Soft-sided coolers are extremely popular for a variety of different reasons, but they’re single biggest advantage is the fact that they are extremely portable.
When you’re not using your soft sided cooler bag, it can easily be folded up and stored. Their designs occupy as little space as possible, especially when compared to other larger unwieldy plastic molded coolers that used to be so popular.
However, consumers have some concerns regarding how long their ice will last in a soft-sided cooler when compared to a standard cooler. To address this concern, our review includes some extensive testing that has taken place. To compare all the soft-sided coolers with the characteristic of standard plastic coolers, we looked at their ability to hold ice.
I have to admit they surprised me, when I learned that some soft-sided cooler can maintain their ice for up to 5 days, even in the middle of the summer. Taking all this into consideration, we’ve reviewed what we consider to be the best outside of coolers on the market.
Why Choose a Soft Sided Cooler?
If you’re looking for a more portable cooler than you should buy a soft sided cooler. they’re very popular for people to go on the occasional day excursion, like a trip to the beach or a hike in the mountains.
Portable
They’re far easier to carry and store than hard plastic coolers as they’re foldable. The most popular on the market today in common is the style of backpacks on rollers, making them extremely portable. But the primary reason people buy them is the fact that they take up so little real estate when compared to large plastic coolers, especially when you’re not in use. They’re also we lighter than standard coolers, they also come equipped with waterproof zippers and in most cases the entire cooler is completely waterproof, making them an extremely durable option.
Less sweating
When you purchase a soft-sided cooler, it’s far less likely to end up sweating all over your trunk and ruining your carpet. They also can resist any many strange odors whereas hard coolers that have a tendency to absorb them. They’re extremely resistant to mildew and mold, and they’re very easy to clean. If one gets dirty, you can just turn the hose on and wash it out. They’re also very adaptable, as you can get one with removable lining that has been specially designed to operate as a fish cooler bag. You can even keep your fish separate from your snacks and beverages.
Versatile designs
Manufacturers of soft-sided cooler bags make them extremely versatile, many of them come with a variety of different compartments allowing you to store your snacks, drinks, meats, phones even your sunscreen separately. Others will come with additional pockets to hold your cell phones and keys or anything you want to hold securely but protect from the water. These devices are far more versatile than a hard cooler can never be.
Beach ready
Soft sided coolers are perfect in a variety of different situations, but most people buy them as they intend to go to the beach. Buying a beach ready soft sided cooler means you’ll have everything you need in one place. You’ll have your compartments to keep your food and beverage cool and a place to put your bug spray, sunblock medicine keys, cell phones, etc. You don’t have to worry about lugging three or four bags down to the beach ever again. Purchasing one high-quality subsidiary means that all your beach storage needs are covered. We will review over one of these in this article, so you’ll have a great variety to choose from.
The Top Choices for the Best Soft Sided Coolers
1. The Soft Cooler from AO Coolers
This soft sided cooler from AO made our list first size alone; it can hold up the 48 cans of beer soda. The cooler comes with a carry handle or a removable shoulder strap to make it easy to carry. Tested in 120 heat this cooler can keep Ice frozen for up to 24 hours. Making the perfect companion for anyone who’s out enjoying a picnic, hosting a party, going to the beach or even taking a few people out on a boat for the day.
Whether you’re relaxing in the backyard or heading out on an adventure, having a side compartment on your cooler that can help keep things intelligent and dry and safe is not an addition that makes it a popular device. It’s also leak proof because of them adding a liner to the inside during the design process.
2. The 16-Can Soft Cooler with Hard Liner from Coleman
Some people like this cooler from Coleman because it gives you the option of using a hard liner. It also comfortably holds up to 16 cans of beer or soda or whatever your beverage of choice. They designed a hard liner to be antimicrobial, as a result is also resistant to odors. It also provides an additional layer of protection from one of the major problems associated with soft coolers that are mildew and mold.
The designers have fitted a double zipper on its lid, mesh pockets on the side, comfortable adjustable shoulder straps and a fully zippered front pocket. All these excellent additions to make this a secure, well designed soft cooler that is portable and practical.
3. The 42-Can Wheeled Soft Cooler Hard Liner from Coleman
Another soft sided cooler that features a larger capacity and a hard liner this soft-sided roller cooler has carried up to 42 cans of capacity and because it’s put on wheels, it makes it extremely portable.
