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These reliable cooler bags keep things chill on the go. Dry Ice Packs
Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.
Nothing ruins the fun like leaks or warm refreshments, so picking out the right insulated cooler bag calls for some research. The best insulated cooler bags are durable, some level of leakproof, have a good temperature retention, and are comfortable to carry. We’ve done the research and even tested the top options to help you narrow down the selection and make sure you buy a winner.
A cute and roomy tote-style bag came out on top of our testing. But maybe you’re looking for a cooler you can float in the water, toss on your back, or cart around on wheels. We’ve tried those, too. We tested all of the picks below out in the real world or in our in-house lab. Either way, we’ve ensured the cooler is up to snuff and ready to stuff.
It’s functional and fashionable.
The ice retention is variable depending on the weather.
We tested the Hydroflask Day Escape 26L in two different real-world scenarios, including in the hot southern sun and out on a boat trip. The 600D polyester exterior is durable and waterproof, and we really liked how they worked it into the cute tote design. The fact that it’s leakproof, easy to carry, spacious inside (one tester’s mom was loving the fact she could lay a veggie tray on the bottom with no issues), and stylish put it at the top of our list. There are no additional pockets or storage options, but the tote does have built-in loops and attachment capabilities so you can customize it with compatible extras as needed.
One qualm was that the temperature retention wasn’t consistent. Most of the ice had melted within 2.5 hours when the cooler was out in Tennessee during the height of summer, but it kept more ice intact and drinks cool in lower temperatures out on the water. That said, we’re confident it could do the job on a day trip. We flipped the bag upside down when it was fully loaded and gave it a shake, and we’re happy to report there was no leaking. Overall, the Day Escape’s performance is outstanding.
The Details: 26 liters | 3 pounds | 23.9 x 10.4 x 14.97 inches | Leakproof
Several built-in features and storage pockets make it a good bargain.
It disappointed us during our durability tests.
The Tourit 30-can Cooler Backpack holds more like 20 cans with ice, and we love it for its bang-for-your-buck price and lightweight, multi-feature design. In addition to the main compartment, you’ll have your pick of extra storage options, including two side mesh pockets, a spacious front lid zip pocket, and a slim strap pocket (great for holding a phone or cash). It presents like a regular backpack and is easy to lift and carry, making it perfect for picnics in city parks. The thick-lined insulated interior is also leakproof (but the backpack itself isn't) and can keep ice for up to 16 hours. The padded, adjustable straps are comfortable, but there is no chest strap, and wearing the backpack at full capacity for significant distances may not be ideal for some. Unfortunately, we also experienced heavy leaking through the zippers and cans denting in the interior after we tossed this cooler off a table a couple times. However, no other damage was present, and we think this backpack performs admirably in most everyday scenarios.
The Details: 30 cans | 1.1 pounds | 13 x 7.5 x 15.8 inches | 16-hour ice retention
Travel & Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Travel & Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Travel & Leisure / Jhett Thompson
What’s better than a big cooler with wheels? A big cooler with detachable wheels!
We tested an unwheeled version of this cooler and liked it — but realized we’d love it with wheels. We’ve owned the wheel-less version of this cooler for two years and even trusted it to keep a baby’s milk cold during long 10-hour drives across the country and for chilled drinks at the beach in over 100-degree weather. We’re fans of the extra storage from the two front pockets and the two side mesh pockets that are big enough for magazines or books. A reflective radiant heat barrier and triple-layer Cold Block base will, quite impressively, keep ice for up to three days. At full capacity, this cooler can get heavy — luckily, the detachable trolley cart can transport up to 100 pounds (there’s also a padded shoulder strap) and features a telescopic handle. It’s worth noting that the capacity is listed as 60 cans, which actually breaks down into 10 cans in the front insulated pocket and 50 in the main compartment. Note that this is not a leakproof option and shouldn't be laid on its side or upside down.
The Details: 60 cans | 6.75 pounds | 14.25 x 6.75 x 19.5 inches | 3-day ice retention
The temperature retention is top-notch, and it feels virtually indestructible.
The price is investment-level high.
This 12-can cooler lives up to the Yeti name and gave us impeccable ice and temperature retention. The cooler was tested multiple days at the beach, where it sat in the hot mid-80-degree sun for hours and still kept things notably cold. Cold cell insulation gives the cooler its superb ice retention and makes it perfect for use in hot weather or on overnight trips. Did we mention the heavy-duty, mildew-resistant over shell is not only durable but also blocks UV rays? If you’re hesitant about the single-compartment design, it does sport Yeti’s hitch-point grid that allows you to attach things to the exterior. Even when fully loaded with 12 cans and ice, the extra-thick shoulder strap made it feel like less of a haul, and you also have top and side handles as options. The durability of this totally leakproof cooler cannot be understated as we really put it to the test, from throwing it against rocks and floating it out in the salty ocean water to checking it in luggage. The price is hefty, but consider it an investment, because this baby will last.
