The Best Backpack Coolers, According to Outdoor Enthusiasts
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Most beverages taste better chilled. Whether it’s a beer, soda, or seltzer, joining in a communal sharing of cold ones is a great way to spend a day. While that’s easily done in the backyard, it’s not quite as easy at the beach or on a mountaintop after a long hike. On shorter excursions occasions where portability is key and a full-on cooler is overkill, a backpack cooler can get the job done and then some.
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Most backpack coolers follow a straightforward design: They’re coolers designed with backpack features like shoulder straps and are reinforced with extra padding to support the weight of heavy cans. They also feature insulated compartments to keep the heat out and the cold in. Prices vary wildly but expect to pay at least $100 to $150 for something durable that’ll last.
Read on to learn more about the best backpack coolers, with expert input from outdoor adventurers.
What the Experts Say
SPY spoke with multiple experts to learn the ins and outs of backpack coolers, including Jessie Helyar, the co-founder of HappyCamperCulture.com; travel writer Josephine Remo; and Duffy Flynn, ICEMULE’s top product guy.
As with all coolers, potential buyers need to think about how they’re going to use a backpack cooler if they want the best fit for their needs. People going whitewater kayaking will want something smaller and lighter, whereas picnic-ers can handle something bulkier and more durable. These nuances will determine important considerations, like how easy a cooler might be to carry or how heavy it’ll be when full, Flynn notes.
For backpack coolers, more structured options tend to offer better ice retention and additional features like pockets for other gear and waist straps. But they can’t collapse like soft backpack coolers, which can also offer greater capacity, in addition to their added portability.
Whichever kind you choose, it’s worth acknowledging that no backpack cooler can compete with a traditional cooler for two main reasons: They have a comparatively limited capacity and generally a shorter cooling duration, Flynn and Remo say. Plus, if they’re being carried around all day, they’re battling the sun’s warming temperatures. “Although some backpack coolers say they stay cool all weekend, keep in mind that if you plan to use it in direct sunlight while doing outdoor activities, that’ll shorten the ice-retention period,” Helyar says.
In terms of price, backpack coolers run the gamut. Depending on features, they can go as low as $30 or for more than $300. But for a quality, functional option, our experts recommend backpack coolers in the $100 to $150 range.
BEST OVERALL
RTIC Backpack Cooler
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Though other backpack coolers might retain ice for a little longer or collapse down, the RTIC Backpack Cooler easily strikes the best overall balance between features and price. “I really like the durability of RTIC,” Helyar says. “This cooler is made for adventures like fishing, kayaking, or surfing.” Helyar specifically notes that this cooler has a thick shoulder harness and waist strap, which Remo says will help with even weight distribution.
In terms of capacity, the larger version of this backpack cooler boasts a 36-can capacity with ice, which is well above average. Welded seams, quality insulation, and this cooler’s more rigid structure could even extend the cold beyond the first day. And those details mean this backpack cooler is 100% waterproof.
Though the RTIC Backpack Cooler is fairly pricey — around $153 — both Remo and Helyar think it’s worth the one-time expenditure for a quality, longer-lasting, more portable cooling option.
SOFT BACKPACK COOLER
The ICEMULE Pro Large Insulated Backpack Cooler
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The ICEMULE Pro Large 23L Cooler is one of the toughest, most reliable, most portable, and best-performing soft backpack coolers available from testing.
Built for the outdoors, it holds 24 cans plus ice for staying hydrated on hikes, picnics, or the beach and it even floats too. Best of all, this cooler rolls up when empty for easy storage, delivering an extra level of portability that just can’t happen with other kinds of backpack coolers. “This type of cooler bag is completely waterproof when closed correctly,” Remo says. “They’re also lightweight and great for storing.”
Flynn endorses it, too: “It has breathable back support for additional comfort and a bungee on the front for additional carrying needs,” he says. “Whether you’re fishing, hunting, or traveling to a location where it’s harder to access food, you cannot beat the Pro.”
Though this cooler might not retain ice as well as other options and the shoulder harness could be a little more padded, few other options offer the capacity and sheer portability of the Pro, especially at its $135 price point. For people into the idea of a rollable, packable soft cooler but who worry about the price, the ICEMULE Classic 15L Cooler is very similar, just smaller and significantly cheaper, around $68.
