The Igloo Pursuit Tote ($100) preserved our bubbly water, hummus, pepperoni, peppers, and arugula while car camping and crewing the Hardrock 100. We most appreciated the lightweight design and malleable fabric. The Mountainsmith Takeout ($30) accompanied us on a standup paddleboard session down Colorado’s Slate River, a mellow run sans whitewater.
At the brand’s partner factory in the Philippines, the designers and sewers choose mixed-and-matched fabric for each pack. No two coolers bags are the same — each one is creatively unique. But the flexible walls allowed us to flatten and fold the cooler for easy storage, saving us space in a tight apartment. Our new Marine Ultra Soft Sides collection will keep your drinks and contents cold (or hot) all day long. Sturdy, stylish, and destined to become the indispensible companion for smooth sailing. If you clean with it, it’s likely that Jon oversees its testing.
This cooler was comfortable to carry with the padded shoulder strap. But when filled with drinks and ice, it can be cumbersome and more difficult to haul across sand — backpack-style straps would igloo trailmate probably make it easier. All things considered, it’s an excellent portable ice chest for picnics, boating, road trips, or hanging out at the beach, as long as you don’t have to carry it too far.
People Companies That Care Logo is used under license, © 2022, TI Gotham, Inc. For instance, YETI advises applying the lubricant to the front and back of the zipper including the teeth and seal. RTIC says to add a couple of drops then open and close the zipper a few times. The moisturizer igloo water cooler can be applied every six months to help protect the zipper teeth — around the time you head in for an oil change. The well-constructed, premium Hydro Flask Day Escape Tote is available at a moderate price ($150). One has a zip closure for security, and the other latches via Velcro.
With a unique spin, the cooler is compatible with a removable insert called the KeepR ($150), which organizes fare into different compartments like a golf bag. The dividers are secured via Velcro, so the compartments are adjustable. The center of the basket has a circular sleeve for the 3L Icer ($50), a double-wall vacuum-sealed ice holder with a 3.5-pound capacity.
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. When shopping for a soft cooler, always look for leak-resistant or waterproof closure.
REI has a knack for balancing performance and affordability, and their Cool Haul 24 is no exception. Like much of its soft-sided competition, the REI bag also includes daisy-chain webbing for securing extra gear, as well as a handy bottle opener. And because the Cool Haul’s inner insulated box can be separated from the outer shell, cleaning is a snap (the shell can also be used without the liner as a tote). The third Hydro Flask design to make our list this season is the 20 L Carry Out Soft Cooler, which splits the difference between their Insulated Tote 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.