The Best Soft Pack Cooler For 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Of The Best: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler is the best way to keep cold food and drinks cold for hours on end. Utilising a leak proof, easy clean interior lining, water and stain repellent, wipe clean exterior; this cooler features an adjustable back-saver shoulder strap with anti-slip shoulder pad which centers the load for ease of carrying. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof

This clever cooler backpack features a structured, patented SnapHinge that ensures that it opens and closes in a SNAP. The sturdy soft-sided cooler pops up with ease so you can fill it up with your meal and beverage essentials and collapse when not in use. The clever design is perfect for on-the-go, outdoor enthusiasts, outdoor activities, sportsmen, kids and more! Read Review

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

RTIC Soft Cooler 30 is a floating insulated cooler bag. Keep your food and drinks cool wherever needed for up to 24 hours. Its collapsible body features a leak-proof zipper that allows easy access to the cooler’s interior, while protecting the contents from outside elements. The unique design allows it to float on water and can be easily carried anywhere you go. Read Review

4. Best Easy Set Up: AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler with High-Density Insulation

AO Coolers is a company that has been making high-quality soft coolers for over 15 years. We strive to make the best soft coolers possible, and we do not cut any corners to achieve this. Our coolers are made of durable canvas material that stands up to travel and features a leak-proof TPU liner. AO Coolers was founded in 1999 by Shawn, who wanted to provide an easy way for people to stay cool while enjoying life outdoors. Read Review

You know that feeling when you open a can of soda and it fizzes or has some kind of chemical reaction with your taste buds? That's exactly how your body feels after drinking sugary pop. You don't have to suffer through the same old over-processed drinks, though. Switch to a cold drink and save your taste buds from the horrors of sodas and other sweetened beverages.

Soft pack coolers are ideal for people who love to spend time outdoors, especially during summer. These type of coolers use ice packs that must be frozen before being used again. This means you won’t be buying ice after every use and you’ll only need small amounts at a time. These are great if you have limited space in your home or car and want to store as many items as possible without taking up too much room.

