Van lifers and others who travel long distances to reach their campsite require a cooler capable of holding food and drinks for at least seven days, and for those on a larger budget premium hard-sided designs like RovR’s RollR and Igloo’s Trailmate Journey offer increased space and functionality.

No matter the budget, there’s still an amazing cooler available that will meet all of your needs.

Size

Coolers come in various sizes to meet specific storage needs. Personal category coolers hold 16-quart capacity and are intended for day trips for one person or camping trips with two others; medium-sized coolers may accommodate the storage needs of multiple people for several days at a time.

Larger coolers are best-suited for multi-day camping, fishing, hunting, or tailgating excursions that last several days and can hold up to 70 quarts of food and drinks. These large coolers make ideal family or group outings while keeping meat fresh when hunting or fishing.

For off-road use, opt for a cooler designed specifically to attach securely to a truck or ATV frame. Texas’ Goat offers an excellent example with their Hub cooler which features deep slots along its sides that pair up perfectly with their Cans to store accessories safely.

Insulation

When camping for longer trips, a larger cooler becomes an absolute essential. Crafted from high-density polyethylene or rotomolded material, these rugged coolers can withstand rough use while being certified bear proof.

These hard coolers may be heavier than their soft-sided counterparts, but many come equipped with either shoulder straps or wheels for easier transportation of food and drinks. Furthermore, hard coolers generally boast greater ice retention capacities – ideal for longer camping excursions!

Norway-based Oyster’s Tempo Cooler stands out as an innovative cooler that uses an effective vacuum insulation system to preserve cold and block external heat sources. We don’t know if it can match Yeti’s stainless steel V Series cooler for thermal efficiency, but its sleek design and lightweight construction certainly make it worth checking out; plus it even comes equipped with lid locks and dry storage compartments; perfect for eco-conscious campers!

Bear-Proof

Bear-proof seals are essential when camping in wildlife areas. This helps prevent larger animals from accessing your food and keeps it fresher for longer. The Orac is an excellent performer that’s also certified to keep bears at bay.

Hard-sided bear canisters are an increasingly popular choice among backpackers, providing ample storage space while being durable enough to withstand an attempt by grizzlies to break in. Plus, many come equipped with an effective locking mechanism – and some models even feature clear panels so you can easily see its contents!

Bear bags offer backpackers and hikers similar levels of security; however, their storage capacities differ and it may be easier for a bear to open it than its canister counterpart. Unfortunately, bear bags may also be heavy and bulky enough that it makes them unsuitable for certain hiking trips.

Portability

If you plan on taking your cooler on regular outdoor adventures, size and portability should be your top priorities. Hard-sided coolers can be cumbersome to carry for extended distances when empty, with their weight increasing significantly as soon as they are filled with food or beverages.

Frequent campers should opt for a cooler with wheels. Yeti offers high-performing coolers like its 103-quart Prospector and 30-quart Mule that feature wheels to easily transport. Furthermore, these models include tie-down slots to secure them to an off-road or overland vehicle rig.

Other roto-molded options on wheels, including the Coleman Portable Rolling 50 qt and RTIC Ultralight 52 qt options from RTIC have additional tie-down slots to secure them to your truck bed or car trunk, while Goat’s Hub design comes equipped with built-in storage slots on either side for stashing camping accessories like cans. Other innovative add-ons may include food baskets and dividers to separate meals while serving as prep surfaces; or simply side tables designed as prep surfaces.