Camping Panda
One thing you need after a day spent under the summer sun is a cool drink. Finding a bar in the middle of nowhere, though, is near impossible. So, you’ll have to find solutions to keep beverages chill and food fresh on your adventure.Â
A soft cooler is undeniably one of your best bets. Lighter than hard shell models and easy to pack when empty, these coolers are perfect for anything, from car camping to backpacking. If the bountiful range of products on the market makes it hard to decide which one to get, check out our rundown to find the best soft cooler for you.
Cooling
Is it well insulated?
Leakage
Is it leak-free?
Cleaning
Is it easy to wash?
Waterproof
Is it well protected from rain?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Features
Is it multipurpose?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
15
Hours Researched
16
Products Evaluated
10k
Reviews Considered
2
Sources Researched
The Original Soft Cooler by AO Coolers could be the perfect choice for car camping and tailgating. It has a large volume capacity, fitting 36 cans plus 10 pounds of ice. Excellent insulation capabilities ensure cool drinks for up to 24 hours.
The bag boasts a large opening with zipper closure, tote handles and shoulder strap. A large front pocket provides additional storage, while the durable canvas is easy to clean and stands up to travel. Weighing only 3 pounds when empty and collapsible, this is the best soft cooler for leisure camping.
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Lightweight and versatile, the Coleman 30-Can Soft Cooler is perfect for adventurers on a budget. It’s only slightly smaller than our top pick, boasting a 30-can capacity. The cooler tote is made from tough polyester fabric and comes with a convenient shoulder strap.
Its greatest highlight is the removable hard liner designed to keep softer foods protected during transport. Alternatively, take the liner out and fill the cooler with ice and bottles or cans. A variety of storage pockets add even more convenience; no doubt, one of the best soft coolers for day trips, picnics, or the beach.
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The YETI Hopper M30 might be expensive, but this soft cooler tote is definitely worth every dime. It incorporates a wealth of technologies designed to prevent leaks and keep ice frosted for longer. Undeniably, the thing that makes it stand out is the lack of a zipper, that is replaced by powerful magnets.Â
A wide opening makes it relatively easy to fill – you might struggle to keep it open, but the fact that it closes automatically prevents heat from getting in. Durable and resistant, the cooler is made from DryHide leather, it is waterproof, and easy to clean. An outstanding choice if you’re looking for a premium quality soft cooler.
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On all those instances when keeping your hands free is important – such as cycling or for hiking – the IceMule Classic backpack cooler can easily suit your needs. This cooler can hold up to 18 beer cans or 6 wine bottles, as well as additional dry ice or ice packs.
The innovative backpack is made from proprietary waterproof shell and unique layers of insulation. An air valve also lets you add a further layer of air between the cool interior and the heat outside. It can keep your food and drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and packs very compactly when not in use. Just what you need for an ultra-light camping trip.
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The CleverMade cooler bag might not be your best bet for an extended camping trip, but it’s an excellent choice for a day trip, picnic, or day at the beach. With 7-hour ice retention capacity, you’ll be able to grab cool drinks throughout the day.
A large capacity makes it perfect for outings with friends or your family. It can hold 50 cans plus ice, or loads of food and snacks. We particularly like its collapsible design that makes it almost flat for transport and storage. It also comes at a price that won’t break the bank; all in all, a great bargain.
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The OlarHike is similar to the CleverMade up to an extent. Both cooler bags have the same volume, but due to the shorter length of the OlarHike, it can only hold 40 beer cans. It doesn’t come with a bottle opener, but it has top and lateral handles, as well as a shoulder strap.
Fitting up to 12 lunch boxes and providing up to 12 hours of ice retention, it’s a great choice for spending a night in the wilderness with your gang. As you can expect, the cooler is waterproof. A great choice for camping or travel.
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The Smiler+ is more than an insulated cooler backpack; this is a multifunctional backpack designed to make your camping trips and hikes more enjoyable. Not only it can hold ice cool for up to 12 hours, it also provides plenty of space for all your essentials.
The main compartment is large enough to hold 49 beverage cans. An upper compartment provides plenty of space for snacks or couple lunch boxes. A larger front pocket can be used to store plates and utensils, while additional smaller pockets provide further storage for cans, snacks, or bottles. Lightweight and easy to carry, it’s also a great choice for backpackers.
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The Coleman 16-Can Soft Cooler is nothing but our best value’s smaller brother. A lightweight yet capable camping cooler with a capacity of 16 cans. It is perfect for shorter trips, or weekend getaways with your beloved one.
Like the Coleman above, it boasts a solid construction. It comes with a convenient shoulder strap and is easy to carry. Furthermore, it comes at a more than affordable price – just right for campers on a budget.
