Maybe in certain circumstances, but you need to care a whole lot about your cooler to justify spending that kind of money on one. I’d feel comfortable icing down food and drinks for coleman instant tent a picnic if I could park nearby. For heavy-duty things like packing meat home from the deer stand or providing enough beer for an all-day tailgate, I’d prefer something stronger.
The Xtreme also offers ample room for your beer, claiming a capacity of 50 quarts. Even better, that capacity came in at a bigger-than-advertised 58.1 quarts when I filled it with water to double-check. That makes Coleman’s cooler a sensible pick if you just want a relatively inexpensive wheeled cooler, but consider your alternatives before buying. Though it doesn’t have wheels on it, the Igloo MaxCold Cooler offers notably better performance for the same price, and while I haven’t tested them just yet, there are wheeled versions available, too.
As we prefaced above, if your cooler must-haves include easy mobility, large capacity, and maximum ice retention, it’s best to consider a rolling hard-sided model. Downsides are even more weight (the RovR and Igloo weigh around lb.), bulk, and cost. Additionally, these wheeled beasts still struggle over rough terrain and may require carrying if you don’t have a defined path to follow. But for camping, days at the beach, or even tailgating, a rolling cooler can be a solid choice. For a full look at options, see our round-up of the best wheeled coolers. If you are looking for maximum cooling power, premium rotomolded coolers from brands like Yeti, RTIC, and Orca are the clear leaders in keeping ice cold for long stretches.
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Further, you get a handy basket for dry goods, secure closures, and multiple tie-down slots to easily secure it on a boat or truck bed. What’s more, the Tundra is certified as bear-resistant (locks are sold separately for $30), which is great for those who plan to spend time in bear country. In the summertime, when the weather is hot, nothing quenches like an ice-cold beverage, so it’s crucial to find the best cooler for your outdoor activities. With over a century in business, Coleman is one of the premier cooler brands on the market, headquartered in Chicago with an array of “Made in the USA” products.
At the other end of the spectrum, budget-oriented models like the Coleman 316 Series and Igloo Ecocool forgo latches completely and rely on a good fit between the lid and cooler body. This results in reduced insulating performance and means coleman camping chair you need to keep a close eye on the lid to make sure it doesn’t pop loose or fall off in transport. Most cooler manufacturers provide a “claimed ice retention” spec in their product listings (Yeti is one major brand who does not).
On the topic of wheeled coolers, the Igloo Journey Trailmate 70qt All-Terrain cooler also came with a dizzying amount of extras and features. Overall, it wasn’t quite as durable as the Rovr, but I think they’re mostly designed for different purposes. If I’m trekking into the woods for a weekend with a couple of pals, I’m going to take the Rovr, no question.
A cooler’s latch or closure system is one of the defining characteristics of a premium model and plays a significant role in overall cooling performance. Among high-end hard-sided coolers, you’ll commonly find two rubber T-handles along the front that keep the lid locked securely in place. These handles are fairly user-friendly, extremely strong, and minimize any openings for cold air to escape.
As for performance, the Coleman cooler was one of the better options I found for less than $50. Of ice into it and recorded the minute-by-minute ambient temperature inside for 48 hours, it pulled temperatures down by about 20 degrees, which is pretty good considering that 3 pounds of ice really isn’t a lot. I also took each cooler’s design and features into consideration as I tested and kept an eye out for durability concerns. I wasn’t impressed with the lid on the Igloo Latitude wheeled cooler, for instance. Give it a modest yank and the whole lid comes right off — and the cheap plastic wheels didn’t leave me impressed, either.