We'll Say It: Everyone Needs a Backpack Cooler, Not Just Dads

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We love the space a hardside cooler can provide, but do you really want to lug one to the beach, ball field, or tailgate? Definitely not. Backpack coolers bring the best of both worlds: easy portability and ice-cold storage. However, there are tons of backpack coolers on the market, and some are way better than others. Not to mention, you might need a different cooler to take an overnight camping trip versus one packed in your carry-on for a European holiday. So how do you know which to pick?

Luckily for you, we've done the work for you. Through research and testing, our CL editors have picked the 10 best backpack coolers on the market for a variety of features and capabilities you'll appreciate. While one cooler might be better suited for you than others, you can rest assured that each of these coolers keeps ice for at least 12 hours, holds at least 12 cans, and is durable enough to last you years. Without further ado, here are our top picks.

Cooler Backpack

Interior space: 30 cans | Ice retention: 16 hours | Weight: 1.1 lbs.

This bargain-priced backpack is a CL editor owned and loved product that keeps up to 30 cans cold for 16 hours. It's the perfect grab-and-go cooler for day trips to the beach, ball game, or tailgating. It has a main cooler compartment along with mesh side pockets and extra zippered storage. It even comes with a built-in bottle opener on the sleeve.

Coming in at just a hair over one pound, this backpack can do all that and still feel light as a feather when empty. There are two down sides to this cooler, though. First, it only holds ice for 16 hours, and that's when it's filled only with ice. After our testing, we'd say that you could safely get a good 6-8 hours of ice retention with this cooler when filled with a mix of cans and ice, which comes in below the vast majority of the competition. But, if you just need to keep cans or bottles cold for a day event, then this lightweight cooler will be your new best friend.

Backpack Cooler

Interior space: Up to 30 cans | Ice retention: 24 hrs. | Weight: 8 lbs.

If you're looking for a cooler that can take more than the average rough and tumble, then look no further than this extra-durable RTIC hardside backpack cooler. This cooler isn't constructed with the usual fabric exterior, but instead uses a hardside construction that is waterproof and floats. It comes in two sizes, 20 and 30 cans, and has a wide-zip opening. The interior is leakproof and the loops on the front add extra storage space.

We love the durability of RTIC's backpack cooler. Sure, it's on this expensive side, but with the high-quality construction you can expect to keep it for years to come. And even though the backpack itself is heavy, the weight distribution is phenomenal. We carried it, completely full, up three flights of stairs outdoors in our testing and our reviewer wasn't any more out of breath than the rest of the group.

2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack

Interior space: 12 cans | Weight: 5 lbs. | Ice retention: 24 hrs.

The Carhartt insulated backpack cooler is more of a backpack and cooler hybrid than just a cooler in the form of a backpack, making it perfect for those short hikes. The bottom half of the backpack functions as in insulated cooler that fits up to 12 cans and keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours. The top half of the backpack has two zippered storage compartments, a large one for bigger items and a smaller one for things like phones, wallets, etc. It also has two side mesh pockets.

We also love this backpack cooler for travel, especially if you've got kids with you. The bottom half is ideal for storing refrigerated snacks. While the top half could fit a small laptop in our testing, it wasn't able to hold larger ones, something to take into consideration if you travel with it. But used for hiking, we doubt you'd have that problem.

Icemule Classic™ Medium 15L

Interior space: 12 cans | Ice retention: 24 hrs.

When you're not using this Icemule cooler, you can conveniently roll it up into a pouch, making it incredibly easy to pack into your suitcase and take anywhere in the world you decide to go. This model can fit 12 cans, but various other sizes that are just as portable can be found on their website. Just because it stores away easily doesn't mean it doesn't have superior insulation. This cooler can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours thanks to the PolarLayer and the exterior is completely waterproof.

Another feature our weekend warriors will love about this backpack: the unique carrying strap. It runs diagonal across the body, leaving the user completely hands-free, something any frequent flyer knows is a perk. And did we mention? It even floats!

Eola Bucket Cooler Bag

Interior space: 12 cans | Weight: .8lb

Your wine has never had a more stylish carrying case...or your kid's juice boxes for that matter. But this cooler isn't just cute, it's incredibly well designed, too. It can hold 12 cans total and has an extra storage pocket on the back, so you can keep your valuables close by. It comes in seven different colors and prints and has chic metal hardware.

The downside? This cooler really doesn't hold much. If you're going to a concert or running the kids to a playdate, then it'll do just fine. But we doubt 8-10 cans and ice is going to last you a full day.

