Traveling is exciting but there are many ways to spoil the fun that comes with it. A beach trip without some cold drinks? That sounds lame. A skiing trip with cold lunch? Might as well eat some snow. Step up your fun time with a proper cooler to keep your stuff chilled or warmed until consummation time! Getting the best coolers for travel will be the best investment you make this year! Ready to purchase your cooler? Read on to find out!
How To Choose The Best Coolers for Travel
Looking for the best coolers for travel you can take on your next vacation? Finding the right one can be tricky knowing there are heaps of products in the market. Before you purchase the cooler of your dream, make sure to make a checklist using the following pointers to help you narrow down your options. Happy hunting!
Material
No matter where you’re heading, it always helps if your cooler is durable to the core. Durable coolers tend to be a little pricier but they’re worth the additional dimes. However, if you’re going to a place that has a friendly environment, you probably won’t need the extra tough exterior to exchange with better portability. As for the interior, we recommend you always look for a cooler with a waterproof liner to avoid unwanted mess.
Size and Portability
Do you often travel solo or in groups? While size plays part in how much you can carry in one go, portability deals with how easy you can carry your cooler around. No matter the size, it’s important to keep your cooler as compact and space-efficient as it can be so you can travel at ease. Solo travelers will find smaller coolers suitable due to their form factor, while for group travelers this isn’t the case since they need a cooler to pack up heaps of stuff to cater to the group’s needs. Nevertheless, both types of travelers will appreciate foldable soft-coolers that are lightweight and packable so it’s easy to store when not in use.
Comfort
Comfort is a huge deal especially when you’re going to travel around with your cooler for a long time and distance. Paddings and structures are the features you’d want in your coolers. While some of the best coolers for travels go one step further by adding engineered back plate or ergonomic S-shoulder straps, some coolers are happy with only minimum paddings on the straps. Whatever your preferences are, make sure that you do some research on a product review to see if the cooler is comfortable enough for most people.
Do cooler bags work?
Yes! Just like Cooler bags are built with insulation to keep your stuff cool or hot longer. Use ice packs to prevent water pooling at the base.
Do you have to put ice in a cooler bag?
Only if you want to keep stuff cold for longer, yes! Ice and ice packs keep the temperature low to prevent your food from going stale. Put ice in a resealable bag to keep them contained when melted!
How long will food stay frozen in a cooler bag?
The best coolers for travel (soft-sided) keep your stuff cold for at least 24-36 hours with some proper preparation and icepack management. Look for hard coolers for a higher ice retention rate.
GigaTent Collapsible Cooler
13
The GigaTent Collapsible Cooler is a must-have item in your traveling gear. This soft cooler can be folded and tucked away into your luggage so you’re always ready for an impromptu trip to the beach! This attractive-looking cooler is robust and durable to tackle the weather. That makes this cooler is suitable to support your hiking or kayaking trips that require your gear to be extra durable.
The exterior is wrapped in 600D nylon fabric that’s known for its wear and tear resistance in addition to its water-repellant feature. The walls are neatly insulated to chill up to 12 bottles plus some ice packs. This cooler comes in 2 sizes and several color options to fit customers’ preferences. Never forget your bottle opener because this cooler also comes with one attached!
What We Love
A great starter soft-sided cooler that works!
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable skin
- Roomy
- Including a bottle opener
- collapsible
Cons:
- It’s great for a short travel
Oniva’s Brand Turismo Insulated Backpack Cooler
12
While we were looking for the best coolers for travel, we came across this unique backpack cooler and fell in love with it. Oniva Insulated Backpack Cooler was created for those who love some stroll in the park so they can stop by for a picnic under the tree – that’s how we picture this bag for! The design fits into urban lifestyle effortlessly that only one look can make you want to go out and unwind with a glass of wine in your hand.
