We’ll get that process started for you the next day, scouts honor. It also features multiple carry options, including side handles, a top handle, and a shoulder strap. On the flip side, the Tourit can retain ice for up to 3 days. Different types of insulation work in their own ways to minimize heat transfer into a cooler. If you’re wondering what kind of foam your cooler has, a good rule of thumb is to try to squeeze the foam with your fingers.
From the best camping stoves to the best camping tents and coziest sleeping bags, we’ve got the scoop on the gear that’s worth your money (and the stuff that isn’t). We tested the top soft coolers side-by-side and scored each one on key performance metrics. For road trips, you can separate daytime beverages and snacks into a soft cooler, which limits opening of the hard cooler and preserves ice.
The lowest igloo water cooler retention recorded was 21 hours for the small Mountainsmith Takeout. Boxier coolers can be easier to stack — as long as the walls and base are rigid — while sleeker coolers can more likely slip behind a seat in your car. Shorter, more compact coolers are easier to fit in tight spaces on a boat. YETI recently upgraded the cooler so the magnetic closure stays open when you’re loading up foodstuff (previously, it would snap shut mid-task).
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. On the other hand, a soft cooler is a preferred choice for being lightweight, easy to carry — especially for one person — and simple to transport. The compact sizes are great for picnics, day trips, overnight camping, and grocery shopping.
If your needs are modest, and so is your budget, these coolers offer good insulation at a fraction of the cost. For most soft coolers, dry ice will burn the interior materials. Instead, you should use freshly frozen cubed ice, ice blocks, or reusable ice packs. Soft cooler totes are long, slender, and streamlined against your side.
We know it’s a good quality product because the manufacturer is willing to put their money where their mouth is. Even though the color options are limited, Igloo still didn’t fail to deliver variety in terms of sizes. Combined with the textured base, it ensures the Reactor stays in place in the back of your truck.
The igloo water cooler that scored lower in our durability tests use light to mid-weight nylon or canvas with middle-of-the-road zippers and regular seam construction. The higher-end models feature heavy rubber or treated nylon, have heavy-duty zippers and components, reinforced and welded seams, and more robust designs and construction. All of these aspects affect the overall durability and lasting power. The REI Cool Haul is full of useful features from its flip-top lid and removable liner to numerous pockets inside and out and a bottle opener that actually works. Through carrying each model to and from the car, beach, and park, we quickly learned which models are easier than others to transport. The Flip 12 doesn’t come with any additional pockets or features, while many other coolers do.
If proven defective, returns or exchanges must be handled directly with the manufacturer. Then, when you arrive at the store of your choice, use the Instacart app to notify us. Depending on the store, a shopper or store employee will bring the groceries to your car, or you can pick them up at the designated area. We review a lot of coolers here at TheCoolerZone (in fact we are the largest cooler review site on the internet!) and it can be a bit overwhelming trying to compare all of them. To make things easier, we have compiled this cooler comparison chart. On the bottom, we have a strong compression molded base that provides stability and a firm structure to the whole bag.