It’s hunting season! Hunting taps deep into our psyche that many of us enjoy taking part in. There’s something stirred in us to conquer nature, stalk prey, and down it. Before you start a trip, it’s now time to strategize better to ensure an optimal hunting experience. Going for a long trip? Make sure to preserve your game meat until you arrive home with the best coolers for hunting!
How To Choose The Best Coolers for Hunting
There are many several aspects before you pick the best coolers for hunting. It’s always wise to do some research and determine your needs to avoid disappointments. For you, we have compiled several aspects to consider and help you get started!
Ice Retention
Perhaps the most important thing to put heavy consideration on is the ice retention of a cooler. High-quality coolers are usually known for their great ice retention to keep things cold longer. The downside is they’re also more expensive. But don’t let that stops you from buying the more affordable ones. With some handy tricks, they can also perform as well as the pricey one.
In general, rotomolded coolers have the best ice retention due to their seamless nature but they are hefty and almost impossible to be carried comfortably. These coolers are best to nest on a truck under your rooftop tent or nearby your tent so they won’t slow you down when you’re out hunting. However, soft-sided coolers may have lower ice retention but they’re lighter and more compact. Take these coolers only if you need a compact cooler to temporarily chill your beverage or store your game before going back to your camp/truck.
Size
Size matters because it’s related to your camping duration and the size of your game. A full-on hunting trip can last from 10 to 14 days at a time and keeping your cooler chilled that long can be a challenge. To tackle this, it’s great to have multiple coolers on the go. Get a smaller additional cooler to go along with your main cooler to keep your ice and ice packs frozen and sealed as long as they can, but do try to keep them sealed most of the time to avoid the chill escaping. Here are some of the best coolers in camping.
The size of the game definitely plays a big part in deciding which best coolers for hunting. If you’re hunting deer, you’ll need at least 65-quart coolers at ready; but if it’s elk season, you’ll need quite bigger than that. Boned out elk needs at least 120-quart coolers (150-qt for a big bull) to fit everything in including the ice/ice packs, while quartered ones can be kept in a 100-quart cooler with a length between 32-34 inches. Find the best ice packs for coolers here.
Durability and Security
Since your coolers are going to be out there in nature, they need to be durable enough to withstand the weather. Hard-cased coolers have more advantages than their soft-sided brethren due to their tough body and weight. But the best coolers for hunting are the ones with great sealing and locking ability. Seals are crucial to maintaining ice retention so the content can be kept cold longer. While locking might be optional, but if you often encounter wild threats like wolves or bears, having coolers with reliable locks or bear-proofed construction is a huge bonus!
What size cooler do you need?
A 100-quart cooler is enough to keep you and your 2 friends content for a week-worth of a hunting trip.
How do you keep the meat cool when hunting?
The idea is to let the meat cool off as soon as possible by processing the meat and drying them in the shade right after the animal goes down. You can also use a nearby creek to help the meat cool further before transporting them to your cooler.
How long can you keep deer meat in a cooler?
With a steady cycle of ice/ice packs, venison can be kept from 2 to 3 days.
Sportneer 25 Quart Cooler
13
If you appreciate practicality, you’ll appreciate Sportneer 25 Quart Cooler as much as we do. Targeted for the sports fan, this cooler is lightweight and pretty mobile with a strong steel handle attachment. It looks rugged and is rugged to withstand accidental roll and tumble. it comes in a sporty white-orange color scheme that will impress your hunter mates!
We love the thoughtful addition of a built-in thermometer so we can monitor the temperature of the interior. We all know that a cooler works best if it stays closed as much as it can. The securing latch is made of highly durable rubber-plastic enough to keep the cooler completely sealed. The sealing gasket works great to keep the interior airtight.
What We Love
A smart hard-cased cooler for general use!
