We didn’t throw this backpack cooler off the side of a mountain (yet), but we probably could, and it’d be fine. Icemule’s Boss Backpack Cooler is incredibly rugged and has some serious insulation. “The design reminds me of a single big backpack that people use for backpack travel,” is how one of our testers put it. Icemule uses proprietary fabrics, welded seams, and extra-padded straps to make this one heavy-duty yet comfortable backpack. Our testers loved this pack’s comfort compared to other large backpack coolers, thanks mainly to the extra padding and chest and waist straps. If you’re looking for a collapsible and durable option at a more affordable cost, we highly recommend the Icemule Classic.
This makes it particularly great for activities like kayaking or paddle boarding when it might be exposed to a lot of water. It also floats, which provides added assurance should conditions get rougher than expected. RTIC’s Soft Pack also falls into this category, and although it’s technically not fully waterproof, the tough shell and leakproof design should stand up well if it ends up taking a dip. While the can measurement igloo trailmate standard is helpful, keep in mind you’ll need to devote at least some of that volume to ice. The amount of ice you put in a cooler is totally subjective and depends on how cold you want the cooler’s contents and the conditions and temperatures in which you’ll be taking the cooler. Just make sure to read the specs carefully and assume that max can carrying capacity listed is for only cans in most cases.
For example, YETI’s hard-sided Tundra series is covered with a five-year warranty compared to three for the Hopper collection. The opening style and closure system of a soft-sided cooler may not seem all that important, but we can tell you firsthand that it will have a sizable impact on both convenience and overall performance. Engel’s HD30, for instance, has a fairly narrow opening that’s stiff and requires considerable effort to keep open while loading and unloading food and drinks (the welded zipper doesn’t help). When testing soft coolers, we focused on performance, capacity, and how comfortable each is to carry.
“It feels like a large tote bag and carries like one,” is how one tester put it. Being able to store cold and warm food is among the best benefits of Igloo soft coolers. That’s enough to hold plenty of ice, drinks, and food for a family of three.
They can also be a great supplement to a larger hard-sided model, providing additional space to store extra food or beverages when camping with a larger group. The price tags on modern soft coolers may be shocking if you haven’t shopped for one before. Most higher-end offerings are well over $100, and the top-of-the-line options are as much as $300 or more. If your budget is tight or you aren’t sure you need the best soft cooler around, consider some of igloo trailmate our lower-cost recommendations. If you don’t need multiple days of cooling performance, cheaper coolers are less of a budget ding, and they’re often more comfortable to use and carry due to their more flexible structure and lighter weights. However, the cheapest coolers often don’t deliver much cold-retention, so we’d steer clear of the most inexpensive options as they are often not much better than a thick bag or backpack that you may already own.
Coleman is probably one of—if not the most—popular budget outdoor gear brands. And its High-Performance Leak Proof Soft Cooler is an excellent value as it aced many portions of our test and is one of the least expensive coolers we tested. We could fit 20 cans easily in this 24-can cooler or 12 cans with snacks and food. Igloo soft coolers grant you the ability to carry your items without any physical strain while still being able to provide enough cold drinks and snacks for yourself, and possibly friends, family and co-workers.
Finally, we filled each of the soft coolers with soda cans to compare against the claimed carrying capacity. The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler has a similar feel and look to a Yeti cooler but comes at a more accessible cost. A 2-inch closed-cell foam boosts the insulation—it only raised about 11 degrees between two and 24 hours of having it filled with ice during our lab test (compared to about 7 degrees for the comparable Yeti we tested). While the KeepR is an excellent drinks caddy, it’s also a perfect picnic option as you can still tote ice for cold drinks but use the compartments for utensils, dishes, and food for two or a small group. RovR even sells small SnackR food containers that fit neatly into the IceR, which can keep food hot or cold. Our testers liked how the ice consolidated in the center helped even out the weight and noted it was comfortable to carry by hand.
However, dry ice reaches lower temperatures than regular ice and can be used in most soft coolers. It’s a good choice if you need extra cold temperatures to keep ice cream or meat not just chilled but frozen. Unlike hard-sided coolers, the pliable-sided construction of soft coolers makes them easy to store when not in use. Many soft coolers can be collapsed and stored away after being emptied and wiped clean of water.