The soft internal material tends to get soggy and needs extra time to dry out. All things considered, the bag is fairly inexpensive, so if you’re only needing the occasional soft cooler, this will do the trick. To be sure, these top-end designs have their appeal for those who want the easier portability of a soft cooler without compromising on build quality, but they’re not worth the investment for most.
Currently we offer FREE FedEx/UPS small package Ground shipping and FREE ABF/YRC freight ground shipping on most orders of $199 or more within the 48 contiguous states. Some irregular shaped or oversized items may include a special handling charge. The charge will show on the product detail page of applicable products. For the igloo soft cooler most part, this backpack did a good job preventing leaks, though a small amount of water seeped through once the ice melted. When filling it with perishable food, we were able to fit quite a lot inside, along with enough ice packs to keep everything cold. We’re big fans of the retro appearance and structured design too.
It’ll keep your perishables reliably cold, even on the hottest days. However, it’s not leakproof, so you’ll want to be careful not to drop it when transporting liquids. A lifelong user of coolers, he appreciates the innovation of soft backpack coolers. For a few years now, Nathan has loved his Yeti Hopper BackFlip and Yeti Hopper Flip, but the Icemule cooler packs mentioned in this roundup are quickly becoming his new go-to’s in certain situations. Capacities in a soft cooler are often stated in sheer storage capacity listed in various volume measures such as gallons, quarts, or liters.
Without considering overall capacity, the most portable coolers will be more comfortable to carry for longer distances. For the weekend warrior, the rugged adventurer, the daily luncher, the boater, the weekday commuter, the beach-goer, the Sunday hiker, the park picnicker, the snack provider (aka MOM)…the list goes on. It has streamlined hitch points, too, perfect for being snugged down with a utility cord on a paddle trip, or clipping a bottle opener. If you need a cooler that’s super durable and easier to handle than its stubborn-sided clan, snag one of these.
Overall, this cooler bag measures measures 13.5 inches long, 12.75 inches wide, and 13.5 inches tall. This portable insulated cooler features advanced insulation that keeps drinks and food cold for a full day at the beach or lake. No need to worry about bringing this waterproof cooler close to the surf or onto your boat.
The cooler’s shape and size were easy to fit in a messy work truck. The exterior is made of a 600-denier polyester shell that’s waterproof. The zipper is completely watertight with welded seams, so leaking isn’t on the menu. We noticed the zipper is hard to pull one-handed, igloo trailmate and we typically need to counter-pull the side handles to open or close it. For grab-and-go, there’s a handle on the back and a carry tote-style strap. At the brand’s partner factory in the Philippines, the designers and sewers choose mixed-and-matched fabric for each pack.
But when the handgrip is detached into two separate pieces, they’re not comfortable to grasp. If you have limited storage space, consider the REI Co-op Pack-Away Soft Cooler ($50). This origami-inspired design collapses and folds flat when it’s not a cube or a tote.
The SnackR containers were also great for pouring in fresh, chilled salsa and carrying sliced cheese. They were easy to slide in and stack on top of items inside the cooler. While adventuring, this cooler did a noteworthy job of preserving ice in sunny conditions and exceeded the capabilities of other coolers we tested. A two-way zipper provides easy top access, and the cube shape nicely slides into tight spaces on a boat or in the truck bed. But we wish the side mesh water bottle pockets were hardy like the rest of the cooler — they felt flimsy and easily snagged.
Boasting a waterproof exterior and leakproof zipper, the Flip kept temperatures below 40 degrees F for two and a half days. Despite not having a lid whatsoever, the RovR KeepR did exceptionally well holding its chilly temperatures. Staying cold by its center ice bucket, it lasted almost 70 hours, or about three days, below 40 degrees. Our expert panel consists of Maggie Nichols, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Becca Glades. Whether it be setting off on a trip in her van or hanging out by the crag, she always has a cooler full of goodies to keep her company.
We tried the 20-can size and were able to fit 15 cans inside, plus ice. After two and a half hours in the hot sun, the drinks were crisp and cold, and the ice had barely melted. What’s more, it proved to be completely leakproof — when we shook it upside down, no water dripped out whatsoever.