Top Best Soft Cooler Bag Of 2024: Reviews & Buying Guide

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof 50
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof 50

CleverMade is carrying on a tradition of making the best for your travel needs. The Collapsible Cooler Bag by CleverMade is your perfect companion for the beach or road trips. It's lightweight, collapsible and can hold up to 50 lbs. of ice or water! Read Review

2. Best For The Price: AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler with High-Density Insulation

This soft-sided cooler is perfect for boating, fishing, hunting, parties, sporting events, and picnics; keeps things cold or warm. This cooler features a front zippered pocket with a removable shoulder strap so that you can carry it like a backpack. Read Review

3. Budget Pick: Lifewit Soft Cooler Bag 60-Can Lightweight Portable Cooler Tote

Lifewit Soft Cooler Bag 60-Can Lightweight Portable Cooler Tote Single Layer is a soft and lightweight lunch bag with lots of space to store your food or drinks in. It is a great choice for outdoor use. This cooler bag comes with a shoulder strap for easy carrying on the go. Read Review

4. Best Design: RTIC Soft Cooler 30, Blue/Grey, Insulated Bag, Leak Proof Zipper

The RTIC Soft Cooler is a unique insulated cooler with a leak-proof, puncture- and tear-resistant liner. The 30-ounce cooler keeps ice cold for up to 24 hours and is perfect for carrying anywhere. The rugged construction allows the bag to function in any type of weather. Read Review

In today’s fast-paced world, we don’t have time to wait for our food to cool down. We need our food quickly, and the right kind of foods at different temperatures is a must.

Even though you may think that you don’t need a cooler bag to keep your foods cool, trust us, you do! Keeping your frozen snacks and ice cream cold in a cooler bag will help them stay fresh longer and extend their storage life. The best part about it? They are very affordable as well.  If you’re looking for the best soft cooler bagon the market then you have come to the right place!

You are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to the CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof 50 as our top product. Or you can check the AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler with High-Density Insulation as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet all of your requirements.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof 50
Our Score:
9.7
CleverMade
  • Large capacity SnapBasket Tahoe Coolers can hold up to 50 cans of your favorite drinks plus ice; perfect for use at the beach, while camping or to load up full of snacks for youth sports games outdoors
  • The perfect size for food delivery services and a great solution to haul groceries from the store or farmer's market to your kitchen at home; comfortable handle and duffel bag handles make toting heavy loads easy
  • Patented SnapHinges on both sides of the cooler bag offer structured support when the tote is open; to close the cooler, simply push the side hinges in, folding the compact bag down flat
TOP Choice #2 AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler with High-Density Insulation
Our Score:
9.5
AO Coolers
  • Soft-sided cooler with high-density insulation, a removable shoulder strap, and side pocket
  • Perfect for boating, fishing, hunting, parties, sporting events, and picnics; keeps things cold or warm
  • Holds 24 cans plus about 14 pounds of ice; measures 17 x 10 x 12 inches (LxWxH).
  • Portability: Designed with a padded handle and a detachable shoulder strap that offers multiple carrying ways and allows for effortless carrying. It also can be folded flat for space-saving storage.
  • Outer Pockets: Features wide opening for easy loading and unloading. There are 2 side mesh pockets for storing drinks, bottles and even umbrellas. A deep front pocket for putting candies, napkins, keys, and other small stuffs.
  • Multifunction: Large enough for whole-family picnic essentials. It is also ideal for camping, hiking, BBQs, shopping etc.
  • Make Adventures Portable: This generous cooler will hold up to 30 cans of your favorite beverage plus ice — fitting for a road trip or a week out in the desert.
  • Lightweight Yet Durable: The Soft Pack is prepared to take on every adventure with a heavy-duty nylon shell.
  • Leak-Free: A durable zipper keeps your drinks and snacks protected at all costs, preventing spills and leaks.
  • Twice the insulation of other soft-sided coolers; leak-proof liner
  • Soft-sided cooler with removable shoulder strap
  • Features a Carbon Fiber look and side pocket for dry items
  • Fusion welded liner seams virtually eliminates the possibility of leaking from melting ice; Dual temperature insulation system keeps food and drinks hot or cold
  • Fold down clips convert bag to traditional square shape while the compact roll-up design allows for easy storage and travel when empty - dimensions 25" x 13" x 19"
  • NorChill products are manufactured both in the USA and overseas using technology designed and developed with American ingenuity
7 CleverMade Maverick Collapsible Cooler Bag
Our Score:
8.8
CleverMade
  • Durable side handles and an adjustable shoulder strap give you a couple of ways to carry the lightweight cooler; perfect for long drives in your SUV and small enough to throw in a suitcase for vacation
  • The patented snap hinge on both sides of the basket provide structure when open; when not in use, simply collapse the sides and the portable cooler will fold flat for quick storage in your trunk or kitchen
  • Coolers can be loaded with bags of ice from the grocery store to keep your beers and wine chilled, the integrated bottle opener on the handle gives you quick access to pop open a bottles of beer
  • FLEXIBLE DESIGN: Front 4Way stretch pocket offers extra storage for easy access to phone, keys, snacks; Active-Stretch side pocket expands for packing more gear during the day; side mesh pocket stretches to fit a water bottle
  • INSULATED: Keeps food and drinks cold up to 24 hours
  • COMFORTABLE TO CARRY: Padded side handles and adjustable shoulder strap for comfortable carrying when cooler is loaded



