Coleman soft coolers come in various shades, from drab green to red, black and silver. As the lid overextends, you can hear the screws ripping right out of the plastic. The lid lacks the rubber seal of so many competitors, meaning the Coleman is neither airtight nor leakproof. The drain plug also lacks a rubber seal, and while we had no issues with our unit during testing, many user complaints suggest that this plastic-on-plastic seal has an eventual expiration date.
While most Coleman hard coolers are built with nothing more than handles, possibly making them hard to handle for one person, it also offers a few models equipped with wheels and built for rolling. They also come with a large handle that makes dragging the cooler easy and convenient. The Coleman Xtreme is extreme in name only — it’s just a typical plastic cooler that comes with wheels on it.
But I think a lot of this design has to do with keeping it bear-proof. It became such a hangup that I actually bought a short hose and cooler drain plug so I could simply attach a hose to the cooler for draining. But that posed a new problem, because switching out the plug for the hose meant opening up the valve–which would result in water pouring out. The drain plug is not going to come loose on its own, but it could be easy to bump and accidentally open. A. A lot of people would argue that premium cooler prices have gotten out of hand lately, and they have a point. Maybe in certain circumstances, but you need to care a whole lot about your cooler to justify spending that kind of money on one.
But as compared to those at a more similar price point, the Steel Belted does just fine. The sanitary liner adheres to the inside rim of your cooler and is disposable, keeping the inside of your cooler clean and free of debris. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
These inventions have redefined for us what it means to have fun outdoors.Today, the Coleman brand is synonymous with good times and durable, useful products. This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon. It has taken us a few years to recommend a wheeled cooler simply because none have seemed built to last longer than a season or two—especially in the handle. Once loaded with ice, drinks, and food, a 37-pound cooler can more than double in weight.
Coolers aren’t complicated, which is a good thing to remember in the face of all that advertising. After spending many years evaluating more than 40 cooler models, we’ve chosen eight that are well made, well insulated, and well suited for a range of outings. To get rid of melted ice, you need to tilt the cooler, and the rustproof drainage hole, located under the handle on the lower side, lets water flow out evenly. It’s leak-resistant so that it won’t cause any damaging mini-floods on the campsite or picnic area. The recessed bottom allows for complete drainage to keep your cooler and picnic area cleaner at the end of the day.
If you and your customers are a fan of the one-and-only Coleman, you are in luck! 4imprint has a fantastic selection of soft-sided, chest and wheeled coolers that are perfect for custom imprinting or embroidery. Shop with us to find coolers for corporate gifts or to use at your next fundraiser, fun run or community event opens in new window. Tipping the scales at a mere 11.9 lb, the Coleman is shockingly lightweight.
The hinges were functional, but I know those screws are barely held into the injection-molded plastic wall. At this price, it’s nice to see a few convenience features that separate the Xtreme 5 from entry-level coolers. Having an extra seat and place to stack your belongings is good, but I’m more interested in what that rating says about the cooler’s overall durability. It also coleman cooler includes four cup holders and a ruler for the anglers among us. The fit is snug — it takes some effort to open and close, but that’s one of the ways this cooler keeps temperatures under control, and Coleman claims it can preserve ice for five days. Coleman has been around for more than 120 years and has earned its reputation of making quality products for outdoor activities.
I bought the Coleman 316 (52 qt.) at WalMart for a modest $50 a couple of years ago. I wanted a cooler that would serve as my “mini fridge” that I could also easily store away. When it comes to van life without a fridge, the cooler you use can have a big impact on your van life meals. I’ll be comparing two of the biggest names – a Coleman vs YETI cooler. USATuff offers the best Coleman cooler accessories for any cooler old or new.