The Details: 12 cans | 2.8 pounds | 12.4 x 8.6 x 10.6 inches | Leakproof
It has excellent temperature retention (even in high heat) and an impressively comfortable shoulder strap.
The rigid shape can feel bulky in certain situations.
We admittedly prefer using reusable ice packs in coolers but ended up being pleasantly surprised at the ice retention of this bag during testing. While visiting a park in 90-degree weather, we found minimal ice meltage, prompting us to use it for transporting delicate frozen items like ice cream on summer walks home from the grocery store (but the size and rigid shape felt bulky when browsing the aisles). This is an ideal size for beach hangs or tailgating or any situation where you can just transport it to a spot, plop it down, and then dig in.
It says it’s a 20-can cooler, but we easily fit 24 cans plus ice. We’ve found it’s large enough for storing food and drink for one to four people. After our toss test, there were a few scuffs that didn’t take much effort to remove. It comes with built-in cup holders on top and a bottle opener, and we couldn’t believe how comfortable the padded shoulder strap felt. It tipped over in the sun without leaking, likely thanks to the extra-tight zipper (it comes with zipper lube if needed). Our only pain point is the price, so we suggest taking advantage of any sales.
The Details: 12 liters | 3 pounds | 17.3 x 11.4 x 7.9 inches | Leakproof | 48-hour ice retention
It’s a heavy-duty, ultra-insulated cooler with high durability.
It can feel cumbersome when full and carried on the shoulder for long periods.
If you’re looking to snag all the benefits of a hard-sided cooler with the flexibility that comes with a soft-side cooler, the RTIC Soft Pack should be your go-to — especially if you’re heading out on the water. The thick, heavy-duty nylon exterior is highly durable and escaped our toss tests and beatings with minor scuffs. Any sand, mud, or dirt easily just rinses off. Yes, the leakproof zippers are tight, but they kept the cooler leakproof during our upside-down shake test. A noticeably thick interior insulating layer excels at temperature retention — we left the cooler out in the summer sun for over two hours, and barely any ice melted, and the drinks were crisp and cool. Want to take this cooler in the water? Go for it without worrying about water leaking inside (or outside of the bag back in your car). One downside we should mention is that the cooler wasn’t as comfortable as we’d have liked with a heavy load and carried on the shoulder. We suggest two people carrying it via the tote handles when it’s packed full and not using it solo on any excursions with long walks.
The Details: 12, 20, 30, or 40 cans | 3 pounds for 20-can | 13.5 x 9.5 x 13.75 inches for 20-can | Leakproof | 24-hour ice retention
It has the perfect mix of portability and capacity for a day outing.
It’s currently only available in three colors, and one is a limited edition.
This 12-liter soft cooler was the perfect midsize we didn’t realize we desperately wanted for a day out at the beach with friends. It’s larger than a lunchbox cooler but still small enough to be manageable on an outing (and to fit in your suitcase). With nothing else, this ultra-portable cooler can carry around 12 cans. Since we were testing for temperature and ice retention, we filled it up with snacks for three: six cans, three sandwiches, a pack of string cheese, and a bag of ice — and it all fit easily and nice and cold as the cooler impressed us with its ability to retain about two-thirds of the ice after six hours at the beach in 80-degree weather. The padded strap kept it comfy on the shoulder, but we also found it easy to carry via the tote handles. Durability was not a problem, and wiping off the little bit of dirt from the exterior nylon material was painless. It’s even got a small stash pocket in the front, which we found perfect for hiding trash or holding keys. We're just left wishing it came in more than three colors.
The Details: 12 liters | 1.77 pounds | 9.95 x 14.5 x 12.7 inches | 24-hour ice retention
It works for cooler and dry storage, and it can pass as a regular backpack.
This insulated cooler backpack works perfectly for day trips where you’ll want to store both dry and chilled items. Only the bag’s lower zippered compartment is insulated, giving you a dedicated space for storing dry items and items that need chilling. Although the bag claims to be able to hold 24 cans, we could only squeeze in 10 cans comfortably (with ice) in the lower insulated space. (Note: more cans can be stored in the main compartment, but it’s not insulated.) The 600-denier water-resistant canvas material was extra durable, surviving our toss tests with top scores, but it didn’t perform as well as we wanted during the leak test. We don’t recommend storing any electronics in the dry compartment when the bottom is filled with ice unless the bag stays upright at all times.
This backpack can easily be slung over your shoulders and won’t stick out as a cooler among other commuter bags — it’ll be your little secret. We think it’s a go-to bag for bringing lunch to work. Having the overall design of a regular backpack worked in our favor regarding features, too. There’s a front zippered organization pocket, two stretchy mesh side pockets, and two front slip pockets, making it felt more like a regular everyday backpack that just happens to have a cooler compartment than a cooler backpack. We also love how the bag’s extra padding made it very comfortable to wear, even when full.