Day Escape™ Soft Cooler Pack

Interior space: 36 cans | Weight: 3 lbs. | Ice retention: 36 hrs.

Taking an overnight camping trip? You'll want to bring along this Hydroflask backpack cooler to keep all your drinks and other perishables cold for up to 36 hours. It can fit up to 36 cans and has a wide-zip opening so you can easily access your drinks. It's only 3 lbs, so won't add too much to your load if you're planning on moving all day, and it's waterproof. Need extra storage for your dry goods? Simply attach one of their packs to the woven loops on the front of the cooler.

Basically, this cooler has it all. Of course, having it all comes at a price. The Hydroflask cooler is one of the most expensive on our list, but we consider it a worthy investment if you truly need a cooler that'll keep ice for 24+ hours.

BACKTAP™ Backpack Cooler

Interior space: 12 cans | Weight: Not listed, but on the heavy side

Who wants to take along beer cans when you can take the tap instead? This backtap holds 3 gallons of your favorite beverage and dispenses right out of the tap. The removable stainless steel interior isn't just easy to clean, it will also keep your drinks cold as ice. It also comes with backpack straps included, making it easier to handle.

While we love the backpack straps, though, they are a bit of a necessity, because this cooler is not light. Carrying it with the handle takes a pretty strong, firm grip. It also doesn't hold a huge amount in terms of cans, so we really think this is best suited for it's original purpose as a tap. But, we do love that the top features a gripped lid, so it can double as a seat.

HOPPER® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler

Interior space: Up to 30 cans | Weight: 4.8 lbs. | Ice retention: 24+ hrs.

This item is temporarily recalled but expected to relaunch in fall 2023.

If you've ever owned a YETI, then you know their products are designed to last a lifetime. Their durability is unparalleled, which makes them totally worth the splurge if you're planning on using your backpack cooler often. The exterior of this cooler is made from a high-density, durable fabric that's resistant to sun exposure, rips, and tears, and both the interior and exterior are treated to prevent mildew. The interior contains closed-cell foam insulation designed to keep up to 20 cans cold for over 24 hours, though there is also a 30 can option. The loops along the front and sides are perfect for adding bottle openers, keys, or anything else you can attach to them.

What to Look for in a Backpack Cooler:

• Ice retention: This is probably what gets the most attention when it comes to coolers, so you probably don't need much of an explainer. But here's a quick one: ice retention is the number of hours a cooler can keep ice cold. This usually ranges anywhere from 8-48 hours, depending on the quality of the cooler. Here's the most important thing to note about ice retention, though: when it's evaluated, the cooler is packed only with ice. So if you're using the cooler like most people would, with cans, food, or bottles stored on ice, then the ice retention won't hold up to the manufacturer's claim.

• Weight: While five pounds might not seem like a lot now, add ice and cans and bottles to that backpack cooler and that extra weight really adds up. To save your back, you'll want to look for a cooler that is fairly lightweight. But, that's not the only thing to consider! Some heavier coolers do an excellent job of distributing their weight, so an eight pound cooler might feel the exact same as a one pound cooler when they're both full.

• Interior space: This is usually measured in standard, 12 ounce cans, as a visual way of showing just how much a cooler can hold. Similar to the ice retention spec, though, interior space can be a bit misleading, because it only counts cans directly placed in the cooler without ice. Not only will ice take up more space, but it can also make the arrangement of contents a bit more difficult. We'd suggest taking 1-5 cans off this spec if you use ice in your cooler, which most of us do.

• Use: There are plenty of great backpack cooler options on the market, so you'll want to consider your necessities when picking the perfect one. Do you enjoy overnight camping trips? Then you'll want a cooler that can keep ice for 24+ hours. Enjoy a picnic in the park? Look into options that contain multiple storage compartments for food and utensils. Want to take your backpack cooler when you travel? Consider getting a cooler that can fold into a pouch or other portable form.

How to Pack a Backpack Cooler

The key to packing the perfect cooler, backpack or not, is always about the ice placement. You want to start out with a layer of ice on the bottom of your cooler, giving a cold base for the whole interior. Then, pack anything frozen. If you're only packing cans in your cooler, then be sure to put a layer of ice every few layer of cans. If you're packing different contents, put a layer of ice between each type. Leave refrigerated food at the top. Finally, if you have standing cold water that starts accumulating as ice melts, leave it unless you have food in the cooler. This will help keep the cooler cold.

A Note on the YETI HOPPER®

Yeti voluntarily recalled their HOPPER® backpack cooler in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) earlier this year. We expect they'll be back in stock by the end of this year, which is why you'll still see it on this list.

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