We Tested the Best Insulated Cooler Bags for Golf, Beach Days, and Road Trips

Best Overall

Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote

$180 at REI $180 at Nordstrom $180 at backcountry.com

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Insulation
  4.8/5
• Durability
  4.8/5
• Value
  5/5

We tested the Hydroflask Day Escape 26L in two different real-world scenarios, including in the hot southern sun and out on a boat trip. The 600D polyester exterior is durable and waterproof, and we really liked how they worked it into the cute tote design. The fact that it’s leakproof, easy to carry, spacious inside (one tester’s mom was loving the fact she could lay a veggie tray on the bottom with no issues), and stylish put it at the top of our list. There are no additional pockets or storage options, but the tote does have built-in loops and attachment capabilities so you can customize it with compatible extras as needed. 

One qualm was that the temperature retention wasn’t consistent. Most of the ice had melted within 2.5 hours when the cooler was out in Tennessee during the height of summer, but it kept more ice intact and drinks cool in lower temperatures out on the water. That said, we’re confident it could do the job on a day trip. We flipped the bag upside down when it was fully loaded and gave it a shake, and we’re happy to report there was no leaking. Overall, the Day Escape’s performance is outstanding. 

The Details: 26 liters | 3 pounds | 23.9 x 10.4 x 14.97 inches | Leakproof

Best Budget

Tourit Cooler Backpack

$37 at Walmart View on Tourit.com

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Insulation
  3.8/5
• Maneuverability
  4.8/5
• Durability
  3.5/5

The Tourit 30-can Cooler Backpack holds more like 20 cans with ice, and we love it for its bang-for-your-buck price and lightweight, multi-feature design. In addition to the main compartment, you’ll have your pick of extra storage options, including two side mesh pockets, a spacious front lid zip pocket, and a slim strap pocket (great for holding a phone or cash). It presents like a regular backpack and is easy to lift and carry, making it perfect for picnics in city parks. The thick-lined insulated interior is also leakproof (but the backpack itself isn't) and can keep ice for up to 16 hours. The padded, adjustable straps are comfortable, but there is no chest strap, and wearing the backpack at full capacity for significant distances may not be ideal for some. Unfortunately, we also experienced heavy leaking through the zippers and cans denting in the interior after we tossed this cooler off a table a couple times. However, no other damage was present, and we think this backpack performs admirably in most everyday scenarios.

The Details: 30 cans | 1.1 pounds | 13 x 7.5 x 15.8 inches | 16-hour ice retention

Best with Wheels

Arctic Zone Titan Wheeled Cooler

$80 at Amazon $77 at Target $63 at Walmart

We tested an unwheeled version of this cooler and liked it — but realized we’d love it with wheels. We’ve owned the wheel-less version of this cooler for two years and even trusted it to keep a baby’s milk cold during long 10-hour drives across the country and for chilled drinks at the beach in over 100-degree weather. We’re fans of the extra storage from the two front pockets and the two side mesh pockets that are big enough for magazines or books. A reflective radiant heat barrier and triple-layer Cold Block base will, quite impressively, keep ice for up to three days. At full capacity, this cooler can get heavy — luckily, the detachable trolley cart can transport up to 100 pounds (there’s also a padded shoulder strap) and features a telescopic handle. It’s worth noting that the capacity is listed as 60 cans, which actually breaks down into 10 cans in the front insulated pocket and 50 in the main compartment. Note that this is not a leakproof option and shouldn't be laid on its side or upside down. 

The Details: 60 cans | 6.75 pounds | 14.25 x 6.75 x 19.5 inches | 3-day ice retention

Best Ice Retention

Yeti Hopper Flip

$250 at Amazon $250 at REI $250 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

This 12-can cooler lives up to the Yeti name and gave us impeccable ice and temperature retention. The cooler was tested multiple days at the beach, where it sat in the hot mid-80-degree sun for hours and still kept things notably cold. Cold cell insulation gives the cooler its superb ice retention and makes it perfect for use in hot weather or on overnight trips. Did we mention the heavy-duty, mildew-resistant over shell is not only durable but also blocks UV rays? If you’re hesitant about the single-compartment design, it does sport Yeti’s hitch-point grid that allows you to attach things to the exterior. Even when fully loaded with 12 cans and ice, the extra-thick shoulder strap made it feel like less of a haul, and you also have top and side handles as options. The durability of this totally leakproof cooler cannot be understated as we really put it to the test, from throwing it against rocks and floating it out in the salty ocean water to checking it in luggage. The price is hefty, but consider it an investment, because this baby will last. 

The Details: 12 cans | 2.8 pounds | 12.4 x 8.6 x 10.6 inches | Leakproof

Best for Picnics

Iron Flask Soft Cooler

$170 at Amazon View on Ironflask.com

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Design
  4.2/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Durability
  4.5/5

We admittedly prefer using reusable ice packs in coolers but ended up being pleasantly surprised at the ice retention of this bag during testing. While visiting a park in 90-degree weather, we found minimal ice meltage, prompting us to use it for transporting delicate frozen items like ice cream on summer walks home from the grocery store (but the size and rigid shape felt bulky when browsing the aisles). This is an ideal size for beach hangs or tailgating or any situation where you can just transport it to a spot, plop it down, and then dig in. 