Pros:
- Built-in thermometer and scale plate
- Secure latches
- Fair ice retention
- Durable material
- Portable
- Anti-leak rubber gaskets
- Affordable
Cons:
- It works well for hunting rations, not meat
Igloo Marine Ultra
12
Igloo Marine Ultra is the perfect companion for the hunter-fisher combo in you. This durable and multi-functional cooler is greatly convenient to carry around thanks to the telescopic handle and wheels. It has handle indentation on the sides for easy-hauling and transport. When fishing, this cooler can be a convenient makeshift seat where you can make good use of the detachable fishing rod holders. Take a sip from your favorite drink while waiting for the fish to take the bait!
This cooler relies on the Ultratherm Insulation that’s commonly used in some of the best coolers for hunting. The lid is light and lockable by a padlock. It also has a clever design where it’s intentionally grooved on the edges where you can safely put your drink. This cooler comes in white and is available in a range of sizes from 13 quarts to 94 quarts.
What We Love
A transportable powerhouse!
Pros:
- Easy to transport using the wheels
- UV-light protection
- Average ice retention
- Built-in compartments
- Detachable fishing rod holders
- Ultratherm insulation on the lid
Cons:
- No security latch
Thermik High Performance Cooler
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The next on our list is the robust Thermik High Performance Cooler to accompany your life in the woods. This cooler forethought everything and put them into its clever design. Knowing that you’re going to be away from the comfort of your home, this cooler brings comfort with it instead. The main compartment is a mini-fridge with a degree of organization. You’ll soon see how useful the stuff basket, a divider slash cutting board, and the cup holder are.
It’s built to be able to withstand the demanding life in nature. The latch is extra strong and effortless to use without compromising the sealing. On the corners, you’ll find the handy bottle opener that adds up to its durability and safety since it’s also where the padlocks stay. If you ever doubt this cooler’s awesomeness, the manufacturer offers a 5-year warranty for each purchase you make!
What We Love
A heavy-duty cooler to contain your hunting rations.
Pros:
- Roto-molded
- Fair ice retention
- Damage-proof latches
- Urethane insulation
- Durable
- Bottle opened
- Removable compartments
- 5-year manufacturing warranty
Cons:
- Ice retention is shorter than advertised
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
10
Whether keeping your drinks and ration cold or housing small game meat, Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze is your cooler on the go! This high-performance soft-sided cooler is designed to handle the rough of nature while keeping its content chilled at all times. It weighs significantly lighter than other high-performance coolers so it’s friendly on your shoulder and back. Invest in this cooler when you’re looking for a compact cooler you’ll carry while you’re going into the wilderness.
The secret of its high ice retention is the Zipperless Coldlok that eliminates the main cause of chill seepage: zippers. This cooler has a HardBody liner that fits perfectly with the lid, completely sealing its content from the warmer air outside. The exterior is full of thoughtful features designed to make a hunter’s life easier: elastic strap at the top, a bottle opener, side mesh pockets, a water-resistant zip pocket, and a glove-friendly lid handle.
What We Love
A powerful temporary cooler on-the-go
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Zipperless lid
- Removable compartment
- Insulated pockets
- Super durable exterior
- Leak-proof and waterproof
- Mesh pocket
- Bottle opener
Cons:
- The plastic liner is vulnerable to impact
Frosted Frog Red Camo 20 Quart
9
The appeal of Frosted Frog Red Camo 20 Quart lies in the ruggedness and awesome looks! This compact cooler makes a great mobile cooler that carries your hunting necessity when you’re away from camp. It’s one of the best coolers for hunting with great insulation compared to its competitors. If not used as a mobile cooler, this cooler is perfect to keep ice/ice packs frozen before used.
The freezer-style lid gasket is excellent in maintaining a steady seal that may cause some hardship in opening the lid due to air pressure difference. Luckily, all you need to do is to relieve the pressure by using the valve at the front. To make this cooler extra secure, use the heavy-duty latches and install a padlock on the lock plates.
What We Love
A great small game meat cooler!
