10 D-ring tie-down points on different sides of the bag allow you to securely fix the bag, which is especially useful when used on boats, kayaks, ATVs, skiffs, SUPs, Radio Flyers, etc.
The zipper is a little stiff.
If you are looking for a large cooler bag to fit enough supplies for a whole family or friends, then you will definitely like this model. It can fit more than 30 12-oz cans on top of a few pounds of ice, making it ideal for trips to the beach, camping, and whatnot.
30 cans (using a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio by volume) or 30 lbs of ice
Polyester, Food-grade plastic
Leak-proof Zipper, Carrying handles, Adjustable shoulder strap (Detachable), 10 D-ring tie-down points, Additional zippered pocket, Mesh pocket
15.5 x 11.5 x 12.75 inches
~5 lbs
1 year
The patented Zipperless™ flip-top lid provides quick access to food and drinks. For practicality, the zippered front pocket also features a layer of insulation. In addition, there are side pockets for the things that should always be at hand.
The shoulder strap can start being a little rough on your shoulder in case the cooler is weighted down.
The Arctic Zone cooler bag is made from an innovative material that is resistant to water, abrasion, or stains, and will not crack or lose its presentable appearance over time. Inside there is a removable SmartShelf™ hard shell that allows you to separate hard food from soft food.
16 can (9, 30, 48 cans available)
Rhino-Tech® material, Hardbody liner with SmartShelf
Flip-open Zipperless™ lid, Insulated front pocket, 2 mesh side pockets, Adjustable Backsaver® shoulder strap with shoulder pad
12.25 x 12.25 x 8 inches
2.2 lbs
Limited lifetime
The bag has upper and bottom compartments to keep cold and warm food or drinks separately. The top section is great for snacks and other light stuff, while the bottom one is good for your lunch boxes and bottles.
Side pockets are not very capacious.
This thermal tote bag is ideal for students and people who work all day long and need a capacious cooler for their lunch. Two separate compartments can hold several lunch boxes, bottles, fruit, and various snacks.
Bottom compartment: 6 cans
Upper compartment: 4 cans
Polyester, Food-grade PEVA
Leak-proof Zipper at bottom compartment, Carrying handle, Adjustable shoulder strap (detachable), Additional zippered pocket, 2 side pockets
10.2 x 7.9 x 11 inches
~0.8 lbs
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The lining has an antimicrobial treatment that resists odor, mold, and mildew, keeping your food fresh and making the cleanup much easier.
The top flap could do with a wider velcro.
The Coleman soft cooler bag keeps food and drinks cold for up to 24 hours at the temperatures of up to 90 °F. This model is perfect for going to the beach or a picnic. The heat-welded seams will prevent leaks.
9, 16, or 30 cans
Ripstop fabric, Antimicrobial liner
The zippered main compartment with heat-welded seams, Top hatch, Adjustable shoulder strap, Side handles, Front pocket
10.75 x 13 x 10 inches (30 can)
~1 lbs
1 year
The exterior of the bag is made of water-repellent and dirt-repellent fabric, which makes the product more durable. The wide opening design allows you to comfortably reach all contents.
The stitching could be improved, as when the bag gets slightly heavy, the threading becomes visible.
The Lifewit cooler bag is designed to keep food and drinks chilled for up to 12 hours. This model has an ergonomic design with comfortable compartments and is suitable for outdoor trips or camping.
27, 32, or 48 cans
210D oxford fabric and EPE foam
Main wide top pocket, 2 side pockets, 2 front pockets, Adjustable shoulder strap, Side handles
9.17 x 15.63 x 4.33 inches (27 can)
~1.5 lbs
2 years limited
Heavy-duty Bag
The RTIC 30 is an amazing midsize soft cooler. As it goes from its name, it can hold up to 30 cans of your favorite beverages with some ice. With 2-inch closed-cell foam insulation, the bag can keep cans, bottles, and anything else cool for up to 5 days even without prechilling. The thick layer of insulation will keep the ice from melting even if the bag is left in the direct sun or in a hot car. The bag is completely leakproof and smell-proof, meaning it doesn't matter what you're going to put in it, no liquid or odor will leak out. It has an antimicrobial liner that is mildew- and odor-resistant and easy to clean up. Being made of heavy duty vinyl shell, the cooler is much stronger than most other soft-sided bags. It's highly resistant to damage and UV rays. Even if you often leave it in the blistering sun, it won't fade. By the way, this soft cooling bag is available in 10 designs to suit your style best. Also, you can choose smaller and larger capacities (20 or 40 cans).
The RTIC cooler bag has an additional exterior compartment for dry items. And the shoulder strap makes it easier for you to handle and carry this bag. Overall, it's a perfect multipurpose soft cooler bag that can withstand extreme heat and fit perfectly any road trip, tailgate, or outdoor activity.
Easy-To-Use Cooler Bag
Your food and drinks deserve the best cooling conditions, and the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze is here to give you exactly that. This handy cooler is easy to use and clean, well-organized, and also doesn’t leak.
The radiant heat barrier inside this unit plus the ColdBlock base ensures the top performance. It can hold up ice for as long as 2 days, which is impressive if you’re going out on a hiking or camping trip. Yes, there may be a little melting at the end of Day 2, but otherwise, everything will stay top-notch. Add an insulated front pocket, and your comfort is more than guaranteed.
Imagine having to zip/unzip the cooler on the go to get the drinks out. Not too amusing, right? The Titan Deep Freeze takes good care of that by offering a patented zipperless lid. Just pop a Cola when you feel like doing it; no fuss, no extra effort. Also, the adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap helps spread the weight and doesn’t slip. What it does do at times is being rough on your shoulder, but only if the cooler is loaded to the full.
