This rugged piece is manufactured from 420D diamond weave polyester material. 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. Premium models tend to have great cushioning along the straps, as evidenced by RovR’s TravelR 30, RTIC’s Soft Pack Cooler, and Engel’s HD30.
One potential issue, especially when transporting for lunch, is the cooler leaked a bit from the zipper. Four tie-down points on the cooler igloo trailmate will help with that during transport in a vehicle. Some clearance product and price points may not be available at all locations.
For more on the topic, check out our article on the best backpack coolers. Traditional hard-sided coolers lead the charge in ice retention and durability, but for those who don’t need a week’s worth of cold food and drinks, a soft-sided cooler can be a viable alternative. Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably lighter, easier to carry, and often save you a good deal of cash. From burly waterproof options to packable designs that collapse down for easy storage, below we break down the top soft coolers of 2023. For more background information, check out our detailed comparison table and buying advice below the picks. If you’re less concerned about portability and instead prioritize cooling capabilities and durability, we’ve also compiled a list of the best hard-sided coolers.
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It proves itself incredibly easy to use and comfortable to carry. The large roll-top design allows easy access to its contents, so you won’t have to remove everything on top to reach that last cold soda at the bottom. Toss this on the kayak or paddleboard, or tug it along on your next float trip. Regardless, if it topples overboard, you can rest assured it won’t get soaked or sink. It also performs quite well among backpack models in our insulation testing and is solidly durable. This lightweight bag resembles a traditional backpack, with plenty of pockets and mesh bottle holders.
But we got about 10 cans in the insulated section, with enough ice to keep them cold. Whether you’re planning a day at the beach, a picnic at the park, fishing at the dock, or a solo hike, you’ll be glad to have a soft cooler on hand. Available in a range of sizes, these flexible, lightweight, easy-to-pack carriers can be filled with drinks, snacks, or even a full meal to enjoy on your outing. And unlike their hard-sided counterparts, they can often be slung over your shoulder or carried like a backpack. Chillin’ out is easy with genuine Igloo soft coolers and lunch coolers!
They weigh less and are easy for one person to grab and quickly transport from the deck to the truck bed. All coolers were tested extensively in our Brooklyn testing lab. We then sent the coolers to field testers for additional insights. We packed the coolers with the stated capacity of cans (when possible); we also filled the coolers with ice once the cans were packed. Once the coolers were full, we began testing for portability and durability by carrying the coolers around the lab and up and down steps and pushing them off tables onto a concrete floor.
It features padded carry handles and a comfy over-the-shoulder sling. The bag felt surprisingly secure, with no contents jostling around. As soft-sided coolers have become increasingly popular, the market has become more and more innovative. At one time, the presence of an airtight zipper and waterproof exterior indicated solid insulation.