The size makes it possible to carry a chilled wine bottle among some other stuff you can put inside it. It has many organizational pockets that you’d appreciate if you want to use this backpack as your daily cooler. To up its game, the high-performance insulation can keep your stuff cooled for at least half a day in the sun. We highly recommend the use of ice packs for this cooler since ice can create a messy puddle at the bottom.
What We Love
A fully functional portable cooler that looks great on your back.
Pros:
- Tall enough for a full-size wine bottle
- Organizational pockets
- 2 insulated chambers
- Has a removable, insulated water bottle holder
- Padded shoulder straps
Cons:
- Great to keep stuff cool for a picnic or short trip, but not suitable for heavy-duty uses
Coleman Soft Side Cooler
11
If you’re looking for a cooler travel bag that can keep up with your daily commute? You can’t go wrong with the Coleman Soft Side Cooler. The company that makes it is one of the best companies that make coolers for centuries and this product is one of their best-selling ones! This soft-sided cooler can take 16 cans in its compact body. To give it some structure, this cooler is equipped with a removable plastic liner that you can take it out and clean when necessary.
This cooler is well-insulated and can keep your stuff chilled for up to 24 hours with minimum lid opening. This awesome capability comes with several features that are embedded into this cooler. Starting from the insulation to the welded seams and locking zippers, these features work in tandem to provide high performance. You can’t really go wrong with this cooler!
What We Love
One of the coolers for travel that became a standard model for many that come after it.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Zippered main compartment
- Heat-welded seams
- Including hard plastic liner
- Anti-microbial lining
- Organizational pockets
Cons:
- The color options aren’t as attractive
Carhartt Deluxe Cooler Bag
10
Carhartt Deluxe Cooler Bag meets the requirements to be one of the best coolers for travel for solo travelers! This minimax cooler is lightweight and foldable that you can easily stow away in your luggage without adding significant weight. Once fully expanded, this cooler is quite roomy to eat up your hydration and appetite needs! Don’t worry about overstuffing because this bag can take up a lot of things.
The skin of this cooler is made of heavy-duty RainDefender fabric that’s completely water repellent. This exterior houses the insulated main compartment that can keep your stuff chilled for at least a day with a minimum opening. The stitching and zippers of this cooler are also engineered to be as durable as possible. At the moment, there’s only one size available for this compact cooler. And if nay blue isn’t your color, you can always pick the black or brown variant.
What We Love
Your go-to solo cooler to take to the beach, a picnic, or a road trip!
Pros:
- Dual insulated compartment
- Water-resistant skin
- Separate top compartment
- Durable
- Triple-stitching on the seams
Cons:
- It has a non-padded shoulder strap
Otterbox Trooper Cooler
9
We have reviewed this cooler several times already but we’re still in awe of its versatility and portability! Otterbox Trooper Cooler may be your best bet if you don’t exchange versatility and durability with some minor weight addition. This cooler may not be the lightest, but it’s surely one of the toughest around!
The cooler is built into 3 parts: the lid, the walls, and the base. Each of these sections is engineered to offer the best functionality that makes up the whole cooler. First of all, this cooler is zipper-free to eliminate air seepage commonly found in zippered coolers. Secondly, this cooler has a waterproof and tear-resistant body that houses amazing insulation to keep the compartment chilled for at least 3 days! Last but not least, this cooler is reinforced at the bottom so you need not worry about where you should toss it!
What We Love
A robust unit you can take to any adventures!
Pros:
- Food-grade liner
- High ice retention rate
- Leak-proof sealing
- Heavy-duty base
- Shoulder strap with padding
Cons:
- It’s a little pricey
Igloo Reactor Cooler Backpack
8
Igloo Reactor Cooler Backpack is gaining huge traction in the best coolers for travel market for its high performance and portability! High-performance backpacks can be expensive, but this solid unit begs to differ. It’s a proof of concept that sometimes quality doesn’t mean high price! Having this cooler in your bag is a warrant that anything you put into it stays frozen for 2 days at the minimum. It’s perfect when you need to take a long trip in the desert!