The Details: 24 cans | 2.1 pounds | 12.5 x 8 x 17.5
This is a durable, comfortable, and functional cooler that will last — plus, it's easy to store when not in use.
There are no exterior pockets or storage compartments.
This collapsible cooler bag takes a cue from the dry-bag playbook with its convenient buckle roll top and waterproof welding seam design. We tested the large 23-liter size and could easily fill the bag to its 18-can capacity — with room to spare — and kept our beverages super cold. The top-loading design makes it a cinch to load, unload, and peek into the bag to suss out available room. When you’re not using the cooler, it conveniently flattens down for easy transport and storage. IceMule is known for its high-quality materials, and this bag held up against our durability tests, leading us to believe it’s in it for the long haul.
Packing food? The 18-inch height makes this bag great for stacking; just be sure any food is stored in sturdy, stackable plastic containers or boxes so nothing gets crushed. Overall, we found the weight was evenly distributed and the padded back and straps comfortable when wearing, but the chest strap does land at an awkward place for some people. Aside from the chest strap (which may depend on the wearer), we just wish this floatable, water-tight, and tough cooler bag had some exterior pockets.
The Details: 23 or 33 liters | 2.6 pounds for 23-liter | 14 x 11 x 18 inches for 23-liter | Leakproof | 24 hour-ice retention
These products were evaluated as part of two different cooler testing processes. All backpack-style coolers that made the list were tested in our very own in-house testing lab. Each bag underwent a line of rigorous testing, allowing us to gauge their performance side-by-side and see how they measured up when it came to capacity (both full of 12-ounce cans and then one-third filled with cans and two-thirds filled with ice, the recommended ratio for optimal cooling and ice retention), comfort while wearing, extra features such as storage pockets, durability, leakage, and ice retention. We packed the coolers full, strapped them on and walked around wearing them, and did a push test off of a table. After two hours, backpacks were placed on their side for five minutes and inspected for leakage.
Non-backpack coolers were tested out in the real world on multiple outings. Environments included grocery shopping, picnics, beach days, and festivals. Before taking off, we noted the overall quality and appearance of the coolers, including any extra features like storage compartments. Coolers were filled with beverages plus ice. After 2.5 hours, we recorded the ice retention and the temperature of the drinks. Durability was tested by tossing the cooler down the stairs (twice!) and slamming it on a hard floor surface before checking for any damage or wear.
We will continue testing these coolers over time, collecting insights for an additional six months and updating our picks and descriptions as necessary.
Like lunch boxes, insulated cooler bags come in all shapes, sizes, and capacities. Think about what you’ll want to pack inside the cooler, now and in the future. Remember to factor ice or ice packs into your capacity needs (capacity is often advertised without ice included).
Consider your insulated cooler bag as an investment. Think of different ways you will need to use the insulated cooler bag down the line. Buying a bag that can be accessorized may prevent you from having to purchase a different bag in the future. Some common accessories include ice packs, carabiner clips, and extra storage pockets.
Using molded ice packs is a water-friendly alternative to fresh ice. Ice packs can be reused and will avoid possible leakage as they defrost. Keep an eye out for coolers that are designed to use with specific ice packs or have room inside to fit an ice pack.
Coolers with comfortable and thoughtful carrying features — such as padded straps, adjustable straps, and multi-carry options — can make or break your experience with a cooler bag, especially as you get into larger capacity sizes. You should also think about the situations in which you envision using your cooler bag. Consider how and where you will want to access the contents of your cooler bag, whether you’ll have a solid flat surface to set it down on, and any portability needs you may have, and choose styles with the most beneficial shapes, materials, overall look, and access points for your needs.
The answer depends on your specific conditions and needs. Hard coolers are known for having better durability in rugged scenarios and providing longer ice retention than soft, insulated cooler bags. Hard coolers are best for lengthy trips like camping, while insulated cooler bags are better for portability and organization.
Finding a leakproof cooler bag is key for preventing spills and for temperature retention. Lower-end cooler bags are less likely to be equipped with water-tight, leakproof zippers and closures. If you’re concerned about leaks, make sure to pick cooler bags with explicitly leakproof closures and lining.
When using fresh ice, the minimum suggested amount of ice to use is a 50/50 split, though it truly depends on what’s inside and how and where you’ll be using the cooler. The higher the ratio of ice, the longer the cooler will retain cool temperatures. Some manufacturers advise filling the cooler with two-thirds ice and one-third contents.
Katherine Alex Beaven combined research, T+L tester input, and personal experiences using insulated coolers while traveling for this list.
Related: The 11 Best Beach Coolers to Keep Your Things Cool in the Heat
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