And it’s even better with the right cooler bag (that you can easily carry and fit between seats) to keep you all refreshed with ice-cold provisions along the way. Our new Marine Ultra Soft Sides collection will keep your drinks and contents cold (or hot) all day long. Sturdy, stylish, and destined to become the indispensible companion for smooth sailing.
The most durable coolers we tested are the Engel HD30 and Yeti Flip 12. These models feature incredibly tough, wear-resistant outer fabric, durable components, sturdy zippers, reinforced stitching, and a design made to be used and abused. Even after several years of regular use, they work just as well as when they were new and still look nearly as nice. But where do you want to go with your cooler, and how do you want to get there?
In addition to its rubber-foam insulated body, it also has exterior grid straps where you can attach hiking gear. The shell is made from a puncture- and UV-resistant fabric, and both the exterior and interior are treated to resist mildew, according to the brand. The wide-mouth opening is leakproof and zips almost all the way open for easy access, plus it can fit up to 11 cans, according to Yeti. Many soft-sided coolers do an incredible job of retaining ice on hot days, sometimes for over 24 hours. This might be necessary in certain instances, but if you’re using yours for a day trip and only need it to keep pre-chilled items cold for a few hours, you might not even need ice.
While we tested during cooler fall temperatures, the Walker delivered days of ice retention versus the hours we got from flimsier bag-style soft coolers. Those times would be shortened in direct sun and high temps, but the thick walls of the Walker are more than enough for a day at the beach. In our lab, the temperature inside the tote actually dropped 8 degrees between two hours and 24 hours after filling it with ice.
All things considered, it’s an excellent portable ice chest for picnics, boating, road trips, or hanging out at the beach, as long as you don’t have to carry it too far. And the price is reasonable for such a high-quality, likely long-lasting cooler. The clear winners in this category are the backpack-style coolers, as this distribution of weight across both shoulders and resting behind you will almost always beat out a unilateral carry.
Like a good dry bag, the Icemule Pro has a roll-top closure that it claims will not let water in or out and allows you to trap air inside for extra insulation. Our testers noticed a bit of a leak from the roll-top closure when inverting the cooler. It also has the added benefit (significant on the water) of making the bag float.
Traditional hard-sided coolers lead the charge in ice retention and durability, but for those who don’t need a week’s worth of cold food and drinks, a soft-sided cooler can be a viable alternative. Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably lighter, easier to carry, and often save you a good deal of cash. From burly waterproof options to packable designs that collapse down for easy storage, below we break down the top soft coolers of 2023. For more background information, check out our detailed comparison table and buying advice below the picks. If you’re less concerned about portability and instead prioritize cooling capabilities and durability, we’ve also compiled a list of the best hard-sided coolers.
igloo water coolerREI has a knack for balancing performance and affordability, and their Cool Haul 24 is no exception. Like much of its soft-sided competition, the REI bag also includes daisy-chain webbing for securing extra gear, as well as a handy bottle opener. And because the Cool Haul’s inner insulated box can be separated from the outer shell, cleaning is a snap (the shell can also be used without the liner as a tote). YETI is the Cadillac of cooler manufacturers and credited with catalyzing the growth of the premium rotomolded market.
For example, YETI’s hard-sided Tundra series is covered with a five-year warranty compared to three for the Hopper collection. Many soft cooler manufacturers also sell compatible accessories that can attach directly to the outside of their coolers. For instance, Hydro Flask’s 20 L Day Escape has thread-through points on the outside for securing one of their Dry Storage Bags (offered in small, medium, and large sizes). Waterproof Soft Coolers
Many of the coolers above utilize highly water-resistant zippers or openings, but very few have fully waterproof constructions. One exception is 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.