  • Perfect Dimensions: Exterior size: 15" x 10" x 13 1/5" (L x W x H), Interior size: 12 4/5" x 7 9/10" x 9 9/10"(L x W x H), Empty weight: 1.70kg, can hold 20 cans plus ice, could perfectly be placed in the trunk of the car and the wide-mouth opening of the soft coolers insulated ensure easy access and visibility to your contents
  • 100% Leakproof and Impact Resistant: TOURIT soft cooler features a waterproof and tough shell to resistant to punctures and UV rays. The Airtight Zipper with easy pull tab keeps the bag with cooler leak-proof
  • Advanced Cooling Performance: High quality insulation in 3 unique layers work together to keep your food and drinks cool up to 3 days. Outer layer has a water-proof surface which ensured no sweat, middle layer is high density foam and the interior is fully lined with leak-proof material

Have You Had Any Recommendations For The best soft cooler bag?

The best soft cooler bag is based upon a number of factors. Studying a product differs depending on the product type. So, we're on here to help, counsel, and provide solutions to these problems.

The most effective kinds have been rigorously tested and verified. Do some study on best soft cooler bag before buying a product. Here are many questions you can see in the famous forum:

  • What gives you the impression that they'd be interested?
  • Why is it so important to look for specific features while choosing the most acceptable product for your needs and circumstances?
  • Where can you discover the impressive collections?
  • Is there a website where I can find more details about this item?
  • What are the positives of selecting the product?

Resulting from market variations, we are unable to respond to all of our customers' comments. So many resources as possible should be carried out to collect a diligent search of credible sites. Wir offers a sort of product using machine learning and a well-tuned product listing system.

It would also be interesting to look more closely at these features as they were designed and analyzed. Please keep in mind the following:

Ice Retention And Cooling Capabilities

Ice retention is one of the most difficult things to determine when researching coolers. This is largely due to external factors. The temperature of the air and direct sunlight have a significant impact. Ice quantity is also important. Most brands suggest a ratio of 2:1. You should also open the lid as often as possible to let warm and cold air into your cooler. Pre-chilling your cooler before loading it is a good idea to ensure maximum efficiency. To reduce the cooler's interior temperature, you should fill it with ice at least for a couple of hours. Once you are ready to go, add fresh ice in the right ratio. You can also expect your cooler to become pre-warmed if it is left out in the sunlight before you load it up.

Cooler Sizes (Capacities)

A few things to consider before we get started: Size. Importantly, coolers do not measure the interior capacity of all models. Some coolers use cans to measure interior capacity, others use liters or quarts. However, most manufacturers use quarts as a unit of measure. We've used that measurement in this article when it was possible. A final point: Don't let the product name fool you.

Weight And Portability

Weighing your cooler is an important factor for those who will be carrying it or moving it around regularly. For models with less capacity, they can weigh as little as 10-15 pounds and up to 50+ for those that have 75+ quarts storage. This number goes up dramatically when you load it down with food and drinks. Even though the handles are made of rope, some are plastic and others are nylon. They are too heavy to be carried for extended distances. We recommend wheels if portability is important. They are easier to carry for longer periods of time and more convenient for one person, so they're less burdensome.

