We placed two sensors designed to track temperature changes over time inside each soft cooler. We put one sensor at the bottom of the cooler, which was enclosed inside of a methylcellulose block. Our testing team filled each soft cooler in this guide halfway up with ice. The coolers were then placed in Reviewed’s humidity and temperature-controlled lab space to ensure that the coolers were tested with an outside ambient temperature of 72°F and 50% relative humidity.
Our ice retention test concluded that the YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler can hold ice for about 3 days. These results were similar to the RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler, and both of these coolers were among our best performers. Yeti doesn’t claim a specific number of hours for ice retention due to the myriad environmental factors you may encounter. The exterior material was incredibly durable and withstood scratches and dents after being scraped igloo water cooler against branches along the trails and dragged around on the rocky ground. Once the lake day was over and we were unpacking, cleaning out the inside of the cooler was made easy since we could see all the corners and get to all the crevasses. The rigid construction kept the side walls from caving in and the openness of the insulated liner provided fast, easy cleaning, and also made it painless to organize and see the contents inside.
When ordering your new Igloo that will be your fellow weekend warrior, our usual turnaround time is 8-10 business days from checkout to shipping. We’ll get that process started for you the next day, we pinkie promise. While we do have some Igloo allocated, life can throw us curveballs, so read our stock and estimated ship times messaging in your cart and at checkout so you can be in the know from start to finish. In our testing, we liked the wide, soft material of the two swing-up straps on the Snow Peak Soft Cooler. The quality of materials influences the waterproofness, durability, insulation value, and whether or not the face fabric produces condensation. The materials also determine the comfort, breathability, support, and overall cost.
The insulated walls have an interior aluminum coat that helps trap cold air, and the ice retention is adequate for single- and 2-day adventures. For day-long roams, weekend adventures, road trips, or running errands, these soft coolers kept our provisions chilled without weighing us down. For more information about soft coolers, check out our buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ at the end of this article. 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).
But their soft-sided offerings are nothing to scoff at and retain much of what’s made the brand so popular over the years, including excellent attention to detail, good ice retention, and decidedly sleek looks. Their top-end M30 is case in point, combining thick, closed-cell foam insulation with a burly and hardwearing shell that’s confidence-inspiring and highly resistant to snags and tears. In testing the Hopper M30, we were also struck by the robust feel of the opening, which uses strong magnets to close shut with quick-release buckles to prevent it from leaking during travel. A final highlight is the accessory-ready exterior, which allows you to easily connect add-ons like their Rambler Bottle Sling or SideKick Dry Gear Case (sold separately). Igloo hard lined coolers are built to give you the light weight construction of a bag and the rigidness of a hard cooler. With excellent cold insulation and maximum portability, these coolers are a great choice for your day-to-day food and drink needs.
The cooler’s exterior is made with stout ripstop nylon that easily wipes down. The Mountainsmith Sixer ($35) was a great cooler for lunch on the go. Our tester, a Colorado-based electrician and mountain biker, packed it with a canned drink, sandwich, fruit, and chocolate. The cooler’s shape and size were easy to fit in a messy work truck. The Mountainsmith Takeout ($30) accompanied us on a standup paddleboard session down Colorado’s Slate River, a mellow run sans whitewater.
The second Hydro Flask design to make our list this season is the 20 L Carry Out Soft Cooler, which splits the difference between their 20 L Insulated Tote ($65) and backpack-style Day Escape above. For just $90, the Carry Out is the largest option of the bunch with a 38-can capacity (without ice), and the wraparound zipper makes access and cleaning quick and easy. igloo water cooler And like the premium Day Escape, the Carry Out boasts a thick (600D) exterior that’s highly durable and water-resistant, along with welded seams to keep spills and splashes at bay. Tack on a handy stash pocket at the front and webbing loops to attach Hydro Flask’s Dry Storage accessories, and the Carry Out stands out as an excellent value for what you get.
Many hard coolers also boast helpful features like drainage systems to help you empty out water once your ice has melted and lockable lids to bear-proof your cooler when camping in bear country. If there’s one clear benefit to soft coolers over hard-sided models, it’s that they’re significantly lighter and therefore much easier to tote around. A quick glance at our comparison table above reveals that most options hover somewhere in the 2- to 4-pound range, with the largest and most robust designs clocking in at 7 pounds or more. On a related note, comfortable shoulder straps and/or grab handles can go a long way toward maximizing portability, which we outline more in depth below.
The Yeti Hopper Flip 18’s steep price tag—over $250—knocked it out of first place for best soft cooler. For being so small, it is expensive for the average consumer, despite its quality construction. The Yeti Hopper Flip 18 is one of the best soft coolers you can buy right now. Read on for a look at the best soft coolers on the market right now. With the Igloo IMX series of coolers to Igloo MaxCold and BMX cooler options, Igloo hard coolers make a great choice for many… We believe in offering the very best value, quality, and selection.