lot inside, along with enough ice packs to keep everything cold. We’re big fans of the retro appearance and structured design too. A soft cooler on wheels can be easier to transport than one with only handles.