But even if Yeti’s cooler is cooler than being cool, even if it’s ice-cold for days, that functionality does not necessarily equate to being beloved. Roy coolly refers to the pricing of Yeti’s first model as “ten x”—ten times what a typical cooler cost at the time. In spite of this barrier to entry, lgloo Cooler or maybe because of it, a Yeti became more than a functional way to keep your beer frosty. Owning one grew into a great source of “weekender braggadocio.” In 2017, the company opened a flagship store, complete with a bar and a stage for live music, in Austin’s South Congress neighborhood.
So we tested these coolers the way that we, and most consumers, would use them. We bought some ice, filled each model about ⅓ full, and put a mixture of cold and room temperature cans in them. Then we simulated a hot summer trip by sealing them in a heated room for over a week while tracking and recording each unit’s internal temperature. We are impressed with the insulation performance of this rather inexpensive product. Up against models that are three or four times its price, the Coleman Xtreme 70 holds its own.
Recently, however, we’ve been let down by the lifespan of its soft coolers (though not this backpack in particular). But with care, you can extend the lifespan of any soft cooler—the number one rule seems to be not to leave it out in the sun. The RTIC 65 has rope handles with a plastic tube for gripping and two rubber latches for holding the lid closed, mimicking the design of most other, comparable coolers.
The lid features four convenient cup holders, so you can enjoy your favorite beverages without the need for additional table space. Additionally, the integrated fish ruler on the lid igloo ice chest allows you to measure your catch on the go. For over 70 years, Igloo has been the name that people turn to in order to keep their favorite food and beverages cold on a hot day.
If we had to generalize it, we would say that you should expect to get approximately half of the claimed ice retention time in real-world use, give or take depending on your specific circumstances. For example, when heading on a camping trip, you’re sure to need a cooler that will keep ice cold for long periods of time, since you’ll be away from electricity igloo cooler with wheels and refrigeration. For this task, the Igloo Latitude 60-Quart Rolling Cooler might be your best choice. With its impressive 70-quart capacity, this cooler offers ample space to store all your essentials. The MaxCold insulation technology provides extended ice retention, keeping your items cold for up to five days, even in scorching temperatures.
The Titan, Tundra 65, and Igloo all feature a simple basket that sits across the top of the opening. The drain plug isn’t the only factor that makes emptying water easy or annoying. Most of the contenders we tested also have a sloping channel behind the drain to help gravity pull water out. Still, several have unfortunately paired this with a large lip or other obstruction that then stops your drainage progress before it’s 100% complete. Models that we found the easiest and most thorough to drain include the RTIC Ultralight, Kenai, Xspec, Orca(s), Titan, and Tundra(s), which all feature either a tiny or sloped lip to make emptying your meltwater a breeze.
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. ORCA (Outdoor Recreation Company of America) isn’t a household name like YETI, but the Tennessee brand has gained a dedicated following of committed outdoorspeople. Their 40-quart cooler gives premium rotomolded models here a real run for their money.