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Backpack coolers keep getting cooler. If you’ve never considered one, carrying a backpack cooler is a convenient choice for hands-free, single-person transport of tasty refreshments. That could mean tailgating after a run club meetup, heading to a local softball game with your leashed dog, or riding a cruiser to a park BBQ.
These packs are useful when you have your hands full with kiddos or other gear. Or they can help commuters by bike, bus, or train swoop their groceries for the week.
Some backpack coolers are also great for day hikes and picnics at faraway alpine lakes. Others can be strapped down to a motorcycle, SUP, or raft for multiday and whitewater adventures.
A swell of brands is developing these super-transportable, insulated packs with high-end construction, style, and a range of distinct features. With surprising complexity, backpack coolers offer a range of capacity, ice retention, and special characteristics to help make your outdoor experience more comfortable and better fueled.
For more information about backpack coolers and how we tested them, check out our buyer’s guide and FAQ at the end of this article. Looking for a quick overview of each model’s price and features? Check out our useful comparison chart. Otherwise, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Backpack Coolers guide on June 13, 2024, to dial in the awards and our selection, which remains the best available.
Winning our ice retention test, the ICEMULE BOSS ($375) also stands out as one of the biggest pack coolers but distributes weight well. The pack has comfortable double-padded mesh shoulder straps and hip pads plus an adjustable hip belt and sternum strap. The pack has a burlier build for rugged adventures: It can handle being strapped down to a whitewater raft or canoe.
When we loaded the pack with a 10-pound bag of ice for testing on a half-day hike in Colorado, it was easy to forget the pack was on at all, so it’s also a great choice for hikers who want to cover some distance. And this design offered a bit better airflow than others.
This design’s exterior MuleSkin 1,000-denier fabric withstands rough conditions. The shoulder straps are on the wider side but not as motion-limiting as the straps of other pack coolers we’ve tested.
That said, the straps are less ergonomic than, say, the REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler. We also celebrate the three spacious exterior pockets with waterproof zippers — we just wish they were smoother to open and close.
Thanks to the polar layer XT insulation, 133 hours passed before the ice in the ICEMULE BOSS completely melted during our test, taking first place across all the cooler packs. To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit 24 12-ounce cans.
The Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler ($70) is a great value pack with impressive ice retention. One of our most memorable tests with this cooler was while working at an ultramarathon in the Sawatch mountain range of Colorado over a hot July weekend.
This pack carries a lot like your middle school book bag. But what it lacks in carrying comfort and adjustability, it makes up for in ice retention results and storage options.
So many pouches are available for you to use on hikes and strolls. The double-side water bottle pockets, four zippered pockets, and additional front mesh pocket with bungee cordage let you carry everything you need for an adventure. However, we did find the mesh pockets lacking in durability.
As a perk, the Deep Freeze comes with two Titan Ice Wall ice packs, which slide into zippered pockets on either side of the cooler compartment. After pre-cooling the main cooler space, we found the Ice Walls to be impressive and hold a consistently cool temperature for an entire weekend. We also appreciated the separate ice pack compartments that kept condensation off food items.
While we wouldn’t recommend it for extended hikes, this cooler outperformed its price point for an extended weekend in and out of the car and hanging around outside. We also found that the chest strap, which is not adjustable, is placed too low for busty women, so beware.
If you’re headed out on a solo mission or need extra storage, this might just be the cooler for you. According to our test, the Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler retained ice for 80 hours. Considering the scale, this pack could hold 24 12-ounce cans with room for ice.
The RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler ($159) blurs the lines between a soft and hard-sided cooler. This tote will keep your food and beverages cold for days and can take a beating. All for under two-hundo and with an impressive ice retention score.
No small accessory, the RTIC 30 is also huge. If you’re hanging out with a crowd or headed out for a full weekend, this cooler can handle the load. We loved this cooler for car camping, hanging out at a park or the beach, or anything around the water. The waterproof zipper is truly leakproof, plus the whole thing floats! Even after opening this cooler frequently, our food stayed cool all weekend long. However, in direct sunlight, the cooler gets hot to the touch.
