Though we aren’t totally shocked at this lackluster performance when considering the Trailmate is a relatively thin cooler, standing up to some rather thick, rotomolded competition. And realistically, a wheeled cooler like this is less likely to be your choice to strap into your canoe for that 10-day whitewater trip, igloo trailmate cooler and more likely to be your choice for a picnic in the park. In which case this level of insulation will surely get you through a single warm summer’s day. This Igloo product is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship under normal use and service for 1 year from the date of original purchase.
Convenient, portable, affordable, and durable — an ice chest is a great piece of gear that will reward you with years of memorable stories and adventures. This is a cool-looking product that will stand out next to most other brands and models. The combination of the huge wheels, eye-popping aluminum framing, and progressive paint job makes this a really attractive ice chest. You have a few colors to choose from and we think that all of them look great. To help with body toughness and ice life, Igloo has installed a thick layer of Ultratherm insulation in addition to its patented Cool Riser Technology.
Some may find this price point to be steep, but a comparison of a similar sized roto molded cooler will reveal the value. For example, the Yeti 75 is nearly $200 more expensive and does not have wheels nor the added features as outlined above. It goes without saying that the Trailmate is the perfect beach, tailgating or surf fishing cooler capable of handling rugged terrain at a reasonable price.
Their wheeled cooler is pretty basic without a lot details to it which personally speaking reminded us of Yeti’s cooler. However, Vibe’s wheeled cooler is quite something with its roto-molded design, color variety and the fact that it can hold up to 70 qt. Pelican is a name that weighs a lot in the coolers industry; it’s a name that’s directly linked to pride and strength. All of Pelican’s coolers are proven to be extremely durable with some of the best rates ever recorded of ice retention. Its combination of impressive ice performance, great build quality, and helpful features make it a go-to for many outdoor enthusiasts.
That being said, all you’d have to do is fill the Trailmate Cooler with ice, drinks and food and you’re ready to enjoy 4 days of outdoor fun if not more depending on the weather and other factors. These two materials won’t rust, break or fail apart; they’re meant to hold the coolers’ parts together regardless of the surrounding environment for a cooler with a longer life span than expected. And to make this cooler even tougher, Igloo added marine grade aluminum construction and stainless steel to its overall built for maximum durability and functionality. That said, the Trailmate is 34.59″ x 19.7″ x 23.61″ (LxWxH) and that’s not small at all. Actually, you’ll usually end up needing a second hand to help you put the cooler in your car’s or van’s trunk when it’s fully loaded. One you get that covered, you’ll only have to drag it around since it’s wheeled.
This material provides very good strength and is rust-resistant while still managing to stay relatively lightweight. As for the hardware, it is made of stainless steel which is also rust-resistant and extremely tough. We’ve discussed many of the Igloo Trailmate’s features related to convenience and usability.
They help to protect against sun damage (which can be a major concern in marine settings). You will also find an antimicrobial liner that helps to offset bacteria growth and is very easy to clean up as well. In addition, it comes with an anti-skid base that helps to avoid creating scuff marks on your boat deck. The Igloo Trailmate Excursion is explicitly intended to be an across the board, adaptable cooler for setting up camp outings and food stockpiling in a hurry, anyplace you decide to investigate.
We fabricated our up-for-anything cooler so it’ll turn directly over harsh landscape like it’s on a cleared way. The lid’s locking plate doubles as a bottle opener, built-in cup holders, threaded drain plug that makes draining effortless and oversized hinges to extend overall product life. And for some added space to serve food or drinks that are stored in the cooler, the Igloo Trialmate Cooler comes with a modular butler tray that can be laid directly on top of the aluminum handle. And when you aren’t using it, simply store it away under the cooler’s lid. The handle is located right above both of these storage areas. Of all the wheeled coolers with telescopic/collapsing handles we have tested and reviewed, the handle on the Trailmate is the most robust.
This is a pretty bold statement considering we have reviewed a ton of wheeled coolers in the past. However, this claim is easily defended considering the superior ice retention and the included features/accessories. Igloo’s rugged Trailmate Journey also has oversized, all-terrain wheels so you can haul your goods across pavement, sand and grass.
It does require a good push down to close it all the way, but that requires less effort than many other coolers, rather a conscious thought to remember to do so before all the ice melts. The telescoping trolley handle is easy to slide in and out when you need it. It also doubles as a front handle for those few occasions you may actually need to pick your cooler up. Oversized, all-terrain wheels and a sturdy telescoping handle, so you can easily and smoothly roll it to your destination. The whole Tundra line is universally praised by all different users for its high end production quality, variety of sizes and colors and ice retention ability. Yeti’s wheeled cooler the Tundra Haul is many people’s favorite cooler with wheels given what it has to offer; it’s roto-molded, bear proof, durable and it is 100% functional.