The 7 Best Backpack Coolers, Tested & Reviewed

We tested 23 of the best backpack coolers on the market and rated each one based on their insulation, design, capacity, comfort, and durability. Our top choices carry an average of 20 to 30 liters, and each one is lined with insulation to keep things cold for hours, but like regular coolers , you can add loose ice or ice packs to maintain its temperature longer. Read on to see which backpack cooler is right for you.

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Backpack coolers are the best way to enjoy chilled food and beverages during your outdoor adventure, whether it&#;s a beach trip, a picnic in the park, or a day hike. The padded straps rest comfortably on your shoulders, allowing you to either walk hands-free or carry other items. Along with their portability, backpack coolers easily fit in packed vehicles during transport and in tight storage spaces when not in use.

If you just want to carry drinks, you can fit ten cans with ice in the insulated section. As a bonus, the material is treated with Rain Defender, which means it&#;s safe for outdoor worksites and overnight camping trips.

This Carhartt cooler backpack looks and feels like a regular backpack, but the insulated bottom compartment makes it ideal for a day in the office or outdoors. There&#;s plenty of space for a change of clothes or picnic blanket on top and lunch with an ice pack on the bottom. Though it&#;s not your typical backpack cooler, it earned a perfect rating during our durability test. After throwing the bag off a table, there were no signs of leakage or damage.

Store your office work, gym gear, or personal items on top and still have space to fit a day&#;s worth of food in the bottom cooler compartment.

One of our favorite parts about this cooler is how comfortable it was. It has padded shoulder straps, an adjustable chest harness, and a cushioned hip belt and back panel for optimal weight distribution. Because of these excellent features, it was not noticeably heavy after the pack was fully packed, and we think this cooler could be easily carried for a longer duration.

This backpack features a leakproof cooler insert, meaning you can carry chilled food and drinks or use it as a non-insulated backpack. We found that the cooler was very easy to load with ice and drinks because the opening was so wide. There are several compartments to carry items like your and trail maps, plus it even has a pocket large enough for a water bottle.

You might want to use ice packs instead of loose ice to prevent leaking.

During our comfort and durability tests, we were impressed with the cooler&#;s padding and leakproof design. The backpack has three strips of thick padding on the back, which makes it feel cushioned and comfortable to wear. It also did not leak at all, and the zippers still felt sturdy and watertight.

Whether you&#;re going to the beach, lake, river, or pool, this floatable, waterproof cooler is a must. Since you&#;ll mostly be in the sun, you&#;ll appreciate its outstanding insulation that keeps inside contents cold all day long. It&#;s available in two sizes suitable for 20 or 30 cans, plus we found it fits food on top of the maximum number of drinks.

Not only will you be able to carry plenty of drinks and even a few snacks, but you&#;ll also be able to do it in style thanks to its sleek design. It&#;s made of vegan leather, has seams welded to stay put, and adjustable straps. The closed-cell foam insulation will keep everything chilled, and the sturdy base means you won&#;t have to worry about heavy glass bottles tipping it over. During our drop test to analyze its durability, we noticed some scuff marks after a few falls. This isn&#;t a major issue, but it might show signs of wear quicker than expected.

If you love to sip on wine, this backpack cooler makes it a breeze to take bottles with you on the go. It provides enough space for five wine bottles, two wine bottles with eight cans, or 12 cans, allowing you to pack something for everyone&#;s needs.

The fabric&#;s quality is lacking, as it scuffed after falling off the table a few times.

There&#;s an antimicrobial material built into the lining to prevent bacterial growth, and that lining, which is also reflective, is quite easy to wipe down. The back is padded so that even if you are carrying it on rough terrain, it won&#;t uncomfortably rub against you. We liked that it was easy to pick up and put on with its upper handle and compact size, as well as fit our bodies, thanks to the adjustable straps. We recommend keeping it upright as much as possible because there was considerable leakage on its side after the ice melted.

For under $50, this backpack cooler features two layers of insulation, one of water resistance, one to protect against heat, and a leakproof lining. That insulation lived up to our expectations. In fact, after two hours of testing, the cans were about as cold as they would be coming out of the fridge, perhaps even a bit colder.