With a super sturdy base and durable all-around construction, this cooler is easy to drag in and out of the car and through the dirt and sand, and it’s easy to clean. It remains upright with zero collapsing when we set it down on the ground, which we appreciate. We also loved the bright orange interior which made it easy to see what’s hidden at the bottom.
This roomy design will hold everything, though it’s heavy. The padded shoulder straps and hefty waist belt are nice, but some of our testers found it challenging to carry the cooler comfortably. We wish the straps were adjustable or the waist belt were removable. Testers noted that the hip belt sat too high for comfort.
We tested this cooler while crewing an ultramarathon around Colorado’s San Juan mountains and on a river trip down the Gunnison River. And wow, the RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler also retained ice for 85 hours in our in-house test. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 30 12-ounce cans with room for ice.
We took the durable Igloo Pursuit 24-Can Backpack ($125) fly fishing on Colorado’s East River under the blazing sun. If you need to stash miscellaneous items other than perishables, this pack has an oasis of pockets for you. The options include two tall mesh water bottle holders and a large insulated front pocket (for an iPad or tablet) with a side zipper entry.
There’s also an interior pocket inside the lid with a zip closure and a spacious zippered pocket inside the lid to organize utensils or other items. Finally, the exterior zippered pocket on top of the lid is another great spot for stashing items.
This pack fits two boxed lunches in Tupperware, beer cans, and sparkling water plus room to spare. We were comfortable while transporting the pack, which has ample cushion and breathable mesh along the back panel and shoulder straps. We also liked the soft, buttery feel of the interior liner.
The Igloo Pursuit 24-Can Backpack is able to hold ice for 64 hours, based on our test. Nope, the top zipper isn’t waterproof. To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit 24 12-ounce cans.
The unique REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler ($100) is an adaptable backpack cooler with a removable cooler insert, so you can drop the liner for a traditional day pack. Essentially, you’re getting two pack styles in one piece of gear for only $100, which is a good deal if you’re not looking for a specialized item.
We most appreciated the padded back panel and padded, contoured hip belt, which elevated the load off our back. After loading the pack with canned beverages for boating on a Wisconsin lake, we could still carry the bag with ease.
One caveat: The material doesn’t wick sweat super well, but it is slightly suspended for some airflow. The handle isn’t fancy but is easy to grab — holding it, we carried the pack a full mile.
These trusty pockets are well-built and utilitarian. For our 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles and sunscreen, we used the two mesh water bottle holders, which are sandwiched on the face of side zippered pockets.
With Bluesign-approved materials, the design is more eco-friendly than other packs we tested. The exterior is made with recycled ripstop nylon, and the liner is recycled polyester.
According to our test, the REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler is able to retain ice for nearly 77 hours, well above the claimed rate. To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit 20 12-ounce cans.
The Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack ($200) rewarded us on a double-date hike in Colorado’s Elk Mountains. Our quad packed all the tasty fare from champagne and dark chocolate to strawberries, lunchmeat, and bread.
This cooler’s malleable walls feel rather thin, so we were surprised by the overall comfortable, ergonomic support as we trekked. We were happy to wear this pack for longer hikes and extended periods.
Despite its light weight and flexibility, the pack is structurally sound with durable handles and 600-denier polyester waterproof material. The chest strap stabilizes the shoulder straps; otherwise, they annoyingly slide around. We also dig the stretch mesh side pocket, which easily fits a 1-liter bottle or utensils.
It truly keeps the temps low. The Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack is able to hold ice for nearly 60 hours, based on our test, which is above what the brand advertises. We loved that the top zipper is waterproof — it’s also silent. The downside is a watertight zipper takes two hands and more time to open and close than a traditional zipper.
To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit 36 12-ounce cans.
Looking for a no-frills backpack cooler? The Icemule Recycled Jaunt ($170) is the one we reached for time and again. We tested this cooler on packrafting and SUPing trips in the Elk and Sawatch mountains of Colorado.
This design is lightweight, simple, and sustainable. Made of recycled materials, it’s durable and easy to clean. The bottom is textured and rigid enough to stand up on the beach or uneven ground. The inside is shiny, like a whitewater raft, and rinses out clean. We appreciate the minimal seams in this cylindrical design and secure strap attachments.
