Our ice retention test concluded that the YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler can hold ice for about 3 days. These results were similar to the RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler, and both igloo water cooler of these coolers were among our best performers. Yeti doesn’t claim a specific number of hours for ice retention due to the myriad environmental factors you may encounter.
On the backside of the exterior, there’s a small pocket with a zip closure that’s big enough for a spork, ID, or that lean, removable shoulder strap. 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.
That said, “cans” is the most commonly used measurement for soft coolers (hard-sided models are generally listed in quarts), and we’ve utilized that spec throughout this article whenever available. That said, there are still some discrepancies to be aware of, the biggest of which is whether or not ice is included in that estimate. We did our best to clarify in the write-ups and comparison table above, but it’s an important distinction to keep in mind when shopping for a soft cooler.
The bottom of the cooler also has a reinforced coating helping to further protect it from repeated scrapes across hard surfaces. Plenty of soft coolers are fairly comfortable to use and reliable (as long as it’s not too sunny or scorching hot out) in the less-than-$100 category. Those choice designs include a range of designs such as the Mountainsmith Takeout ($30), REI Co-op Pack-Away Soft Cooler ($50), and Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote ($53).
If you love a great bargain find, the Reactor is that gem in the rough. The Booe 30L Waterproof Insulated Tote at $199 is near that high tier. The most airtight, temperature-regulated, and waterproof soft coolers boast burly zippers that take hand grease to open and close. A handful of brands even send you home with zipper lubricant, like RTIC and YETI.
The 18-liter Hydro Flask Day Escape Tote could fit two dozen 12-ounce cans. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 can fit 24 cans only or solely 16 pounds, to give you an idea of the capacity. This soft cooler is definitely on the pricier side, but the insulative effectiveness and other design features made it stand apart from the other coolers in this guide and as our top favorite. We’ll always have a spot in our gear closet for a hard cooler, but soft coolers have proven to be just as essential. They weigh less and are easy for one person to grab and quickly transport from the deck to the truck bed. If you prefer a tote-style carrier, we highly recommend the Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler.
One of our favorite details of this tote is the lengthy shoulder strap, which is removable but has a lean yet cushy, grippy, and soft pad right where you need it most. There are two additional hand igloo trailmate cooler straps as an alternative loop to grab, which can slide over your shoulder, too for a close-to-torso carry. Those straps are convenient but barebones and not as comfortable as the longer body strap.
The second Hydro Flask design to make our list this season is the 20 L Carry Out Soft Cooler, which splits the difference between their 20 L Insulated Tote ($65) and backpack-style Day Escape above. For just $90, the Carry Out is the largest option of the bunch with a 38-can capacity (without ice), and the wraparound zipper makes access and cleaning quick and easy. And like the premium Day Escape, the Carry Out boasts a thick (600D) exterior that’s highly durable and water-resistant, along with welded seams to keep spills and splashes at bay. Tack on a handy stash pocket at the front and webbing loops to attach Hydro Flask’s Dry Storage accessories, and the Carry Out stands out as an excellent value for what you get. Other coolers such as the RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler have an additional exterior zip-up pocket that fits small items, like your phone, keys, and wallet, and is waterproof for extra safekeeping.