A cooler of this size, even completely full, is readily transported by any healthy adult, even without wheels. If the legion of similarly designed coolers still in active coleman canopy use after 30 or more years is any indication, this is a very durable design. A. Yes, a model like the 5-quart Coleman FlipLid is great for making a large ice block.
Some also boast drainage channels that funnel water through the opening, which is a nice touch for helping with the clean-up process. Yeti’s Roadie 24 and Pelican’s 20QT Elite are two notable exceptions that don’t come with drain plugs, which can make dumping out extra water a bit of a hassle. However, given these coolers’ smaller capacities, most users will be restocking the contents frequently anyway.
We also started tracking the internal temperature of the coolers with the ThermoWorks Signals thermometer to see exactly when temperatures began to rise. Simply put, coolers are unlike most other categories of outdoor gear that may last for just for a couple seasons before needing to be replaced. This means that when you’re making the calculation of whether spending $300 or $400 on a cooler is worth it, you are getting a product that literally should last for decades. That said, if you don’t need multi-day ice retention, even a cheaper hard-sided cooler should be around for many years as well.
It doesn’t fare well in the sun for very long but it is very reasonably priced. The Xtreme Series has recently undergone some updates and the new look is much more attractive. Also, the thicker insulation and higher quality materials result in quite good ice life for the size and price. That being said, the lid can be a bit stubborn to open and close and screws used on the hinges can also strip prematurely. We like the recent upgrades that Coleman has done on their Marine Coolers. This is particularly true in the Offshore Pro Series which cranks up the ice life and toughness.
Even better, that capacity came in at a bigger-than-advertised 58.1 quarts when I filled it with water to double-check. In addition to wheels, many Coleman coolers come with other special features, including cup holders and easy-to-use two-way handles. On top of some coolers being built for sitting, many of them are built for stacking, making them more easily accessible. Others are explicitly built for keeping your haul on-ice during a fishing trip. We’ve tested Polar Bear coolers for seven years now, buying them or receiving test units from Polar Bear.
Coolers are undoubtedly expensive, but having a generous warranty can help ease some of the buying anxiety. And a look at the market reveals a surprisingly wide range of available manufacturer guarantees. At the top end are Orca and Roam, which offer lifetime warranties that cover defects, while most others range from one to 10 years.
Simply freeze the cooler overnight before filling it with filtered water and placed in the freezer. 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. We may have wished for such niceties as a dry bin or the ability to handle dry ice, like many of the other coolers in this review, but such is not in the cards for the Coleman.
It’s also important to point out that some companies provide different warranties for their hard-sided versus soft-sided offerings. For example, Yeti covers its Tundra and Roadie collections with a five-year warranty, while their soft-sided Hopper is only covered for three. The Steel Belted cooler is light and has effective and comfortable handles.
Many of the top hard-sided coolers are listed as bear-resistant, which is a worthwhile consideration should you be camping in bear country. However, not all coolers listed as bear-resistant carry this certification—you can see a full list of certified coolers here. If you frequent the backcountry or will be traveling where bear-proof gear is required, make sure your cooler is on the list. What sets the coleman canopy 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.” You will enjoy a bump up in ice life and toughness with this cooler but it also comes with a bump up in the asking price.
A very user-friendly and cheap backpack that retains most of the mobility of a traditional backpack. It has an adequate amount of storage space for a small excursion but don’t expect this to hold ice for very long. coleman camping chair It has long enough ice life for a day’s outing and comes with solid and proven construction. Our only issue is that the lid doesn’t like to stay open but for the attractive price, it is easy to deal with.