The RovR TravelR 30 is the right size to keep up with those larger pack days. This rugged cooler can hold up to 39 cans and keeps them below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for just over three days. Perfect for the boat, the TravelR has a watertight zipper and is floatable. Likewise, it’s equipped with carry handles, a padded shoulder strap, and daisy chain clip points for extra gear. We appreciate the wide lid that stays open during loading, and its large size can tackle all those odd-shaped food items or wine bottles. With many exciting drybag coolers now on the scene, the IceMule Pro 33 handily holds its own among the rest.
We were able to fit 24 cans in this soft-sided cooler and enough ice to keep them cold all day. After four hours on a hot, sunny afternoon, the ice had hardly melted, and the drinks were still nice and cold. It’s also leakproof, letting no water drip through the zipper or moisture penetrate the sides.
One exception is REI Co-op, which offers a full refund or replacement within one year of purchase for members (90 days for non-members). Finally, it’s worth noting that many companies provide different warranties for their hard-sided versus soft-sided offerings. For example, YETI’s hard-sided Tundra series is covered with a five-year warranty compared to three for the Hopper collection.
The only thing to note is that the water-sealed zipper sometimes gets finicky, but we figured out how to reposition it and got it to continue working. The opening style and closure system of a soft-sided cooler may not seem all that important, but we can tell you firsthand that it will have a sizable impact on both convenience and overall performance. Engel’s HD30, for instance, has a fairly narrow opening that’s stiff and requires considerable effort to keep open while loading and unloading food and drinks (the welded zipper doesn’t help). From YETI and Kanga to Igloo and Orca, Ace carries a selection of soft-sided coolers from leading brands. Soft side coolers come in multiple sizes and are usually measured by how many cans they can hold for convenient visualization.
And the price is reasonable for such a high-quality, likely long-lasting cooler. Additionally, unlike hard coolers, the difference in ice retention between soft-sided models isn’t all that sizable, which can make it harder to justify spending up for such a premium and expensive model. To be sure, these top-end designs have their appeal for those who want the easier portability of a soft cooler without compromising on build quality, but they’re not worth the investment for most. If you’ve got the budget, it’s almost certainly worth opting for a hard-sided model instead. You’ll incur a sizable weight penalty, but the boost in cooling capabilities and overall performance will be well worth that tradeoff for many. The price spread among soft coolers is significant, ranging from just $25 for the Coleman 24-Hour 16-Can Cooler all the way up to $300 for RovR’s premium TravelR 30.
We took it to the beach on a sunny day that hit the upper 80s, and all the ice was still intact when the sun went down. Though it’s relatively compact, the interior is surprisingly spacious. There’s just one big main compartment, but it has the brand’s HitchPoint Grid, allowing you to attach other things to the outside. The quality of materials influences the waterproofness, durability, insulation value, and whether or not the face fabric produces condensation. The materials also determine the comfort, breathability, support, and overall cost.
Since the heavy-duty zipper is extra-tight and water-sealed, it’s sometimes hard to unzip, but it comes with lubricant for this exact reason. Durability varies considerably between soft coolers, and a good way to differentiate igloo water cooler between models is to look at denier (D), which is a measurement of fabric thickness. RovR’s TravelR 30 is another standout in terms of durability with a burly TPU base and welded seams that give it a very hardwearing feel.
To put the size in perspective, this cooler could fit one dozen 12-ounce cans. We were surprised to see the cooler’s exterior sweat quite a bit during the ice retention test. The ice melted at a faster rate compared to other coolers, lasting for about 60 hours, but well above the brand’s 36-hour stamp.