For the weekend warrior, the rugged adventurer, the daily luncher, the boater, the weekday commuter, the beach-goer, the Sunday hiker, the park picnicker, the snack provider (aka MOM)…the list goes on. Bear in mind a 24-can capacity means the cooler can fit up to 24 cans and nothing else. According to our research and experiments, ideally, a cooler, by volume, should have twice as much ice or ice packs inside of it as it does food.
The benefits of a soft cooler are flexibility, lighter weight, and portability compared to hard coolers. Still, as you add insulation thickness and rigidity to improve performance, those benefits start to diminish. It’s hard to gauge how stiff or user-friendly a soft cooler might be from a product description since few manufacturers list the thickness of their cooler’s walls in their specifications. Many longer-lasting soft coolers weigh between 5 and 10 pounds, which gets heavier as you add heavy liquids and ice. Consider how long you need a cooler to retain cold and how far you might be carrying it on an average outing as you balance weight and performance concerns in your purchasing decision.
For this article, she interviewed five experts and researched highly rated coolers that are in line with expert guidance. “Higher cost does not always mean higher quality,” says Krikorian, who uses a Coleman ice chest that’s several years old. So, if you were chilling a gallon of milk, you’d use two gallons of ice to keep it cool. That said, using more ice allows for better food preservation over a longer period of time. Additionally, give priority to coolers with closed-cell foam insulation over ones that employ other cooling methods. The sensor at the top of the cooler was removed daily to record its findings and simulate the temperature gains that occur when a cooler is opened during normal use.
igloo water coolerThe waterproof design keeps everything inside and outside from getting too wet. The cool riser technology keeps hot surfaces from ruining the cooling process. Pockets are included on the front and back for small drinks or snacks in between rounds or halves of the game. The Daytripper’s Commuter Bag and Dual Compartment Tote are the smaller options, weighing in at 1.62 lbs.
The zipperless design for the main compartment makes it completely painless to use, and the hard plastic interior makes it simple to pack. A removable plastic shelf adds functionality, keeping sensitive items out of melted ice, and numerous pockets adorn the outside for wine corkscrews, napkins, and silverware. However, we can’t quite get the top rolled tight enough to be waterproof, though it only leaks little drips when completely inverted. When fully loaded with a whopping 39 cans, we wish we had a waist belt to take some of the weight off our shoulders. But for lighter loads, wearing the IceMule is like carrying a grade school backpack. At first glance, the AO Coolers 24 Pack Canvas Cooler may not look like much.
Both co-founders of the site, Luke and Greg, are two genuine cooler geeks and have been so for ages. Both guys share their passion on this website, covering different types of coolers, posting in-depth buying guides and reviewing tens of different products every year. If you’re not convinced, why not do a little bit more research to see what are other options worth considering at the similar price level.
These insulated carriers will keep your drinks cold and your perishables fresh. ©2023 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. Aside from being colder than ice, the biggest advantage to dry ice is that, as it warms up, it evaporates, instead of melting. The build quality and aesthetics of each cooler were also taken into consideration.
igloo soft coolerThe leak-resistant design keeps water from getting out and turning your drinks warm, and the waterproof exterior keeps excess water from getting in. The straps are adjustable so that carrying the cooler is a piece of cake, and the grip handles are made of rubber to ensure that. The items in this cooler will stay cold for long than most of Igloo’s other options, as the ice retention can function for two days. This comes in handy for triathlons and other long competitions that will require plenty of drinks and snacks for refreshment.