A lot of soft-sided coolers ruin it when they leak out the melting ice and get everything soggy. With this cooler, you shouldn’t be able to tell just how wet the inside is by looking at the outside. There’s nothing like traveling with friends and family out on the open road.
A bunch of designs have a combination of handles and straps, too. For coolers on the larger side (like the RoVR 30 versus the Fishpond Blizzard Soft Cooler) it’s key to have padding on the hand or shoulder straps for comfort while carrying a fully-loaded cooler. Yes, and how you plan to use your cooler should be the primary deciding factor while shopping, according to Krikorian. Our experts recommend large-capacity hard coolers for fishing and hunting, and coolers with wheels when you’re transporting drinks and ingredients in bulk. For picnics, beach days and hiking, our experts recommend opting for a soft cooler, ideally a backpack.
We’re the testing team at Reviewed, which means we designed and implemented the experiments involved in this article. Do it Best has been proudly serving the do-it-yourselfer since 1945. We are your local hardware store providing the best home improvement products to your community. The handles on the Hydro Flask Day Escape Tote were a great length and easy to slide over one shoulder.
The Outdoor Pro prioritizes function over form — which is to say, it’s not the most stylish option, but it’s undeniably practical. Some soft coolers are superior at ice retention, which is generally reflected in the price tag but not always. A bunch of other variables influence ice retention, too, including the type and quantity of ice, extra space in the compartment (which decreases effectiveness), and if the cooler was prechilled. Most soft coolers have side or top handles, two straps that swing up to secure together above the cooler, or a removable shoulder strap.
Adjustable pockets not meant for cold-retention encircle the IceR. However, we recommend buying the sold-separately ChillR ice pack inserts, which slide into the compartments to keep bottles cold for shorter periods. Durability varies considerably between soft coolers, and a good way to differentiate between models is to look at denier (D), which is a measurement of fabric thickness. RovR’s TravelR 30 is another standout in terms of durability with a burly TPU base and welded seams that give it a very hardwearing feel. Importantly, not all coolers measure interior capacity in the same way. Some use cans as a unit of measure, while others use liters, quarts, or gallons.
With 25% more foam, your items will stay cold for longer periods no matter how quick the ice melts. Capacities in a soft cooler are often stated in sheer storage capacity listed in various volume measures such as gallons, quarts, or liters. Many companies also list capacity in terms of the number of cans, which can be easier to visualize. We’ve taken this cooler and Yeti’s BackFlip 24 on many fishing and fly-fishing trips.
While the IceMule is our favorite for smaller and medium loads because of its comfortable straps and flexible body, the Trail Pack is our go-to choice for heavy cargo. It’s comfortable like a daypack and really saves your shoulders over the long haul. If you’re planning to bring a handful of snacks and beverages for you and a few buddies, the comfort of the IceMule is top-notch.
igloo trailmateYour lunch and beer will easily fit, as even the smallest of these bags have a capacity of oz beer cans. Maria Cassano is a writer, editor and consultant who specializes in e-commerce. She has written outdoor and lifestyle content for dozens of publications, including Bustle, CNN, The Daily Beast, RealSimple, Allure and Better Homes & Gardens.
It kept its interior below 40°F for 27 hours—one of the lowest of any of the soft coolers we tested. Most soft coolers focus on toting cans and measure their capacities in can increments. However, the RovR KeepR focuses on mixology with an open-top bar cart soft cooler designed to mix drinks away from home, whether at camp on the beach or on a boat. Unlike most soft coolers, the KeepR is more of a cocktail caddy built around the IceR double-wall stainless steel ice bucket.
igloo water coolerFinally, we filled each of the soft coolers with soda cans to compare against the claimed carrying capacity. Performance issues aside, this Coleman soft cooler is easy to store and easy to carry, and a fine soft cooler option for day trips or hikes. When compared to other soft coolers in our guide, a few design choices—like placement of the side handles under the hook point for the strap making it feel very cramped—knocked a few points off.