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. Pockets and Organization
Soft coolers come in a range of shapes and designs, but many include at least one exterior pocket for stashing small valuables like a phone, wallet, or keys. In use, we’ve found these to be incredibly useful and helpful for keeping track of our belongings whether we’re spending a day at a local state park or enjoying an afternoon at the beach. We also appreciate when these pockets are water-resistant, which provides a little extra assurance against splashes or precipitation.
If you’re planning to bring a handful of snacks and beverages for you and a few buddies, the comfort of the IceMule is top-notch. If you’re hoping to supply an afternoon picnic full of refreshments for everyone in your party, the Trail Pack will handle the extra weight better. One of the most frustrating igloo trailmate qualities of many models we tested is their challenging zippers. So far, manufacturers haven’t been able to produce a zipper that’s waterproof and easy to use. Many soft cooler zippers not only require two hands to open and close but also quite a bit of straining and muttering through clenched teeth.
That makes them, generally speaking, easier to store and transport. To test the portability of each soft cooler, the team walked around with each of the coolers to see how comfortable they were to carry. The coolers were all tipped upside down to see if they were, in fact, leakproof. The Yeti Hopper Flip 18’s steep price tag—over $250—knocked it out of first place for best soft cooler.
Because it has no top, the KeepR is limited in what you can do with it. It’s not great for carrying long distances as it only has carrying handles, and you risk losing the contents. That being said, it wouldn’t be the best idea to take this along a river trip or anywhere it could get tumbled around. If you’re looking for a party snacker with easy access, the RovR KeepR is the way to go. Our former Best Buy by Coleman was discontinued, so we tested a few additional models to find a good inexpensive option.
These dry bag coolers did great in our submersion tests, and they float, making these a great option to take along on the kayak. The top half of the bag is a normal non-insulated pocket that can be used for hiking layers or cutlery. The cooler itself can hold 16 cans and can even pack in a wine bottle, though it does cause the pack to bend a bit. It’s worth noting that all coolers in our lineup can hold a wine bottle. Among backpack models, the RTIC Backpack 30 and the Engel Roll Top BP25 Backpack reign supreme. Much like other RTIC models, the Backpack Cooler 30 is made from heavy-duty materials, including a watertight zipper.
The staunch base also allowed us to set the cooler on variable surfaces and was easy to clean. They each have a thick, waterproof exterior that can handle being tumbled around. These models also feature a protective layer on their undersides to help prevent holes and abrasions. Additionally, both Engels were dry inside after our submersion test, indicating they have watertight zippers. Depending on the amount of perishables you plan to take with you and how far you’re going, you may have already put some limitations on your adventures.
This cute cooler carried and chilled several cans of microbrews and several sparkling waters. We also used it day-to-day on drives to bring along lunch, snacks, and beverages. The wide opening is great for quick, easy access, and the leakproof seal prevented melted ice from dripping out (and also prevented rain from seeping in during storms). The models 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.
Keep your food and drink cold with the Igloo Trailmate 18 Soft Cooler. This soft-sided cooler is durable and helps keep your items at the right temperature. If you’re concerned about spillage, very little melted ice escaped these teeth. Plenty of soft coolers sit well below the top-tier tag but not all perform as impressively as this RTIC Soft Pack Cooler that keeps 30 cans of our favorite soda and beer frosty. When ranked among the best coolers, soft coolers might be the next great sandbaggers of the outdoors. Color options for this cooler include slate blue and tan, sandstone and red, and tank green and black, which should blend in depending on what environment you’re exploring.
Namely, they retain ice for much longer (two to 10 days is standard), are inherently far more durable and hardwearing, and come in larger capacities. Many hard coolers also boast helpful features like drainage systems to help you empty out water once your ice has melted and lockable lids igloo soft cooler to bear-proof your cooler when camping in bear country. As we’ve covered above, soft coolers are far easier to haul around than their hard-sided counterparts. In addition to weighing less, most come with padded straps and thick grab handles for carrying solo over your shoulder or by hand.