If you’ve ever used roller luggage, this cooler operates in the same way. However, the wheels are significantly smaller, so be cognizant of this if you’re dragging it along any uneven surfaces. It also comes with the addition of removable hard plastic liner that can be placed inside.
The designers have put a large front zip pocket and zipper pockets on the lid of the cooler. They have added some mesh side pockets, both inside and out. They know people will take this cooler to the beach and as a result added some mesh pockets inside to help you keep precious items dry. If you need to pack more items inside that’s not an issue they have added some bungees to help close it. That it’s mold and mildew and odor resistance is another selling point.
4. The USA Cooler Backpack from Engel
The USA cooler bag from Engle available in a variety of colors including Realtree Xtra camouflage, kryptek highlander camo and white. One of its standout features is the fact that it’s exterior is antimicrobial and fully puncture resistant.
They’ve added a variety of different storage pockets and filled it with polyethylene foam. You have a choice of 6 exterior storage pockets and 2 interior slip pockets. Its 23 quart capacity and can hold up to 24 cans. The dimensions of the cooler are an impressive 17.25 x 7.75 x 18.75 inches. Despite its size, it’s still a very lightweight 2.85 lb. During our extensive testing process this is one of the top soft sided coolers we have tested especially to cool capabilities, this cooler can comfortably keep ice for up to 3 days. This makes it comparable with any of the top roto molded coolers on the market.
Many reviewers comment on the fact that they fitted the zipper to this cooler and also water resistant why not 100% waterproof? They stand up very well. And also far easier to use than some difficult navigate water type zippers you’ll find in other coolers. From the storage perspective, this cooler would not be in use and can nearly be placed completely flat. One reviewer I stated that they comfortably fit the scooter and the base of the suitcase and fly with it when traveling. If you’re looking for a long-lasting portable soft cooler that has a variety of storage options this is for the consideration.
5. The Marine Ultra Square from Igloo
This impressive little soft sided cooler from igloo is available in a variety of different sizes. Going on its reviews with the vast majority of customers who purchased it, I’ve been very impressed and largely because they can hold ice comfortably for up to 2 days and are very easy to clean. Many customers state that this is the ideal partner for weekend trips as it operates comfortably in a variety of different environments and is easy to handle.
Many people choose this for both chips because of its compact size and waterproof nature. They feel it’s designed perfectly to resist the corrosion that can happen from salt spray and the fact that its odor and stain resistant make it even more suitable to be used in marine environments. .
6. The Boatbag Cooler Bag from NorChill
This is a soft-sided cooler with a twist while they make most of its competitors from cloth the NorChil soft-sided cooler is different. This is made from a durable tarpaulin and has been designed tough and to handle virtually any scenario you place it into. The tarpaulin exterior means that it’s completely waterproof, but also removes any issues you may have with sweating.
The nature of its design means it will never heat up, even in the most extreme temperatures. This is one of the go to soft-sided coolers for kayak and boating enthusiasts, as they know they can trust it to do no damage to their devices. Some other key features include leak proof liner seems have been infusion welded, a gator skin liner, and a high quality YKK zipper.
NorChil recommended you used their freezer pack with this soft-sided cooler guaranteeing it will hold ice for several days. They have designed the cooler to be easily cleaned both outside and in and comes with cushioned carry straps, meaning it’s very easy to carry.
One of the key selling points of this soft-sided cooler is that it comes with a no questions asked 2-year warranty, something that no other cooler on the market can compete with. This means that if at any point your cooler fails, they will fix it at absolutely no cost to yourself without ever asking a question. It measures an impressive 10 x 18 x 12 in and comfortably carrying weights of up to 3.3 lb and has a capacity of 24 cans.
You can even upgrade this to a 48 can version if you please and choose from a variety of different styles and colors. Manufactured in a toxin freeway little safe so hold any food and drink. Despite all the additional features, they will surprise you with the price because it’s still cheaper than any of its high-end competitors in the south-sided cooler market.
7. The Pod from Orca
The orca pod makes this list of highly recommended soft-sided coolers. It finished top in our corner challenge to find out which device will hold ice the longest. The cooler itself is a more rigid subsided cooler design many describe it as a turtle shell in different reviews. So although it will hold ice longer, it’s not as portable or storable as other devices, meaning it won’t lay flat like many of his competitors. This is probably due to the fact that it has far superior insulation capabilities than many of the soft decided coolers on the list it can hold up to 28 points making it one of the larger devices available on the cooler can last up to three full days.
