We’ve tested Polar Bear coolers for seven years now, buying them or receiving test units from Polar Bear. Recently, however, we’ve been let down by the lifespan of its soft coolers (though not this backpack in particular). But with care, you can extend the lifespan of any soft cooler—the number one rule seems to be not to leave it out in the sun. The Original is made with an exterior of 840-denier UV-resistant nylon wrapped around open-cell foam. Technically less insulating than closed-cell foam, open-cell foam performs fairly well for most applications as long as the cooler isn’t left in the open sun.
Some have ingenious accessories, some are no-frills cold boxes, one of them will even hook up to your bike so you can roll right up to the party. All 15 are coolers worth checking out before you head outside this summer to take things easy. ORCA (Outdoor Recreation Company of America) isn’t a household name like YETI, but the Tennessee brand has gained a dedicated following of committed outdoorspeople. Their 40-quart cooler gives premium rotomolded models here a real run for their money. Its flexible side handles make carrying a breeze, and we found the exterior organizer pocket to be a nice addition for storing small items like koozies, kitchen utensils, and a bottle opener. Starting at 20 quarts and going all the way up to 140, there’s an ORCA cooler for just about any activity.
The Original can do exactly what you need it to do, which is to keep things cold for the day while you focus on the fun at hand. As with all soft coolers, you shouldn’t leave the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler out in the sun or resting on very hot surfaces like the back of a pickup truck or on top of a picnic table for a long time. Although the exterior of the cooler is made of a durable, thickly coated nylon—waterproof and tough—the sun and heat will degrade the material and slowly wear it out.
If we had to generalize it, we would say that you should expect to get approximately half of the claimed ice retention time in real-world use, give or take depending on your specific circumstances. ROAM is primarily a rooftop tent manufacturer and well regarded among serious outdoor-goers like overlanders and those who like igloo electric cooler to get off the grid. But their foray into coolers hasn’t gone unnoticed, combining the ruggedness and utility that ROAM is known for with a myriad of functional features. And importantly, all these features are integrated nicely and have the same solid and confidence-inspiring feel as the rest of the aptly named Rugged.
If portability is a priority, we recommend looking at options with wheels, such as RovR’s RollR 45 or Igloo’s Trailmate Journey. Although these units still are decidedly hefty (the RovR is around 37 lbs. while the Igloo is just under 35), the wheels make them much easier and less cumbersome to transport for extended periods, even just for one person. If you are looking for maximum cooling power, premium rotomolded coolers from brands like YETI, RTIC, and ORCA are the clear leaders in keeping ice cold for long stretches. If you need ice for extended periods (we’re thinking of you, rafters and multi-day campers), the cost is worth it. But for those on day trips or shorter overnight outings with access to new ice, an inexpensive cooler like the Coleman Xtreme or Igloo ECOCOOL is a fine option. Grab your favorite outdoor snacks and hit the beach with this wheeled cooler from Igloo.
Igloo is back once again and this time with their 60-quart Transformer Roller cooler which offers up ample storage and features that will be extremely handy when you go camping, hiking or fishing. Any ice that you store inside to keep food and drinks cool will last a good 24-hours on hot days and even longer on colder days. Although this is a fairly basic standing cooler on wheels, because it is made by Igloo, you can be confident that you’re getting great value for money. It has a solid build, will keep ice cold for as long as five days at a time, and has features such as cup holders, telescopic handle, and a mobile stand that you can use to place your phones, keys, or anything else of importance.
Style-wise, the exterior (which is water-resistant and stain-resistant) comes in fun colors like a turquoise-esque Pine variation, a summer-appropriate Blue Lagoon version, and a very neon Citrus model. The Moss variation is a quieter, but still snazzy, outdoorsy hue for you understated gents out there. A first-of-its-kind cooler, the EcoCool Latitude 90 Roller Cooler is primarily constructed from recycled plastic, i.e., yogurt cups, milk jugs, and more “post-consumer resin” that typically ends up in landfills.
Kong’s family of American-made coolers has been a big hit with backyard barbecuers for over 20 years now, but they’ve really outdone themselves with the Cruiser Cooler. It’s the igloo electric cooler first ever wheeled cooler from the company, and they attended to every detail. Fully packed it can hold a frost 40 beverages (with 30 pounds of ice to keep them chilled).
And while bags of ice come relatively cheap, it can be a real pain to have to drain your cooler and replace the ice on a daily basis (not to mention having to travel and purchase more of it). Another benefit of high-end hard-sided units is durability—the difference in quality is immediately apparent and igloo ice chest some of the best out there are truly meant to last a lifetime. All that said, if you just need a reliable cooler for days at the beach or packing a lunch on the road, it’s probably a good idea to save your cash. But if you consistently head outside for days at a time, the investment is well worth it.
A boat-bound cooler, or one you plan to take to the beach or lake, will also need to be waterproof. Any cooler you plan to bring outside beyond your own deck or yard should be reasonably able to withstand the elements. If you choose a soft cooler on wheels, make sure the fabric can handle being loaded up with ice and the resulting leftover water. Most hard coolers on wheels can withstand water, from inside or out, but it’s still a factor you’ll want to double-check.