We only found it lacking compartments and pockets. Yeti makes these as accessories, the Sidekick Dry Gear Case and the Rambler Bottle Sling , which attach to any of its soft coolers , but it is an extra cost. "I ended up buying the Sidekick pouch to have a place for my and keys," says Lagroue. "I imagine I'll have this cooler for years to come, so for me, it's worth the investing in right now."

It held its shape no matter what we put in it, reminding us of a hard cooler. It's on the heavier side for a backpack model, weighing more than 5 pounds empty, though it's not the heaviest we tested. When we wore it on our backs fully packed, it felt comfortable over a short distance. If you're hiking more than a mile or two, the shoulder straps can start to dig. Still, it's the ideal for any outdoor adventure, from camping to beach trips, as it's made of UV-resistant material to protect against fading.

This Yeti cooler impressed us with its top-of-the-line durability, comfort, and insulation. It kept beverages and food chilled for over 24 hours, even on days with a 100°F heat index, as Editor Mary Claire Lagroue found when she took it to the Texas desert . The Hopper M20 holds up to 26 pounds of ice or 18 cans, and thanks to the magnetic shield inside, even as ice turns to water it won&#;t leak out at all. We stand by this statement because even when the ice melted, it didn&#;t seep through after tipping the cooler on its side. The magnets at the opening create an impressively strong seal.

This cooler provides plenty of room for 18 or more cans, is extremely durable, and had zero leakage after the ice melted during our tests.

The Escape comes with a five-year warranty against any manufacturer defects, but we found everything from the polyester shell to the zippers to be strong and durable in our tests. "The material it is constructed of is incredibly thick, and feels like it will last forever," says Testing Editor Jennifer Zyman. "It is one of the more comfortable coolers I have used."

With excellent insulation, leakproof seams, and padded shoulder straps, the Hydro Flask Escape earned high scores across all categories. We left it outdoors in the summer sun and, while some had melted, plenty of ice remained after 24 hours and drinks were still cold. Plus, the zipper effectively sealed the cooler from leaking, even when we turned it over. The main con we have is that the opening of this cooler may be too narrow for large items. It doesn't come in other sizes, though Hydro Flask offers 18- and 26-liter totes in the same collection. And while we wish more colors were available, the grey and blue options fit the cooler's sporty aesthetic.

It can keep up to two dozen cans chilled for over 24 hours with this cooler, which comes with five years of purchase protection.

Our Favorite Backpack Cooler

The Hydro Flask Escape Soft Cooler is our overall favorite for its comfortable padding, stylish design, and ability to keep items cool for 36 hours. Ideal for frequent use, it will stand the test of time. If you're looking for something less expensive yet still reliable, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack cooler is a smart choice.

How We Tested Backpack Coolers

We tested 23 of the most popular backpack coolers on the market, ranging in size, price, and style. Each cooler was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the best) in six categories: design, capacity, portability, durability, insulation, and overall value. To determine the scores, we put them through a series of tests, including determining how many cans fit with and without ice, how comfortable it was to pick up and carry when full, how much or little leakage or damaged items occurred after being knocked off a table, and how cold inside contents were after two hours. We also made notes about extra compartments, the functionality of the coolers&#; openings, and whether or not the price matched their performance. 

Factors to Consider

Insulation

All the backpack coolers on our list featured top-notch insulation to keep temperatures down. Some coolers feature multiple layers of insulation so things stay cold for extra long durations, such as multiple days, while others just have a single layer. The insulated part is typically attached to the backpack, but some models feature a removable insert so the vessel can be used as a regular backpack. 

Capacity

The size of your cooler should be determined by how much you want to keep in it and how large of a backpack you can carry comfortably. The more items placed inside, the heavier it will inevitably be. Filled &#; of ice, the backpack coolers we tested could fit anywhere from eight to 24 cans. 

Comfort 

Look for features like adjustable straps and a padded back to ensure your backpack cooler offers your desired comfort level. Chest and hip straps are also helpful with weight distribution, especially if you&#;ll be walking with the backpack for long distances. If they only work for certain torso lengths, you&#;ll want to measure ahead of time to avoid a cooler that doesn&#;t suit your frame. 

