That said, “cans” is the most commonly used measurement for soft coolers (hard-sided models are generally listed in quarts), and we’ve utilized that spec throughout this article whenever available. That said, there are still some discrepancies to be aware of, the biggest of which is whether or not ice is included in that estimate. We did our best igloo soft cooler to clarify in the write-ups and comparison table above, but it’s an important distinction to keep in mind when shopping for a soft cooler. Soft coolers are ideal for shorter trips or when you don’t want to lug a heavy hard-sided cooler. Often much lighter, soft-sided coolers still promise to keep food and drinks cool for days, if needed.
We discovered that just because a bottle opener is clipped onto the end doesn’t mean it will reliably open bottles. Finally, we wiped down the interior to see how easy it was to clean each cooler. The low price tag does come at the cost of some durability, though. This is not the model we would expect to last the longest, as its materials and craftsmanship are not top-tier.
We could stuff lots of goods inside or squish the cooler down for storage. The slender shape doesn’t bounce around and feels smooth to carry over the shoulder. The Igloo Pursuit Tote ($100) preserved our bubbly water, hummus, pepperoni, peppers, and arugula while car camping and crewing the Hardrock 100. The RovR KeepR manages to excel in just about every way, all while not having a closure system.
The exterior pockets provide ample space for cutlery, keys, a wallet, and a phone. Additionally, a bungee can hold onto a beach towel or jacket, and the daisy chains can clip on extra gear. In our experience, the sweet spot is often right in the middle, with many of our most frequently used soft coolers offering space for around cans igloo water cooler with ice. These designs are sufficiently sized for day trips or weekend road trips, manageable in terms of weight and portability, and won’t take up a ton of space in your vehicle or garage. RovR Products’ RollR collection put them on the map in the wheeled cooler category with a competitive mix of durability and ice retention.
The third Hydro Flask design to make our list this season is the 20 L Carry Out Soft Cooler, which splits the difference between their Insulated Tote and backpack-style Day Escape above. For just $90, the Carry Out is the largest option of the bunch with a 38-can capacity (without ice), and the wraparound zipper makes access and cleaning quick and easy. And like the premium Day Escape, the Carry Out boasts a thick (600D) exterior that’s highly durable and water-resistant, along with welded seams to keep spills and splashes at bay.
It’s the perfect companion and size for a group of three or four to have a few cans each throughout the day. Despite looking like a Yeti—and having thicker insulation on its lid (by half an inch)—it didn’t quite have the same performance as the Yeti Hopper. At the end of our 24-hour ice test, the Orca had no remaining solid ice, while the Yeti had some. And where the Yeti’s inner temperature increased by about 6 degrees over 24 hours, the Orca’s went up by about 13 degrees.
A trio took the cooler fly fishing on Colorado’s Gunnison River, carrying along water and various canned beverages. The OtterBox Trooper 20 Cooler ($250) bummed us out at first because it lacks a comfortable handle on the lid like its smaller, discontinued version. But it aptly redeemed itself as an extremely hardy, dependable, and easy-to-operate soft cooler.
The Arctic Zone Titan Guide Series 36 Can Cooler is our new Best Buy. The build quality and aesthetics of each cooler were also taken into consideration. We’re the testing team at Reviewed, which means we designed and implemented the experiments involved in this article. And, with the variety of storage compartments, you’ll be able to carry everything you need. When you’re ready to store the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze, the interior is treated with Microban, so it will resist mildew and odor-causing bacteria. Greg’s a co-founder of bestcooler.reviews and author of 100+ product reviews and comparisons on this website.