Air travel can be a challenge especially if you need to bring along frozen goods with you. TSA regulation requires you not to bring any type of liquid into the airplane so ice is not an option to bring onto the plane. Carrying a cooler can be a problem, too, since most of them aren’t very compact and heavy to carry. Luckily, soft-sided coolers are here to help you travel with chilled frozen! Read on to find the best coolers for air travel in the market!
How To Choose The Best Coolers for Air Travel
To board a plane with a cooler as a carry-on is easy and convenient, but finding the best coolers for air travel is an entirely different thing to tackle. There are many types and products in the market nowadays and you need a few pointers to help you narrow down the options. Below are some aspects needed to be considered before purchasing the best cooler for airplane travel.
Form Factor
It’s only natural to check on TSA regulation before boarding on a plane with a cooler as your carry-on. Generally, a carryon should not bigger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches and thankfully, there are plenty of coolers within the regulation limit. Soft-sided coolers, whether they’re shoulder carried or a backpack is your best bet due to their lightness and ease of carrying. Remember, keep your coolers upright at all times to avoid unnecessary leaking.
Durability and Comfort
If you’re planning to make frequent travels with your coolers, you’d want one that can withstand heavy wear and tear while giving your shoulders the support they need. At least, look for coolers with padded handles and shoulder straps because you need to carry your cooler comfortably. Besides, nobody wants to chaff their skin due to prolonged carrying. The next basic thing is to look for coolers with some reinforcements at pressure hot spots. Corners and strap points have to, at least, be double-sown.
Ice Retention
What’s a cooler if it can’t keep the ice frozen? Ice retention is the key to safety and convenience. Consulting a product’s reviews and instructions will do your miles! To make things smooth from your side, it’s always better to use ice packs for coolers to pack into your coolers for airplane travel. Make sure that the ice packs are frozen by the time you board your flight. Any sign of liquefaction or liquid will result in a banned carry-on.
Can I take a cooler on an airplane?
Absolutely yes but within several terms. You can take your cooler as a checked bag as long as the size is within a carry-on regulation and there is no liquid present in the cooler. So, make sure you opt for frozen ice packs instead of plain ice.
Do soft-sided coolers work?
Even though they’re noticeably lighter, soft-sided coolers can offer just as much chilling power as their hard-cased brethren. Hard-cased coolers may have longer ice retention (find the best coolers for hunting here), but keeping things frozen for 2-3 days is enough to let soft-sided coolers board a plane with you. Besides, they’re much more portable and lightweight!
Are soft coolers waterproof?
While most soft-sided coolers are leak-proof, they only apply if they’re standing upright. Take a simple water test to your soft-sided coolers before you travel.
Polar Bear Coolers
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Polar Bear Coolers slides into our list of best coolers for air travel effortlessly for the build quality and capacity in such a compact size! This 24-can cooler is perfect to keep your favorite beverages cold on a weekend getaway. The compact size also makes it a great cold pack to bring onto an airplane with you. With the hand webbing and padded straps, carrying this cooler all day is a breeze!
The skin is made of a highly durable 840D Nylon with some reinforcement at the base. To prevent air seeping from the outside, the interior is protected by high-density foam insulation to ensure 24-hour ice retention. Lastly, the bag uses the rust-proof YKK zipper in the opening. To complete the seal, attach the zipper ends onto the steel hooks and your cooler is ready for some mobile action.
What We Love
A compact cooler with comfy hand-webbing.
Pros:
- 24-hr ice retention
- Dense and thick foam insulation
- Double coated TPU liner
- Durable 840D Nylon Exterior
- YKK zipper
- Multiple compartments
- Expandable main compartment
Cons:
- Air the bag for a day before using it to get rid of the factory smell
CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
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CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag is one of the most popular collapsible coolers for air travel for its design and lightweight property! This 50-can cooler is built to withstand the wear and tear of air travel. Air travel coolers are often shoved around in the cabin, slid under the seat, or dropped on harsh gravel so they need to be tough. But tough doesn’t mean it has to look ugly! This cooler is one of the examples!
