Breaking a handle or hinge under those circumstances would be a serious downer, to say the least––and could potentially even constitute a party foul. It’s also worth considering whether or not your cooler is sturdy enough to sit on, something that comes in handy when you’re out camping. Most coleman cooler of the coolers that I tested were, but some took things even further. For instance, the Bison Gen 2 Cooler goes so far as to advertise itself as an ideal casting platform to stand on during your next fishing trip and even sells nonslip traction mats for the lid in a variety of designs.
But they’re made with multiple pieces—unlike the single, uninterrupted form with rotomolding—which can lead to a drop in durability and added susceptibility to cracking. That being said, a high-end build like RTIC’s 52 QT Ultra-Light stacks up favorably to top rotomolded coolers in overall toughness. Many injection-molded designs also allow for various mounting locations for accessories like tables, cup holders, and cutting boards—something you don’t typically get with rotomolding. If you plan on covering any kind of distance from your vehicle—whether it be to your campsite, a spot along the river, or a cabin retreat—wheels can make transport a whole lot easier.
You could also think about saving up for the $400 Rovr Rollr 60 Cooler — it’s awfully expensive, but it offers a rugged, feature-rich design complete with 9-inch inflatable rubber wheels. But if you’re willing to settle for middle-of-the-road performance (and if you want to navigate that road without any heavy lifting), then Coleman’s cooler is a justifiable pick. The Rovr Rollr wheeled cooler fared much better, thanks to a rugged design that features heavy-duty wheels, a sturdy steel handlebar and an optional $50 accessory that coleman instant tent lets you tow it behind your bike. I also liked that the interior comes with a divider that makes it easy to keep items you don’t want getting wet separate from the ice and that you can customize it with different interior liner designs. My only qualm — that T-shaped handlebar includes comfy rubber grips on the sides, but not in the middle, the spot you’ll actually want to hold as you lug it around one-handed. To that end, I carefully filled each cooler with water to the point that closing the lid would cause some water overflow.
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. There are no latches since this is a soft-sided cooler, just a zipper. We put that to the test during our capacity evaluations, where the entire cooler is filled to the top with water, then closed. In its closed state, full of water, I sloshed it around without spilling a drop, so it’s safe to assume that leaks won’t be an issue. Our recent Magellan Outdoors soft-sided cooler (title holder for Best Soft-Sided Cooler) has the same zipper setup.
The Xtreme 5 looks like the size I’d bring to a tailgate or weekend camping trip. The 70-liter capacity is listed as being able to hold 100 cans, but that depends on how much ice you include. I typically use a heavy hand with ice, and the inside of the Xtreme 5 leaves ample room for food and drinks. Coleman hard coleman instant tent coolers come as low as $14, with plenty of solid models running between $25-$75. Higher-end coolers cost in the range of $80-$150, while the marine model is much more expensive. Many Coleman hard coolers are recognizable with their bright blue bodies and white lids, though there are other colors available.
Part of the Maker Series, this Coleman cooler fits 16 cans and has a removable hard plastic liner, a front zippered pocket and a padded, adjustable shoulder strap. 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. Maybe you want to rope down your cooler in the back of a truck, or secure it to the interior of your van. I bought the Coleman 316 (52 qt.) at WalMart for a modest $50 a couple of years ago.