Top 5 Soft Coolers in 2024
Soft coolers are containers designed for storing and keeping items cool. You can use them for food and beverage storage during outdoor activities such as picnics, camping, and hiking. Soft coolers are made of flexible materials such as fabric, vinyl, or nylon. This is unlike their hard counterparts, which are made of rigid materials like plastic or metal. The sides have layers, and insulation material is placed between them to prevent heat gain from the environment. Choosing a good soft cooler before your journey is important to ensure it can efficiently keep your food and drinks cool until the time you intend to consume them. Also, for adventure in rough environments, ensure your cooler is made of high-quality material to withstand the outdoor conditions.
Soft coolers are popular for their flexibility and lightweight. This, alongside compact designs, makes them easier to carry during activities that require lots of movement. They may also have extra storage space, often featuring additional pockets and compartments. You can use these to hold napkins and other necessities during your adventure. Besides, using the extra pockets helps keep your items organized. Others may have built-in trays and bottle openers. When purchasing a soft cooler, ensure you find the size that can accommodate all your items. Soft coolers are available in different sizes, ranging from small lunch bag-sized containers to duffel bag designs. You should also ensure it has suitable carrying options. For instance, when hiking, you can use a soft cooler with shoulder straps or backpack straps for easier carrying. Some designs may feature handles. Additionally, consider the insulation level. For longer trips, choose a soft cooler with extra thick insulation on all sides to keep your foods cool for more hours. It may also have waterproof material and a heavy zipper for higher durability. Here are some of the best soft coolers you can use in 2024.
1. Yeti Hopper Flip 8 Portable Soft Cooler
The Hopper Flip 8 is smaller than its predecessors, allowing light traveling. It has a cubed body for easy carrying and better storage. It features the construction materials used in the other Yeti coolers, a dry hide shell, Coldwell insulation, and a Hydrolok zipper. Its durability comes from the high-density, waterproof fabric. It is resistant to mildew, UV rays, and damage from physical impact. For the lining, Yeti uses an FDA-approved food-grade material to help fight off elements. Its strong zipper is airtight to keep warm air out of the cooler. It opens to a wide mouth, giving you easy access to all your items. The Hopper Flip 8 has high insulation power from the closed-cell rubber foam. It has a capacity of 2.5 gallons, which can comfortably accommodate eight standard-height canned beverages and leave room for ice. It comes with a two-pound block of Yeti ice, with a freezing point two degrees below that of water. This means that Yeti ice will refreeze the water when normal ice melts. With this, your cooler content remains at low temperatures. However, the Hopper Flip is pricey at about $200. The zipper is also hard to open unless you use a zipper lubricant. Regardless, the cold retention period makes it a worthy investment. You can also choose between 12 colors to find one that suits your preference.
2. Coleman Chiller Series Insulated Soft Coolers
The Coleman Chiller's exterior surface is made from recycled polyester fibers, contributing to a greener environment. The seams are welded to prevent leaks, so you are free from mess during your trip. There is a zip front and inner mesh pockets to store extra items. These coolers have superior ice retention. They are made with TempLock Insulation, which keeps your foods and beverages cool for at least 12 hours. Depending on your preferred size, you can get a cooler that holds up to 42 cans, with the smallest holding nine cans and leaving room for ice. One major advantage of the Coleman Chiller coolers is their easy and quick cleaning. At the end of your adventure, you can remove the antimicrobial and stain-resistant liner in your Coleman Chiller coolers for efficient cleaning. However, these coolers do not hold as much as their size because the thick insulation takes up large space. The backpack Coleman Chiller Coolers are popular for their portability. They have adjustable padded shoulder and waist straps. You also have the option of a wheeled cooler.
3. Hydro Flask 12L Carry Out Soft Cooler
A Hydro Flask 12L Carry Out Soft Cooler can hold up to 20 cans without ice. It also has webbing loops to attach Hydro Flask Dry Storage accessories where you can hold more items. It is made of a 600 denier fabric that's water resistant and durable, with a food-grade BPA-free liner on the inside. Its compression molded lid and base increase the cooler's stability. With this cooler, your food and drink items can remain cool for up to 24 hours. It has thick base insulation and welded seams, increasing its cold retention. The seams also help keep any spills and splashes inside. This cooler has top zips that open to a wide mouth so you can easily access your items and for easier and quicker cleaning. The Hydro Flask 12L Carry Out is a perfect soft cooler for camping. It is surprisingly lightweight for a model that holds 20 cans. Additionally, its removable cross-body strap paired with the sewn-on handles makes it easy to carry.
4. RTIC 15 Can Everyday Cooler
This soft cooler is fully enclosed with closed-cell foam insulation, so your items remain cool for up to 24 hours. You can use block or ice gel packs with this cooler, and besides the 15-can model, you have an option for six, eight, and 28 cooler sizes. The RTIC 15 Can Everyday Cooler is made with durable fabric, so it withstands harsh use for extended periods. This makes it ideal for holding beverages and meals during travel, camping, or fishing activities. It also has multiple storage pockets on the inside and outside to help keep your items organized. However, its deep and narrow build makes it less suitable for food storage. Its zipper is also a bit hard to open or close. Regardless, this cooler is popular among outdoor enthusiasts because it collapses into its lid for easy storage when empty. It also has a stainless steel bottle opener, which is removable and easy to use.
5. Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag
This soft cooler from Maelstrom is perfect when you need a large carriage bag for your drinks and food. It can hold up to 1.65 lbs and accommodate 75 cans and two to four ice packs. With the five-layer insulation, your items can remain cool for up to 12 hours. These layers include an inbuilt EPE foam in the middle and an additional 210D liner. Its external surfaces are made of rip-stop 600D Oxford materials and a waterproof PVC layer. On the inside, the cooler has thick food-grade PEVA materials. These are seamless and have ultrasonic welding to prevent leaks and tears. However, you may find the zippers too tight when the cooler is new, and they can easily break when forced. The top pull tab makes the Maelstrom soft cooler unique because you can take out items without opening the top cover. This helps keep the contents warm or cold for more hours.
For outdoor activities, especially on a hot day, you may require cold refreshments between your adventures. These top soft coolers provide the solution to keeping your drinks and foods cool regardless of the day's weather conditions. You can also use them on colder days to keep your meals warm. Hurry up today and purchase a soft cooler.