For the more stylishly inclined cooler owners, how the Pod opens and closes makes it very attractive. Despite it being fully waterproof, the zipper itself is well designed, making it very much easier to operate in other comparable devices. Delete itself is virtually removable and opens up the 180 when fully unzipped. Dakota is extremely comfortable to carry and feel you have a backpack on when you take into account there is no padding and supports that the design team has put in place. You can also choose from a wide variety of different colors.
8. The Trooper 20 and 30 from OtterBox
The trooper from OtterBox has made the list because of its popularity on YouTube. We are extremely interested to put it through our tests and see how it compares for the other top soft-sided coolers on the market. Because of its popularity, we’ve only compared it to the best coolers we’ve tested. Under our extreme testing, both the trooper 30 and the trooper 20 held 10 lb of ice for just under 48 hours. Even holding 10 lb of ice they set the device at only 20% capacity making its performance on a par with the tourist and the yeti hopper.
Despite its average performance regarding holding ice, it truly stood out when testing its waterproof capabilities; it is one of the few coolers we’ve ever tested that could resist water leakage when turned upside down. Both the trooper 30 and the 3 for 20 soft-sided cooler failed to even leak a drop during this test. This is down to it’s virtually unique design. OtterBox, I have a patented latch system that works like a cantilever on its trooper 20. For 13 that’s its own compound latching system, which while complicated can still be easily closed or opened with just 100. We really like the fact that dashboard coolers come with something cool accessories such as a bottle opener that has been mounted on the exterior.
9. The 24 Soft Sided from Polar Bear Coolers
This soft-sided cooler from Polar Bear is 10 inches wide and 18 inches long. We have tested it to hold ice for up to 3 days when left sitting exposed in 100 temperatures. This is a very adaptable device and they can also use it for warming, keeping things at 200 heat for several hours. The design is also leak and they guarantee sweat proof and to last due to being built with the highest quality materials. Meet from a high quality high density foam, the outer shell is coated in cordura nylon. When you want the storage, I couldn’t be easier for you just fold it up. Sitting with a high quality, convenient carry handle and shoulder straps that are adjustable carrying it could be easier.
10. The Soft Sided Travel Cooler Bag from RoadPro
We’ve added this cooler to the list because of its unique design plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter. So instead of using ice, this is effectively electric cooler. Whatever the ambient temperature, this can reduce the heat of any items to 32 cooler. It comes with a fully adjustable strap and some zip pockets to provide extra storage on the side of the cooler. Designed to hold 24 12 oz cans, it has more than enough space to carry a variety of unique items. Despite its design when it’s empty it weighs less than 4 lb keeping it comfortable in the lightweight category of soft-sided coolers.
11. The 30 Soft Pack from RTIC
If you’re looking for a soft-sided cooler, that’s no frills you can keep your items cold for a long time therefore these devices from RTIC has been put on the list. It’s one of the cheapest high quality soft-sided coolers on the market. I can keep ice for up to 5 days and comfortably hold 30 lb along with your ice. It won’t leak or sweat could you do its final shell exterior and the fact that they have added 2 inches of foam for additional insulation. You have some exterior pockets to help keep important items dry and secure.
12. The 30 Can from TOURIST
We can consider this 30 a semi rigid cooler rather than a fully soft sided one. Despite the fact that his typical society design is cooler is more rigid and design. Making it extremely accessible and much easier to use as well reveals the entire cooler when you open it. Unlike the collapsible design of most soft-sided coolers, this one remains accessible when you open it. During our testing phase, I stayed in a scooter in Honda degree temperatures for up to two-and-a-half days, making it a very impressive device.
13. The Hopper Portable Cooler from YETI
This is by far one of the most popular soft-sided coolers on the market, but you will have to pay for this. There’s a reason it’s one of the most expensive brands available, but despite its price tag, many people don’t care. It’s punctual resistant and 100% leak-proof like most portable soft-sided coolers it has kept heat out and cold in providing enough space for 18 cans and 20 lb of ice. Its key features include: Significant looks, extra insulation, and hydrolock zipper. Obviously because of his price tag we’re always going to be looking for some floors and the main one we can highlight in this is the zipper system. Despite their claims of being waterproof and leak-proof, the zip is very difficult to use and many people are unhappy with how hard it is to unzip or zip. It has a heavy duty rough zipper track which can be quite aggressive against your skin when you’re using the cooler. This is largely because of one of the major flaws in the design the opening remains very narrow despite being a few hundred dollars for the device.
