This cooler’s exterior material is super tough and held up against the gritty rocks and dirt around the lake. The exterior is also waterproof and the tote itself floats on the water, making this another great water activity cooler. The additional shoulder strap is a great way to carry this cooler tote around with you. We were surprised to see the cooler’s exterior sweat quite a bit during the ice retention test. The ice melted at a faster rate compared to other coolers, lasting for about 60 hours, but well above the brand’s 36-hour stamp.
Other FeaturesA few other notable features to be on the lookout for include integrated bottle openers and vacuum ports for adding or releasing air. Icemule’s Classic has a similar valve system, although in this case, the process involves adding air to boost cooling capabilities and buoyancy and removing it to compress the cooler down for storage. Most cooler manufacturers provide a “claimed ice retention” spec in their product listings (Yeti is one major brand who igloo soft cooler does not). From our list above, times range from 24 hours (which is pretty standard) to three or four days for Engel’s premium HD30. That said, we always take manufacturer-provided specs with a grain of salt, and there isn’t an established, standardized test here. If we had to generalize it, we would say that you should expect to get approximately half of the claimed ice retention time in real-world use, give or take a bit depending on your specific circumstances.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to ice chests! There are many types of coolers, including roller coolers, classic ice chests, and backpack coolers, each catering to different preferences. Shop a range of cooler styles, including convenient rolling coolers and backpack coolers. You can also choose from different capacities, including 65-quart, 125-quart, and 54-quart, as well as smaller options like 24-can and 20-can coolers. The Igloo Reactor weighs just over 3 pounds empty, which is on the light end of average weight for a cooler of its capacity.
Extra large cooler bags from Igloo are your best choice for excellent cold retention. Insulated duffel and tote bags with features like integrated cup holders and reinforced handles and carry straps. With Realtree® camo or Igloo’s UV resistant marine line, these extra large sized insulated soft coolers have all the cooling power you need for your next hunting trip or a weekend on the boat. In our lab tests, it provides top-notch insulation, keeping raw foods appropriately cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) for three days. While many soft coolers have bulky zippers that are difficult to use or narrow openings that hinder access, the Engel is remarkably easy to use.
This origami-inspired design collapses and folds flat when it’s not a cube or a tote. When transformed into a box or bag shape, the cooler is light, nimble, and malleable. No other cooler would’ve fit into the awkward igloo trailmate cooler floor space behind our seats. The Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38 did well on a weekend road trip to climb in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains and camp out, but wouldn’t be able to retain ice for longer durations.
Edibles that only need to be chilled should be placed closer to the top of the cooler. You are seeing this notice because there was an issue accessing the page or site you’ve requested. This Igloo product is warranted igloo soft cooler to be free from defects in material or workmanship under normal use and service for 1 year from the date of original purchase. For additional information, please visit the Warranty Service page under Customer Care.
The Booe 30L Waterproof Insulated Tote ($199) is more than just a cooler tote. This cooler doubles as a dry bag when you take the removable liner out. When the insulative liner is in the bag, there is room for extra storage in between the exterior shell and the liner for your dry goods. However, be cautious about any ice melt or liquid that could spill into the dry goods side if the cooler is tipped over. We brought this cooler car camping with us in Leadville, CO for three days.