When not used, this cooler tote folds flat until the next time you need it. It has a clever mechanism called SnapHinge that makes folding and unfolding very easy and instant. The interior of this cooler bag is made of multiple layers of insulation to help your stuff be frozen for at least 7 hours. It’s more than enough to keep your ice packs solid before boarding your plane. With these capabilities, no wonder if this is the favorite bag among food delivery services!
What We Love
A perfect travel companion to keep your goods fresh!
Pros:
- Collapsible
- Fit up to 50 cans (excluding ice)
- SnapHinge for fast collapsible action
- 7 hours ice retention
- Hand-webbing
- Solid board base
- Bottle opener
Cons:
- Only works best with ice packs or ice in sealed containers
Permian Portable Cooler Roll Top
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If you’re looking for a cooler bag that you can take to a plane but tough enough to go into a wild adventure, Permian Portable Cooler Roll Top is the right choice for your lifestyle. This roll-top action cooler bag is more than your ordinary cooler sling bag for its strength and portability. You carry this bag using a sling strap across your chest. No matter what adventure awaits, this cooler will keep its content cold and fresh!
The 15-liter cooler bag fits 10 cans with ice in one heave. It’s equipped with enhanced insulation to keep ice frozen for 24 hours top! You won’t expect any water seepage from this bag, both from the inside and the outside. This ability owes a lot to the sonically welded seams and the 3-times roll-top opening. The best thing about this cooler bag is that it can be rolled into a compact form when not in use!
What We Love
A foldable ice cooler shoulder pack for adventurers.
Pros:
- Foldable
- Waterproof roll-top opening, exterior, and interior
- 24-hour ice retention
- Welded seams
- 15L capacity
- Multi-layered air insulation
- Padded shoulder strap
Cons:
- The bag also chills your back
NorChill Can Voyager Series Insulated Soft Sided Cooler
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Another collapsible cooler for air travel is the NorChill Can Voyager Series Insulated Soft Sided Cooler. This expandable cooler took the market by storm in its early days with its clever but simple build that just works. The look represents the chilling performance it has: efficient and effective. But there is much more to cover than just how it looks!
The manufacturer takes pride in its successful marine-inspired, ultra-durable YKK zipper. This special zipper keeps the chill air from escaping through the zipper. The exterior is made of tough 600D Nylon and is accompanied by their trademarked GatorSkin liner. The thick insulation is enough to generate about 15 hours of ice retention. Worry to spoil the stuff inside the bag? Take out the melted water through the built-in spout!
What We Love
A mighty travel cooler you can trust!
Pros:
- 600D canvas exterior
- Gator Skin waterproof liner
- Welded liner
- More than 15 hours of ice retention
- Hand-webbing and padded shoulder strap
- Extra zipper pocket
- Collapsible
- Integrated pour spout
- Dual temperature insulation
Cons:
- Overstuffing may break the zipper
Bison Coolers Insulated Ice Chest
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Rugged and tough, Bison Coolers Insulated Ice Chest could be your next trusty companion to keep your stuff frozen and pass the TSA checking! This durable cooler might be new in the market, but the manufacturer that builds is so confident in the quality that they gladly offer a 30-day trial and 2-year warranty for every purchase of this bag. We finally figured why this bag is one of the best coolers for air travel.
This 24-can cooler feels solid to carry. It has a vinyl-coated 100D nylon as its outer skin that’s tear-resistant up to 375lbs. This bag also has extra-thick insulation for keeping your stuff frozen. But if you expect this bag to ‘swear’ profusely, you might be impressed as it doesn’t do that at all thanks to the TPU liner that captures any unwanted condensation. Ice packs and ice works equally well with this cooler. Be mindful as the zipper is the only part that isn’t leak-proof.
What We Love
A durable ice tote that doesn’t ‘sweat’!
Pros:
- Efficient and effective design
- Solid build
- Extra insulation
- Zippered side pocket
- Bottle opener
- Hand-webbing
- 100D vinyl-coated nylon exterior
- Anti-condensation TPU liner
Cons:
- Prone to leakage when toppled over
AO Coolers Soft Cooler
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Air travel is the fastest way of transportation on the earth. However, there are a lot of regulations to adhere to in order to make sure you’re traveling safely and comfortably. One of the regulations prohibits any type of liquid in the passenger cabin so water and ice are out of the question. What if you need to bring frozen goods? It’s important to keep it frozen (including the ice) at all times and this is where AO Coolers Soft Cooler comes to the rescue!
