Today we pick up part 2 of the cooler series. We are focusing on soft-sided coolers. While hard-sided coolers can be carried, the soft-side cooler is more versatile, light, and offers flexibility for your tailgate or gathering.
Soft-side coolers come in all shapes and sizes and have various ways to carry (shoulder straps, backpack style, and more). Also, the soft side coolers do not keep ice as long as the perviously mentioned hard-side coolers. But, they make up in convenience.
There are a lot of coolers out there and today, I'm going to focus on the mid-range sized coolers and some that are backpacks too.
1. Yeti - soft side
The Hopper Flip 18 and the other Hoppers in the line of Yeti coolers is always a great choice. It is a good for on the go tailgating and for shorter games that can fit a good combination of beverages and food to help pass the time. Always an A+ experience.
(+) Best of market insulation | ( - ) Can be hard to open |
(+) Easy to carry | ( - ) Expensive - Search for deals! |
(+) HydroLok Zipper | ( - ) |
2. BLUU
A good competitor to the Yeti Hopper cooler and bears a similar look. Many of the same features as a Yeti like the HydroLock zipper with helps keep the cold inside. A couple of more features added like outside pockets that are good for carrying more items.
(+) Reasonable price | ( - ) Ice Retention |
(+) Webbed pockets on outside | ( - ) |
(+) One year warranty | ( - ) |
3. RTIC
As I have said in previous posts, the RTIC is a good competitor to the Yeti. Really similar, but in my opinion you can tell the difference with just the hardware that is included that the quality is not as high. But, still a worthy cooler.
(+) OK insulation | ( - ) Ice does not last long |
(+) Great price point | ( - ) Zipper hard to close |
(+) Leak Proof | ( - ) |
4. Engel
This is the first backpack cooler out of the bunch. I could probably write a whole post just about backpack coolers, but I decided to mix them in. One note, while Yeti does have backpack coolers, their M20 models were discontinued. The Engel is a great replacement for the model.
(+) GREAT insulation | ( - ) Roll top can be challenging |
(+) GOOD price point | ( - ) Ice Retention |
(+) Variety of colors | ( - ) |
5. EarthPak
Alas, another backpack cooler. Very stylish and again another worthy competitor to brands out there. EarthPak was new to me and it came in a good variety of colors. I personally liked the bungee cord attachments on the outside to help carry items.
(+) 5 year warranty | ( - ) Lower brand strength / return policy |
(+) Good price point | ( - ) Hardware challenges |
(+) Durable | ( - ) |
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