We’ve removed that pick and are continuing to monitor the situation. If you want a backpack cooler, we recommend the Polar Bear Original Nylon Backpack Cooler. The interior is rather roomy – Coleman claims 70 quarts, and we measured it at 68, which is pretty darn close.
Importantly, this cooler also comes with a leash attachment for the drain plug – it’s one of the few in this review that does. While this metric is where the Coleman Xtreme performed best, it’s not without its downfalls. Additionally, the handles aren’t wide enough for two hands (if you grab a friend to help you lug it) nor reliable enough for heavy loads. What sets the Coleman cooler apart from its counterparts is the brand’s signature TempLock FX Insulation, which offers multi-day ice retention, according to Coleman. In fact, one reviewer was happy to report that the heavy-duty cooler “kept our ice solid for four to five days” while they were “traveling in 100-plus-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.”
Among hard coolers, a 70-quart size is big enough for a variety of tasks. Another example came up last year during a power outage, as one of our staff members was able to store most of the contents of a fridge in a 70-quart cooler, along with the necessary ice to keep it cold. In our testing, the Coleman Xtreme kept ice frozen for a full week (170 hours), 30 hours longer than the Igloo MaxCold (140 hours). It measures 28.4 by 15.8 by 17.5 inches, its design incorporates bevels and angles all over the place, and it has a ruler and cup holders molded into its lid. Insulation obsessives may want to fill those cup holders with Styrofoam, but considering how well this cooler performed in our tests, doing so doesn’t seem to be all that critical.
Coleman Coolers are designed more for people on a budget who are looking for a simple cooler that can meet their needs for a weekend trip to the lake or a tailgate. They have found a happy medium between performance, toughness, and asking price. All sizes are optimally shaped, meaning that you should be able to use a vast majority of the storage volume. There is a pretty good selection in regards to sizes and price points so definitely browse around in our reviews and we are sure you’ll find a particular product that aligns with your needs and price point. Our top 5 choices are directly below but if you scroll to the bottom of the page you’ll see convenient links for all of the other Coleman Coolers we have reviewed as well.
Unlike most of the other models, the Coleman Xtreme has a channeled drain, which made draining much easier and required very little tilting on our part. But, impressive cooling properties aside, the Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler is a must-have for its durable, portable, and functional design. Equipped with two sturdy back wheels and a tow handle, the cooler is made for easy transporting, whether coleman camping chair you’re headed to the campground, the beach, a tailgate, or a backyard party. The 80 can-capacity (which translates to about 50 pounds of ice) cooler also has a leak-proof construction that features a handy tethered drain plug, as well as a stain-resistant liner for easy clean-up. You’ll also be impressed by the multipurpose lid, which is stocked with four cup holders and doubles as an extra seat if needed.
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If you’re on the hunt for an inexpensive option to get you through the weekend, you will be just fine using the Coleman Xtreme. Though it’s no tank and may not be something you pass on to your children someday, the money you save can be used to fill it with the best picnic and most delicious beverages. However, we would recommend another option if you’re searching for the best insulation. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Note that RTIC coolers are not IGBC (International Grizzly Bear Committee) certified. If that’s necessary for you, here’s IGBC’s list of certified bear-resistant products (PDF). We previously noted that Yeti had suspended sales of our backpack pick, the Hopper M20, due to a potential safety issue with the closure, which could fail, releasing magnets, which would be dangerous to ingest. (No injuries have been reported.) Yeti has now issued a recall.
The drain plug also lacks a rubber seal, and while we had no issues with our unit during testing, many user complaints suggest that this plastic-on-plastic seal has an eventual expiration date. Additionally, the handles attach via short plastic pegs in small coleman cooler plastic holes, which translates into a sketchy connection under a heavy load on handles that already bow alarmingly with this amount of effort. These simple soft-sided coolers are surprisingly resilient and should last for a few years without major issues.
If the foam feels denser than that and doesn’t compress much at all, you probably have your hands on closed-cell foam. Similar to any other true roto-molded cooler, the RTIC 65 is practically indestructible, which makes it great for tougher outdoor environments. In our testing, the RTIC 65 kept ice frozen for 10 days with some periodic draining. We’ve also used this cooler for nearly five years for grocery runs in Hawaii, and it’s still going strong. 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.