But the flexible walls allowed us to flatten and fold the cooler for easy storage, saving us space in a tight apartment. With the simple, wide handles Velcroed together, we could sling the cooler over our shoulders when it was fully loaded.Ī hard cooler this size would require two hands to move. Even given its large size, it was still very comfortable to transport, due to the soft, malleable walls. One of our favorite products overall was the Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38 ($170). We’re quite confident it’s the best soft cooler for the price. This cooler could fit two dozen 12-ounce cans.
There are two zippered pockets, including one that fits a phone, and two huge, broad mesh pockets.Īccording to our ice retention test, the Titan Bucket Tote is capable of holding ice for up to 70 hours. We appreciate all of the pockets to help us keep odds and ends organized. The shape and weight feel easy to move around, and the handles are comfortable.
We also found the water- and stain-resistant exterior very durable. That well-founded retention is thanks to the brand’s blend of proprietary insulation, interior radiant barrier, and thick base made of three layers of SuperFoam.
WHO DESIGNED KODI COOLERS FULL
The temps that day hovered around 80 degrees.ĭespite being left in the car for a full day following the river outing, the cooler still had ice and felt cold. A trio took the cooler fly fishing on Colorado’s Gunnison River, carrying along water and various canned beverages. The Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote ($53) is a great budget cooler that keeps our ice cold for long durations. While the Trooper 20 ($250) is a bit expensive, it stands out as the best soft cooler on the market, and should last for many seasons of use. To put the size in perspective, this cooler could fit 28 12-ounce cans. The staunch base also allowed us to set the cooler on variable surfaces and was easy to clean.Īccording to our ice retention test, this cooler is capable of holding ice for up to 78 hours, which is what the brand claims - and is also the strongest ice retention among the coolers on our list. The heavy-duty base also increased the chill factor while stabilizing the cooler during transport and beneath items. We were surprised at how well the cooler retained ice despite being out in the elements, due to the premium thermal insulation. We miss the top handle, but the two side grab handles are robust and ergonomic. We also appreciated the water-resistant exterior pocket, which is easy to open and close. The flat backside wall alleviates bounce when we were using the shoulder strap. The wide opening is great for quick, easy access, and the leakproof seal prevented melted ice from dripping out (and also prevented rain from seeping in during storms). This cooler’s size, shape, and rigidity are convenient. But on the road, we packed it full of beverages and snacks. When posted up, we used the cooler for day trips. The cooler didn’t take up too much space in the backseat, either. The cooler was hauled in and out of the open truck bed countless times, faced torrential downpours, withstood long days in the direct sunshine, didn’t collapse under other stacked gear, and sat in mud at camp. Then we linked up river surf spots through Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, camping along the way.
We took this cooler on a two-person, 3,400-mile road trip from Colorado to Washington for ski mountaineering followed by ocean surfing. But it aptly redeemed itself as an extremely hardy, dependable, and easy-to-operate soft cooler. 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. Best Collapsible Design for Storage: REI Co-op Pack-Away Soft Cooler.Most Compact Soft Cooler: Mountainsmith Takeout.Best Large Soft Cooler: Snow Peak Soft Cooler.Best Budget Soft Cooler: Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote.Best Overall Soft Cooler: OtterBox Trooper 20 Cooler.Otherwise, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys: For more information about soft coolers, check out our buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ at the end of this article. Others are fully collapsible and pliable, and we celebrate the space-saving option for storage.įor day-long roams, weekend adventures, road trips, or running errands, these soft coolers kept our provisions chilled without weighing us down. Some of these designs are actually very rigid, stout, and stackable. There’s a broad range of sizes and softness in soft coolers. They weigh less and are easy for one person to grab and quickly transport from the deck to the truck bed. We’ll always have a spot in our gear closet for a hard cooler, but soft coolers have proven to be just as essential.
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