Our complaints with the ICEMULE Classic are very similar to those we noted about the Pro model above: The collapsible design lacks structure, doesnt stand out in insulation, and can feel a little sloppy when fully loaded. And because the Cool Hauls inner insulated box can be separated from the outer shell, cleaning is a snap (the shell can also be used without the liner as a tote). Hydro Flasks Insulated Tote above is a nice value for those who just need to keep lunch and a few beverages cold for the afternoon, but their 18 L Day Escape offers a noticeable boost in overall performance and cold retention. A few models that include functional stash pockets include the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler, ORCA Walker Tote, and Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze. Carrying comfort is another concession: The shoulder strap is very basic and lacks padding and support for longer distances. Capacity: 30 cans (with ice)Weight: 4 lbs. Despite the two designs similar shapes, the 18 L Day Escape is rated to keep ice frozen for up to 36 hours (compared to just 4 for the Insulated Tote), comes with a removable strap for shoulder or cross-body carry, and boasts a fully waterproof zipper (the Totes is only water-resistant) that seals securely and is significantly easier to operate than much of the competition. On a related note, its worth pointing out that price and build quality often correlate pretty closely: Options like the AO Coolers 24 Pack Canvas, Coleman 24-Hour 16-Can Cooler, and Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze have noticeably cheaper-feeling constructions and components than their more premium counterparts. The Insulated Tote also comes with an exterior pocket, which we consider a relatively standard feature and very helpful for keeping small valuables organized during day trips. Unlike hard-sided models that can keep food and beverages cold for days (or even weeks) on end, soft models arent built to keep contents cold for more than a few days at maximum. And styles vary considerably between models. With this in mind, soft coolers have limited appeal for multi-day outings. Finally, the Classic foregoes the external bungee attachment system and ventilated backpanel of the Pro, although the latter likely wont be a deal breaker for most. More in our "Ice Retention and Cooling Capabilities" section below. The YETI Hopper M30, for instance, has a magnet-equipped opening thats incredibly rigid and requires considerable effort to keep open while loading and unloading food and drinks. For starters, the canvas buildwhile capable for many casual usesfalls well short of the higher-end soft coolers on this list in durability, water resistance, and cold retention. A Year on the Road (Part 2): Canada's Yukon Territory, RovR Products TravelR 30 Soft Cooler ($250), Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can ($63), See the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can, awkwardly using your own elbow for support. Softer and more malleable options like Hydro Flasks 20 L Insulated Tote, Cotopaxi's Hielo 12L Cooler Bag, and REI Co-ops Pack-Away 24 feel significantly less burly and may be more prone to wear and tear over time, but theyre still reasonably well built for most casual outdoor uses. 8 oz.Other size: 16 cans (12 qts. See the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can. First, like many soft coolers, the RTIC takes considerable effort (and two hands) to open, although the zipper is robust, highly leak-resistant, and does a good job sealing in cold. RovR's new TravelR 30 is another standout in terms of durability with a burly TPU base and welded seams that give it a very hardwearing feel. As we covered above, soft coolers are relatively poor performers in terms of ice retentionmost can only keep contents cold for a day or two at maximum in ideal (read: favorable) conditions. Its true that it will save you $100 compared to the top-end Hopper M30 above, but capacity is decidedly limited (the Hopper Flip can only fit about 13 12-oz. Whether you spend your summer days on the trail or in the water, a quality pair of hiking sandals is likely on your must-have list. And keep in mind that neither cooler is a standout in terms of ice retention. Rigid designs like YETIs Hopper M30 and Engels HD20 (both 840D) sit at the top of the pack. For $35 less, the Hydro Flask Insulated Tote boasts a waterproof exterior thats also thicker (the Cotopaxis liner is welded and waterproof, but the outer fabric is not). Capacity: 18 cans (with ice)Weight: 3 lbs. External factors play a huge role here, including air temperature, how frequently you open the lid, the amount of sunlight you expose the cooler to, and how much ice you use (most brands recommend a 2:1 ice-to-food ratio). Capacity: 24 cans (without ice)Weight: 2 lbs. To prevent issues like these, we strongly recommend using dedicated ice packs in your soft cooler instead (unless you're only using the cooler to carry drinks and/or cans). RovR Products RollR collection put them on the map in the wheeled cooler category with a competitive mix of durability and ice retention. Its true that the Hopper is considerably lighter than the Tundra (by around 13 lbs.) External Attachment Points In fact, the Hopper M30 retails for $75 more than their similarly sized Tundra 35. *Editor's note: This number represents claimed ice retention. Capacity: 