The key to its superior ice retention lies in the waterproof liner and the leak-proof zipper. These combined can create an almost airtight seal between the compartment and the outer temperature. But the exterior is as awesome as its interior! The durable material is made to be abrasion-resistant and easy-to-clean where a wipe is all you need to remove stain or dirt. As the cherry on top, this cooler is super comfy on your back and shoulders! No more sore back after your days in the sun!
What We Love
A great cooler offering a hands-free experience!
Pros:
- Ergonomic back support and shoulders straps (padded)
- Lighter than you thought it’d be
- Fair ice retention
- Welded seams
- Leak-proof zipper
- Waterproof, tough exterior
Cons:
- It’s a little bulky
Tourit Cooler Backpack
7
Tourit Cooler Backpack might be new in the cooler travel bag world, but it’s proven to be a solid backpack cooler for its customers! The thing about this cooler is that people won’t notice it’s cooler at a glance. It’s wrapped in waterproof Oxford that makes this bag lightweight but durable at the same time. There are several color options you can choose to match your style but so far it only has one size which will fit 25L worth of stuff.
However, its chilling power isn’t something to be underestimated. The walls of this backpack house high-density insulation that’s lined by a leak-proof fabric to give 16-hour ice retention. That’s enough for an all-day trip under the sun or rain. This cooler is also built to offer you comfort in your journey. The padded shoulder straps and backplate will take care of your back well. You’ll appreciate the extra compartments in this bag because it has plenty of them!
What We Love
A sleeper backpack cooler to chill your stuff!
Pros:
- Waterproofed exterior and interior
- High-density foam insulation
- Lightweight
- Leak-proof liner
- Fair ice retention
- Organizational pockets
- Padded shoulder straps
Cons:
- It’s best used with ice packs; ice cubes may tear the waterproof liner
Hydro Flask Tote
6
Travel in style with the Hydro Flask Tote cooler travel bag! Some of us just want to look good while traveling! If you’re one of them, this cooler should be in your vacation gear. No matter where you go, you can depend on this cooler to keep your food and beverages at the perfect temperature as much as needed. Having some problems with the product? No big deal! Just contact the customer service and use your 5-year warranty!
The design of this bag just looks fabulous. The exterior is soft to the touch and the liner is fully food-grade for the sake of your health. It’s also easy to clean so you won’t need to worry about staining this chill maiden. Although lightweight, this cooler has a big appetite too! Store an all-day stock into this cooler and you’ll walk with it like it’s no big deal.
What We Love
A hip cooler that fits into your fun activities effortlessly.
Pros:
- Looks gorgeous
- Lightweight
- Foldable for easy storage
- Good insulation
- Durable design and material
- Reinforced base
- Quite roomy
Cons:
- It’s more suitable for short trips due to limited ice retention
Husky Insulated Cooler
5
Are you a solo traveler? If yes, then Husky Insulated Cooler could be your net best coolers for travel! You can call this mini cooler an insulated lunchbox where your food and drinks dwelling. Just dump some ice packs and your drink will still be cold in the evening! This durable cooler is suitable for you who like to go to the elements or dealing with a rather hostile environment.
Its durability comes from the 600D nylon that wraps around this cooler. The stitching is made extra strong and the liner is welded to give its leak-proof property. Even though it looks small, this cooler has a big appetite to fit in 6 cans including the ice packs! Be careful not to use dry ice on this cooler because it may burn the liner with it!
What We Love
A compact and lightweight cooler perfect for solo travelers.
Pros:
- Durable exterior (600D nylon)
- Organizational pockets
- Waterproof liner
- Mesh pockets
- Lightweight but robustly built
- 2 insulated pockets
Cons:
- The zippers aren’t leak-proofed
YETI Hopper M30
4
Coming from the company whose name became synonymous with coolers, YETI Hopper M30 is their candidate to snatch the best coolers for travel award. This soft cooler is well-designed by listening to their customer’s input. It has a wide opening at the top to give you vast access to the main compartment. This cooler also eliminated the culprit of air seepage – the zippers – and changed it into an innovative magnet system!
