If you do not want to purchase a hard-sided cooler, or possibly you need something more compact for on-the-go use, a cooler bag is an excellent choice. They can be found in various design and styles and permit you to bring them like a tote, handbag, or backpack.

Cooler bags offer you more space while road tripping, but likewise permit you to still stay mobile while outdoor camping, treking, and spending time on the water. “Soft coolers tend to weigh less, have more flexibility, and are simpler for people to handle by themselves,” says Hannah Mara, head of food and drink for YETI.

To assemble this list, we took aspects like ice retention, size, capability, weight, and carrying style into consideration, testing all of the alternatives on this list over numerous weeks. We checked the coolers at the beach, camping, tailgating, and so on by filling them with half contents (food, beverages, etc) and half ice, keeping in mind if they dripped, were easy to tidy, and what the water/ice provision was at the end of each usage.

We understand that some customers desire a larger cooler bag than can carry as numerous cans as possible, while others need a simple design that will keep a six-pack cold for hours, so you’ll discover a range of cooler bags on our list.

Finest Overall
RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Light-weight, durable, affordable, and leakproof, RTIC’s Soft Pack Cooler has all of it. It is available in 12-, 20-, 30-, and 40-can sizes, so you’re sure to discover a size to accommodate your requirements. It’s made with a sturdy nylon external shell that works well on sand, the trail, or any surface you might experience. And 2 inches of closed-cell foam on the within combined with a leak and tear-resistant liner keeps beverages and food cold for as much as 24 hours, all with no leakages.

When we filled both this cooler and one from a more costly brand name with ice and left them in a covered location for 4 hours, the ice in both coolers stayed mainly strong, and there was no discernible difference in between the 2 (except the cost).

A reward function we enjoy? The cooler floats, so your beverages and food can join you in the lake or swimming pool. Plus, the leakproof zipper keeps liquids sealed within, although it can require some effort to unzip (it was still smoother than that of other coolers we’ve checked).

The broad opening likewise makes the cooler easy to load and unpack. It also features a detachable bring strap and a zippered pocket on the front. Utilize it for trip, camping, beach days, lunches, and more. Various colors and patterns are offered.

Capacity: 12, 20, 30, or 40 cans

Best Budget
Coleman Chiller Soft-Sided Portable Cooler

If you do not intend on using your cooler bag every weekend, this option from Coleman is excellent for the price. It can keep your beverages cold for 12 hours or more and will hold 30 standard cans.

We liked the detachable plastic liner that assists to safeguard the contents of the cooler and makes clean-up a breeze in the event of a spill. The elastic bands along the top of the cooler are great for securing paper plates and other items you don’t want to jam into a cooler bag.

There’s a primary zippered compartment that opens up wide and zippered front and inside mesh pockets for storing ice bag and other basics. The welded joints likewise guarantee the cooler is totally leakproof. We did notice some loose threads along the joints, but the seams themselves still felt safe.

If you choose a smaller bag for lunches or brief trips, the Chiller also is available in a 9-can size and a 16-can size. Carry it by the side manages or use the adjustable strap, which enables you to carry the cooler more conveniently when it’s full. Since right now, it’s just offered in blue and black, so we want to see more colors readily available in the future.

Dimensions: 13 x 13.2 x 11 inches

Best Backpack
HydroFlask Day Escape Soft Backpack Cooler

For a hands-free method to carry drinks and treats from your vehicle to a beach or a picnic, a knapsack cooler is a terrific choice. We like HydroFlask’s 20-liter backpack cooler for numerous reasons. We evaluated the cooler on a Fourth of July picnic and left it over night to test prolonged ice retention, discovering that it worked fantastic, with ice still in the bag the next day.

It keeps things cold for 36 hours– longer than the majority of other cooler bags on this list. It will also hold 36 cans without ice, and the padded mesh back and straps include convenience when carrying. The backpack’s exterior is a difficult polyester shell that’s light-weight however also water resistant, and the watertight zipper keeps water out and assists prevent leakages.

Loops on the sides of the knapsacks permit you to connect gear and accessories to the cooler to free up your hands, and the breast bone strap and bring deals with aid you out in case you’re trekking the cooler a cross country.

The backpack will stand unsupported on its own, which helps when you’re trying to load it down with beverages and snacks. 2 colors are available, and the whole knapsack is made from BPA-free materials.

Design: Backpack
Finest Tote
RTIC Outdoors Everyday Insulated Tote Bag
If you’re trying to find something a bit smaller that might be utilized for keeping groceries cold or to hold beverages for the beach or a picnic, the RTIC Everyday Insulated Tote Bag is terrific to have on hand. It’s fully collapsible, meaning it’s easy to save it in the back of your car for grocery runs or beach days.

We evaluated the lug on outing to the lake and on supermarket runs without ice to test the cooling, and we found that it kept our products cold, was simple to load, had a sturdy shoulder strap, and a resilient bottom.

The completely insulated interior is made with closed cell foam and bonded seams to keep contents cold while on the go. A zippered interior pocket stores your essentials and makes it simple to find them, and the water resistant base is essential to secure from wet surfaces and assist keep the tote upright.

It deserves absolutely nothing that this cooler tote is best used with ice bag rather than ice, as the bag might leakage liquid from loose ice. Plus, loose ice would leakage out of the zipper, as it’s made from fabric and not water resistant.

Its lightweight, retractable design makes it an everyday important for beach days, picnics, and keeping groceries fresh on the way home.

Capacity: 35 liters