There is little concern about sun damage or leak paths forming and the hinge should hold up to quite a bit of abuse. That being said, it is somewhat annoying having to deal with the lid since it won’t stay open. It would be nice to have some sort of lock that allows it to stay open for extended periods but we assume this was Coleman just trying to maximize ice life. The paper pulp of the Recool composts easily in the backyard, and it performs basically as well as any cheap single-use cooler. The handle and wheels on the Yeti Tundra Haul are the best we’ve come across.
The juddering of pulling hard-wheeled models over smooth surfaces, like city sidewalks, can quickly leave blisters on your hands from the vibration of the plastic wheels (this really happened to a tester). But pulling the RovR with its air-filled wheels lets you glide over imperfections in the ground and keeps your hands happy. We also considered the overall shape and size of each competitor as part of its usability score. Models featuring a compact, packable shape and handles that hide away easily are easier to pack into a vehicle for your next adventure.
But with care, you can extend the lifespan of any soft cooler—the number one rule seems to be not to leave it out in the sun. The RTIC 65 has rope handles with a plastic tube for gripping and two rubber latches for holding the lid closed, mimicking the design of most other, comparable coolers. No matter if you’re hanging out in the backyard with friends, chilling at the neighborhood pool, or relaxing on the beach, nothing beats an ice cold drink when it’s hot out. That’s where a high-quality cooler comes in, like this 50-quart cooler with wheels from Coleman that’s easy to bring along and is on sale right now for 50% off. While the model above is the 70-quart model, Coleman also offers one in 52, 120, and 150 quarts so you can store many things as you need to.
After spending many years evaluating more than 40 cooler models, we’ve chosen eight that are well made, well insulated, and well suited for a range of outings. Coolers are undoubtedly expensive, but having a generous warranty can help ease some of the buying anxiety. And a look at the market reveals a surprisingly wide range of available manufacturer guarantees. At the top end are ORCA and ROAM, which offer lifetime warranties that cover defects, while most others range from one to 10 years. It’s also important to point out that some companies provide different warranties for their hard-sided versus soft-sided offerings. For example, YETI covers its Tundra series with a five-year warranty, while their soft-sided Hopper is only covered for three.
What’s more, the Tundra is certified as bear-resistant (locks are sold separately for $30), which is great for those who plan to spend time in bear country. Chest Coolers are available in metal or plastic, and are insulated to help keep food and drinks cool and protected. They are available in various sizes and capacities, and include models capable of retaining coleman ice chest ice between 1 to 7 days. Coolers with additional features, such as threaded drain plugs for hose hookups, or dual snap locks and childproof safety lid latches, are also available. Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, there’s a good chance you’ll want to keep your food and drinks cold.
However, crushed ice is also the fastest to melt and you’ll likely need to replace it fairly frequently. Blocks of ice, on the other hand, take much longer to melt than crushed ice. However, blocks are bulky and take up a lot of space in the cooler since they don’t conform around your food and cans. If we have enough space, our preferred method is to use both block and crushed ice together, and YETI has more great tips here.
The delivery date gives you an indication of how long it will take to receive the item. It´s based on the preparation time, the delivery service selected on the Shopping Basket page and when we receive cleared payment. Select the `Remember me on this computer` option if you wish to be automatically logged on to the computer in future. Please do not use the `Remember me` option if using a computer with public access or that is used by more than one person. If you’re an angler, you might appreciate a model with an integrated ruler across the top to measure your catch. Many of the options we tested have this feature, including the Pelican Wheeled, Arctic Titan, Xspec, and Igloo IMX.
Once loaded with ice, drinks, and food, a 37-pound cooler can more than double in weight. When someone then tilts the cooler up, all that weight goes into the wheelbase or leans into the handle hinge. The Coleman Xtreme features replaceable hardware, whereas some of the company’s cheaper models don’t.
From our picks above, the RovR Products RollR 45, Igloo Trailmate Journey, Pelican 80QT Elite, and Coleman Xtreme have rear wheels and tow handles, and YETI’s Tundra series also includes the wheel-equipped Haul. Downsides are even more weight (the RovR and Igloo weigh around 35 lbs.), bulk, and cost. Additionally, coleman screen tent these wheeled beasts still struggle over rough terrain and may require carrying if you don’t have a defined path to follow. But for camping, days at the beach, or even tailgating, a rolling cooler can be a solid choice. We’ve tested soft coolers for many years, and the Engel HD30 continues to impress us.
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. Its flexible side handles make carrying a breeze, and we found the exterior organizer coleman sundome pocket to be a nice addition for storing small items like koozies, kitchen utensils, and a bottle opener. Starting at 20 quarts and going all the way up to 140, there’s an ORCA cooler for just about any activity. Choosing the right Coleman cooler really depends on what type of trip or event you are taking your cooler to.