It says it’s a 20-can cooler, but we easily fit 24 cans plus ice. We’ve found it’s large enough for storing food and drink for one to four people. After our toss test, there were a few scuffs that didn’t take much effort to remove. It comes with built-in cup holders on top and a bottle opener, and we couldn’t believe how comfortable the padded shoulder strap felt. It tipped over in the sun without leaking, likely thanks to the extra-tight zipper (it comes with zipper lube if needed). Our only pain point is the price, so we suggest taking advantage of any sales. 

The Details: 12 liters | 3 pounds | 17.3 x 11.4 x 7.9 inches | Leakproof | 48-hour ice retention

Best for Water Activities

RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

$99 at Amazon $115 at Target $99 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5

If you’re looking to snag all the benefits of a hard-sided cooler with the flexibility that comes with a soft-side cooler, the RTIC Soft Pack should be your go-to — especially if you’re heading out on the water. The thick, heavy-duty nylon exterior is highly durable and escaped our toss tests and beatings with minor scuffs. Any sand, mud, or dirt easily just rinses off. Yes, the leakproof zippers are tight, but they kept the cooler leakproof during our upside-down shake test. A noticeably thick interior insulating layer excels at temperature retention — we left the cooler out in the summer sun for over two hours, and barely any ice melted, and the drinks were crisp and cool. Want to take this cooler in the water? Go for it without worrying about water leaking inside (or outside of the bag back in your car). One downside we should mention is that the cooler wasn’t as comfortable as we’d have liked with a heavy load and carried on the shoulder. We suggest two people carrying it via the tote handles when it’s packed full and not using it solo on any excursions with long walks. 

The Details: 12, 20, 30, or 40 cans | 3 pounds for 20-can | 13.5 x 9.5 x 13.75 inches for 20-can | Leakproof | 24-hour ice retention

Best Small

Hydro Flask Carry Out Soft Cooler

$88 at Amazon $50 at Dick's View on Hydroflask.com

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.7/5
• Durability
  5/5

This 12-liter soft cooler was the perfect midsize we didn’t realize we desperately wanted for a day out at the beach with friends. It’s larger than a lunchbox cooler but still small enough to be manageable on an outing (and to fit in your suitcase). With nothing else, this ultra-portable cooler can carry around 12 cans. Since we were testing for temperature and ice retention, we filled it up with snacks for three: six cans, three sandwiches, a pack of string cheese, and a bag of ice — and it all fit easily and nice and cold as the cooler impressed us with its ability to retain about two-thirds of the ice after six hours at the beach in 80-degree weather. The padded strap kept it comfy on the shoulder, but we also found it easy to carry via the tote handles. Durability was not a problem, and wiping off the little bit of dirt from the exterior nylon material was painless. It’s even got a small stash pocket in the front, which we found perfect for hiding trash or holding keys. We're just left wishing it came in more than three colors. 

The Details: 12 liters | 1.77 pounds | 9.95 x 14.5 x 12.7 inches | 24-hour ice retention

Best for Commuters

Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack

$65 at Amazon $90 at Zappos $90 at Dick's

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  4.5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Insulation
  4.7/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

This insulated cooler backpack works perfectly for day trips where you’ll want to store both dry and chilled items. Only the bag’s lower zippered compartment is insulated, giving you a dedicated space for storing dry items and items that need chilling. Although the bag claims to be able to hold 24 cans, we could only squeeze in 10 cans comfortably (with ice) in the lower insulated space. (Note: more cans can be stored in the main compartment, but it’s not insulated.) The 600-denier water-resistant canvas material was extra durable, surviving our toss tests with top scores, but it didn’t perform as well as we wanted during the leak test. We don’t recommend storing any electronics in the dry compartment when the bottom is filled with ice unless the bag stays upright at all times. 

This backpack can easily be slung over your shoulders and won’t stick out as a cooler among other commuter bags — it’ll be your little secret. We think it’s a go-to bag for bringing lunch to work. Having the overall design of a regular backpack worked in our favor regarding features, too. There’s a front zippered organization pocket, two stretchy mesh side pockets, and two front slip pockets, making it felt more like a regular everyday backpack that just happens to have a cooler compartment than a cooler backpack. We also love how the bag’s extra padding made it very comfortable to wear, even when full. 

The Details: 24 cans | 2.1 pounds | 12.5 x 8 x 17.5 

Best Collapsible

IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

$135 at Amazon $95 at Walmart $135 at Dick's

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Design
  4.8/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

This collapsible cooler bag takes a cue from the dry-bag playbook with its convenient buckle roll top and waterproof welding seam design. We tested the large 23-liter size and could easily fill the bag to its 18-can capacity — with room to spare — and kept our beverages super cold. The top-loading design makes it a cinch to load, unload, and peek into the bag to suss out available room. When you’re not using the cooler, it conveniently flattens down for easy transport and storage. IceMule is known for its high-quality materials, and this bag held up against our durability tests, leading us to believe it’s in it for the long haul. 

Packing food? The 18-inch height makes this bag great for stacking; just be sure any food is stored in sturdy, stackable plastic containers or boxes so nothing gets crushed. Overall, we found the weight was evenly distributed and the padded back and straps comfortable when wearing, but the chest strap does land at an awkward place for some people. Aside from the chest strap (which may depend on the wearer), we just wish this floatable, water-tight, and tough cooler bag had some exterior pockets. 

The Details: 23 or 33 liters | 2.6 pounds for 23-liter | 14 x 11 x 18 inches for 23-liter | Leakproof | 24 hour-ice retention