On the flip side, those products with large handles and awkward shapes that are difficult to Tetris into the back of the minivan, along with everything else you need for the party in the park, don’t score as well. Of course, the internal dimensions and capacity also make a big difference in what you can bring with you in your icebox and how many extra bags and boxes you’ll need to bring along. And the proportion of these dimensions to one another also makes a big difference. A low and long model is easy to find things in but harder for one person to carry.
Equally as important, the RovR’s handle swings out far enough from the chest’s body to avoid painful heel smashing. And with motocross-style rubber handles located on the edges of the sides of the wide trolley handle, it’s clear that this product is designed with the user in mind. Attachment is easy, and the flexible, pivoting arm allows for freedom coleman sundome of bike movement and no loss of turning radius or steering ability. We are so genuinely impressed by this rolling icebox’s portability that we hardly even notice or mind its heavier initial weight. Both Pelican models we tested — the Pelican Wheeled and the Pelican 20 stand out to our testers as having exceptionally easy to use latches.
The latches and handles don’t factor into an IGBC rating, as they are irrelevant to bear safety but pertinent to any model’s longevity. Rubber T-grip latches are popular as a durable, easy-to-use solution for keeping your ice chest closed. Even after several years of use, the Tundra 65’s latches are virtually the same as the first day we bought the cooler.
That said, if you don’t need multi-day ice retention, even a cheaper hard-sided cooler should be around for many years as well. The first step to packing a cooler that coleman sundome will stay cool involves pre-chilling the cooler. If you have a large fridge or chest freezer that will fit your cooler, place it inside for a few hours before packing.
The best powered cooler we have tested is the seriously impressive Dometic CFX3 45. It offers some of the coldest achievable temperatures and above-average insulation. It’s built rugged and tough enough to withstand those questionably-maintained roads you may find yourself driving down. And it is practically bursting at the seams with ridiculously convenient features and well-thought-out usability.
It’s also important to point out that some companies provide different warranties for their hard-sided versus soft-sided offerings. For example, YETI covers its Tundra series with a five-year warranty, while their soft-sided Hopper is only covered for three. According to our testing, the RTIC 65-Quart Hard Cooler held the largest amount of ice after two days of testing.
And with front lash straps to attach items like camp chairs or blankets, this can really be an all-purpose backpack. For an even more affordable option, we were really struck by Coleman’s Chiller Series Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler. With a 28-can capacity, this option offers as much space as the far more expensive ones out there. The exterior is made from recycled polyester and it includes welded seams that are designed to prevent leaking.
However, the zipper isn’t waterproof so it may still experience some mild leaking. Reviewers note that it does a good job of maintaining ice and keeping drinks cool for the entire day. It’s also much lighter than other options, only weighing two pounds, and it includes a bottle opener in case you’re dealing with pesky non-twist options. When it’s time for storage, the dry bin folds flat coleman sundome and can be easily and securely stored on top of the lid. And if you are so inclined to make additional purchases, the RovR can be mounted to the back of your bicycle like a tiny, ice-filled wagon. Mid-sized models offer a middle ground between the many large options that can often be overkill for a simple picnic or road trip but offer more storage space than the small personal chests.