16 cansOther sizes: 9, 30 cansWhat we like: The cheapest cooler on our list.What we dont: Also the least performance-ready. That said, the OtterBox Trooper 20s finer details arent as well sorted as we expected at this price point. If youve got the budget, its almost certainly worth opting for a hard-sided model instead. For the ultimate in portability, soft-sided backpack-style coolers are the way to go. The designs borrow heavily from hiking daypacks, sharing features like shoulder straps, padded backpanels, and exterior pockets for added gear storage. Where does the Cool Haul 24 fall short? Other sizes: 12, 20, 40 cansWhat we like: A well-built and durable soft cooler at a great price point.What we dont: Only sold online; fewer features than the YETI Hopper M30 below. Whether youre headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, keeping your food and drinks cold is absolutely key. We like the mid-range Medium 15L model best: Its nicely sized for a quick afternoon outing or full-day adventure, includes a strong and well-cushioned strap for cross-body carry, and shares the impressively durable and fully waterproof build of the Pro model above. If theres one clear benefit to soft coolers over hard-sided models, its that theyre significantly lighter and therefore much easier to tote around. It's clear that Engel put a lot of focus on ice retention with their HD collection, including the welded construction, sealed zipper, and vacuum valve at the side that allows you to suck out excess air before use. 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 a bit depending on your specific circumstances. RTICs Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can fits the bill nicely, combining respectable insulating capabilities and functional features in a robust and premium-feeling package. And Hydro Flask does offer a bigger 35-liter variation, which costs $75 and weighs 1 pound 10.4 ounces.See the Hydro Flask 20 L Insulated Tote. Additionally, theres an important distinction to be made between collapsible designs and rigid soft coolers: In our experience, flexible and packable models like the Hydro Flask 18 L Day Escape are far more versatile and functional than thick and rigid options like the Engel HD20. But in the end, its hard to fault the REI as a solid, affordable pick for small group outings. Many soft cooler manufacturers also sell compatible accessories that can attach directly to the outside of their coolers. Like traditional soft-sided coolers, backpack models are lightweight, easy to carry, and pack down when not in use, but they still lack the insulating power of hard-sided coolersthe ICEMULE Pro, for instance, is only rated to keep ice frozen for up to 24 hours. That said, cans is the most commonly used measurement for soft coolers (hard-sided models are generally listed in quarts), and weve utilized that spec throughout this article whenever available. Soft coolers can get pretty expensive, as evidenced by YETIs $350 Hopper M30 above. Like the top-ranked RTIC Soft Pack above, the TravelR is well insulated with quality closed-cell foam (unfortunately, RovR does not provide an ice retention spec) and utilizes heavy-duty materials to maximize longevity. Capacity: 24 cans (with ice)Weight: 1 lb. Second is sustainability: Each Hielo is made partially from repurposed materials, and the companys status as a climate-neutral, Certified B Corporation reflects their ongoing commitment to addressing social, environmental, and economic issues. For multi-day trips, however, hard-sided models offer several added benefits over soft coolers. For reference, the Pack-Away measures just 1 inch in height when stowed with functional clips at the side for compressing down or alternating between shapes (cube or tote). With a 1,000-denier, waterproof build, the drybag-like ICEMULE should be able to withstand just about all the scratches, scrapes, and tussles that crop up along the trail or in the water (weve also found it suitably tough for air travel). Namely, they retain ice for much longer (two to 10 days is standard), are inherently far more durable and hardwearing, and come in larger capacities. Premium models tend to have great cushioning along the straps, as evidenced by YETIs Hopper M30, RTICs Soft Pack Cooler, and Engels HD20. Importantly, not all coolers measure interior capacity in the same way. For a whopping $150 less than the M30 (albeit with a minor drop in capacity), the HD20 sports a welded construction (most competitors are sewn) thats designed to seal in cold and minimize leaks, is noticeably robust with an 840-denier shell and TPU film to reinforce the front and back, and can be toted via the thick handles or nicely padded shoulder strap. Like the AO Coolers 24 Pack Canvas above, Arctic Zones Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can stands out in one key area: value. First, the RovR is the more durable of the two with a burly TPU base and welded seams. In use, weve found this area useful for keeping valuables like keys close at hand (we use a carabiner to attach them). Two exceptions are ICEMULEs Pro and Classic models, which have dry-bag like shapes and exteriors with roll-top closures that can be fully submerged in water. For instance, Hydro Flasks 18 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). )What we like: Generously sized opening, heavy-duty base, and good structure. Capacity: 24 