The very first thing to contemplate when shopping for a cooler is how you are going to use it. Should you aren’t heading out for days at a time, you in all probability do not want an costly high-end cooler. All of the coolers we have suggest above are able to holding issues at a protected temperature for a day, offered you retain them within the shade. Equally, in the event you’re navigating rugged terrain, you may want beefy wheels—and in the event you’re simply going to the seaside, you won’t want them.
Laborious-sided coolers: These vary from the previous inexperienced Coleman coolers—as soon as a staple of each tenting journey—to Yetis, which value as a lot as automobiles did when Coleman began making coolers. You may surprise why the Yetis are so costly. That I am unable to reply, however Yeti did upend the cooler trade by introducing rotational molding, or “rotomolding,” the place melted plastic is molded over foam insulation in a single piece. Rotomolded coolers supply seamless, uniform density of their partitions and lids, which drastically improves a cooler’s efficiency. In distinction, these historic, reasonably priced plastic coolers we have all used have thinner partitions, leaky seams, and fewer insulated lids. Whether or not you want the additional insulation will depend on what you are doing and the way scorching it’s whenever you’re doing it. Wish to study extra? Our In-Home Know-It-All has a extra thorough insulation clarification.
Laborious-sided coolers typically have the posh options you need, like leakproof lids and drain plugs, and a few are even bear-resistant (verify this record of bear-proof merchandise in the event you’re headed into ursine nation). The draw back is that these coolers are typically large and heavy.
Comfortable-sided coolers: Comfortable-sided coolers embody every little thing from well-padded, impressively insulated sling baggage (just like the Yeti Hopper Flip above) to roll-down, dry-bag-style coolers good for these delicate seaside days. The most effective smooth coolers are simpler to hold, pack away simply when not in use, and have a versatility that conventional arduous coolers lack. (I’ve used dry-bag-style coolers as, effectively, dry baggage.) Ice would not final as lengthy, however for brief outings the place you do not want a big cooler, these are what we suggest. Our older choose was discontinued; we’re on the hunt for one more.
Electrical coolers: Positive, they are not essential, however in the event you’re headed out on longer adventures and have entry to energy, you may by no means have to fret about your ice melting.
Different Options to Look For:
- Drain plug: This drastically simplifies life by making it simple to empty the water out of your cooler. Should you’re shopping for a big cooler, ensure that it has considered one of these.
- Divider: Considered one of our prime suggestions for long-term cooler use is to have two coolers: One you deal with as a fridge and infrequently open, and one other for drinks. If that is not doable, you may obtain among the identical by getting a cooler with a dividing wall in it. That method you may pack one aspect tightly with ice to maintain that meat at a low temp, and use the opposite aspect for chilling drinks with cubed ice.
- Wheels: Coolers get heavy and wheels are superior. They will not all the time work (good luck wheeling your cooler over tree roots), however after they do, they’re utterly price it.
