But for what we most like to carry for a daytime adventure, it’s not bad. Still, for bringing some cool refreshments and a chilled lunch for a few friends on a longer walking journey, this comfortable backpack cooler is our top choice. Though nothing broke during testing, the hinges and latches are a potential weak point. Though this seems like an unimportant detail, when packed with goodies, it can be a little painful to grasp onto hard plastic. All in all, we were impressed with the RTIC Ultralight, with its lightweight construction, ease of use, and pleasant price. Simply put, coolers are unlike most other categories of outdoor gear that may last for just for a couple seasons before needing to be replaced.
One charm of the RTIC 65 is its reasonable price, which allows us to be far less careful with this equipment than we are with something as expensive or desirable as a Yeti. Ease of use is a critical factor in your overall happiness with any given product. We gauged how easy each cooler was to open and close — whether or not the lid fully shut after closing, latch maneuverability, ease of loading, capacity, and if it included any convenient features like dry bins. The RTIC models have visually similar rubber latches that are much more flexible. As such, they are easy to use, lacking the stiff stubbornness of many other latches. Still, more flexible rubber might have a shorter lifespan than denser rubber, though we haven’t had an issue after using these products.
You can mark iconic trends in American style simply by looking at vintage Igloo coolers. From incarnations of gleaming stainless steel to primary-color plastics to vaporwave jade, pink, and yellow, this brand has quietly been the family cooler for decades. Igloo has even launched “legacy coolers” and retro reproductions that top out at $240 but go as low as $20.
This large cooler holds up to 80 cans of your favorite beverage, and the insulated walls will keep ice frozen for days. One of the newest and most innovative Igloo coolers available, it has a lightweight design, can hold up to 105 cans, and will keep your ice cold all day. Plus, igloo cooler with wheels it has built-in cup holders, a fish ruler, a bottle opener, and even a wire basket so you can keep the inside of the cooler organized! Plus, the basket is suspended so you can put food in the cooler without having to worry about it getting wet when the ice starts to melt.
Though it can’t match the premium models’ rotomolded insulation prowess and rugged durability, the Coleman clearly shows its worth and value, considering the massive chunk of change you’ll save. It’s also much lighter than the majority of the rest of the competition, even lighter even than several of the personal-sized models we tested. And to top it off, it has a deceptively large internal volume for a comparatively small overall size. With a simple pull-open lid and no latches to slow you down, the Coleman is one of the most natural-feeling chests to use — like opening your fridge at home.
Of course, the internal dimensions and capacity also make a big difference in what you can bring with you in your icebox and how many extra bags and boxes you’ll need to bring along. And the proportion of these dimensions to one another also makes a big difference. A low and long model is easy to find things in but harder for one person to carry.
Hard-wearing, chill-keeping, strategically sized ice chests that can hold up to the needs of life on (and by) the water. Wipe interior and exterior surfaces clean before storing and between uses. Tougher stains may be cleaned with diluted solution of baking soda and water.
Its flexible side handles make carrying a breeze, and we found the exterior organizer pocket to be a nice addition for storing small items like koozies, kitchen utensils, and a bottle opener. Starting at 20 quarts and going all the way up to 140, there’s an ORCA cooler for just about any activity. For a more packable cooler, check out our comparison of the best soft coolers. We’ve also tested the top powered coolers for those who have access to a power source and prefer an iceless approach. Whether you’re planning on a relaxing beach day or a weekend camping trip at your favorite spot, we’ve done the hard work to help you find the best camping gear.