Cooler Construction

There are two main types of construction techniques used to make premium hard-sided coolers: injection molding and rotational molding. Yeti popularized rotomolding (even though they weren't technically the first company to do so) and is the dominant market at the top end. This type of cooler is made from a single, continuous piece of plastic which is then rotated to form the desired shape. These coolers have fewer stress points, so they are more likely to break under pressure. They also feature a thicker outer shell that ensures exceptional durability. Cost and weight are the main drawbacks.

Cooler Latch And Closure Systems

The cooler's closure or latch is a key feature of premium models and will play a major role in cooling performance. Two rubber T-handles are a common feature on high-end, hard-sided coolers. They keep the lid in place and prevent it from opening. They are extremely sturdy and user-friendly.

Cooler Drain Systems

Many of our hard-sided coolers have drainage systems that allow you to drain the water out once the ice is melted. This is usually a pop-off or screw-on cap located at the bottom of cooler. Simply remove it and let the water flow out.

Wheeled (Rolling) Coolers

We mentioned above that if you have cooler needs such as mobility and large capacity or maximum ice retention it is a good idea to look into a hard-sided rolling model. These wheeled monsters can still be difficult to maneuver on uneven terrain, and will need assistance if there is no clear path. A rolling cooler is a good choice for camping, tailgating or days at the beach.

Bear-Resistant Ratings

Many top-rated hard-sided coolers can be listed as being bear-resistant. This is an important consideration if you are camping in bear territory. You should specifically look out for IGBC ratings. This indicates that a cooler has been tested and is in compliance with their regulations. You should ensure your cooler is included if you plan to travel in bear-proof gear or frequent backcountry areas.

FAQs

How Do I Clean My Cooler?

Warm water and dish soap will generally clean your cooler. You can also use warm water and bleach to remove stubborn stains or odors.

Can I Use Dry Ice In A Cooler?

Most times, the answer is yes. Some coolers can be damaged by dry ice, but the majority should work fine. However, you will need to cover dry ice with blankets or other insulators. A cooler designed for dry ice is best if you plan to use it every day. You won't have to do any special tasks because the cooler has compartments to store dry ice.

Does Food Stay Cool In A Portable Cooler Without Ice?

But it will take longer than if you put ice inside the cooler. Insulation in the cooler stops food from heating up faster than if left out. The temperature of the cooler and how chilled the food were at the beginning will determine the time it takes to cool down. Even frozen foods will heat up faster if they are kept cool in a trunk compartment of a vehicle.

How Much Do Coolers Cost?

Consider what your cooler will be used for. If you need it to store food or drinks for several days or at extreme temperatures then more money is an investment in food safety. A cooler that is cheap and cheerful may suffice if you just need to chill a handful of drinks for an afternoon barbecue.

Which Size Cooler Do I Need?

Although you might feel compelled to buy a large cooler, make sure it fits in the car. Smaller coolers can be lifted without the need for assistance. However, coolers with larger capacities can hold more ice and so tend to stay cool longer than smaller models.
Higher coolers can store bottles more upright. Models with recessed lids are better for loading items higher, but they may become warmer.

How Long Does A Cooler Stay Cold?

It all depends on how efficient the cooler is at insulation. This includes the temperature outside, initial temperature of food and its stacking. Food can be kept cold for up to 4 days with ice (the best), in ideal conditions. A high-end cooler may even keep it chilled for as long as 10 days.

What Is The Best Hard Cooler?

There are many coolers. It really doesn't matter which cooler you choose. A cooler that is more resistant to damage will be the most suitable if you intend on using it every week.

How Does A Portable Cooler Work?

Combining the insulation of the cooler with the ice you put inside, either ice cubes, ice packs, or foam, slows down warm air circulation and helps keep things cool.

As we are product consulting experts with a wide range of experience, we determine correct information. Apart from that, we keep the best soft cooler bag current. You may rest confident that the data is accurate and up to date.

Besides best soft cooler bag, we can advise you with anything. Please do not hesitate to contact us whenever you need guidance.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio