Summer temperatures can get really hot, really fast. It’s essential to stay hydrated during your outdoor adventures during the summer (and always), and there’s nothing better than coming back from a hike, run, or climb to a nice cool drink. Here are some of the best coolers on the market to help you keep those drinks cool this summer.
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For Backyard Barbecues and Nights at Camp
YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler – $325
YETI’s coolers are known for their ability to keep things cool for long periods of time. The 45 offers enough space for an overnight camping trip for a family of four. It can fit 54 cans or 37 pounds of ice. With three inches of PermaFrost insulation and a durable outside, this cooler can take a beating or the occasional rough ride. If you’re camping in the cooler months and need to keep your firewood dry, you could also turn the cooler into a dry box.
RovR RollR 60 Cooler – $450
If you need room without the extra weight, consider the RovR RollR. It has rubber tires that make it easy to transport, even across rugged terrain, and it can keep ice for up to 10 days. This cooler is designed to be grizzly-bear resistant and can hold up to 60 cans or 20 pounds of ice. It comes with a DeepFreeze bin, a SealTight gasket, and a DualSpout drain plug to empty excess water.
Igloo ECOCOOL 30-Quart Cooler – $45
Made from recycled materials, this Igloo cooler is a great eco-friendly choice for day trips, And it’ll keep your drinks and food cool for an overnight trip. Though this cooler is the smallest in this section, it can fit two-liter bottles and sports drinks comfortably and is a good height to work as a seat for a night around the campfire. The bottom of the cooler stays off of the ground, truck bed, or any warm area that it might have to touch, which helps it keep drinks cooler for longer.
For Backpacking and Day Adventures
HydroFlask 20-Liter Day Escape Soft Cooler – $200
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to transport, consider a backpack-style cooler. Made to be lightweight, this HydroFlask soft cooler is made from durable, waterproof fabric that will make for an excellent addition to your hiking gear, and it’ll make you everyone’s favorite hiking buddy for carrying all the cold drinks. It’s made with Tru Zip zippers and welded seams to ensure a watertight seal.
IceMule Pro Cooler, 23 Liters – $135
This backpack-style cooler is best used for camping and water sports, according to REI’s website. It can hold up to 18 cans and ice. The PolarLayer insulation keeps food and drinks cold for 24 hours. With welded seams and no zippers, this IceMule cooler is water-tight, and the TriFold DriTop keeps ice in and warm air out. Plus, it floats in water.
REI Co-Op Cool Trail Pack Cooler – $100
This is one of the coolest backpack coolers out there (pun intended). It can hold 10 pounds of ice to keep 20 cans cold and will last up to 40 hours. The backpack offers padded straps and a hip belt for comfort during transport. It also has front lash straps and external gear pockets. Don’t need extra-cool drinks on your next trip? Remove the leak-proof cooler insert and use it as a regular backpack.
For Picnics and Short Excursions
HydroFlask 26-Liter Day Escape Insulated Tote – $180
You can’t go wrong with a good tote bag, but add in insulation and you’re really ready for anything. Made with a watertight zipper to ensure keep your other belongings dry, this insulated tote is perfect for carrying your favorite food and drinks and keeping them cool for hours. You can fit up to 42 cans without ice or other snacks. The tote is made with a compression-molded base, which means it can stand up on its own, and it’s BPA-free.
CamelBak Chillbak Cube 18-Liter Cooler + Fusion 3-Liter Group Reservoir – $275
This cooler is soft-sided and easy to transport. It offers separate sections to keep food dry and drinks cool, alongside a three-liter hydration pack for extra water in case of emergency. The cooler has excellent thermal efficiency, thanks to its roll-top closure. It also has a padded shoulder strap for comfort and convenience. The outer stretch pockets offer the perfect space for accessories like reusable straws and bottle openers.
YETI DayTrip Lunch Bag – $80
Though technically a lunch bag, this is a great option for a short adventure, a kid’s field trip, or transporting food or drinks to a party. It can fit up to six cans or 6.5 pounds of ice. The YETI DayTrip bag is also a great option for boating adventures. It’ll keep your food dry in the rain or in a kayak, and it’s small enough to throw in a backpack or larger cooler, if need be.
For Those Who Want to Splurge
Dometic CFX3 95 Dual Zone Powered Cooler – $1,400
If you’re looking for a high-quality cooler you can adjust and control using your phone, this Dometic cooler is a great choice. This compressor-powered cooler doesn’t need ice to stay cold, and you can adjust the temperature by connecting it to your smartphone. It can get as cold as -7 degrees Fahrenheit and offers a dynamic battery to ensure it doesn’t kill your car battery. With a volume of 95 liters and an air-tight lid, this cooler is sure to keep your drinks cold for your entire camping trip.
Dometic CFX3 55IM Powered Cooler + Ice Maker – $1,080
This cooler is incredibly heavy-duty while also being relatively lightweight. With a high-resolution color display, you can easily track and manage the temperature of the cooler. With enough space to hold up to 83 cans, this Dometic cooler offers 52 liters of storage space. If you’re someone who loves to have ice in your drinks, there are two removable ice trays, and it’ll create ice within just a few hours of filling the trays with water.
YETI Tundra 350 Hard Cooler – $1,500
If you’re going on a big camping trip or fishing for dinner, you’re going to want the extra room this YETI cooler offers. It can hold up to 549 cans or 353 pounds of ice and is wine-bottle compatible. As the biggest cooler YETI offers, it can hold up to 82.4 gallons, which makes it a great option if you’re going camping with a big group or catering an event.
Which of these coolers would best suit your outdoor-adventure needs? Tell us in the comments
