Boasting a lightweight frame but keeping a 50-quart capacity, the RTIC Ultralight has found the perfect balance between size and weight. Its rope straps extend far above coleman ice chest the cooler, making it possible to carry it without slamming your hands against the frame. These were particularly useful for loading onto the counter or into the car.
Thanks to rubberized latches, this cooler shuts tight to prevent things from spilling out. The cooler features a bottle opener, UV inhibitors (that help prevent sun damage), cup holders and a drain plug (to make emptying melted ice a breeze). Electric coolers are basically portable mini-fridges, and they’re best for those who are truly serious about their cooling needs.
If we had to generalize it, we would say that you should expect to get approximately half of the claimed ice retention time in real-world use, give or take depending on your specific circumstances. These coolers are in the budget tier and even then are sometimes on sale where they can dip to an extremely affordable price. This is a great asking price and perfect for someone on an extremely tight budget. And it also makes it very easy to overlook some of the inherent flaws that may exist with these ice chests.
Other than the minor issue with the lid not staying open, this is a good choice for a casual cooler enthusiast. But for someone after a significantly longer ice life, expect to pay a lot more for a cooler that will meet your specific needs. Apart from it, travelers are likely to buy ice packs for coolers together with a cooler tote bag to enhance the cooling effects. On Alibaba.com, you can discover your ideal coleman cooler for wholesale. The Cabela Polar Cap 80 takes one of the top spots in our insulation tests with temperatures lasting below 40º F for eight days.
Now let’s compare that to most of the newer cooler designs on models like Yeti, RTIC, Orca, Cabela’s or Frosted Frog that have rubber T-shaped handles you have to stretch to secure the lid. I asked three other adults to secure these handles and out of the four of us, two were successful, one unsuccessful and the last successful only after an excessive amount of struggling. Performance is important, but design matters, too — coleman ice chest and sometimes, it’s a deal-breaker. Oh, and if you’ll be spending lots of time camping in a place where bears are a concern, then you’ll probably want to invest in a bear-resistant cooler. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee keeps a running list of certified options, which includes a number of coolers from this rundown. Several models I’ve tested from Cabela’s, Orca, Rovr, Magellan Outdoors and Yeti all make the cut.