Its body is made from waterproof and UV-resistant materials to protect its well-insulated compartment. The liner of this cooler is welded using radio frequency to achieve seamless connection and to get the leak-proof property. To make sure that this is the only purchase you’ll make, this cooler is double-stitched in pick-up points to avoid tearing. And if that isn’t enough, you can always contact their customer service anytime. Their service is legendary!
What We Love
One of the best coolers for road trips, now lighter and more portable!
Pros:
- Wide opening
- Zipper-less system
- ColdCell insulation
- Leak-proof liner
- Great ice retention
- Waterproof and UV-resistant exterior
- Welded seams
Cons:
- It’s pricey
RTIC Soft Cooler
3
Gone fishing? Make sure you have RTIC Soft Cooler as your companion! This simple yet powerful cooler is popular among anglers and outdoor enthusiasts for its durability and lightweight property. With a huge capacity of containing 30 cans including the ice, you can fit 2-day rations inside this cooler easily. And don’t worry about any spillage because this cooler is completely leak-proof!
This portable icebox becomes one of the best coolers for travel because of its ice retention and structure. The outer skin is made of heavy-duty vinyl that promises waterproofing and puncture resistance on the body. The interior is comprised of 2-inch cell foam and leak-proof liner to keep your stuff properly chilled for days. The best part of this cooler? It doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet!
What We Love
A lightweight and portable cooler to keep your stuff chilled for a long time.
Pros:
- Leak-proof and puncture-resistant
- Leak-proof zipper
- Heavy-duty vinyl exterior
- Thick insulation
- Easy-to-clean liner
Cons:
- It’s more suitable for ice packs
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack Cooler
2
As one of the best coolers for the beach, it’s a no-brainer that Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack Cooler makes a great cooler travel bag too. We love this backpack cooler for its comfort, ice retention, and practicality. Coming in 3 color options, we’d love to see other size options on his backpack since it only has one size so far.
This cooler is remarkably durable after it’s embedded with Rhino-Tech fabric. This fabric gives its water and stain-resistant property while protecting the main compartment. The main compartment uses a Therma-Flect barrier that works to maintain the interior temperature. When properly chilled, this cooler can keep its chill for at least 3 days with a minimum opening. Even on a hot surface, rest assured that the heat won’t seep into the main compartment thanks to the triple-layer insulation in this cooler’s base.
What We Love
It’s one of the best backpack coolers money can buy.
Pros:
- Therma-Flect insulation
- Thermally reinforced base
- Microban liner
- Stain and water-resistant exterior
- Organizational pockets
Cons:
- The zipper isn’t leak-proofed
IceMule Pro Cooler
1
IceMule Pro Cooler is the best of the best coolers for travel in our eyes for its perfect balance between portability and ice retention. It ticks all the items in the checklist as a cooler travel bag: durability, ice retention, comfort, and portability. Having a history as one of the best kayak coolers, let’s break down other things this cooler has!
The form factor of this cooler is perfect for a traveling person. It sits comfortably on your shoulders with its ergonomic shoulder straps and ventilated backpack. It’s also equipped with a sternum strap for added support! At the front, you’ll see an elastic cord that you can use to attach some gears you’ll need in your journey.
Next is the cooler build itself. This roll-able cooler has a zipper-less construction to trap the cold air in. the wall of this bag is embedded with PolarLayer insulation to ensure at least 2-day ice retention. This insulation is then protected by Muleskin exterior that isn’t only durable but also waterproof! With all of these features combined, it only makes sense that this cooler is the best cooler for you!
What We Love
The pioneering hands-free coolers remain the best coolers for travel.
Pros:
- Super comfy carry
- Great ice retention
- Roll-able into a compact form
- Elastic cord for attachments
- Super tough Muleskin exterior
- Waterproof and buoyant
- Zipper-less build
Cons:
- Not compatible with dry ice as it may burn the inner liner
