With summer finally upon us and beach and pool days now aplenty, it’s important to be equipped with the best cooler bags to make the most of your sunny days. Whether you fill it with ice, water, lunch, snacks, or your favorite alcoholic beverages, a great insulated cooler bag will keep things at an optimal temperature for drinking and eating.
When searching for the best cooler bag there are just a few tidbits to remember. While you’ll certainly want something insulated, you’ll also want to make sure that it’s leakproof so you won’t have a total mess on your hands when ice begins to melt. You’ll also want something easy to carry because there’s honestly no point in having a bag that’s uncomfortable or awkward to tote around. Another important spec to consider is capacity. This is totally a matter that relies on your personal preferences and needs, but you’ll obviously want a larger bag if you plan on bringing enough food and beverages to entertain your whole squad.
So whether you’re hitting the beach alone or hiking, camping and picnicking with friends, these are the best cooler bags to ensure that your next outing is a super chill one.
1. RTIC Soft Pack 30
BEST OVERALL
An amazing option for someone who’s constantly on the go, this soft cooler bag from RTIC is roomy and durable enough to hold up to 30 cans of any beverage plus ice. The style is leak-proof, reinforced by a no-leak zipper, and comes with a heavy-duty vinyl shell and 2 inches of closed-cell foam to keep things cool and ice frozen for an extended period. There’s also an exterior pocket for dry items so you can separate foods and beverages as needed.
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2. YETI HOPPER M30 SOFT COOLER
RUNNER UP
Yeti refers to this cooler bag as “tough-as-nails” and it’s easy to see why. It’s durable, easy to pack and travel with, and great at keeping contents ice cold. This one features a wide mouth opening for simple packing and unpacking and magnetic closure with buckles that keep it tightly sealed.
3. Carhartt Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
PERSONAL-SIZED
Large enough for six cans, this insulated lunch bag from Carhartt is great for personalized use. It’s made of heavy-duty, water-repellent fabric with an insulated inner that keeps food and drinks ice cold. There’s an additional insulated top compartment as well as a smaller pocket for extra storage. It also comes with a top handle and shoulder strap for easy toting to and from lunch, beach, or pool.
4. L.L. Bean Softpack Cooler Bag
LARGE CAPACITY WITH FLIP-TOP LID
Made with five exterior pockets and enough space to home 36 to 48 cans with ice, this L.L. Bean cooler bag is the perfect option for a family outing. The compartments help you store utensils, condiments, and other important items, keeping things organized and easy to access. This design is additionally highlighted by a flip-top lid that stays open while you locate your favorite drinks and snacks.
5. YETI HOPPER BACKFLIP 24 SOFT COOLER
BACKPACK FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
This backpack cooler from Yeti performs well under any condition. Great for activities like camping, fishing, and more, it’s strong, durable, and easy to carry featuring ergonomic straps and a long and wide body to help evenly distribute the weight of your foods and beverages. The size can hold 24 cooler cans, keeping contents cool for hours on end while the leak-proof zipper prevents spilling. There are additional waist and shoulder straps to ensure your comfortability while walking hiking, biking, and more.
6. Coleman Soft Cooler Backpack
BUDGET BACKPACK
At less than $30, the Coleman cooler bag packs quite a punch for its affordable price tag. Fully insulated to keep items cold while preventing leaks, this bag holds up to 28 cans at a time. It additionally comes with adjustable padded straps and a large front pocket to hold utensils and other items.
7. IceMule Classic Cooler
COLLAPSIBLE OPTION
Just the thing you need for the outdoors, this IceMule cooler bag is engineered for up to 24 hours of cooling. This sling-strapped bag is lightweight and easy to carry during any activity or event and can hold six cans with ice. It is leakproof, buoyant, waterproof, and designed with a roll-top with a wide opening for easy access to your favorite items when chilling at the beach, kayaking, and more. What’s great is that this cooler bag collapses super compactly to store or travel easily when not in use, making it perfect for someone with limited space.
8. TOURIT Insulated Cooler Bag
ALSO CONSIDER
This large-capacity gem from Tourit can hold up to 48 cans at once. It’s made with high-density insulated materials and a leakproof interior lining for drip-free use. This one comes with a padded handle and a detachable shoulder strap and also has a front pocket and two mesh pockets for other miscellaneous items. Like some others on this list, this bag can collapse for easy storage when not in use.