Lightly padded, the shoulder straps of the Recycled Jaunt are great for short trips to the riverside or ocean sand. The roll-top waterproof closure lends itself well to watersports and peace of mind in the back of the car. The bright interior makes it easy to see what you’ve packed at the bottom.
We love the zipper pocket on the front for a phone, keys, or other small valuables, but you won’t find any other pockets or attachment straps. This cooler worked best when two people were headed out, but was challenging for solo missions. If you’re looking for an all-purpose, simple, sustainable design that holds ice well, this cooler is for you.
The test scores were good too: The Icemule Recycled Jaunt retained ice for 75 hours. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 22 12-ounce cans with room for ice.
We’ve consistently put YETI’s coolers to the grindstone and never been disappointed. New for fall 2023, YETI launched an extended family of the Hopper lineup, and we got our paws on the entry-level YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Cooler ($275). While the tidy size is manageable to swing over your shoulder and carry, the design doesn’t skimp on the freeze-power — our fare stayed fresh.
The Hopper M12 has an upgraded and safer iteration of the brand’s previous ultra-strong magnetic closure — and that sucker is powerful. The strip of magnets even fully blocks water from leaking out or in. Despite the strength, this closure is easy to open and, yet, it does stay ajar until you physically push the folds back shut. We found the narrow opening and shape are best for drinks and the elongated height does indeed fit a bottle of wine. Stacking groceries doesn’t go far with this silhouette but a handful of snacks can certainly go atop the ice and cans.
Also, the two buckles that close across the top of the pack are not super long, and the material is rather rigid. Our tester found it was easier to take a knee to the upper material to get those two clipped.
One of our favorite details about YETI is the tenacity and smoothness of the exterior material including with the Hopper M12. This stuff is so easy to wipe down after getting smudges, too. And we love the grab handle, which is super comfortable and wide to grip. Those shoulder straps are supportive and clean-cut, too.
Otherwise, the pack includes a pocket in front that stretches about half the height. There’s no zipper or Velcro on the pocket, but the envelope is stiff and tacos around whatever you slide in whether that’s your phone, wallet, or keys. Four columns of attachment points run vertically on the pack, where you can clip gear via carabiners. YETI also designed in-house products that link up with the loops like a bottle holder and 3-liter gear case.
With premium ice retention and a more accessible size and capacity for folks, the YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Cooler is one of our favorite packs that we’ve tested. Also, this volume can fit 20 standard cans of beverages.
If you need to primarily carry apparel or gear plus a bit of cooler space, check out the two-in-one Carhartt Cooler Backpack ($90). We used this simple day pack on a two-person day hike in Crested Butte, Colo., bringing along a load of seltzer water and Red Bull.
The shoulder straps aren’t super robust, but for toting a moderate load for a few hours, the pack provides fair support. The 600-denier strong polyester material is tough and treated with a DWR coating to protect against a drizzle. A stout handle at the top of the bag is comfortable to grab.
We like that you can organize your stuff in several spots. Inside the dry compartment, there are two mesh pockets with elastic closures. There’s also a large exterior front pocket with a zipper closure, which has two interior mesh pockets.
According to our test, the Carhartt Cooler Backpack is able to retain ice for nearly 25 hours. To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit two dozen 12-ounce cans.
The Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler ($70) is reminiscent of your childhood lunchbox. This stylish cooler looks excellent at a lakeside picnic. Our tester took this cooler down the Gunnison River on floating trips and for lakeside afternoons in Crested Butte, Colo.
This cooler is lightweight and simple in design. The interior fabric wipes clean easily, and we love the mesh zippered pocket inside the lid for smaller food items.
To carry the goods, the side pockets and front sleeve pocket are great for your water bottle, sunscreen, and a book for a day at the lake. And the shoulder straps stow away in a back pocket with a great top-handle carry option for simplified carrying.
We suggest ice packs to keep your food and beverages cool, as the zipper is not waterproof, and the tall cooler tips over easily on uneven ground. We wish this cooler had a zippered outside pocket for a phone and other valuables.
