These insulated carriers will keep your drinks cold and your perishables fresh. However you’re getting in on the action — playing in the game/match, hitting the gym or tailgating to the stadium lot — we’ve got the coolers for staying igloo water cooler hydrated while having fun. Item prices may vary between online (for pickup, shipping or delivery) and in club. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, 4imprint.
The Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote ($53) is a great budget cooler that keeps our ice cold for long durations. A trio took the cooler fly fishing on Colorado’s Gunnison River, carrying along water and various canned beverages. We were surprised at how well the cooler retained ice despite being out in the elements, due to the premium thermal insulation. The heavy-duty base also increased the chill factor while stabilizing the cooler during transport and beneath items.
Our testing team filled each soft cooler in this guide halfway up with ice. The coolers were then placed in Reviewed’s humidity and temperature-controlled lab space to ensure that the coolers were tested with an outside ambient temperature of 72°F and 50% relative igloo trailmate humidity. This soft cooler performs very well, keeping the interior below 40°F for a little over 40 hours. We still think it’d put up impressive numbers during a day at the beach since it has a secondary opening on the top secured by Velcro for quick access.
However, our ice melted fast on hot days, and with minimal room in the cooler, the food can get wet. But, the seamless liner did hold the water and showed no sign of leaks. According to our ice retention test, the Walker 20 is capable of holding ice for up to 70 hours. According to the ice retention test, the Takeout can retain ice for 21 hours. To put the size in perspective, this cute cooler could fit six 12-ounce cans.
After a few hours, most of the ice was still intact, the cans were chilled, and the bag didn’t leak at all when we flipped it over. 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 fit 13 cans plus enough ice to keep them chilled. After a 10-hour car ride, all our drinks were still fridge-cold. 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.
Ultimately, the ice retention is not as dependable as other coolers, in part because the cold water drains out. According to our ice retention test, this cooler is able to hold ice for nearly 45 hours. While we liked the size, capacity, and shape of the TravelR, 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.
In our lab, the temperature inside the tote actually dropped 8 degrees between two hours and 24 hours after filling it with ice. Cooler bags may come with basic handles or straps that make them easy to carry across the shoulder. Smaller soft cooler bags come in backpack-style designs suitable for rigorous activities like hiking, jogging or lengthy outdoor outings.
If your budget is tight or you aren’t sure you need the best soft cooler around, consider some of our lower-cost recommendations. And we always focus on providing you with long-lasting cold retention, the whole point of a cooler! Our affordable soft cooler designs are thoughtful, intuitive and reliable because we think of YOU and the ways you’ll use your cooler every day or on extended adventures. Soft coolers are better for activities like a summertime picnic in the park or a day hike. Whether you’re headed to the beach or carrying in some treats for your journey, the RTIC Backpack 30 is comfortable and easy to transport.
To help you find the ideal cooler for your needs, we tried several firsthand, evaluating each for capacity, insulation, design, features, and value. Next, we narrowed it down to versatile, durable, leakproof options that are actually worth buying. We have a huge variety of insulated bags all at different prices. Whether you’re going the super affordable route or looking for coolers with the most high-end design features, you can find the perfect Igloo cooler bag right here. Additionally, some insulated cooler bags also have internal compartments that store both chilled and non-chilled items.