In terms of keeping things cold, this Coleman soft cooler fell to the back of the pack of the soft coolers we tested. Our sensors showed us it warmed up to 40°F after just 26 hours, which places the Coleman in the bottom half of the coolers we tested. Carrying 22 cans, the Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 24 Backpack is a smaller cooler that still manages to pack a ton. This is thanks to its stretchy side pockets, top flap zipper pocket, and bungee. It’s also able to fit a wine bottle inside or within one of the external side pockets. The Engel HD30 and RTIC Soft Pack include small low-profile pockets great for keys or a phone.
It was easy to sling over our shoulders with the removable strap. The material dried surprisingly fast after it got wet while paddling. This design is too small for an all-day adventure, but for a lunchbox or outing, it’s great. And the wide igloo water cooler shape allows easy access to the grub inside the cooler. The two straps that attach the soft cooler to bike handlebars have reflective material, a touch we appreciate. Inside, there’s a sleeve that works great for a slender ice pack.
RTIC claims the 20 Can can keep your drinks cool for 24 hours — a claim that our tests more than verified. The RTIC 20 can Soft Pack Cooler did indeed fit 20 cans, just as its name suggests. According to the ice retention test, the Mountainsmith Takeout can retain ice for 21 hours. To put the size in perspective, this cute cooler could fit six 12-ounce cans. While we liked the size, capacity, and shape of the RovR TravelR 30, the hand straps are not cushioned or wide enough to comfortably carry this cooler when it’s loaded with all the eats, drinks, and ice.
From picnics to standup paddleboard trips and road tripping up the coast, soft coolers have a solid place in our lineup of on-the-go refrigeration tools. If you want the most bang for your buck, the Titan Deep Freeze might be your best bet. We tried the 16-can size (which means it can fit up to 16 cans without ice) and were able to igloo soft cooler fit 13 cans plus enough ice to keep them chilled. Though wine bottles are likely too tall, you could also fill it with a picnic lunch, sandwiches, or snacks and juice pouches for a kids’ sports game. There are spacious side pockets where you can stash your keys, phone, sunscreen, or a book as well, plus an external securing bungee.
The Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Convertible Cooler Tote ($80) surprised us with its ease of use, affordability, and sustainable design features. These elements made up for the zipper not being leakproof and for the cooler not staying as cold as other options in this guide. If you have limited storage space, consider the REI Co-op Pack-Away Soft Cooler ($50).
From the office to the gym, on lunch break in between classes or weekend adventures, there is always a time and place for an Igloo insulated cooler bag. Our cooler bags come in a wide variety of silhouettes colors and patterns – it’s time to travel in style. Our cooler backpacks, totes and bags are great for day trips and picnics to keep your food cold during the day. Most soft coolers have side or top handles, two straps that swing up to secure together above the cooler, or a removable shoulder strap.
At one time, the presence of an airtight zipper and waterproof exterior indicated solid insulation. Now, various closure solutions continue to impress us with their ability to keep things chilled. Models with the now old-school approach of having a water/airproof zipper include the Engel HD30, RTIC SoftPak, RovR TravlR 30, and Yeti Hopper Flip. 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.