However, we wouldn’t take this cooler on longer hikes because it lacks padding and adjustability as a backpack, and its ice retention decreases quickly in direct sunlight. But, if you’re looking for a small, simple cooler for a day outside, this is the cooler for you.
Checking with the ice lab, the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler retained ice for 48 hours. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 20 12-ounce cans with room for ice.
For shorter day trips, we gravitated toward the Titan by Arctic Zone 24 Can Welded Backpack Cooler ($165), which offers two compartments that we liked for the separation of drinks and food. We tested this pack on a full-day fishing trip on Colorado’s Taylor River on a warm summer day.
We appreciated the ability to use cubed ice for canned beverages in the bottom compartment and ice packs for food and more fragile items in the top compartment.
Both compartments have waterproof closures for peace of mind when hiking with the backpack or throwing it in the back of the car. The rigidity and durability of this cooler were great for a full day of exploring river banks and picnicking in high country fields.
These backpack straps sit high, which pulled the weight of a fully loaded cooler up and off the tops of our shoulders, and the back panel offered ample padding and airflow. However, we wouldn’t recommend this cooler for longer trips or extended hiking. The ice retention suffered in the heat and direct sunlight. The placement of zippers, handles, and shoulder straps made the cooler uncomfortable to carry for long stretches of time.
Checking out the test results, the Titan by Arctic Zone 24 Can Welded Backpack Cooler retained ice for 40 hours on the bottom and 48 hours on the top. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 20 12-ounce cans with room for ice.
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Size, Capacity, Weight, Ice Retention Test.
Our team has developed backpack cooler guides for several years, objectively testing dozens of coolers in the field from whitewater raft trips to fly fishing adventures. For this guide, we examined the most popular, highly acclaimed, and bestselling backpack coolers with diverse capacities, ice retention ability, and a wide price range.
Senior Editor Morgan Tilton led the creation of the backpack coolers guide with the help of a range of outdoor specialists testing backpack coolers in the field, from a professional fly fishing and whitewater raft guide to an adventure photographer and traveling ultra and trail runners.
Gear tester and writer Kylie Collins is an avid outdoorswoman who believes that high-quality gear makes outdoor adventures all the more fun. She has lived in the Elk Mountains of Colorado since 2010 and enjoys trail running, pack rafting, fly fishing, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, and alpine touring. Collins has been putting gear through the wringer for GearJunkie since 2019.
Our crew put these packs to the test in conditions from sunny high-alpine hikes in Colorado to pontoon boating in Wisconsin and camping in Wyoming’s Teton Range.
We also performed a controlled in-house ice retention test to verify brand claims. For the experiment, we filled each cooler 70% with fresh, frozen cubed ice and set them in a shaded, dry indoor space at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
We periodically checked, making notes regarding melt rate, leaks, and condensation. Each reported time is based on when 100% of the ice was converted to water.
Choose a cooler backpack based on the storage capacity and type of back support you need. The larger the group, the more cargo room you’ll want.
A wide range of storage capacity exists among backpack coolers. We’ve highlighted the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler on the more compact end at 20 L, and the 30 L ICEMULE BOSS among the larger options. The majority of cooler packs range from 20 to 29 L.
To give you an idea, we found the 29L Igloo Pursuit offered more than enough space for a two-person, single-day fishing trip. And the Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack fits enough nutriments for a four-person hiking group.
The exterior dimensions of each pack will give you a solid picture of the available storage space. However, the interior dimensions of each pack will be a tad smaller, depending on the type and rigidity of the insulation.
Depending on the trip, a backpack cooler might be a good addition to a sturdier, stationary cooler. For long road trips with the camper trailer, you might opt for a variety of hard and soft coolers (include one you can carry on a hike) for each day’s adventure. If you’re posting up at a campsite for several days, need a cooler on wheels, or are serving a large picnic, check out our Best Coolers guide, too.
A handful of our favorite backpack coolers have separate interior compartments or exterior pockets for dry storage, a portion of which are non-insulated. Some of our favorite backpack coolers had tons of interior and exterior stash pockets, while other favorites had few or none. While the pockets didn’t make or break a cooler for us, they changed the experience and were helpful in different applications.