This soft-sided cooler is lightweight and compact to hold up to 24 cans of beverages including the ice. It’s made of highly durable canvas to accompany plenty of air travel. It’s one of the best coolers for air travel that’s perfect to be used with ice packs to keep everything neat and frozen inside its dense insulation. You don’t need to worry about leaking anymore since its TPU liner will keep any liquid inside as long as it’s upright!
What We Love
A mini-max cooler for when you need an emergency cooler!
Pros:
- High-density insulation
- 18 hours ice retention
- Durable canvas
- Large capacity
- Hand-webbing and shoulder strap
- Easy cleaning TPU liner
- Leak-free
Cons:
- Fittings are made of plastics
Coleman Soft Cooler Bag
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Coming from a renowned company that produces a multitude of outdoor products for families, Coleman Soft Cooler Bag doesn’t disappoint as one of the best coolers for air travel. This lightweight and comfortable to use cooler is designed for the active lifestyle of yours. Store meat, beverages, or ice packs, this cooler effortlessly keeps them frozen for 18-24 hours!
This specialty comes from extensive engineering and material research in insulation. This 9-can cooler has company-secret, dense insulation to keep the outside air from affecting the interior’s temperature. It’s also completely odor-less both on the inside and the outside! The 2-way zipper is great for when you have to pack a little bit more than you need to. Don’t worry, they’re tough!
What We Love
A small cooler for the light-packers,
Pros:
- Small-sized
- Padded shoulder straps
- Multiple compartments
- 2-way zipper
- Durable nylon
- 18-24 hour ice retention
- Odor-resistant, antimicrobial liner
- Heat-welded seams
- Leak-proof great for either ice cubes or ice packs
Cons:
- Limited capacity
Coleman Soft Backpack Cooler
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Coleman Soft Backpack Cooler is the backpack cousin of the previous product made by the same company. This comfy carry is the holy grail of the normal-looking cooler backpack to accompany your flying trip! It’s lightweight and has a great form factor for an all-day carry. Like a non-cooler backpack, this mobile ice chest has multiple compartments to store a plethora of things, but the only difference is they are all finely insulated to keep your stuff cool throughout your journey!
The main compartment can hold up to 28 cans inside it – though, with the presence of ice, it will hold fewer than that. The interior is lined with a special type of liner to keep it from leaking or creating condensation. The straps, however, are some of the best ones among coolers in the market. They’re thickly padded and breathable so you won’t get home with sweaty shoulders and back.
What We Love
A portable cooler with maximum comfort for the wearer!
Pros:
- Backpack style
- 28 cans
- Multiple compartments
- Elastic rope attachment
- 2-way zipper
- Mesh pocket
- Leak-proof
Cons:
- Heavy-duty use will break the stitching earlier
Hydro Flask Unbound
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Who says traveling with an ice cooler means you have to walk around with a bulky, boring-looking ice chest? Hydro Flask Unbound is a piece of beauty to look at but a chilling beast on the inside! The tote slash shoulder bag is one of the best coolers for air travel that turns heads in the airport. Besides, its sturdy build is rarely matched by its competitors. It’s also lightweight so you won’t have any problem strolling around the city with a full ice chest on-the-go.
The beast we’re talking about is the smart insulation that wraps around this cooler. It’s also the cause of how the cooler strips down its weight but still maintains a decent chilling power. Instead of doubling up the insulation, this cooler enhances insulation in only several points where it is needed the most. When this system is paired with an Aquaseal zipper, the result is a cooler with up to 48-hour ice retention that feels feather-light on your shoulder!
What We Love
An efficient and functional cooler from a respectable brand.
Pros:
- Holds ice up to 48 hours
- 18L capacity
- Watertight Aquaseal zipper
- Welded seams
- Powerful insulation
- Comfy padded shoulder strap
- Hinged opening
- Mountable
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- It’s pricey
Columbia PFG Skiff Guide Cooler Pack
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Columbia PFG Skiff Guide Cooler Pack is the child of a company that has been providing some of the best outdoor gears for centuries. It only makes sense if this portable cooler is produced to live up to the reputation. This lightweight ice chest is quite popular in the medical world where they help millions of organs safe until they reached their destination. It makes this cooler one of the best coolers for air travel.