Pros:
- Roto-molded
- Steel handle
- UV protection
- Thick insulation
- Bottle opener
- Pressure release valve
- Durable construction
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- It’s doesn’t come in bigger sizes
Siberian Coolers Alpha Pro Series 65 Quart
8
Siberian Coolers Alpha Pro Series 65 Quart is our recommendation when you need a tough and secured cooler with a high ice retention rate. Though this cooler looks plain and straight-forward, it means business when comes to maintaining goods frozen and safe. This cooler is so tough that even the violent strength of a bear won’t be enough to crack this cooler through.
Even so, that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to use. It has extra features you don’t want to miss! This cooler comes with several peripherals: a wire basket, a cup holder, and a divider/cutting pad. It has a great seal to avoid the chill escaping, thanks to the aluminum latches and indestructible hinges. The last but not least feature is the E/Z slide that allows you to control the grip on the cooler’s feet.
What We Love
A bear-approved tough cooler!
Pros:
- Heavy-duty latches
- Roto-molded
- Great ice retention
- Durable and secured
- Detachable compartments
- Utensil bonuses
- Reversible EZ sliders
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Can be a bit hard to clean
YETI Tundra 160 Cooler
7
Coming from a legendary name in the cooler world, YETI Tundra 160 Cooler is one of the best coolers in the world. Among hunters, this cooler is the OG cooler they only bring in the height of hunting season. Do you like to hunt big games such as elks? This cooler is one of the best coolers for elk hunting for its huge capacity and ice retention rate.
This rate of power comes from the material and design used in this cooler. It has 3-inch thick PermaFrost Insulation on its wall under the protection of FatWall’s bear-resistance exterior. To keep its ColdLock seal working, this cooler has a couple of T-Rex Lid Latches made of heavy-duty rubber that will never crack in whatever weather. Mount this cooler onto your truck on a boat using its molded tie-down slots in the next hunting trip with you!
What We Love
A tank of a cooler for long hunting trips.
Pros:
- Durable
- Roto-molded
- Easy to clean
- Extra durable latch
- Strong hinges
- Thick permafrost insulation
- Bear-proof
- Outstanding ice retention
Cons:
- It’s pricey
KONG Coolers 50 Quart
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Durable, spacious, and cold; those are the things we want from our coolers. KONG Coolers 50 Quart came into the market with a bang and got popular as soon as they were released. Their loyal customers claim that this affordable cooler is on par with more established coolers such as YETI and RTIC – and we couldn’t agree more! This remarkable cooler has an outstanding ice retention rate that they combine with high usability with other components (sold separately). It can keep your ice solid for more than 10 days!
The 50-quart variant is enough to keep your 2-day ration fresh and cold throughout a hunting session. On your way back to the campsite, put your game meat into this cooler to keep them from spoiling. Use the divider as a makeshift cutting board to part the meat before freezing. You need not worry the lid will collapse when your hand is busy cutting because the Stay-Put Lid technology will ensure the lid stays upright steadily.
What We Love
All-rounder best coolers for hunting!
Pros:
- Durable
- Great ice retention
- Comes in many colors
- Durable hinges
- Multi-function divider
- Stay-put lid
- Bear-resistant
- Strong but comfy handle
Cons:
- The latches aren’t as durable as the body.
Grizzly 60 Cooler
5
Grizzly 60 Cooler could be your go-to alternative when you’re looking for a semi-mobile cooler that isn’t only long-lasting, but also durable enough to withstand the rough power of the wild. This bear-resistant cooler comes in multiple colors to suit your preference and every each of them is made individually to achieve an ideal roto-molding process.
It’s made of FDA plastic that’s food-grade and strong to handle the weather. Its thick insulation is made of Ecomate PU foam that’s widely known to be a lightweight but powerful insulator. This cooler can maintain a stable ice retention rate for at least 5 days under the sun. If you take your time to pre-chill this cooler and use ice packs and ice at the same time, the ice retention rate will soar up to 10 days! On its price tag, this cooler is truly a bang for the buck!
What We Love
An eco-friendly cooler for your peace of mind.
