However, if you’re looking to spend up on a luxury soft cooler, the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 is a heavy-duty choice for holding ice. The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze igloo trailmate is the best soft cooler we’ve tested. Color options are kept simple for this option, as the mix of brown and green allow you to blend in with the environment.
Don’t get us wrong, this Igloo soft cooler has versatile storage. But the lack of the rigid bottom means it flops around when you’re not pulling it. Ice is heavy so the ability to wheel it around rather than carry it is great.
Hard coolers are more durable and stout and have a larger size range, given they can hold more weight without collapsing. The compact sizes are great for picnics, day trips, overnight camping, and grocery shopping. If there’s one clear benefit to soft coolers over hard-sided models, it’s that they’re significantly lighter and therefore much easier to tote around. A quick glance at our comparison table above reveals that most options hover somewhere in the 2- to 4-pound range, with the largest and most robust designs clocking in at 7 pounds or more. On a related note, comfortable shoulder straps and/or grab handles can go a long way toward maximizing portability, which we outline more in depth below.
Tack on a handy stash pocket at the front and webbing loops to attach Hydro Flask’s Dry Storage accessories, and the Carry Out stands out as an excellent value for what you get. Speaking of cold retention, we were pulling out frosty beverages well past the 36-hour mark. The TravlR features four daisy chains for lashing additional gear, plus two handles and a padded shoulder strap for carrying.
Chillin’ out is easy with genuine s and lunch coolers! Hauling cold drinks and food is easier because soft coolers weigh less, and they’re ready to be custom printed with your logo for memorable gifts. There is a wide variety of sizes and all these promotional coolers are easy to clean and stow when you’re done. Most soft coolers work best when cooled by ice packs or ice cubes. However, dry ice reaches lower temperatures than regular ice and can be used in most soft coolers. It’s a good choice if you need extra cold temperatures to keep ice cream or meat not just chilled but frozen.