If you’re pressed for time, my favourite smooth cooler is the IceMule Pro Cooler.
Cracking open a chilly one is a staple of the tenting expertise for a lot of.
However, to do the analogy justice, you might want to preserve the chilly one…properly…chilly!
The finest method to do this is by getting your self a dependable smooth cooler.
Compared to hard-shell coolers, these merchandise are lighter, however will nonetheless preserve your brews Colorado chilly.
Let’s get proper into it! Here are the very best smooth coolers:
Still confused? Compare all the very best smooth coolers for tenting.
Best Soft Cooler For Camping: Our Top 8 Choices
IceMule Pro Cooler – 23 Liters
Weight: 3.2 lbs | Capacity (L): 23 | Materials: 1,000-denier ripstop tarpaulin/vinyl/nylon
An extraordinarily sturdy backpack-style cooler, the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L retains the whole lot cool on your seashore and boating adventures.
It holds 18 cans, plus ice, and its waterproof development has welded seams and completely no zippers.
Frankly, I used to be stunned by the quantity that we may match into this cooler. More than sufficient for a day and even weekend journey.
Made with 1,000-denier ripstop tarpaulin/vinyl/nylon the fabric is extremely thick and retains your meals and drinks chilly for as much as 24 hours.
Not solely that, however the IM Air Valve permits for straightforward compression and rolling the cooler as much as retailer. Trust me, it is a actually cool function.
The dimension and utility of this cooler additionally makes it helpful to haul out your trash or the rest.
The solely draw back is that with the quantity of meals and drinks you may pack into this cooler, it may get moderately heavy when totally loaded.
Read our full IceMule Pro Cooler Review right here.
Pros:
- At 3.2 lbs, that is as light-weight a cooler as you may get for the capability
- The IM Air Valve helps so as to add insulation or decompress for storage
- Makes carrying your meals and drinks to onerous to get to locations a lot, a lot simpler
- Backpack straps are snug and simple to make use of
Cons:
- Can get pretty heavy for a median consumer, when totally loaded
- A bit complicated to get closed correctly the primary time round
Best for: the general finest soft-cooler that may totally change a hard-cooler for all types of journeys.
YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler
Weight: 4.8 lbs | Capacity (L): 23 | Materials: DryHide™ shell
I’ll be the primary to confess that this mannequin is comparatively expensive, but it surely’s properly price the price. Much just like the HD30, the Hopper M20 additionally seems to be like one thing straight out of Star Trek. The grey and blue variant looks like it must be a gasoline cell for the USS Enterprise.
If you favor a tactical look, then go for the matte black variant of this cooler. Of course, there’s extra to this gorgeous mannequin than its aesthetics. Plus it’s MagShield Access makes use of magnets to create a leak-resistant defend.
The DryHide™ shell on this dangerous boy is made out of high-density cloth, making it immune to punctures, mildew, and UV rays. It’s additionally utterly waterproof and made out of food-safe materials that’s authorized by the FDA.
Weighing in at solely a pound, you’ll be stunned to listen to that this cooler can maintain as much as 18 cans, even with a 2:1 ratio of ice to can. You’d be hard-pressed to discover a mannequin at this weight that has extra storage and insulation.
Pros:
- Legendary YETI cooling expertise
- Fresh design (4 variants)
- MagShied™ magnetic entry
- DryHide™ shell
- 18-can capability
Cons:
- The premium efficiency will price you a premium worth
Best for: Campers who desire a high-end cooler that makes use of the newest expertise to optimize efficiency.
REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler
Weight: 2.5 lbs | Capacity (L): 31.5 | Materials: Recycled ripstop nylon
This Cool Trail Split Pack cooler from REI is nice when happening a day stroll in nature.
You can pack sandwiches and some drinks – this cooler can maintain 12 cans of soda. And when full of ice or chilly packs, your stuff will keep cool for the entire day.
The coolest factor about it’s that it doubles as a backpack. There’s loads of house within the prime compartment on your requirements. The facet pockets are nice for holding water bottles, whilst you can put a map or a flashlight within the prime pocket.
What’s additionally nice is that you may connect cumbersome issues to the entrance straps. That method, you may carry gentle however cumbersome issues, like a picnic blanket or a foldable chair.
The thought behind this cooler is nice, however flawed. If you incline it to the edges when there’s melted ice inside, you threat the water leaking to different compartments.
Pros:
- There’s loads of space for storing for issues like a lunch field or a water bottle
- The cooler holds the temperature for the entire day
- Front straps help you connect cumbersome gadgets to it
- The cooling part is detachable, so you may precool it within the fridge
- Padded straps assist with taking among the weight off of your shoulders
Cons:
- It’s not totally waterproof
Best for: carrying meals and drinks on day hikes.
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler
Weight: 5.1 lbs | Capacity (L): 17.8 | Materials: Thermoplastic urethane
For a smooth sided cooler, the Flip 18 has nice ice retention. It can preserve meals cool for as much as three days.
