An outstanding cooler is at the core of every outdoor adventure. Rotomolded cooler designs have proven themselves over generations of campers, keeping ice cool for days at a time and being passed from generation to generation.

Premium options typically feature freezer-grade seals and heavy-duty wheels to easily transport over difficult terrain, while some models are bear-resistant, providing added peace of mind when spending extended time camping in bear territory.

Hard-Sided Coolers

Hard-sided coolers are a necessary beach day accessory, keeping sandwiches, drinks, and snacks cold while you lounge on your towel and soak up some sun. Choose models with indentations or slung handles on either side for easier single-person lugging as well as features such as tie-down spots and anti-skid feet; some models like the Xspec 45qt Towable even feature two sets of mobile handles above its chest to allow two-person toting. Premium hard-sided coolers typically use either Rotomolding (popularized by Yeti), or injection molding which uses multiple pieces instead of one continuous form to form its shape while simultaneously providing features like cup holders or cutting boards within its structure.

Hard-shell coolers tend to last for years and typically provide superior ice retention over their soft-sided counterparts. Some are even certified bear proof, protecting food and camping supplies against bear attacks during wilderness hikes or car trips. Unfortunately, hard-shells tend to be heavier and bulkier; since they do not collapse easily for storage.

Wheeled Coolers

If you need to transport a heavy, full cooler from the car to a beach, campsite, or music festival on wheels, a wheeled cooler may be your savior. Be sure to choose a model with sturdy wheels that won’t puncture on rocks or sand and handles designed long enough to clear heels when walking.

Rotomolded coolers provide easy transport of chilled items. Their features include telescoping handles and large wheels designed to grip pavement or grass (but less well on sand), along with thick hinges and latches that aren’t vulnerable to corrosion or water damage.

Contrasting with its Yeti Tundra Haul counterpart, this cooler offers an easier solution by featuring a collapsible pull cart with shoulder strap carrying capability for shorter journeys. Furthermore, this cooler offers special features unavailable elsewhere like an integrated ruler/compass in its lid as well as built-in bottle opener. Our testing showed this to be our highest rated hard-sided cooler by keeping over 80 percent of ice frozen after 24 hours – truly impressive performance!

Soft-Sided Coolers

Outdoor enthusiasts often favor soft-sided coolers due to their lightweight portability and affordable nature; soft coolers also take up less storage space than bulkier hard coolers when stored flat for storage purposes.

Soft-sided coolers may not all be created equal; when choosing one with quality insulation that can maintain cool temperatures for 24+ hours.

Yeti’s Hopper Flip and RTIC’s Soft Pack offer superior insulation combined with robust construction that can withstand significant wear and tear, along with convenient features like comfortable shoulder straps and multiple carrying handles, making these excellent choices for hiking, beachcombing or other outdoor adventures.

Insulation

Insulation plays a key role in keeping contents cool for as long as possible in a cooler. Most hard-sided models use sandwich construction of plastic between layers of insulating foam while Yeti coolers feature rotomolded models with fused outer plastic and insulation together into one piece for superior thermal properties.

The Rugged Road 65 Cooler is an outstanding lightweight, high-performance cooler. It insulates well and holds over one week’s worth of ice. In our tests, this model had one of the lowest internal surface temperatures as well as one of the second-coolest meat temperatures out of all tested coolers.

The RR 65 features optional accessories to help store blankets, snacks and other gear – such as pouches and bins to store blankets, snacks or gear – securely. Its divider also doubles as a cutting board, while it boasts a reservoir dedicated to water, iced tea, iced coffee or sangria storage. Furthermore, unlike built-in cupholders which inhibit insulation efforts, its external cupholders feature external cupholders along with a carabiner for hanging an umbrella over its lid – further improving insulation efforts and storage solutions for better organization of blankets or snacks when travelling light.