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 316 Series or Igloo Ecocool is a fine option. For $65, the 50-quart Coleman Xtreme is another standout in the value category, and this time with wheels.
As we prefaced above, if your cooler must-haves include easy mobility, large capacity, and maximum ice retention, it’s best to consider a rolling hard-sided model. Downsides are even more weight (the RovR and Igloo weigh around lb.), bulk, and cost. Additionally, these wheeled beasts still struggle over rough terrain and may require carrying if you don’t have a defined path to follow. But for camping, days at the beach, or even tailgating, a rolling cooler can be a solid choice. For a full look at options, see our round-up of the best wheeled coolers. 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.
Whatever outdoor activity you decide on, having a cold place to stash drinks is key for you and your guests to stay cool, hydrated and happy. This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon. This roto-molded cooler costs far less than the Yeti Tundra 65 but performs just as well in nearly every way. It’s almost indestructible, it has two drainage ports and replaceable parts, and it kept our ice frozen for 10 days.
The Xtreme also offers ample room for your beer, claiming a capacity of 50 quarts. Even better, that capacity came in at a bigger-than-advertised 58.1 quarts when I filled it with water to double-check. That makes Coleman’s cooler a sensible pick if you just want a relatively inexpensive wheeled cooler, but consider your alternatives before buying. Though it doesn’t have wheels on it, the Igloo MaxCold Cooler offers notably better performance for the same price, and while I haven’t tested them just yet, there are wheeled versions available, too.
A cooler’s latch or closure system is one of the defining characteristics of a premium model and plays a significant role in overall cooling performance. Among high-end hard-sided coolers, you’ll commonly coleman cooler find two rubber T-handles along the front that keep the lid locked securely in place. These handles are fairly user-friendly, extremely strong, and minimize any openings for cold air to escape.
If the foam feels denser than that and doesn’t compress much at all, you probably have your hands on closed-cell foam. 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. We’ve also used this cooler for nearly five years for grocery runs in Hawaii, and it’s still going strong. One charm of the RTIC 65 is its reasonable price, which allows us to be far less careful with this equipment than we are with something as expensive or desirable as a Yeti. Keep food and drinks cold as you head out to a tailgate party, a camping adventure, or anywhere else you may go with a new Coleman cooler from Kohl’s!
On the topic of wheeled coolers, the Igloo Journey Trailmate 70qt All-Terrain cooler also came with a dizzying amount of extras and features. Overall, it wasn’t quite as durable as the Rovr, but I think they’re mostly designed for different purposes. If I’m trekking into the woods for a weekend with a couple of pals, I’m going to take the Rovr, no question.
The interior is rather roomy – Coleman claims 70 quarts, and we measured it at 68, which is pretty darn close. As the cooler with some of the thinnest walls we tested, the Coleman doesn’t blow us away with an amazing insulation value. During our insulation tests, the Coleman was able to keep below 40º, for 3.7 days — which wasn’t the best. However, coleman camping chair considering we tested all of these coolers in the harshest and warmest conditions without chilling them first, we found that this cooler is still a decent option for a weekend trip or a picnic. The Coleman 316 was a perfect fit for sliding underneath my van’s benches. It’s more of a tall, slim build and the dimensions were perfect for what I needed.