Pros:
- Roto-molded
- Ecomate PU insulation
- Secure lid gasket
- Bear-resistant
- Interlocking hinge
Cons:
- A little bit difficult to wash
ORCA Coolers
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ORCA Coolers have been around for some time and have become a standard in what a cooler should be. This lightweight cooler does more than the backbone of your chill gear; it’s so durable that it will last for years after you no longer hunt. The 20-quart capacity is enough to store your frozen goods on the go. Use the whale-shaped latches to secure the lid and ensure a good seal to the body.
This cooler is great to carry to the hunting ground with you so you can store your game meat immediately. Small game animals like rabbits, pheasants, or ducks are perfect for this cooler. If it’s not housing your game meat, it will keep your drinks and sandwiches from spoiling. To carry this cooler, you can use either the handle or the sleeved rope handle according to your needs.
What We Love
Compact and Rugged: A solid icebox!
Pros:
- Heavy-duty orca tail-shaped latches
- Durable handle
- Thickly insulated
- Back cooler pouch
- Locking plates
- Tight sealing
Cons:
- Size is too small if you need large coolers for hunting
Igloo 70 QT Lockable Insulated Ice Chest
3
Heading for some hunting action with your friends? Leaving without having Igloo 70 QT Lockable Insulated Ice Chest is a mistake you don’t want to make. This ice chest has become one of the best coolers for hunting among seasoned hunters due to its durability and great ice retention. It’s become as indispensable as your hunting weapon!
This cooler can maintain interior freezing temperature for at least 8 days and can you can certainly push it longer if you pre-chill the cooler. This superb ice retention owes it so much to the thick insulation and the raised base to prevent any heat seeps in from the bottom. If you wonder about safety, this cooler is equipped with heavy-duty latches and some lock plates slash bottle opener at the front.
What We Love
A durable and portable icebox!
Pros:
- Lockable lid
- Ultratherm insulation
- Good ice retention
- Robust
- Cup holder lid
- Bottle opener
- Heavy-duty rubber latches
- Organizational items included
Cons:
- May leak water when not upright
Pelican 50 Quart Elite Cooler
2
The manufacturer that builds Pelican 50 Quart Elite Cooler is one of the big names to build some of the best large coolers for hunting in the world, but we’re here focusing our attention on the small volume ones they recently released. We love his icebox not just because it’s perfect to store some small game meat, but they’re also tough and compact!
You can see from the get-go that this is no ordinary ice chest! On top, you’ll see 4 self-draining cup holders for your convenience. The 2-inch PU insulation and raised base are working in tandem to ensure a high rate of ice retention. This cooler is extra safe with its locking hatches and locking plates. To give you some extra peace of mind, the manufacturer offers you a lifetime warranty for every cooler you own! Such confidence!
What We Love
A handy and tough mini ice chest for all-purpose uses.
Pros:
- Molded carry handles
- Self-draining cup holder
- Highly durable
- PU insulation
- Freezer-style gasket
- Reinforced lockable lips
- Secured and easy-to-use latch
- Molded tie-down slots
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Be careful with the drain plug as it needs extra sealing
RTIC Ice Chest
1
Perching at the top of the competition is the RTIC Ice Chest that’s been around for quite some time and garnered a lot of loyal fans. There are too many things that make this cooler the best ice chest money can buy. First, let us tell you about how it’s made. Using a roto-molding process, this cooler has no seams where heat can seep into the interior. The lid is equipped with a freezer gasket to ensure the interior is watertight. The T-latches are made from heavy-duty rubber to keep things secure. Lastly, the 3-inch thick insulation won’t let temperature drops as much as you need.
The result is a cooler that’s best known for its ice retention rate. Even the medical field has approved its strength and chill retention by using this ice chest to transport sensitive organs safely. That’s because all of these features are made to be easily transported thanks to the rope handles on their sides. Accidentally dropped it from the truck? Don’t expect it to break because this durable icebox will need something more than that to crack!
What We Love
A highly durable cooler with watertight sealing and stellar ice retention.
Pros:
- Roto-molded
- Get more than you pay
- Heavy-duty rubber latches
- Wire basket included
- Thick insulation
- Lock plates
- Bang for the buck
- Freezer-style gasket
- Excellent ice retention
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a strong manufacturer warranty