However, there’s solely sufficient house to place just a few steaks and perhaps 16 cans of beer. By the time the ice melts, your meals and drinks can be lengthy inside your abdomen.
Since it’s smooth sided, it’s not bear-proof. But, it’s waterproof and puncture-resistant. For a smooth cooler, it’s fairly robust.
The cooler has a prime deal with and a shoulder strap for carrying. It’s considerably cumbersome so it’s probably not appropriate for day hikes, however carrying it for just a few miles shouldn’t be an issue. The strap has an ergonomic pad, which prevents it from chopping into your shoulder.
This is a high-quality cooler that performs very properly. However, it additionally comes with a premium price ticket. Considering that for a similar quantity, you will discover a tough cooler with a bigger capability and bear resistance, some would possibly go for a extra financial choice.
Pros:
- The outer a part of the bag is immune to punctures, water, mildew and UV radiation
- A padded shoulder strap makes carrying extra snug
- Thanks to the rubber foam insulation, it retains groceries cool for as much as three days
- Daisy chain straps on the entrance are nice for attaching a bottle opener or a pocket knife
- Thanks to its cubic form, you may pack issues like long-neck wine bottles
Cons:
- Very costly for a smooth cooler
Best for: {couples} happening a picnic.
ENGEL – HD30
Weight: 3 lbs | Capacity (L): 30 L | Materials: Thermal Plastic Urethane, 840 denier fibers
Let me begin off by saying that the design of this cooler is totally improbable. It looks like one thing that will come proper out of Star Trek. You’ll be completely satisfied to know that it capabilities simply in addition to it seems to be, and that’s actually saying one thing.
I’ve introduced this cooler together with me on a number of tenting journeys. When I say that it’s going to maintain ice for as much as 4 days, I’m basing that off my private expertise moderately than the producer’s claims.
A neat function of this cooler is the entrance accent pocket. It serves as a great spot to retailer small gadgets that you simply don’t wish to lose observe of throughout your hike to the tenting spot.
The patent-pending vacuum valve takes the insulation to an entire new stage as properly.
The outer wall is manufactured from TPU, so that you don’t have to fret about damaging the cooler. I’m not the fragile sort of particular person when carrying gear round — usually pushing sharp branches out of the best way with my cooler — but it surely nonetheless seems to be good as new.
Pros:
- Cool design
- Holds ice for as much as 4 days
- Accessory pocket
- Vacuum valve insulation
- TPU development
Cons:
- Not essentially the most inexpensive cooler available on the market
Best for: campers who wish to put money into a cooler that’ll final for years.
AO Coolers – Original Soft Cooler
Weight: 2.8 lbs | Capacity (L): 28 L | Materials: Canvas, Thermal Plastic Urethane
If you just like the storage capability of the HD30, however don’t have sufficient money to accommodate its premium price ticket, then go for this mannequin from AO Coolers. It can also maintain as much as 24 cans however is a good bit cheaper.
This product from AO Coolers is available in varied colours and patterns, that means that there’s one thing for everybody. I personally want the strong purple because it makes the cooler simple to identify even at midnight or underneath wet circumstances. It additionally matches my purple solo cup.
AO Coolers, very like ENGEL, understands that there’s no scarcity of small gear you might want to retailer. That’s why they’ve fitted their mannequin with a facet pocket to retailer your equipment in.
Sadly, you get what you pay for, so you may’t anticipate equal insulation when shopping for a less expensive cooler comparable to this one. While it gained’t maintain ice for 4 days, it does assure 24 hours in weathers as much as 120 levels. Not fairly as lengthy, however nonetheless respectable.
Pros:
- Affordable worth
- 24-can capability
- Various colours and patterns accessible
- Accessory pocket
Cons:
Best for: campers searching for an inexpensive cooler to tackle a brief journey.
OlarHike – 30 Liter Large Cooler
Weight: 2.33 lbs | Capacity (L): 32 L | Materials: 600D Oxford Fabric, Peva Foil
If the coolers that I’ve listed thus far didn’t have sufficient capability on your style, then you definitely’ll love this cooler from OlarHike. It can maintain as much as 40 cans and has a load restrict of fifty kilos. You’d most likely suppose that one thing with a lot capability could be fairly costly, but it surely’s not!
As a matter of truth, regardless of having the very best capability, this cooler is likely one of the most inexpensive right here.
Of course, there’s no such factor as an ideal cooler. The fundamental downside of this cooler is the truth that it may solely maintain ice for 12 hours, however in the event you’re happening a brief journey or tailgate, then it’ll be positive.
The cooler additionally has two handles that you may change between relying on the load you’re carrying. If the load is comparatively gentle, then go for the highest deal with. For beefier cargo, you should utilize the facet handles.
With a two-year guarantee in addition, this cooler is certainly a primary alternative for any camper who needs to get essentially the most bang for his or her buck. Sure, it doesn’t function insulation equal to among the costlier choices, however you may’t anticipate perfection at this worth vary.
Pros:
- 40-can capability
- 50-pound load restrict
- Affordable worth
- Dual-handle
- Two-year guarantee
Cons:
Best for: campers who want excessive capability at an inexpensive worth for brief journeys.
