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only. Though at first glance the Trailmate looks like a great deal, we’re not so sure. Its wide wheels and high igloo soft cooler clearance help it navigate a variety of challenging terrain, but the performance of this cooler in insulation and particularly its lackluster durability leaves us wanting more.
Second, there is a removable dry storage box on the front of the cooler so you can and keep the phone/keys in there without fear of water or sand damaging then. Trailmate…the up-for-anything hardside and softside coolers — all high performing, easy to transport and crafted for the great outdoors. Coolers come with a lot of bells and whistles these days—it’s one of the reasons that prices can climb into the hundreds of dollars. To select the best coolers, we consulted with camping experts, avid hikers, sportsmen, and others who use coolers regularly to best gauge which ones perform best in the wild. In sharing their favorites, our experts focused on a few important features.
The built-in Cool Riser Technology® dramatically improves the cooling performance by elevating the cooler’s body away from any hot surfaces. A suspended interior wire food basket keeps selected food items dry. The antimicrobial-treated liner inhibits stains and odors caused by bacteria, easing cleanup and extending the life of the cooler. Use bungee cords or rope (not included) with the cooler’s tie-down igloo soft cooler hooks to make it easy to haul things like towels, quad chairs, or a surfboard to your destination. A water-resistant, lockable storage compartment features an anti-leak gasket to keep your sunglasses, phone, or any other accessories safe and dry. The threaded drain plug is garden-hose compatible and features a non-slip, easy-grip tethered cap to eliminate the possibility of a small leak.
Of all the wheeled coolers with telescopic/collapsing handles we have tested and reviewed, the handle on the Trailmate is the most robust. We tested pulling and pushing the cooler igloo trailmate when filled to capacity with ice and the over sized wheels and handle rolled without issue. Igloo also includes a tray/cutting board which lays on top of the extended handled.
Thanks to their thick, insulated walls, hard-sided coolers retain ice for much longer than soft-sided coolers and will do a much better job of withstanding the elements. But just as with soft-sided coolers, these perks do come with some downsides; hard-sided coolers are heavy, bulky, and (usually) take up a lot of space, plus they’re more expensive. If the Yeti Tundra 45 is versatile, the Tundra 65 is all-purpose. One of the largest coolers on this list, it’s perfect for a family camping trip, a day at the beach with your friends, or a backyard barbecue. You’ll get everything you can expect from Yeti, including superior ice retention, rotomolded and bear-proof construction, and multiple handle options for transporting, plus an interior storage basket.