The robust build consists of high-density and water-resistant skin on the outside and a hard shell on the inside. This shell will make sure that there’s no leakage possible during mobility. If you notice, this bag has no zipper to start with; the engineers realize that the weakest part of an ice chest is on the zipper. With the absence of a zipper, this ice chest ensures high ice retention for up to 48 hours in normal condition. With 2 insulated compartments, what else do you need from a portable cooler?
What We Love
A robust mobile cooler with a high ice retention rate.
Pros:
- Zipperless lid
- 24-hour ice retention
- Velcro tab
- Removable HardBody liner and SmartShelf
- Leak-proof second liner
- BackSaver shoulder pad
- 2 insulated compartments
- Easy maintenance
- Mesh pockets
Cons:
- It’s bigger than you thought even though it can slide under your seat effortlessly
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
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Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze is an update of one of the best coolers for air travel in the market. This cooler is arguably the best one to carry the heavy-duty of keeping your stuff chilled when traveling by airplane. The simplicity and ease of use appeal to many professionals such as paramedics and food delivery couriers because of its durability and ice retention rate.
The high ice retention rate is the result of several techs embedded into this ice chest. The elimination of the zipper creates a water-tight seal to avoid air seepage. The HardBody removable shell keeps the whole container intact and gives a strong structure to achieve as much temperature stability as possible. With all of these breakthroughs, the cooler top it all off with a comfy shoulder carry strap that’s friendly on your back!
What We Love
A very durable mobile cooler with excellent ice retention!
Pros:
- Rhino-Tech exterior
- 2nd insulated pocket
- 1.5-3 day ice retention
- Integrated bottle opener
- BackSaver shoulder strap
- Zipperless lid
- Mesh pockets
- Removable plastic liner
- Leak-proof
Cons:
- It’s not the lightest in the market
IceMule – Devoe Designs Backpack
2
Looking for an alternative ice carrier to accompany your air journey? IceMule – Devoe Designs Backpack should be one of your top options. This collapsible cooler for air travel is incredibly lightweight and compact that carrying a hefty amount of ice won’t hurt your shoulders and back even after a whole day of carrying thanks to the padded shoulder straps and the ingenious design! The 9-liter backpack can be rolled into a convenient 7 x 5 x 5 inches size!
The PolarLayer Insulation is tough but easy to clean if you need to do some maintenance. This cooler ice bag can keep things frozen for up to a 24-hour. It’s totally waterproof both on the inside and from the outside. Worry-free when wearing this bag through the rain because even if it’s dumped onto the ocean, it floats! That’s why it’s also one of the best kayak coolers!
What We Love
The hands-free experience on a portable cooler!
Pros:
- 9-liter capacity
- Padded shoulder straps
- Front pocket
- Waterproof and leak-proof
- Welded seams
- Roll to store
- 24-hour ice retention
Cons:
- Takes extra effort to unload its content
Yeti Hopper Backflip Cooler Backpack
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The best thing that happened to the portable cooler market is the Yeti Hopper Backflip Cooler Backpack. Coming from the best brand in the cooling world, this is the cooler that flawlessly marries hard coolers reliability with backpacks’ portability and portability. It’s ergonomically engineered to achieve fatigue-less carry in your entire journey with its padded shoulder straps and back support. The form factor also makes it the best cooler for air travel!
The ice retention isn’t something you can ever doubt. Under the right conditions – when it’s pre-chilled and kept sealed most of the time – it can hold ice frozen for more than 2 days! This power comes from the company’s trademark ColdCell insulation that’s paired with HydroLok Zipper that ensures total air insulation from the outside environment. It’s completely leak-proof in no matter positions: whether sideways or upright, rest assured it won’t leave you any messy puddles. This cooler is surely pricey, but it’s a damn worth of investment!
What We Love
The best coolers for air travel no matter where you go!
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Waterproof and puncture-resistant exterior
- Easy to access
- ColdCell insulation
- Leak-proof zipper
- Multiple ways of handling
- Daisy chain for attachments
- Rugged build
- Easy maintenance
Cons:
- Quality comes with a price!