Our team had to focus on researching for 16 hours to get such results for readers. This type of study uses customer star ratings and customer interviews on their product experiences. In addition, Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler is one of the most wonderful models available, and it comes highly recommended by us. We also show the other fantastic alternatives with a complete guide which is worth your consideration below.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler
Our Score:
9.7
Arctic Zone
  • Deep Freeze high performance insulation with radiant heat barrier reflects heat rather than absorbing it
  • Adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with anti-slip shoulder pad centers load weight for easier carrying; interior liner dimensions: (L x W x H) 12.7" x 7.6" x 10.2"
  • Features FDA compliant HardBody liner with removable SmartShelf and insulated front pocket
TOP Choice #2 CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof
Our Score:
9.5
CleverMade
  • Versatile totes can be packed up for a daytime picnic and are small enough to place in the trunk of your SUV as an ice chest on road trips; collapesed down, the cooler can fit in your suitcase for vacation. Recommended to use with Clever Ice
  • Measures 18.25"L x 12.25"W x 11.5"H when open and collapses flat to 3"; weighs 2 pounds when empty; lightweight bag holds 30 liters (8 gallons) by volume with a load capacity of 50 pounds
  • 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
  • Leak-Free: A durable zipper keeps your drinks and snacks protected at all costs, preventing spills and leaks.
  • Sweat-Free: Keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours while avoiding the mess thanks to 2 inches of closed-cell foam and puncture and tear-resistant liner.
  • Handles Any Terrain: Every RTIC Soft Pack Cooler floats in water, so your drinks and snacks can go wherever you go, whether that’s swimming in Lake Tahoe or hiking in Glacier.
  • Made of durable soft canvas material that stands up to travel; features a high-quality leak-proof TPU liner
  • Perfect for boating, fishing, hunting, parties, sporting events, and picnics; keeps things cold or warm
  • Soft-sided cooler with high-density insulation, a removable shoulder strap, and side pocket
  • DOUBLE-DECKER UNIQUE DESIGN - Great design that can be stored easily. Besides the extra large main bag, Maelstrom designed a foil insulated top compartment to store sandwiches, frozen food, fruits, food essentials or utensils. Because of the reinforced layers, this cooler bag can be folded flat and stowed easily in your trunk or under a car seat. Convenient to carry around!
  • EXTRA LARGE CAPACITY - Extra-large size yet weighs only 1.8 lbs. The Maelstrom Icy Hollow Soft sided cooler will hold up to 60 cans of your favorite drinks plus 2-4 ice-packs. Or, with 45 cans you can add 15 lbs. of ice for long lasting coldness. Whether it's camping, hiking, picnicking, or a BBQ party, this cooler bag easily packs a lot of food, fruits, beer, meat, or even seafood together. It’s large enough to carry all.
  • DURABLE - Maelstrom Ice Hollow Soft Sided Cooler Bags have double-stitched carry options. All pick-up points, the shoulder straps and carry handles are reinforced. This cooler bag can handle more weight than you’d prefer to carry. Capacity: 15.75*10.24*14.17 inches, 10.5 Gallons of ice and drinks.
  • YETI’s tough-as-nails Hopper M30 Soft Cooler has a major update. With the 2.0 Version their signature wide-mouth opening has been reengineered to stay open with ease and close tight with a gentle push.
  • COLDCELL INSULATION: Closed-cell foam offers impressive cold-holding capabilities, helping keep your frosty goods ice cold.
  • HITCHPOINT GRID: Securely attach your SideKick Dry Gear Case or load it up with zingers, nippers, bottle openers, and multitools.
  • Water and stain repellent, wipe clean exterior
  • Ultra Safe leak proof lining with Microban protects against odors and stains and helps make this product easier to clean
  • The Hopper Flip 12 dimensions are 12 5/8 in long x 10 in wide x 11 ½ in high and an empty weight of 3.1 lbs
  • Its DryHide Shell is waterproof and resistant to punctures, and abrasions so it will hold its own when faced with the hazards of the wild
  • The Hopper Flip 12 has ColdCell Insulation, a closed-cell foam that offers superior cold-holding to ordinary soft coolers, with a capacity of up to 12 cans plus ice
  • The only personal cooler that’s game for full days in the tree stand, early mornings in the duck boat, or afternoons on the water
  • The DryHide Shell is waterproof and resistant punctures, and abrasions so it will hold its own when faced with the hazards of the wild
  • The Hopper Flip 18 has ColdCell Insulation, a closed-cell foam that offers superior cold-holding to ordinary soft coolers, with a capacity of up to 16 cans plus ice
  • HOLDS 18 CANS PLUS 10 LBS OF ICE : Wide mouth roll top opening makes it easy to load and clean leave the wide mouth open and you’ve got a killer party bucket; includes a convenient, attached built-in bottle opener
  • LINER IS BPA-FREE, & FDA FOOD SAFE : Welded seams makes for a leak-proof construction durable and abrasion resistant EVA bottom adds heavy duty stability
  • HANDLE HEAVY LOADS : Box stitched and reinforced side handles can take on heavy loads and a large, comfortable shoulder strap makes lugging 30 lbs. of ice and beverages easier

What to Look For in a best soft pack cooler?

Until now, numerous customers trust the information and advice we offer them, which means our offers to you are accurate and up to date all the time. This objective is being pursued with tremendous zeal and attention. 

It's necessary to keep in mind the following points for selecting best soft pack cooler:

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In general, we keep collecting and researching new information for best soft pack cooler. Please pay more attention to checking our website regularly or subscribe to our newsletter to read the latest updates.

Along with product-related issues, we can also support you more. So please give us your feedback and response whenever you need it. It will be a significant motivation for us to improve everything


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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