In the market for a High Perf Cooler : YETI , Coleman, RTIC , Grizzly...???

[Drifthopper]

Does anyone have any input on a High performance cooler...?
There are just so many brands out there now.
I'm not going to spend the money on a Yeti, but I will go $100 - $125ish for a decent one.
I'm in the market for a 28 to 35 quart cooler, one that has a top handle that I can carry with one hand.
Thanks.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day. I have several rotomolded Canyon coolers that I use for multi day trips. In my opinion the canyon (rotomolded) works better than the normal blowmolded type of cooler. Across the upper end I think you need to find a comparison test for current ones with heat scanning…those used to be published and sort of were a level set of ice retention (maybe outdoor gear lab might have something of a comparison) Neither of the coolers I have meet your criteria about the top handle. The smaller one has a shoulder strap…it works great. In general rotomoldeed I think work better…I am not sure I can measure better other than use less ice….my main use is when I am traveling and I don’t want to stop to drain and add ice on multi day trips (hunting/camping/fishing). I am not sure it matters so much on a short trip though?

I am not sure it helps or not , but you could do a search on ‘cooler comparison chart’….there is a pretty good one that will come up in a search.

Cooler Comparison Chart - The Cooler Zone

www.thecoolerzone.com

 

[imnukensc]

Ozark Trail 26 Quart High Performance Roto-Molded Cooler with Microban®, Grey

No features description available Melting ice is the last thing you want to worry about when you're out in the woods, on the boat or kicking back at the beach. The Ozark Trail 26 Quart High-Performance Roto-Molded Cooler features heavy-duty, seamless, one

coopersoptique.us

 

[notaz3]

I have a Grizzly and Kenai coolers. No complaints, and half the price.

 

[RCW]

Don’t have any of the fancy coolers, but saw Yeti coolers at Dick’s Sporting Goods a while back.

People swear by them, but the prices were shocking! I’d never buy one either.

 

[Dieseldonato]

I have an older igloo extream chest cooler. Holds ice for days setting in the sun. Have a little rtic can hold 20 cans or so. It works ok, 2 days tops before you need ro replenish the ice. I'm sure it would be longer if we didn't use it exclusively for drinks. My parents have a big yeti chest Cooler on the boat. It lives on the boat and often has held ice all week, with plenty to spare. it spends its entire life outdoors. It was very expensive,but it's years old by now. Very good cooler.

 

[lugbolt]

Look at Polaris. They have some of their Polaris branded coolers, as good quality as Yeti or any of the other big names, and a little less expensive--or they were the last time I looked at them.

I got one when I got my Polaris gold certification, deeply discounted using the Polaris point system; those points can be used to buy things like accessories. They don't use the points to discount Rangers and Rzrs and Generals and ATV's, just accessories like T-shirts, cups, etc.

 

[Lil Foot]

I had been looking/wishing for a long time, but the price kept scaring me off.
Then I found a new 22qt Canyon, (still had all the stickers on it) at an estate sale for $25.
List $125.
My only complaint is that it is heavy, but it's insulating properties are awesome.
I use those hard plastic blue ice things, and more than once I have found my drinks (pop, ice tea, H2O) starting to get ice in them.
I'm sold, but not sure I will buy a big one, probably couldn't lift it with anything in it.

 

[jyoutz]

The Cabelas coolers are every bit as good as the yeti, but about $100 cheaper.

 

[WFM]

I have a couple different coolers. My girlfriend bought me a yeti a couple yrs ago. The only problem with it is the weight. And thats empty. Put ice and beverages in it and go get the dolly to wheel it around.

 

[radas]

Walmarts cheap Ozark molded coolers compete with the best of them when I was researching a few years back. Ended up buying a clearance off brand one on Amazon instead and it held our food and drinks cool for a 3-4 day camping trip. I don't think you can go writing with any of them tbh.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

We have a 45 qt Ozark Trail rotomold from Walmart that we bought a few years instead of Yeti. Works pretty well but real heavy.
A couple months ago bought a Treeline brand rotomold 20 qt from Tractor Supply for $99. Unless we're cooling a lot, we use it more because it only takes one person to carry it.

Yeti prices are insane.

 

[skeets]

This is from 2019 but it might give you a way to go,, I had an Engle's on the boat, was big and kept ice cold for days, I would think the smaller's ones would do as well.
It went for a walk one day after I docked and went to get the truck and trailer,,, I asked around and nobody saw nuttin, then I got a Gott, it worked not as well but it worked

Coolers Better Than Yeti: Our Top 7 Favorite Options | Coolers World

coolersworld.com

 

[Chapel Hill Vann]

We use our coolers for multi-day river trips. It stays in the hot sun all day . We bought an Engel after researching and have been very happy with it.
I made a 2 layer reflectix cover and that added another day of keeping ice solid.
I would recommend the Engel coolers, but don't know if they have a unit that meets your needs.
On another note--I took an old Coleman cooler and drilled 1/4" holes all around the insides-cooler and top. I used about 1/2 can of expanding foam and filled the cavities. Once it dried, I cut off the excess foam and sealed the holes with a hot glue gun. It vastly improved the insulation and usefulness of that old cooler.
coolers are expensive, but they will last a long time.
Good luck
Vann

 

[radas]

We use our coolers for multi-day river trips. It stays in the hot sun all day . We bought an Engel after researching and have been very happy with it.
I made a 2 layer reflectix cover and that added another day of keeping ice solid.
I would recommend the Engel coolers, but don't know if they have a unit that meets your needs.
On another note--I took an old Coleman cooler and drilled 1/4" holes all around the insides-cooler and top. I used about 1/2 can of expanding foam and filled the cavities. Once it dried, I cut off the excess foam and sealed the holes with a hot glue gun. It vastly improved the insulation and usefulness of that old cooler.
coolers are expensive, but they will last a long time.
Good luck
Vann

That reflective cover is a great idea, didn't think about that. Do you have photos of your setup? How did you attach the reflective material to the cooler?

 

[Chapel Hill Vann]

I made the cover using 2 layers of reflectix and the special tape that is made for reflectix. I got both at Lowe's. I think I used 2 rolls of reflectix and still have some tape left from the original roll.
I wrapped the reflectix around the base of the cooler

I made a separate top that overlaps the bottom

I have used it for 3 years and it is amazingly sturdy. I have made several small tear repairs tears using the same tape.

Drop the cooler into the base, then put the top on

remember to leave room for the handles

If we can get block ice, it will last for 5-6 days in the sun.
Good luck
Vann