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The Outrav cooler bag is preferred by anglers, hunters, as well as those who love to spend some time alone exploring the outdoors. Despite its small size, it impresses with a relatively large capacity, being able to hold 16 cans.Â
Comfortable to carry in two ways, it boasts tote handles and removable shoulder strap. Besides the spacious main compartment, we also like the convenient front zipper pocket. And after you’ve finished your food and drink supplies, you can simply fold it for easy transport.
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Last but not least, if you want a multifunctional soft cooler, the Under Armour might be it. This bag impresses with a generous interior that can hold up to 24 cans; at the same time, it has compact exterior dimensions and is easy to carry.
Good ice retention makes it easy to keep your food and drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Furthermore, three exterior pockets give you plenty of space for snacks or your valuables. The cooler comes with a top handle as well as shoulder strap and in a variety of colors you can match with your camping gear.
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Whether you’re planning one day out or a full weekend away with your tribe, a soft cooler comes in handy whenever you can’t or don’t want to carry a cumbersome hard cooler with you. These coolers are smaller and lighter, thus easier to transport. They’re also flexible, and some of the best soft coolers can keep your drinks and perishables fresh for days rather than hours. With this in mind, let’s see which are the most important features to check before buying.
We have already alluded that soft coolers are smaller than hard ones, so the most important thing to check before buying is the actual storage space.
Manufacturers usually express storage capacity in liters, but an easier way to tell if the cooler is the right size for you is by checking how many cans it can fit. For instance, if you’re a lone wolf majorly adventuring by yourself and only want to carry a couple of cans and a sandwich or two, a small cooler bag such as the Outrav – with a capacity of six liters or 16 cans – is more than enough for your needs.
However, if you’re planning an adventure with your gang or extended family, a big 30-liter cooler with a capacity of 50 cans is undeniably more suitable.
Another essential thing to consider is the ice retention capacity. Most soft coolers on the market have ice retention of around seven hours. That’s more than enough for a day out in the wilderness but insufficient for a full weekend.
If you’re planning to sleep for a night, we recommend a cooler with an ice retention capacity of at least 24 hours.
Coolers such as the YETI Hopper are ideal for longer trips, boasting an ice retention capacity of 48 hours.
Finding the right type of soft cooler can also make or break the deal. Essentially, you can choose from three different kinds of coolers, based on their design:
Soft coolers are popular because they are lightweight than their hard-sided counterpart, but not all soft coolers were created equal. Considering that the main reason you’re choosing a soft cooler is to reduce your burden, you should consider the cooler weight before buying.
For instance, the YETI cooler is pretty heavy on its own. Add some steaks and other camping essentials, and you might not get very far if you’re planning to take it on a hiking adventure.
On the other hand, a lighter cooler such as the OlarHike weighs under two pounds and has a similar capacity to the YETI. Sure, it has poorer ice retention, but all in all, it’s undeniably a more appropriate choice if you plan to walk all day on don’t want to sleep outside for more than a night.
If you’ve attended physics in school, perhaps you know already the cold objects tend to sweat when exposed to heat, and that also happens to everything you have in your cooler bag. Some soft cooler bags also sweat due to the temperature difference, especially on very hot days.
While the best soft coolers won’t sweat nor leave unflattering stains on your garments, don’t take it for granted. If possible, always test the cooler before taking it on a trip to prevent unwanted surprises.
Last but not least, it is essential to consider the interior layout as well as any additional pockets your soft cooler comes with.
Most soft coolers feature one large main compartment with no dividers or pockets, but that’s not a rule. If you love organization, know that some brands sell either separate dividers or divide the main compartment into several smaller ones, to begin with.
Likewise, some soft coolers also have additional storage pockets on the exterior. Some of these pockets are insulated and ideal for keeping some snacks or your water bottle at hand. Other pockets may not feature insulation and are perfect for utensils, cutlery, or even small essentials such as your keys or wallet.
The AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler is probably the best soft cooler you can get. It has a generous interior, keeps ice frozen for a long time, and comes at an attractive price point. The brand manufactures the cooler in various sizes and colors, so you can easily find one to suit your needs.
Soft cooler are a much better choice than hard coolers if you’re planning a day trip. They won’t keep things frozen as long as a hard cooler, but are lighter and easier to carry. Most models are also collapsible, so perfect for travel.
The YETI Hopper M30 is one of the best soft coolers in terms of ice retention capabilities. The secret is in the 5-layer insulation and magnetic closure that seals it immediately after you’ve taken a can out, preventing heat from going inside.
Coleman has a range of high-quality, affordable soft coolers that appeal to campers with lower budgets.Â
Hard coolers are better than soft coolers if you need to keep ice frozen for days rather than hours. Thus, they are undeniably a better choice for weekend getaways or longer trips. However, hard coolers are cumbersome and heavier than the soft ones. If you need something practical that you can take anywhere, a soft cooler is your best bet.
