Most of the coolers that I tested were, but some took things even further. For instance, the Bison Gen 2 Cooler goes so far as to advertise itself as an ideal casting platform to stand on during your next fishing trip and even sells nonslip traction mats for the lid in a variety of designs. I’ve owned both and under different circumstances at different times my Yeti kills the Coleman especially on the lake on a hot day. I love Coleman products but when it comes to coolers if the end goal is a cold drink or cold food Yeti is my preference. Don’t expect Colemen Chest iceboxes to keep ice for multiple days. They perform fine for an afternoon excursion or morning trip to the beach but if you are expecting a single batch of ice to stay frozen for 4 or more days then you will be disappointed.
If portability is a priority, we recommend looking at options with wheels, such as RovR’s RollR 45 or Igloo’s Trailmate Journey. If you plan on covering any kind of distance from your vehicle—whether it be to your campsite, a spot along the river, or the beach—wheels can make transport a whole lot easier. And no cooler is better equipped for the job than the RovR Products RollR 45. This Boulder-based wheeled-cooler specialist offers its signature RollR in four capacities ranging from 45 to 85 quarts. On all models, you get big and burly wheels that truly work over a variety of terrain, a long pull handle, and you can even attach this cooler to the back of a bike (BikR Kit attachment sold separately for $70).
Rotomolded coolers like Yeti’s Tundra above are made out of a single piece of continuous plastic, which is great for durability but means they typically lack built-in features and mounting locations. Tack on a price that undercuts the similarly sized Tundra 65 above by a considerable $135, and the Xspec stands out as a very well-rounded design at a great value. Orca (Outdoor Recreation Company of America) isn’t a household name like Yeti, but the Tennessee brand has gained a dedicated following of committed outdoorspeople. Their 40-quart cooler gives premium rotomolded models here a real run for their money.
It is similar to their Marine line except this one is intended more for on-land excursions (and it will typically be a bit more affordable as well). It contains Thermozone insulation which promises extra-long ice life compared to other similarly-priced coolers in the industry. Find various chest coolers including options coleman screen tent with wheels so that you can continue enjoying the convenience your Coleman gear brings to outdoor recreation. Beach, lake, backyard or tailgate—bring the party in comfort with our Southern Comfort Coleman Cooler. When it’s time for storage, the dry bin folds flat and can be easily and securely stored on top of the lid.
With room to fit up to 223 cans, go ahead, invite more friends and family to barbecues, tailgate parties, and camping trips. As for large, non-wheeled models, we still noticed many differences that lend themselves toward making specific units more portable than others. The Coleman Xtreme is just a few ounces heavier than the personal-sized Igloo BMX, which is astounding for its 68 quart capacity. The Engel and Tundra 65 are both relatively portable — their combined overall shapes and mid-50-quart capacities make finding what you’re looking for easier. They’re big enough to bring everything you need without being so big that they require two people to lift them out of the car.