For instance, you could pack a rain jacket in the non-cooler section of the Carhartt Cooler Backpack or a book in the side pocket of the ICEMULE BOSS. For water trips, non-waterproof and non-secure exterior pockets were not super helpful. But for solo trips, exterior pockets were a must.
The Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler is full of stash pockets. This pack makes it easy to only bring one bag for a short or solo trip, picnic, or day at the beach.
The Icemule Recycled Jaunt is one of our favorite sleek and streamlined coolers, and the exterior zipper pocket is essential for a cell phone and keys. The Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler has an interior divider pocket, which we appreciate for small bagged items and condiment packets.
That said, a lot of backpack coolers don’t have any exterior pockets at all. Some folks prefer that streamlined, simple approach. Others need at least one mesh side pocket for a water bottle and a pocket to stash a cellphone and keys.
Backpack coolers all have shoulder straps, some have sternum straps and waist belts, but all perform and carry differently. When looking at a backpack cooler, it’s important to think about how you’ll use the pack. Longer hikes might benefit from padded and adjustable straps, whereas strap considerations are less critical for days at the beach or river floats that entail shorter walks. That being said, backpack coolers don’t all come in a range of sizes like more technical backpacks typically do. Straps won’t fit all torso lengths and body shapes the same.
The RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler is one of the heaviest coolers we tested. The shoulder straps and waist belt are heavily padded to match the increased weight and heft of the pack, yet we found it challenging to find a comfortable fit. The Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler is much simpler with non-padded straps and no sternum strap or waistbelt, but the small size and lightweight don’t necessarily warrant padded straps for shorter days.
The Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler falls in the middle of this range with lightly padded shoulder straps and an adjustable sternum strap, but no waist belt. The straps are comfortable when the cooler is loaded down for your hike to the lake or bike ride.
We appreciate grab handles on coolers that do not sport waterproof zippers. For instance, the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler can be easily kept upright with the top carry handle, so melted ice does not spill out the top.
Backpack coolers are generally more compact and made of softer, lighter materials than hard coolers, so they weigh less. They usually have sturdy shoulder straps plus handles that are easy to grab, so the weight feels relatively easy to transport. A pack’s weight is higher when the capacity, durability, and insulation capability increase.
On of our favorite lighter backpack coolers weighs 635 grams or 1.4 pounds: the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler. Cooler bags can weigh as much as 3,402 grams or 7.5 pounds.
On the beefier side, our favorites include the ICEMULE BOSS, which is 3,402 grams (7.5 pounds).
Be mindful that the heavier the fare in your pack, the more the load will weigh overall. If you’ve stuffed a 30-liter pack with canned beverages, the end weight will be quite high compared to veggies and dipping sauce. Be sure to test out shorter hikes with a full load in your pack, and to pull on appropriate supportive footwear like hiking boots, when needed.
Not all backpack coolers have an integrated hip belt and not all hip belts are created equal. But a padded, wide hip belt can help make a trip more comfortable and buoy up the cooler’s weight especially if the pack is full of heavy ice and cans.
The ICEMULE BOSS has thick hip pads and a wide strap, plus the belt is adjustable. The REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler likewise has a padded, well-articulated hip belt that supports the pack weight.
Many backpack coolers offer a sternum strap. Though most designs, like the Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack, have no weight-bearing hip belt even though the carrying capacity is moderate to high.
If you struggle with back, shoulder, or neck pain, consider a design with an integrated hip belt.
A pack’s materials include the exterior, insulation, interior liner, shoulder straps and pads, back panel, zippers, buckles, and attachment points. The quality of materials influences the waterproofness, durability, insulation value, and whether or not the face fabric produces condensation. The materials also determine comfort, breathability, or support.
Premium materials come at a higher price, but those products also typically last longer and withstand outdoor elements. To this point, the ICEMULE BOSS is made with Polar Layer XT Insulation, a proprietary closed-cell foam that’s 3 cm thick, with an air valve for insulation boosts.
