With 25% more foam, your items will stay cold for longer periods no matter how quick the ice melts. Capacities in a soft cooler are often stated in sheer storage capacity listed in various volume measures such as gallons, quarts, or liters. Many companies also list capacity in terms of the number of cans, which can be easier to visualize. We’ve taken this cooler and Yeti’s BackFlip 24 on many fishing and fly-fishing trips.
Nichols prefers soft coolers because they’re easier to transport. Since they’re often made from foam and fabric, they’re lightweight and easy to carry over your shoulder or on your back. They’re also usually more affordable than hard coolers, though they’re not as effective when it comes to retaining temperature, according to our experts. This bucket cooler backpack weighs less than a pound and sits comfortably over your shoulders thanks to its padded straps.
Your lunch and beer will easily fit, as even the smallest of these bags have a capacity of oz beer cans. Maria Cassano is a writer, editor and consultant who specializes in e-commerce. She has written outdoor and lifestyle content for dozens of publications, including Bustle, CNN, The Daily Beast, RealSimple, Allure and Better Homes & Gardens.
The zipper is completely watertight with welded seams, so leaking isn’t on the menu. We noticed the zipper is hard to pull one-handed, and we typically need to counter-pull the side handles to open or close it. The insulation is a metal-coated plastic blend, which did a solid job of preserving the ice and goods. We loved the soft interior liner and the waterproof zipper that prevents any leaks from the top. At the brand’s partner factory in the Philippines, the designers and sewers choose mixed-and-matched fabric for each pack.
Some of these designs are actually very rigid, stout, and stackable. Others are fully collapsible and pliable, and we celebrate the space-saving option for storage. Reviews are available in case you need a second opinion and you’re new to the cooler world.
We like the Hopper Flip because of its size and ability to keep drinks cold all day, even in the warm sun. It’s the perfect companion and size for a group of three or four to have a few cans each throughout the day. The Tourit soft cooler has the same premium materials and sleek design as the Igloo Reactor series and even comes at a very similar price level.
igloo soft coolerThe Yeti Hopper Flip has seriously impressive temperature retention. We took it to the beach on a sunny day that hit the upper 80s, and all the ice was still intact when the sun went down. Though it’s relatively compact, the interior is surprisingly spacious. There’s just one big main compartment, but it has the brand’s HitchPoint Grid, allowing you to attach other things to the outside. When filling it with perishable food, we were able to fit quite a lot inside, along with enough ice packs to keep everything cold.
Adjustable pockets not meant for cold-retention encircle the IceR. However, we recommend buying the sold-separately ChillR ice pack inserts, which slide into the compartments to keep bottles cold for shorter periods. Durability varies considerably between soft coolers, and a good way to differentiate between models is to look at denier (D), which is a measurement of fabric thickness. RovR’s TravelR 30 is another standout in terms of durability with a burly TPU base and welded seams that give it a very hardwearing feel. Importantly, not all coolers measure interior capacity in the same way. Some use cans as a unit of measure, while others use liters, quarts, or gallons.
igloo trailmateThe materials also determine the comfort, breathability, support, and overall cost. 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. Soft coolers that are wider or more bucket-style are easier to access, as far as finding a specific item. Coolers like the OtterBox Trooper 20 Cooler with a broad, flat surface that rests against you can help absorb that swing and bounce.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. For retail purchases returned without a receipt, the refund will be issued as a store merchandise
credit at the lowest price within the last 90 days. Proper ID will be required in the form of a valid, state-
issued driver’s license or state ID card. We reserve the right to limit, or refuse returns without a receipt. We pay attention to that variable to know if a cooler needs to always be upright.