That said, ice packs are fairly expensive (YETI’s range from $15 to $30 depending on size) and require refreezing once they lose their coldness, which limits practicality for longer trips. As committed cooler enthusiasts know, the type of ice you use heavily impacts how much you’re able to store and how long it stays cold. Crushed ice is the most readily available—you can find it at most gas stations and supermarkets for fairly cheap. The major draw is that it easily fills the gaps between your food and beverages, cooling them quickly and efficiently.
Igloo is back once again and this time with their 60-quart Transformer Roller cooler which offers up ample storage and features that will be extremely handy when you go camping, hiking or fishing. Any ice that you store inside to keep food and drinks cool will last a good 24-hours on hot days and even longer on colder days. Although this is a fairly basic igloo cooler with wheels standing cooler on wheels, because it is made by Igloo, you can be confident that you’re getting great value for money. It has a solid build, will keep ice cold for as long as five days at a time, and has features such as cup holders, telescopic handle, and a mobile stand that you can use to place your phones, keys, or anything else of importance.
Coleman understands the tendency to consider the cooler the unofficial extra chair at the tailgating party, so they made their lid able to withstand two-hundred-fifty pounds of cookout enthusiast. Holding up to eighty-four cans and keeping them cold for up to five days, the Xtreme also has a telescoping handle that locks so you can push or pull your cooler to the heart of the action. If you wanted something a little more heavy duty, you’re not going to get many that are as rugged, tough, and sturdy as the Milee Heavy Duty Wheeled Cooler.
The company also sells a handy bicycle attachment (not included) for towing the cooler on cycling trips. While you probably won’t choose this cooler for a long road trip or week-long camping or rafting excursion, it’s great for a picnic with friends (and it’s certified grizzly bear-resistant, so no worries about Yogi and pals). Look no further than the trusty Pelican 45QT Elite Wheeled Cooler to haul up to a week’s worth of provisions from home to car to trailhead—and keep it all chilled in the process. Although the wheeled version of the cooler is rotomolded and not injection molded (the latter provides superior durability and lightness, while the former is more affordable), Pelican guarantees its coolers with a lifetime warranty. The wheeled version still boasts a 2-inch wall of insulation, molded locking closure, and freezer-grade gasket, ensuring that a fully loaded, iced cooler will stay frosty for at least seven days. This high-end, rugged cooler’s large-diameter wheels and smooth pulling mean you can tackle all terrains with confidence.
According to our testing, over a long enough period of time, a cooler with closed-cell foam will keep things cool for longer. But in the 24- to 48-hour range, we haven’t seen a huge difference between using ¾ inch of closed-cell or open-cell foam in a cooler. Closed-cell foam is considered a better insulator than open-cell foam because the tiny bubbles of gas in closed-cell foam remain independent from one another. Air bubbles that do not share cell walls and in effect stay insulated from one another are better at reducing the overall transfer of heat through the foam.
This cooler from Igloo has a 110-quart capacity that’s sure to fit just about anything you need to carry, up to 168 cans. The foam insulation inside the walls and lid keeps your contents ice cold, and the drain plugs makes for easy cleaning. Though a full cooler of this size is bound to be on the heavy side, igloo ice chest the telescoping handle with a cushioned grip and the smooth wheels make it easier to transport. Plus, the lid can be secured with the impact-resistant latch to avoid leaks or spills. The polyethylene exterior is made with infrared technology and UV inhibitors to protect against sun damage on toasty days.
And while bags of ice come relatively cheap, it can be a real pain to have to drain your cooler and replace the ice on a daily basis (not to mention having to travel and purchase more of it). Another benefit of high-end hard-sided units is durability—the difference in quality is immediately apparent and some of the best out there are truly meant to last a lifetime. All that said, if you just need a reliable cooler for days at the beach or packing a lunch on the road, it’s probably a good idea to save your cash. But if you consistently head outside for days at a time, the investment is well worth it.