TOURIT – 30-Can Leak-Proof Soft Pack Cooler
Weight: 3.94 lbs | Capacity (L): 16 L | Materials: BPA-free Plastic
TOURIT has at all times been identified for producing top-notch coolers, and this mannequin is actually no exception. With a 30-can capability and three-day maintain time, this masterpiece can fill your wants no matter journey period or cargo quantity.
This can also be one of the sturdy coolers you’ll ever see. Its impact-resistant shell can face up to UV rays and any sharp object that will search to puncture it.
It’s additionally completely leak-proof and waterproof. You know the sturdiness is on-point since TOURIT gives a three-year guarantee.
If you had been impressed by the dual-handle performance on the OlarHike cooler, then you definitely’ll love TOURIT’S triple-handle. You can use the shoulder strap, prime handles, or facet handles to hold your cargo.
It’s price noting that you need to clear the inside (handwash solely) after every use to maintain the cooler in peak situation. This is much more vital in the event you use it in saltwater environments, comparable to a picnic on the seashore.
Pros:
- 30-can capability
- Holds ice for as much as three days
- Impact, UV, and puncture-resistant shell
- Waterproof and leak-proof
- Three-year guarantee
- Triple-handle
Cons:
- Susceptible to break if the inside isn’t cleaned after use in saltwater environments.
Best for: campers searching for a sturdy cooler at an affordable worth.
Best Soft Coolers – Compared
Choosing a Soft Cooler
When it comes to picking a cooler on your tenting journey, there are fairly just a few components to think about. In the curiosity of creating it simpler for newcomers, I’ve written up this information that can cowl all of the important particulars.
Weight
The very first thing that you need to take a look at is the load of the cooler itself. After all, you’re going to be carrying numerous cargo inside it. If the cooler weighs quite a bit by itself, you may wrestle to get all that mass as much as your tenting spot.
Higher-end coolers, whereas expensive at instances, are typically lighter since they use cutting-edge supplies. These materials could be sturdy with out getting too heavy.
An amazing instance of that is the YETI Hopper AgainFlip. Despite being robust as nails, it solely weighs a pound.
Finding a cooler that’s gentle can be properly price the price because you’ll have the ability to take extra cargo alongside with out being over-encumbered. Lighter coolers are typically extra sturdy, too, as a result of they’re often manufactured from premium supplies.
Portability
Unlike a cooler that you simply might need at residence, you need to take note of portability when selecting a mannequin to deliver alongside in your subsequent tenting journey. While the load is certainly an element, different issues like the form of the cooler can come into play as properly.
The deal with association may also make a selected mannequin simpler to hold round. Some of the choices that I coated above have two and even three separate handles that you should utilize. The means to change between a number of handles relying on the load of your cargo is helpful. Even higher in the event you get a smooth cooler with a backpack just like the IceMule Pro or the YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler.
If you’re fortunate sufficient to have some tenting buddies who already personal coolers, then see in the event you can borrow them. Taking completely different fashions out into the sector for a dwell take a look at is one of the simplest ways to gauge its efficiency in a real-life setting.
Cooler Capacity
Of course, what good is a elaborate cooler if it may’t accommodate all of your cargo. When choosing out a mannequin, you need to be certain that it has sufficient storage capability to suit everything that you simply’ll have to retailer throughout your tenting journey.
The quantity of storage required will fluctuate relying on how lengthy you’ll be residing within the nice outside, however a protected estimate is nothing decrease than 20 cans. It’s price noting that top storage capacities additionally make it doable to deliver extra ice alongside.
The means to take additional ice with you implies that your cooling time will enhance, even in the event you’re tenting in significantly scorching spots. This is why I usually advise that campers go for giant coolers after they’re happening summer time journeys.
By the best way, these air conditioners are nice for summer time journeys.
DOs and DON’Ts
There are some practices that you may implement to benefit from your cooler. Likewise, there are some belongings you shouldn’t do as they’ll hamper the efficiency. Here’s a concise checklist of all of the issues to bear in mind:
DO
- Pre-chill the cooler with what I wish to name a “sacrificial ice pack”
- Freeze your meals and drinks earlier than storing them within the cooler
- Use a 2:1 ice-to-cargo ratio
- Fill the cooler utterly as any air pockets will velocity up the melting course of
- Block ice will last more however gained’t chill your cargo as rapidly
DON’T
- Drain melted ice as it should create air pockets
- Repeatedly open the cooler to test on the ice standing as this can let scorching air in
- Stick your hand within the cooler (physique warmth quickly melts ice)
Our Verdict
When you take a look at all of the variables like weight, portability, and storage, it turns into moderately clear that the IceMule Pro Cooler is the clear winner.
Of course, that’s simply my opinion, and also you’re welcome to go for any of the opposite choices I coated on this article.
Plus, you may’t argue with the truth that it seems to be improbable. Sure, it’s not the most cost effective cooler on the market, however I’d repurchase it in a heartbeat.