The strong exterior is waterproof 1,000-denier tarpaulin, a tenacious material used for crash pads. Other coolers we’ve tested have been made with layers of high-density superfoam plus a lightweight heat-reflective material around the exterior. But that material isn’t as strong.
Important specs to pay attention to are a waterproof lid zipper, welded seams, and whether the exterior fabric produces condensation. These aren’t nonnegotiable, but we don’t like getting caught off guard by an unexpected spill or puddle.
Simply put, backpack coolers are generally not as supportive, ergonomic, and comfortable as regular day packs or backpacking packs. But we found some are comfortable enough for day hikes, like the Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack and ICEMULE BOSS.
Backpack coolers have a range of firmness, and the firmest packs have more insulation, which increases ice retention. On the other hand, softer packs can feel more malleable and comfortable to wear. Also, some designs have a stiff back panel and others have padded mesh.
Rigid designs have a stable base. But some lack a padded hip belt and pressed into the sacroiliac joint of testers, causing discomfort on longer treks.
The shoulder straps also influence overall comfort. Wider, stiffer, or broadly placed straps can limit range of motion or feel unpleasant. One of the most ergonomic strap sets is on the REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler. The design allowed us to have a full range of motion.
Hip and chest straps add stability to the load, so it doesn’t swing around. Hip belts offer comfort and evenly redistribute the weight off the shoulders.
Our testers all found that with narrower, longer backpack coolers, the contents were inevitably harder to reach. In contrast, a wider, shorter cooler with the same volume offers easier access — but that’s not compatible with the human torso. The solution is to be really strategic with how you pack.
In our controlled ice retention test, the Carhartt Cooler Backpack kept ice for 25 hours, which has a large dry cargo space, while the ICEMULE BOSS held ice for 133 hours. That’s a large range, but the majority of our favorites preserved ice for a few days.
Most cooler packs preserved ice for 2.5 to 3 days. That includes the Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack.
The REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler held ice for more than 3 days. The most expensive coolers in our guide retained their ice for 4 to 5.5 days.
Generally, the higher the price tag, the better the ice retention. However, this is not always the case, as the Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler held ice for 80 hours at the lower price of $70.
Our ice retention test was completed with controlled variables. Each cooler backpack was stationed indoors, shaded, at a steady 65 degrees F, with the same ratio and type of ice. The coolers were monitored and the ice status was recorded until every bit melted. When you use a cooler outside, many factors influence a pack’s ice retention, including the frequency of opening the cooler, direct sunlight, and ambient temperature.
In various conditions, the backpack coolers in this guide provide cooling power that serves a range of recreational needs.
Additional features on packs include hard clip points, daisy chains, webbing straps, and bungee cords for carrying extra gear. Some packs also include reflective logos or a bottle opener.
Our highlighted backpack coolers range from as low as $35 to as high as $359. That’s a big gap with lots of factors at play.
The priciest coolers, $300 and above, retain ice longer. They are made from durable materials, and they go above and beyond with features. These premium coolers are created with materials that are puncture-proof, waterproof, or water-resistant. That way, they can be trusted on a whitewater rafting trip, for instance.
The ICEMULE BOSS ($350) falls in this category and has MuleSkin 1,000-denier fabric. And the YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler is made with high-density fabric.
These top-tier coolers also have larger capacities and won’t leak through the top closure. The most expensive coolers tend to be more rigid and supportive. However, cost does not necessarily reflect a pack’s overall comfort, which is influenced by the back panel and shoulder straps.
Mid-range coolers are a step below the high-cost cooler backpacks. These designs offer waterproof options, great features, and good ice retention below $300.
In this price range, you’ll find the Igloo Pursuit Backpack ($125), Titan by Arctic Zone 24 Can Welded Backpack Cooler ($165), RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler ($159), Icemule Recycled Jaunt ($170), and Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack ($200).
Backpack coolers under $100 may not retain ice as well as more expensive counterparts. Or, they might be made of less durable materials. They are generally more compact and compromise certain design details like ample pocket options or extra grab handles. For example, the REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler ($100) does not have a waterproof zipper on the lid.