Intended Use

Think about where you&#;ll be taking your backpack cooler and what you&#;ll put in it. If you want to keep a bottle or two of wine chilled, a tall option that can hold the bottle upright is best. For people hiking or walking long distances, look for backpack coolers with extra compartments to store other items and lots of comfortable padding and weight-balancing straps. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you properly pack a backpack cooler?

  First, add large food and drink items that you won&#;t need immediately to the bottom. Next, add a layer of ice and then other items you&#;ll want sooner, with the heaviest going in first. On top should be delicate items, such as fruit and crackers. You&#;ll want to avoid excess air and space, so fill any empty areas with ice or ice packs.

• Will water leak out as the ice melts?

  If a leakproof cooler is worth its salt, water won&#;t leak out as the ice melts. If you&#;re worried about that, opt for ice packs instead of loose ice. Additionally, it&#;s worth noting that some coolers don&#;t have waterproof zippers, so if they get wet they may leak more and become difficult to use.

• How do you clean a backpack cooler?

  Link to LAMGOYl

  Use a damp cloth and warm soapy water to wipe out the interior. If it&#;s very soiled, you can wash it out completely with warm water and dish soap. To facilitate air drying, turn the backpack upside down to dry. Unless a backpack cooler says it&#;s machine washable, that should be avoided.

Other Backpack Coolers We Tested

Strong Contenders 

Igloo Premium Soft-Sided Insulated Cooler Bag ($155 at Amazon)
We tested three Igloo cooler backpacks, and this one has the best design. We found it very comfortable to wear with its padded shoulder straps. Its chest strap, meanwhile, helped to balance the weight of the cans inside. About a third of the ice melted, however, and one can burst in our durability tests, which led to liquid leaking out of the backpack.

Magellan Outdoors Pro Backpack Cooler ($81 Academy)
Consider the Magellan a good middle-of-the-road backpack cooler, both in price and performance. It's a bit heavy, but its padded straps offer good support, and it felt comfortable even when weighted with cans. We were happy with the quality throughout the tests, which made its leakage near the end of our tests all the more of a disappointment. Also, drinks at the bottom of the bag were colder than those at the top.

Pelican Dayventure Backpack Soft Cooler ($267 at Amazon)
We liked the look of this backpack cooler a lot; its outer shell almost resembles canvas, but it's super-durable, water-resistant Nylon. We only found its insulation lacking, as the drinks at the bottom of the bag were noticeably icier than those at the top. For the price, we recommend a more reliable alternative.

What Didn't Make the List

In testing 23 backpack coolers, some were bound to rank lower than others. Our major cons came down to leakage as well as cans denting or bursting inside the bags, which happened with the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 24-Can Backpack Cooler ($45 on Amazon), Seehonor Insulated Cooler Backpack ($30 at Amazon), and the TourIt Cooler Insulated Backpack Cooler ($37 at Amazon). The drinks inside of these coolers still felt as cold as if they had been in the refrigerator, but we'd recommend spending a bit more on a cooler with better insulation.

Our Expertise

• Ariane Resnick is a special diet private chef, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle writer with two decades of culinary and literary experience. Her work has been featured in Simply Recipes, The Spruce Eats, Clean Plates, Huffington Post, Verywell, and more. For this article, she used testing insights from our staff to determine the best backpack coolers on the market.
• Jennifer Zyman is Food & Wine's Testing Editor, and her work focuses on finding the best new products for all sorts of cooks. She's vetted hundreds of products, including side-by-side testing of essential kitchen gadgets like Kitchen Torches, Nonstick Pans, potato mashers, and tortilla presses. She's written about food and restaurants for over 15 years and is a proficient home cook with a culinary school degree who is always on the hunt for the latest and greatest kitchen technique, trick, or tool.
• Mary Claire Lagroue is an Editor at Food & Wine. A former Associate Editor at Allrecipes, she joined Dotdash Meredith in . She has written about food since , covering product reviews, restaurants, and recipes. Living in Texas, she loves being outside when the weather allows.

