It was easy to sling over our shoulders with the removable strap. The material dried surprisingly fast after it got wet while paddling. This design is too small for an all-day adventure, but for a lunchbox or outing, it’s great. And the wide igloo trailmate cooler shape allows easy access to the grub inside the cooler. The two straps that attach the soft cooler to bike handlebars have reflective material, a touch we appreciate. Inside, there’s a sleeve that works great for a slender ice pack.
We also have recommendations for a plethora of other camping accessories. From the best camping stoves and top portable fire pits to the best camping tents and coziest and top-rated sleeping bags, we’ve got the scoop on the gear that’s worth your money (and the stuff that isn’t). Igloo soft coolers are made from 600 denier polyester with TPE padding. These coolers will enable you to carry your food or drinks while keeping them cool, during your boating outings. Between uses, you can clean the interior of a soft cooler with a sponge, lukewarm water, and standard dish soap. You can wipe down the exterior and zipper, too — don’t miss the feet and bottom, which touch ground surfaces.
RTIC’s Soft Pack also falls into this category, and although it’s technically not fully waterproof, the tough shell and leakproof design should stand up well if it ends up taking a dip. It really is ideal to have options to choose from depending on what adventure you’re planning. Having a hard cooler designated for food for the trip and having a soft cooler to get your drinks separated can be a helpful way to organize and keep your things cold and fresh. Both soft coolers and hard coolers have their strengths and weaknesses.
Plus, cargo nets on the side and a zippered flap on the front allow you to roll out all the essentials like wipes and additional snacks. 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. Without considering overall capacity, the most portable coolers will be more comfortable to carry for longer distances.
RTIC claims the 20 Can can keep your drinks cool for 24 hours — a claim that our tests more than verified. The RTIC 20 can Soft Pack Cooler did indeed fit 20 cans, just as its name suggests. According to the ice retention test, the Mountainsmith Takeout can retain ice for 21 hours. To put the size in perspective, this cute cooler could fit six 12-ounce cans. While we liked the size, capacity, and shape of the RovR TravelR 30, the hand straps are not cushioned or wide enough to comfortably carry this cooler when it’s loaded with all the eats, drinks, and ice.
Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company’s efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. In the pursuit of data, he’s plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. In most situations, the best way to utilize dry ice is to place it at the bottom of your cooler, wrapped in newspaper. Place the items you’d like to stay frozen or colder on top of dry ice. Extra features, such as an exterior pocket for carrying utensils are a plus, but not at the cost of cooling capability or durability.
Among coolers of this general size, shape, and carrying method, the Reactor 30 is quite pleasant and easy to carry around. The Reactor 30 performed well above average in our insulation testing, lasting 51 hours at temperatures below 40° F, keeping food fresh for over two days (on par with Igloo’s claims for this model). It then igloo water cooler continued to maintain temperature under 50° F for a total of 54 hours, again offering above-average insulation for refreshing beverages. Though these aren’t top-scoring marks in the lineup of coolers we tested, they are well above the group average and offer plenty of ice-keeping power for most casual soft cooler uses.
Testing consists of a quantitative ice melt test and extensive field use. The ice melt test was carried out in a controlled environment with the internal temperature of the coolers monitored and analyzed in accordance with the USDA’s Refrigeration and Food Safety Guidelines. Field use takes place in various environments, from hot desert hikes to road trips from muggy Minnesota to sunny California, for a well-rounded set of conditions. All this adds up to a comprehensive review, which will thoroughly equip you to make a well-suited soft cooler purchase. We’ve vetted, purchased, and tested over 30 soft coolers since 2017.