Storing the soft foods (like cheeseburgers) with the hard stuff (like beverage cans) can lead to well-predictable results. Avoid the mess with the smart shelf that keeps the two apart just like they should be. If you don’t want it, you can easily remove it. Both the shelf and hard liner can be taken out for cleaning purposes.
Speaking about the latter; thanks to the Rhino-Tech, this unit resists water, stains, and puncture damage. It will also not crack and keep its stylish look.
Summing up, this extra practical hardbody cooler is a dream come true for any hiker or outdoor enthusiast.
Interesting, Sporty, Sophisticated
The MIER Lunch Box is one of the best lunch cooler bags in its range. For less than $20, you can get a super versatile bag. The most interesting thing about this model is that it has two separate compartments to prevent hot and cold foods and drinks from clunking around. Both sections have good insulation - a food grade safety PEVA liner. The top level is good for light things that you don't want to get crushed. You can use the top to pack sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookies, crackers and other stuff that doesn't need to be kept cold. The bottom section is much larger and roomier than the top. It offers plenty of room for heavier items like water bottles, beer cans, lunch containers as well as ice packs. Both compartments can be wiped out easily and cleanly.
Top section features a handy U-opening for quick access. On both sides of the bag, you'll find two non-zippered pockets for gums, napkins, utensils, keys, and other small items. The cooler bag is supplied with a detachable shoulder strap and a handle for comfortable carrying. "MIER" logo zippers are ultra durable and smooth. The bag is offered in Black, Blue, and Navy Blue colors. Overall, it's a fantastic double-level thermal tote for packing large amounts of food and drinks for a whole day.
An Ideal Travel Companion
Need a reliable cooler bag that will last 24 hours? Enter the Coleman unit with the extra insulation to keep your items perfectly cold.
The Coleman is like your portable freezer; you can take it with you on a camping or hiking trip with absolutely no problem. What makes it so reliable is the double insulation, so never worry about the contents going warm. Load the bag with soft food or drinks, and you’re all ready for the outdoor adventures.
Not only that, but the main compartment (which is zippered) helps keep the cold inside and preserve food. There’s even more space for extra snacks in the front pocket. And the soft sides of the bag will allow you to pack it into a suitcase with no effort. Keep in mind, however, that the top flap could do with a wider velcro.
Planning to carry the cooler bag on your shoulder? Couldn’t be easier with the Coleman. The shoulder strap is adjustable and will suit people of various heights.
Is this bag easy to clean? Yes, for sure. The heat welded seams prevent leaking if the food and blue ice inside are not packed into sealed containers. As for the antimicrobial liner, it strongly resists odor, mold, and fungus, which makes the cleanup effortless and smooth.
All in all, the Coleman cooler bag is indispensable for trips, vacations, and long flights.
Your Multi-Pocket Cooler
So, how about a cooler bag with a large capacity but not oversized? The Lifewit soft portable unit may be just what you’re looking for. It accommodates up to 24 drink cans plus ice and has multiple pockets for extra snacks or your personal items.
You don’t need to be on an air crew to enjoy all perks of this 5-gallon bag. It’s spacious and keeps your food/drinks perfectly cold for up to 12 hours. The exterior of durable oxford cloth is water- and dirt-resistant, so if you accidentally pour something on the bag, the contents won’t get damp. And though the stitching could be somewhat improved, the bag does have a more reliable design than some of its competitors.
Now to the handy pockets; you can put your napkins and straws in the 2 front ones, put the rest of smaller things in the 2 side ones, and utilize the wide top pocket for whatever else (warm food, anyone?). This bag is not only a portable cooler but your reliable assistant when traveling the world. Carry it by the strong padded handle; hang it over the shoulder with a detachable strap; or simply put it on your suitcase. Whatever you choose, the bag will remain 100% user-friendly.
In short, airline passengers, long-distance travelers, or regular campers will be hard-pressed to find a more convenient cooler bag for storing food and drinks.
Infographics
What Is a Cooler Bag?
If you're a hiker, a camper, or a tailgating enthusiast, you definitely need a high-quality cooler bag. There are different types of coolers on the market, however, we have reviewed only soft-sided bags for this comparison chart. Soft coolers are all about mobility! They are usually quite lightweight and designed with detachable shoulder straps. Soft bags can be easily carried in your arms or over your shoulder, tucked under a car seat or secured at the back of a canoe. When not in use, soft cooler bags can be usually folded and put away for neat storage. They are made of durable materials with thick insulating linings. Yet, the main questions are how long they can keep your stuff cool and how much they can hold. Surprisingly, the premium soft-sided bags can keep as many as 40 cans cool for up to 5 days. More affordable models have thinner insulation and are quite OK for keeping your lunch boxes and snacks fresh all day long. By the way, thanks to a good insulation level, these bags can keep your food warm as well. We have rounded up various insulated cooler bags for any need and budget. So, it's up to you to decide which one will fit your purpose (and your wallet) best.
Sources:
1. Braun Davidson 11 Stupid-Easy Cooler Hacks For A Better Beach Trip, Delish.
2. Eric Pickhartz 8 Tips For The Most Effective Cooler Use, Wide Open Spaces. May 7, 2014.
3. Sarah Rae Smith Still Using Bagged Ice in Your Cooler? There's a Better Way! Kitchn. July 21, 2016.
4. Tips on Packing a Cooler – Learn How to Pack a Cooler, What’s Cooking America.
5. Kristin Wong Pre-Chill Your Cooler to Keep Drinks Cool Longer, Lifehacker. July 6, 2015.