To preserve food for more than 24 hours, you will need to use a combination of ice chunks and ice chips. The chips help with immediate cooling, and the chunks keep your food fresh over a longer period of time. However, this Orca soft cooler is a direct and more affordable alternative to our best upgrade pick. During our cold retention tests, the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 maintained an internal temperature of below 40°F for over 46 hours. We believe in offering the very best value, quality, and selection.
The leak-resistant design keeps water from getting out and turning your drinks warm, and the waterproof exterior keeps excess water from getting in. The straps are adjustable so that carrying the cooler is a piece of cake, and the grip handles are made of rubber to ensure that. The items in this cooler will stay cold for long than most of Igloo’s other options, as the ice retention can function for two days. This comes in handy for triathlons and other long competitions that will require plenty of drinks and snacks for refreshment.
For this article, she interviewed five experts and researched highly rated coolers that are in line with expert guidance. “Higher cost does not always mean higher quality,” says Krikorian, who uses a Coleman ice chest that’s several years old. So, if you were chilling a gallon of milk, you’d use two gallons of ice to keep it cool. That said, using more ice allows for better food preservation over a longer period of time. Additionally, give priority to coolers with closed-cell foam insulation over ones that employ other cooling methods. The sensor at the top of the cooler was removed daily to record its findings and simulate the temperature gains that occur when a cooler is opened during normal use.
When we lugged this Yeti around, we liked the feel of the handles and shoulder straps. The hitch points on the front allows for you to secure all sorts of gear within easy reach. By adding a fully supportive, weight-bearing waist belt, this cooler is ideal for relieving your shoulders when you need your cooler filled to the brim with delicious picnic provisions.
These insulated carriers will keep your drinks cold and your perishables fresh. ©2023 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. Aside from being colder than ice, the biggest advantage to dry ice is that, as it warms up, it evaporates, instead of melting. The build quality and aesthetics of each cooler were also taken into consideration.
In addition to its rubber-foam insulated body, it also has exterior grid straps where you can attach hiking gear. The shell is made from a puncture- and UV-resistant fabric, and both the exterior and interior are treated to resist mildew, according to the brand. The wide-mouth opening is leakproof and zips almost all the way open for easy access, plus it can fit up to 11 cans, according to Yeti. Many soft-sided coolers do an incredible job of retaining ice on hot days, sometimes for over 24 hours. This might be necessary in certain instances, but if you’re using yours for a day trip and only need it to keep pre-chilled items cold for a few hours, you might not even need ice.
Pulling the zipper across the lid feels like a great feat to pull, and all I want to do at the time is zip my lunch bag so I can get going. On the bottom, we have a strong compression molded base that provides stability and a firm structure to the whole bag. All round, it’s a strong and durable bag with a pleasing aesthetic design. However you’re getting in on the action — playing in the game/match, hitting the gym or tailgating to the stadium lot — we’ve got the coolers for staying hydrated while having fun. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, 4imprint. People Companies That Care Logo is used under license, © 2022, TI Gotham, Inc.
igloo trailmateFor the weekend warrior, the rugged adventurer, the daily luncher, the boater, the weekday commuter, the beach-goer, the Sunday hiker, the park picnicker, the snack provider (aka MOM)…the list goes on. Bear in mind a 24-can capacity means the cooler can fit up to 24 cans and nothing else. According to our research and experiments, ideally, a cooler, by volume, should have twice as much ice or ice packs inside of it as it does food.