Our food stayed nice and cool for the first couple days before the ice started to melt faster and the air inside the cooler warmed. Considering it was sitting in the sun for most of the day, this RTIC pack was reliable and effective at its job thanks to the thick walls composed of closed-cell foam. The RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler ($99) definitely compared to the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 soft cooler in that it had impressive ice igloo soft cooler retention and insulative effectiveness. Our ice retention test demonstrated that the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Convertible Cooler Tote remained cold and held some ice for 51 hours. Compared to the ice retention of all the coolers in this guide, this cooler seemed to be the least effective at staying cool and keeping ice. According to our ice retention test, the Orca Walker 20 is capable of holding ice for up to 70 hours.
Several models we tested challenge the idea that more money equals a better cooler, offering exceptional values and some impressive niche performances. Before we started timing how long our drinks stayed cold, this review began with market research into which soft coolers are even worth testing. Every year, the number of impressive-looking soft coolers grows, and we’ve been expanding our selection of test-worthy models since 2017.
The bag felt surprisingly secure, with no contents jostling around. The Trail Split, Pack Away, AO 24 Pack, and the Maelstrom Backpack 35 all have traditional, user-friendly zippers and just the right amount of handy design elements and features. The AO and REI Pack Away are as easy to use as a simple duffel bag.
All in all, this cooler performs well above its price tag and offers a strong value. If you’re looking for a model with a waterproof zipper, check out the Yeti Hopper Flip 18. Waterproof Soft CoolersMany of the coolers above utilize highly water-resistant zippers or openings, but very few have fully waterproof constructions. One exception is igloo trailmate cooler the Icemule Classic, which has a dry bag-like shape and exterior with a roll-top closure that can be fully submerged in water. This makes it particularly great for activities like kayaking or paddle boarding when it might be exposed to a lot of water. It also floats, which provides added assurance should conditions get rougher than expected.
Whether you’re planning a picnic, camping trip, or a day of rigorous outdoor activities, you’ll find the perfect cooler to keep your beverages chilled and your food igloo water cooler fresh. Explore the latest selection to find the ideal cooling solution for your adventures. If the cooler’s seams are not welded and leakproof, they can leak.
On the other hand, the benefits of soft coolers are that they are more compact, store well, are more lightweight and easier to carry. Although they don’t preserve ice for as long as hard coolers, there are several neat design features, like extra pockets, hitchpoints, and additional carrying methods. After researching today’s best soft coolers, we selected several to try firsthand, including mini ice chests with soft-sided walls, insulated totes, foldable bags, lunch boxes, and cooler backpacks. After inspecting the coolers, we recorded our first impressions of the materials, capacity, quality, and appearance.