The face fabric of some of these lower-cost pack coolers can create condensation. And some aren’t the most ergonomic or offer the greatest lumbar or back support. So, they aren’t our top choice for hiking those longer durations.
However, these are great options for short trips, picnics, and anyone on a budget. In this price range, check out the Carhartt Cooler Backpack ($90), REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler ($100), or Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler ($70). There’s also the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler ($70).
There are oodles of backpack coolers out there now. Based on our testing, the products listed in our guide are all well-made options. Each design prioritizes its own unique features. For instance, some are completely streamlined with zero pockets while others are loaded with spots for dry cargo.
The best backpack cooler is the one that fits your intended use and needs including the trip length, cargo quantity, and price.
Some coolers retain ice better than others, which is reflected in price tags. In our side-by-side ice retention test, the backpack cooler that retained ice the longest was the ICEMULE BOSS. The design held ice for about 5.5 days in a shaded indoor environment at 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
In daily adventures, melt speed slightly fluctuates based on the frequency of opening the cooler, how long it’s open, ambient heat, and direct sunlight. A bunch of other variables can influence ice retention too, including the type and quantity of ice, extra space in the compartment (which decreases effectiveness), and if the cooler was prechilled.
For most backpack coolers, dry ice will burn the interior materials. Instead, you should use freshly frozen cubed ice, ice blocks, or reusable ice packs.
For the longest-lasting ice retention and cooling capability, aim to use a 2-to-1 ratio of ice to contents. You can quickly prechill your cooler with a sacrificial bag of ice a few hours before loading it up, especially if the cooler is stored in a hot place. Or, bring the cooler inside a cool room to lower the temperature the night before use.
The type of ice makes a difference. Block ice and fresh cubed ice from freezers are denser than chipped ice or crushed ice from ice machines. If you get super strategic, you can use a mix of block ice (which melts slower) and cubed ice (which cools down the container faster).
As the ice melts, it’s ideal to retain the ice water, which helps the other ice stay cold. Limit your access to the cooler, because opening it up releases the cold air. When you stop or take breaks, set the pack cooler in the shade or cover it with a towel or jacket to mitigate direct sunlight.
Fill the cooler approximately 66% with a mix of frozen ice blocks or reusable ice packs and cubed ice. Pack the rest with your food and beverages, which should all be prefrozen or prechilled.
More specifically, layer those contents. Put the frozen blocks and contents on the bottommost section and then sprinkle on a layer of cubed ice. Next, add the prechilled food and drinks. At the very top, add more cubed ice.
Fill any extra space with contents, because air speeds up the ice melt. If needed, you could pack crumpled paper or small towels in there too.
At their simplest, backpack coolers are essentially soft-sided coolers with shoulder straps. If your adventure is further than the car to a picnic table, or you have other items in tow from bags to kids to a dog leash, then the shoulder straps are an awesome option for hands-free carrying.
Even if your trip is short, a backpack cooler will reduce trips back and forth, because your hands are free to do other tasks with the cooler on your back. Also, heavier loads can be easier to carry on one’s back than with a hand strap.
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Based among the awe-inspiring peaks of Crested Butte, Colorado, Morgan Tilton is a Senior Editor for GearJunkie honing the SnowSports Buyer’s Guides alongside warmer coverage. More broadly, she’s an adventure journalist specializing in outdoor industry news and adventure travel stories, which she’s produced for more than a decade and more than 80 publications to date. A recipient of 14 North American Travel Journalists Association awards, when she’s not recovering from high alpine or jungle expeditions she’s usually trail running, mountain biking, or splitboarding in Southwest Colorado, where she grew up and lives today. From resort to backcountry and human-powered to motorized travel, she loves sliding across snow.
Kylie Collins has been writing about trail running, camping and other gear for several years. Prior to that, Kylie worked as a classroom teacher for ten years. She is currently the Development, Marketing, and Communications Manager for Crested Butte Nordic. She is also the Co-Course Director for High Lonesome 100. Based in Colorado, Collins enjoys trail running, pack rafting, fly fishing, camping, and swimming in alpine lakes with her two Australian Shepherds.
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