BEST VALUE
CHILLER 28-Can Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler
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Coleman is the king of entry-level coolers. Look no further than the Coleman Chiller 28-Can Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler for proof.
“This is a good-quality, entry-level cooler [with an] affordable price tag — it’s great for day outings, picnics, or concerts,” Helyar says. “I like the padded waist strap that takes the weight off your shoulders, making it more comfortable for longer walks. The side pockets and front bungee straps are very useful, allowing you to carry extra snacks, sunscreen, shoes, or a towel.” Remo also highlights the friendly price, making this a no-brainer for price-conscious buyers still seeking plenty of utility.
With functional shoulder and waist straps, welded seams for leak prevention, a 28-can capacity without ice, and 12 hours of ice retention (depending on conditions), this cooler is as practical as it is affordable at $40.
BACKPACK + COOLER
REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler
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When cooling isn’t necessary, backpack coolers can feel like a real waste of a product. The REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler fixes that problem by using a removable cooler insert. When up to 40 hours of cooling is required, use the insert. For any other adventure, take it out to make a lightweight daypack. “I like that you can take out the cooler compartment for cleaning, and also the separate compartment helps with leaks,” Remo says.
Beyond that convenience and flexibility, this backpack is just a great overall pack, too, with padded and contoured waist and shoulder straps, plus roomy pockets and straps for additional gear. “The pack’s main feature is its removable leakproof insert, which makes it easy to clean after a day of use,” Helyar says. “Also, I love that its additional pockets are a decent size, which allows space for extra snacks or gear.”
Remo also notes the fair price of this backpack cooler: just under $100.
SPLURGE OPTION
YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler
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When it comes to anything in the world of coolers, YETI reigns supreme — and that’s certainly the case with its Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler. It’s waterproof and has a roll-top magnetic closure that keeps ice cold even on the hottest of days. The bag opens exceptionally wide, too, with enough room to fit 18 cans total using a two-to-one ice ratio.
However, this is a splurge option at $325, which means it’s simply not for everyone’s wallets, experts say. “[It’s] high-quality but pricey,” Remo says. “Cheaper alternatives can also meet the backpack cooler needs effectively.”
And that’s the deal with Yeti coolers like the M20: They’re excellent but they’re expensive. For people interested in exploring the pricier side of backpack coolers, the ICEMULE Boss is nearly $400 and may be a good fit for more aggressive outdoor activities.
COOL VIBES
Igloo Retro Backpack
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Igloo’s Retro line of coolers continues to be an absolute delight. But despite the obvious (if enjoyable) gimmick, coolers like the Igloo Retro Backpack still hold up in our testing.
In addition to great ice retention after a few hours, this cooler has multiple compartments for easy organization. “This is a basic cooler design with no-fuss features — and a very reasonable price — for someone just looking for a lunch box or picnic bag,” Helyar says.
For just $29, this cooler is lightweight and affordable, if not 100% leakproof. But for style points, nobody can do better than Igloo’s retro aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backpack Coolers
What’s a Backpack Cooler Useful For?
Because backpack coolers are designed to be carried, they are easier to use to transport food and drink and keep them cold. But because they’re out in the sun, pressed against a warm body, and simply not able to keep out heat like serious hard coolers do, they’re practical for short excursions, experts say. That mostly means day trips or less, though some pricier backpack coolers can hold ice for around three days, depending on conditions.
What’s Better For Cooling, Ice or Ice Packs?
While different people might give different answers here, Helyar has a simple argument for her position in favor of ice packs over loose ice: They’re easier to pack alongside food and drink and they won’t leak. “I highly recommend using ice packs rather than loose ice in cooler backpacks,” she says. “This will make packing and stacking much easier, but will also prevent leaks.”
For an ice retention pro tip, she also recommends pre-cooling the cooler by putting it in the fridge or freezer the night before.
What’s a Good Price For a Backpack Cooler?
This depends on the use case and how the backpack cooler will be used. For more rough-and-tumble adventures, there are $300+ backpack coolers, while for more leisurely or briefer outdoor activities, options in the $20 to $50 range may suffice.
Overall, experts find options in the $100 to $150 range to have the best balance of function, cooling, and convenience without breaking the bank. Generally, they also weren’t warm to coolers costing more than $300. Though they agree such coolers do have the quality to offer, the higher prices are too much for them when many other coolers will function nearly just as well.
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