Choosing the Right Cooler for Your Outdoor Adventure

Selecting the right cooler requires considering numerous factors. Some of these include capacity, color, durability, insulation, individual need, material, size, and more.

Individual Need

Each outdoorsman and woman go on different outdoor adventures. This produces individual needs specific to each hunting or fishing trip.

Durability

Those who take coolers on camping, fishing, and hunting adventures must be able to rely on their gear. Generally, a longer warranty indicates a more durable product.

Insulation

The better quality insulation, the longer coolers keep things cold. When in the field for a day or more, better insulation ensures drinks, food, and meat from harvests don’t ruin.

Size

The exterior size of the cooler, as well as its footprint, are important elements. These impact loading a vehicle, flying in planes, and more.

Capacity

Each use-case impacts the necessary cooler size. For example, those hoping to chill a deboned elk need a larger capacity (interior size) than someone packing out a whitetail.

Material

What a cooler is crafted from impacts its durability and longevity. For instance, a good rotomolded cooler is sure to last longer than most other materials.

Carry Style/Portability

Most coolers have side handles, shoulder straps, or backpack-style carrying mechanisms. Some even offer a combination. Find the best method for expected plans.

Color

While color isn’t important to everyone, some might want a specific hue. A hunter in the backwoods who doesn’t want to be visible from afar might choose a darker color, such as black or charcoal. Those who want a bright color to prevent losing it might select orange or white.

Accessories

Not every cooler offers accessories, or the ability to add these, but some do. If this is important, select one that offers this ability.

Added Features

Of course, some might decide to add on bear-proof locks, bottles, cooler dividers, ice packs, patches, seat cushions, security cable locks (and brackets), and more.

Best Soft Cooler for Drinks: YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

The YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler is an excellent option for those who don’t want or need a hard-sided cooler and want something simple for keeping drinks cold. This offering fits 24 cans (only) or 7 kg of ice (only). It features a wide-mouth opening, which makes loading and unloading easier. That said, it’s compact and very portable. It’s 100% leakproof and offers utmost insulation performance. The exterior measures 14.3 inches wide by 10.7 inches deep by 12 inches tall. The interior measures 11.4 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep by 9.5 inches tall. This is available in size 8, 12, or 18. It comes in black, blue, charcoal, green, lilac, navy, orange, or pink.

MSRP: $250

Best Hard Cooler for Short Camping Trips: YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler

The YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler is the ideal cooler for short camping trips consisting of one or two days. Trips lasting three or more days should require larger or additional coolers. This model can fit 54 cans (only) or 37 pounds of ice (only). This rotomolded cooler is durable. Also, it incorporates up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation, T-Rex Lid Latches, NeverFail Hinge Systems, great drain system, and more. It boasts a bear-proof design. Handles and grips are simple to use, and it includes tie-down slots. Exterior measurements are 25.6 inches wide by 15.9 inches deep by 15.5 inches tall. Interior measurements are 18.3 inches wide by 9.4 inches deep by 10.7 inches tall. This model comes in a variety of sizes. It comes in blue, charcoal, green, lilac, navy, orange, red, tan, or white.

MSRP: $300

Best Cooler for Elk Hunters: YETI Tundra 160 Hard Cooler

One of the larger offerings on the market, the YETI Tundra 160 Hard Cooler is ideal for elk hunters. It’s large and big enough for quartered elk. It can even hold multiple deer. This one fits 229 cans (only) or 154 pounds of ice (only). Key features include a bear-proof design, drain system, rotomolded construction, advanced lid latches, solid hinge systems, long-lasting insulation, and more. It provides excellent handles and grips, as well as non-slip feet and tie-down slots. Exterior dimensions include 45.2 inches wide by 19.4 inches deep by 21.3 inches tall. Interior measurements include 37.3 inches wide by 12.2 inches deep by 16.3 inches tall. Of course, this one does come in other size offerings.

MSRP: $750

Best Cooler for Deer Hunters: YETI Tundra 105 Hard Cooler

Deer hunters needing a good cooler might consider the YETI Tundra 105 Hard Cooler. It offers compact design, great height, and less of a footprint. This cooler fits 139 cans (only) or 93 pounds of ice (only). It’s the ideal cooler size for hauling and keeping cool a deboned buck, deer head prepped for the local taxidermist, and more. Like other hard-sided YETI coolers, this one features rotomolded construction, bear-proofing, drain system, great insulation, and more. It comes with handles, non-slip feet, heavy-duty latches, hinge system, tie-down slots, and lid-locking capability. Exterior measurements include 30.6 inches wide by 19.6 inches deep by 19.8 inches tall. Interior measurements include 22.8 inches wide by 12.3 inches deep by 15.1 inches tall. It comes in various sizes.

MSRP: $500

Best Cooler for Turkey Hunters: YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler

Turkey hunters might look to the YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler. It fits 36 cans (only) or 22 pounds of ice (only). The backpack design makes for hands-free carrying, and the straps are designed for utmost comfort. A strong magnet keeps the lid closed. Its high-density fabric helps prevent punctures and UV ray damage. It boasts double-stitched pick-up points, high-performance insulation, and a leak-proof liner. Exterior dimensions include 15.3 inches wide by 9.9 inches deep by 18.1 inches tall. Interior dimensions are 11.6 inches wide by 8.9 inches deep by 14 inches tall. It comes in black, blue, charcoal, green, lilac, navy, orange, or teal.

MSRP: $325

Best Cooler for Waterfowl and Upland Bird Hunters: YETI M30 Tote Soft Cooler

Waterfowler and upland bird hunters need good coolers, too. The YETI M30 Tote Soft Cooler answers the call. It’s ideal for packing out whole birds for taxidermy, or even processed meat from the harvest. This offering fits 42 cans (only) or 32 pounds of ice (only). It includes a wide mouth design, leak-resistant lid system, durable exterior, tough liner, great insulation, double-stitched carry, and more. Exterior measurements include 25.2 inches wide by 11.9 inches deep by 17.3 inches tall. Interior dimensions are 17.3 inches wide by 9.1 inches deep by 14.4 inches tall. Get this one in black, charcoal, blue, green, navy, or orange.

MSRP: $350

Best Cooler for Fishermen: YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler

Fishermen can use a good cooler, too. The YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler certainly qualifies. It fits 20 cans (only) or 12 pounds of ice (only). With this cooler, durable (and powerful) magnets keep the lid closed. A tough outer shell keeps it in one piece and looking (and performing) like new. It comes with hands-free hauling, exceptional insulation, leak-proof lining, double-stitched carry reinforcement, a grid system for attachments, etc. This model even comes with a kangaroo pocket. Exterior measurements include 17 inches wide by 8 inches deep by 16 inches tall. Interior measurements include 10.5 inches wide by 6.2 inches deep by 12.5 inches tall. It comes in black, blue, charcoal, green, navy, or orange.

MSRP: $275

Most YETI coolers come with 3-year or 5-year warranties, specific product depending.

Get It to Go

Because of the reasons listed above, each person usually needs a slightly different cooler. This is especially true for those who plan for different pursuits. Fortunately, YETI offers an array of products tailored for different adventures. Find the right one for you and get ready for a good time outdoors. These are sure to be even better with a rugged companion in the form of a tried-and-true YETI cooler.