Source:pexel

In today&#;s fastpaced world, it&#;s crucial to keep things chilled while on the move. Whether you&#;re preparing for a picnic, a day at the beach, or just need to carry groceries, cooler bags offer a convenient way to keep your items fresh..

Let&#;s explore everything you need to know about cooler bags, from understanding different manufacturers to important factors to consider when selecting the ideal one for your requirements.&#;

The Evolution of Cooler Bags

Cooling bags have come a long way since their invention. From simple containers with ice packs to advanced, multifunctional bags, the evolution of cooler bags has been impressive. In this section, we&#;ll take a journey through their transformation over the years.

Types of Cooler Bags

SoftSided Cooler Bags: Softsided cooler bags are flexible and lightweight, making them ideal for picnics, tailgating, and day trips. They are easy to carry and often come with comfortable shoulder straps for added convenience.

HardSided Cooler Bags: Are sturdy and resilient, ideal for longer outdoor journeys. These bags keep your food cool and safe, ideal for camping and fishing trips.

Backpack Cooler Bags: Backpack cooler bags combine the convenience of a backpack with the cooling capabilities of a traditional cooler. Great for hikers, campers, and anyone wanting hands-free refreshment transport.

Cooler Bag Features

Insulation Materials: The insulation material used in a cooler bag determines its cooling efficiency. Cooler bags are often made from common materials like foam, polyester, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Knowing about these materials can assist you in selecting the best cooler bag for your specific needs.

Size and Capacity: Cooler bags come in various sizes and capacities. Whether you need a small personal cooler or a large familysized one, it&#;s essential to select a size that suits your requirements.

Portability: Portability is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a cooler bag. Some come with wheels and telescopic handles, while others have comfortable handles and straps for carrying.

Additional Pockets and Compartments: Many cooler bags feature extra pockets and compartments for storing utensils, napkins, and other essentials. These added storage options can make your outdoor experience more convenient.

Choosing the Right Cooler Bag for You

Depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Discover valuable tips to guide your decision-making process and find the ideal cooler bag to match your lifestyle, whether you&#;re gearing up for a weekend escape or aiming to boost brand visibility with promotional cooler bags.

Maintenance and Cleaning: Proper maintenance and cleaning are essential to keep your cooler bag in excellent condition. Follow our stepbystep guide to ensure your cooler bag remains fresh and hygienic for years to come.

Top Manufacturers: Quality matters when it comes to cooler bags. Discover some of the top cooler bag manufacturers known for their durability, insulation, and innovative designs.

Efficient Packing Tips: Maximizing the cooling capacity of your cooler bag requires proper packing. Learn expert tips on how to pack your cooler bag efficiently to keep your items cold throughout your adventure.

Versatility Beyond Picnics: While cooler bags are perfect for picnics, they have many other uses. Explore creative ways to utilize your cooler bag, from keeping gym essentials cool to transporting delicate medical supplies.

Benefits of Cooler Bags: Incorporating cooler bags into your daily life offers numerous advantages, from reducing food waste to enjoying refreshing drinks on hot days.

EcoFriendly Options: As environmental consciousness grows, ecofriendly cooler bags are becoming more popular. Learn about sustainable cooler bag options and their contribution to a greener planet.

Special Occasions: Cooler bags can add convenience and elegance to special occasions. unique and creative ways to incorporate cooler bags into events such as weddings, birthdays, and outdoor gatherings to elevate the overall experience.

DIY Project: For those feeling crafty, creating a DIY cooler bag can be a fun and rewarding project. Get stepbystep instructions and creative ideas for making your personalized cooler bag.

Outdoor Adventures: Outdoor enthusiasts rely on cooler bags to keep their food and drinks fresh during adventures. Explore how cooler bags enhance the outdoor experience, from camping to boating, and make your adventures more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Cooler bags have become essential companions for outdoor enthusiasts, picnic lovers, and travelers alike. Their versatility, convenience, and ability to keep things cool make them a must have accessory. Picking out the perfect cooler bag and giving it proper care ensures your refreshments stay cool and tasty wherever you wander.

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