Coolers should outlive other outdoor gear by lasting decades, which makes high-quality ones worthwhile investments.

Rotomolded coolers such as Yeti’s Tundra are constructed from one continuous piece of plastic for superior durability. Additional features like easy-open latches, an attached basket for dry goods storage and tie-down slots add additional value.

Rotomolding

Rotomolding is an economical solution for creating double-walled hollow products with features such as foam reinforcement or inserts like ribs or kiss-offs. Resin is introduced into a mold, slowly rotating until all surface areas of its mold have been evenly covered by resin; once desired thickness has been reached, the product is transported to a cooling chamber for further processing.

Rotomolded coolers tend to be heavier and tougher than their injection-molded counterparts, boasting thicker walls and corners as well as special features like reversible lids, drain ports, and water reservoirs for increased functionality.

Many rotomolded coolers, like the YETI Tundra 45 and Orca 40 from YETI, hold certification from the International Grizzly Bear Committee, meaning they can withstand attempts by real grizzly bears to gain entry and break in. Furthermore, these models tend to be heavier-insulated, have fancier fittings and hinges and typically come with longer warranties than their competitors.

Injection Molding

Rotomolding allows for thicker plastic layers that result in lighter coolers; however, injection molding products tend to be more costly.

Injection molding is a rapid manufacturing process used to mass produce identical parts at high volumes. Common applications for this technique include hard and soft-sided cooler production. An elaborate mold often accounts for most of its start-up costs.

For manufacturing of finished products, molten plastic must first be injected into a mold through sprues (runners and gates connected to a molding machine). Once all systems have been filled and solidification has taken place, then removed from its mold and separated into its components.

Kuraray offers SEPTON thermoplastic elastomers to make this process more efficient, comprising of hard blocks made from styrene-based hard resin and soft hydrogenated diene soft blocks which combine for high strength and flexibility with good heat and weather resistance.

Hard-Sided Coolers

An essential for beach trips, car camping trips and backyard barbeques alike, an effective cooler should be well insulated, user friendly and long-lasting enough for use during such events.

Hard coolers with thick walls provide superior insulation and can maintain temperatures more accurately than their soft-sided counterparts, which explains why hard coolers typically cost upward of $300 while quality soft coolers start from around $50.

Kit Dillon has been reviewing coolers for Wirecutter for more than 10 years now and lost count of how many he’s tested – recently adding one hard-sided pick: RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Cooler as one that keeps ice cool for five days while being significantly cheaper than most comparable coolers.

This model also earned high marks for ease of use, thanks to a wide zipper opening that makes dumping ice easier, rubber latches that open and close more smoothly than plastic latches on other models, plus convenient features such as tie-down spots and can holders that make fishing trips even easier.

Accessories

Cooler accessories provide solutions, enhance features and personalize the experience for users. For example, cooler slides allow containers to fit into hard-to-reach places like boat decks and truck beds; dividers give more flexible storage of food and beverages; cutting boards make food preparation easy; pressure release valves help users open tight lids more quickly while drain plug leashes help avoid losing it when tipping the container to clean or empty.

Yeti scores high marks for its thoughtfully designed optional accessories, which include a dual cup holder, plastic and bamboo prep boards, metal kickers that prop up handles to increase tabletop space, as well as its portability features such as the Beach Wheel Kit to make it better suited to sandy surfaces as well as its RollR BikR kit which lets you attach it behind any bicycle you own. All these extras make using and transporting Yeti much simpler!