If your local store is not open, you will be required at this time to complete the final assembly. Some specialized tools may be required depending on the specific bike. Shipping Fees are calculated based on your shipping address, and the size and weight of the item(s) being shipped. Edibles that only need to be chilled should be placed closer to the top of the cooler.
And many of these bags, including Hydro Flask’s 20 L Day Escape, share a lot in common with regular daypacks. Other highlights include a waterproof exterior that stands up well to rough use and outer lash points for strapping to a kayak or boat. Finally, we love the smooth-operating zipper that requires minimal force to open (not always the case with watertight designs), provides a reliable seal, and is easy to realign if it separates. All told, the Day Escape’s sleek but well-rounded design was quick to win us over, earning it our endorsement as the best backpack cooler of the year. Before diving into the finer details, it’s important to point out that soft coolers come with some inherent compromises.
After filling it with drinks, food, and ice, we took it on a sunny boat trip and were pleased to see the ice hadn’t melted at all a few hours after packing it. Igloo’s small cooler bags are a stylish choice for work or travel. These insulated small sized cooler bags come in a variety of styles and trendy colors.
Let the interior completely air dry or use a towel to wipe down before zipping shut for storage. Some soft coolers have materials that are mildew resistant and antimicrobial like the interior liner of the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler. YETI also treats the interior and exterior of its Hopper Flip soft coolers to be mildew resistant, which helps with keeping your tote sanitary while extending the life of the product. According to our ice retention test, the REI Co-op Cool Haul is capable of holding ice for up to 60 hours.
In our lab tests, it provides top-notch insulation, keeping raw foods appropriately cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) for three days. While many soft coolers have bulky zippers that are difficult to use or narrow openings that hinder access, the Engel is remarkably easy to use. With corners that unclip, the top conveniently opens further to allow igloo water cooler quick loading and locating of contents. On top of that, this is one of the largest coolers we tested, fitting an impressive 48 cans, making it a solid contender to guard your food and drink for a long weekend of camping. Despite its bulky size, the Engel is more portable than we expected, featuring an easy two-person carry using the end handles.
Hard coolers are more durable and stout and have a larger size range, given they can hold more weight without collapsing. The compact sizes are great for picnics, day trips, overnight camping, and grocery shopping. When you need cold food and drinks for a trip to the campsite, lake, or beach, look to the Igloo 40-Can Soft Cooler with Wheels. This compact cooler bag sports high-end quality and high-end style that’s made for anyone to use anywhere.
From picnics to standup paddleboard trips and road tripping up the coast, soft coolers have a solid place in our lineup of on-the-go refrigeration tools. While the can measurement standard is helpful, keep in mind you’ll need to devote at least some of that volume to ice. The amount of ice you put in a cooler is totally subjective and depends on how cold you want the cooler’s contents and the conditions and temperatures in which you’ll be taking the cooler. Just make sure to read the specs carefully and assume that the maximum carrying capacity listed is for only cans in most cases.
The exterior is made of synthetic plastic and nylon, so it’s not resilient for a rugged whitewater trip but is suitable for basecamp. The insulated walls have an interior aluminum coat that helps trap cold air, and the ice retention is adequate for single- and 2-day adventures. Despite being left in the car for igloo trailmate a full day following the river outing, the cooler still had ice and felt cold. That well-founded retention is thanks to the brand’s blend of proprietary insulation, interior radiant barrier, and thick base made of three layers of SuperFoam. We also found the water- and stain-resistant exterior very durable.
The Icemule Pro doesn’t deliver multiple days of extreme ice retention, but it’s enough to get you through a hot day. When emptied, it’s much more collapsible than stiffer soft coolers meant to retain ice for multiple days—an important feature when conserving space in a boat or on a pack. Stiffer soft coolers are not collapsible and take up the same amount of space regardless of whether they’re in use. We tested the extra-large 33-liter size and the 23-liter large size, which is probably plenty for most people’s day trips.
Soft coolers may have shoulder straps — which are typically removable — buckles, attachment points, and interior or exterior pockets. Some pockets have durable, waterproof zipper closures, but many are not weather-resistant or secured with a closure. But as long as you don’t drop it off the south rim of the Grand Canyon, you’re likely to have this cooler for a very, very long time. We had no problem filling the cooler with 20 cans and plenty of ice.