To test the best soft coolers, we filled each one with ice to see how long it took for the ice to melt. Additionally, give priority to coolers with closed-cell foam insulation over ones that employ other cooling methods. Designed to be taken while fishing, kayaking, or backpacking, everything about this Pelican soft cooler revolves around being lightweight.
For the ultimate in portability, backpack-style coolers are the clear winners. And many of these bags, including Hydro Flask’s 20 L Day Escape, share a lot in common with regular daypacks. Other highlights include a waterproof exterior that stands up well to rough use and outer lash points for strapping to a kayak or boat.
These foams, which weigh around 0.5 pound per cubic foot, are light and easy to compress. To test the portability of each soft cooler, the team walked around with each of the coolers to see how comfortable they were to carry. The coolers were all tipped upside down to see if they were, in fact, leakproof.
We’ve taken this cooler and Yeti’s BackFlip 24 on many fishing and fly-fishing trips. We like the Hopper Flip because of its size and ability to keep drinks cold all day, even in the warm sun. It’s the perfect companion and size for a group of three or four to have a few cans each throughout the day.
Lunches you bring to work are secure and kept cold with the Daytripper Bag, whether you’re going to work or the local park on a day off. The Nylon/Poly Blend keeps the soft cooler comfortable enough for an easy carry but tough enough to keep everything inside secure. Different types of insulation work in their own ways to minimize heat transfer into a cooler. Open- and closed-cell foams act as insulators igloo water cooler to reduce heat conduction, while fabrics and liners, such as coated polyurethane and reflective Mylar, create a radiant barrier that reduces and reflects heat radiation. If you’re wondering what kind of foam your cooler has, a good rule of thumb is to try to squeeze the foam with your fingers. If your fingers can compress the foam more than 75%, you’re probably dealing with open-cell foam.
Closed-cell foam is also much more expensive to produce than open-cell foam. The resulting product is strong and especially rigid feeling, and typically it weighs more than 1.7 pounds per cubic foot with more than 90% of its air cells closed to one another. Closed-cell foam is also water-impermeable—so it’s an ideal material for, say, surfers’ wetsuits. igloo trailmate This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon. Similar to any other true roto-molded cooler, the RTIC 65 is practically indestructible, which makes it great for tougher outdoor environments. In our testing, the RTIC 65 kept ice frozen for 10 days with some periodic draining.
Their latest TravelR 30 takes aim at the soft-sided market but retains much of what we love about the RollR, including a sturdy build and high attention to detail. The two coolers also share key features like waterproof zippers and shoulder straps that are both nicely padded and removable. Added up, the TravelR is another premium and thoughtfully built design from the Boulder-based brand.
And it didn’t hold the cold as well (the temperature inside the cooler rose about 18 degrees between two hours and 24 hours after putting ice in it compared to just 7 degrees for the Yeti). But our testers appreciated how comfortable the Classic is to carry on one shoulder, how light it was, and its durability. While it’s easy to get caught up in wanting the best, being realistic about using your soft cooler can help you choose one that works for your intended uses. Coolers have come a long way since glorified bags that offer a few hours of chilling, but that now-quaint level of performance may be all you need.
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. Color options for this cooler include slate blue and tan, sandstone and red, and tank green and black, which should blend in depending on what environment you’re exploring. Ice bags weigh between 1 and 3 lbs for an easy carry, and you can carry up to 30 cans, depending on which bag you choose. This Igloo soft side cooler is another option with an adjustable shoulder strap so that you can carry it in whatever way feels comfortable. Handlebar attachments specifically for bike rides are included, and the metal bottle opener helps in case you’re carrying beers. The Original is made with an exterior of 840-denier UV-resistant nylon wrapped around open-cell foam.