cans (with ice)Weight: 4 lbs. A final alternative is using blocks of ice, which take much longer to melt than crushed ice but are bulky and take up a lot of space. One exception is REI Co-op, which offers a full refund or replacement within one year of purchase for members (90 days for non-members). cans with ice). and Cotopaxi Hielo 12L Cooler Bag (1 lb. What we dont: Middling ice retention and prone to condensation buildup. For the latter, we love cheap and minimalist designs like Hydro Flasks Insulated Tote. The allure is clear: Rather than taking up valuable real estate in your garage when not in use, a collapsible design like REI Co-ops aptly named Pack-Away 24 folds down nearly flat for storage. At $250, however, the YETI Hopper Flip 12 certainly doesnt stand out from a value perspective. Capacity: 26 cans (with ice)Weight: 7 lbs.Other sizes: NoneWhat we like: Impressive ice retention for a soft cooler and excellent attention to detail.What we dont: Very expensive and overkill for most. But for short adventures to the beach or park, the AO may be all that you need and nothing you dont. All told, its hard to be overly critical at this price point, and the Pack-Away 24s mix of compressibility, easy access, and value earn it our endorsement as the best packable design of the year.See the REI Co-op Pack-Away 24. But many will find these downsides reasonable given the AOs low price, earning it our endorsement as the top budget pick of the year. Their top-end M30 is case in point, combining thick, closed-cell foam insulation with a burly and hardwearing shell thats confidence-inspiring and highly resistant to snags and tears. Further, while the M30s magnet-equipped opening is undeniably robust, its also very rigid and makes loading and cleaning pretty painstaking and effortful (we prefer the wraparound zipper on their smaller Hopper Flip models). It also includes an external pocket for keys or other small valuables, while the Hielo only has a side water bottle pocket, which many will find less practical. We did our best to clarify in the write-ups and comparison table above, but its an important distinction to keep in mind when shopping for a soft cooler. YETIs accessories for their soft coolers are relatively limited, although we do like their similar SideKick Dry Gear Case that attaches to the HitchPoint grid on their Hopper models, as well as the Molle Zinger for securing a multitool or bottle opener. That said, there are some inherent downsides to the REI Pack-Aways highly collapsible design. First is durability: While the exterior of the cooler is hardwearing enough for most casual activities, it lacks the bombproof feel of more premium and weather-ready designs like the RTIC Soft Pack and YETI Hopper M30 above (it's far less appealing for water sports or boating too). In comparing the Pro with other backpack options, you can go colder with alternatives like YETIs Hopper M20 or more modern with the Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape, and both offer more structure and leak protection. 9 oz.) In a competitive market, its simply hard to stand out. In testing the ORCA, we were impressed by its functional and well-rounded build: Portability is great via the cushioned shoulder strap or thick handle (the latter has magnets to secure the two sides in place), the inside is well insulated for keeping contents cold all day, and the exterior is both sleek and durable with good structure, thick materials, and a burly base that keeps the bottom protected. Finally, some users have noted that the liner is prone to condensation buildup, although thats not entirely uncommon among leakproof designs. These designs are sufficiently sized for day trips or weekend road trips, manageable in terms of weight and portability, and wont take up a ton of space in your vehicle or garage. In other words, we think most will be happier saving a bit with the aforementioned ORCA or one of the lighter and more collapsible designs above.See the OtterBox Trooper 20. That said, we always take manufacturer-provided specs with a grain of salt, and there isnt an established, standardized test here. For those who prioritize portability for shuttling longer distances, its also sold in a backpack style with padded shoulder straps for an additional $50. Finally, we prefer the Insulated Totes standard straps compared to the Hielos messenger bag-like shoulder strap and single grab handle, which make it a little harder to carry when fully loaded. Capacity: 18 cans (with ice)Weight: 3 lbs. Enter their Hopper Flip 12, which retains much of what we love about the M30 in a lighter, cheaper, and more approachable package. 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. But the YETI name is hard to beat, and the Hopper M30 has its place for committed day trippers and weekenders looking to maximize portability, durability, and cold retention.See the YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler. And a final perk: The Soft Pack Cooler floats, making it a great option for activities like rafting and other water sports. Most cooler manufacturers provide a claimed ice retention spec in their product listings (YETI is one major brand who does not). Before diving into the finer details, its important to point out that soft coolers come with some inherent compromises. Camping lanterns have come a long way since their inception. For a reasonable $130, you get a low-profile but accommodating design that takes up minimal space in a trunk or backseat; great portability via the top and side handles or adjustable shoulder strap; and a durable but soft nylon shell that keeps weight relatively low. Finally, the OtterBox is on the heavier and pricier end at 6 pounds 8 ounces and $250. To be fair, the Hopper Flip 12 is perfectly serviceable for an afternoon at the beach or quick after-work paddle, but the high price tag and small capacity are enough for us to push it down to a mid-pack finish.See the YETI Hopper Flip 12. Added up, the TravelR is another premium and thoughtfully built design from the Boulder-based brand. Read more about us. A few other notable features to be on the lookout for include integrated bottle openers and vacuum ports for adding or releasing air. REI has a knack for balancing performance and affordability, and their Cool Haul 24 is no exception. 10.2 oz.Other sizes: 9, 12, 16, 24, 48 cansWhat we like: Cheaper and more features than the AO Coolers 24 Pack above.What we dont: Not a standout in build quality or cold retention. Does Your Backpacking Tent Need a Footprint? 7 oz.Other sizes: NoneWhat we like: More features and a higher-quality build than the RTIC Soft Pack above.What we dont: Over double the price. Other highlights include a low 1-pound-12 ounce weight, wide-mouth opening for quick loading and access to the interior, easy-to-clean liner thats seam-sealed, and portability via the top handles or detachable shoulder strap. 9.6 oz.Other sizes: NoneWhat we like: Easy to access, highly durable, and versatile size.What we dont: Relatively limited feature set. Why dont we rank the ORCA Walker Tote higher? No cooler is perfect, however, and we do have a couple complaints after testing the RTIC Soft Pack. 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). Soft coolers are a bit of a niche category: They arent built to keep ice cold for more than a couple days at maximum, but they can be a nice supplement to a larger hard-sided model or a standalone option for those who just need to keep a lunch and beverages cold for the day. Pockets and Organization In our experience, the sweet spot is often right in the middle, with many of our most frequently used soft coolers offering space for around 18-24 cans with ice. Finally, RTIC is a direct-to-consumer brand and only sells their coolers online, which means you cant walk into a store to get a feel for the Soft Pack before buying. 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. Soft coolers come in a range of shapes and designs, but many include at least one exterior pocket for stashing small valuables like a phone, wallet, or keys. Capacity: 13 cans (with ice)Weight: 3 lbs. For the ultimate in portability, backpack-style coolers are the clear winners. For example, YETIs hard-sided Tundra series is covered with a five-year warranty compared to three for the Hopper collection. Compared to many other soft-sided models here, the Pro can feel a bit sloppy if loaded improperly (the upside is it can be compressed with the roll-top closure). They also generally cost the most among soft-sided offerings, which begs the question: Why not just buy a similarly priced hard cooler? Capacity: 30 cans (without ice)Weight: 3 lbs. 1.6 oz.Other sizes: 8, 20 cansWhat we like: A lighter and more approachable alternative to the M30 above. Again, these options may be perfectly serviceable for casual day trips and infrequent use, but committed outdoor-goers who plan to use their cooler regularly (and especially around water) will likely benefit from spending up. After just a few hours in direct sunlight, most of the crushed ice we had dumped inside our various coolers had turned to water, resulting in soupy salad mix, wet and damaged food cartons, slimy cheese, and more. Its also designed to fit RovRs KeepR, which is essentially an insulated picnic basket with movable inserts to accommodate items like wine bottles, cups, utensils, and small containers of food.See the RovR Products TravelR 30. Importantly, all of these are limited warranties that solely cover defects in materials or workmanship and exclude damage from typical wear and tear. Some of our favorite designs include RTICs Ultra-Light lineup, YETIs Tundra series, and OtterBoxs Venture collection. Instead, theyre best-suited for weekend getaways or day trips to the park or beach, tailgates, afternoons on the water, or quick errands like grocery store runs. Additionally, backpack coolers are fairly expensive considering their modest storage capacity and all-around performance (the ICEMULE is pretty affordable in this category at $130, while others reach $200+). Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably lighter, easier to carry, and often save you a good deal of cash. These designs have tough exteriors that feel very confidence-inspiring around sharp gear and have stood up very well to regular use throughout testing with little wear to show for it. ICEMULEs Classic has a similar valve system, although in this case, the process involves adding air to boost cooling capabilities and buoyancy and removing it to compress the cooler down for storage. Capacity: 24 cans (with ice)Weight: 3 lbs. Capacity: 20L (~10 cans with ice)Weight: 1 lb. 7.5 oz.Other sizes: 12, 18 cansWhat we like: Respectable performance and features for the price.What we dont: Doesnt stand out in any major way.