The Best Soft Coolers of 2026

Bottom Line: For outdoor pros who need a cooler that retains ice multiple days on a float or camp trip without leaking a drop, the Hopper justifies its investment. Points are docked for the slightly stiffer zipper, but YETI’s Hopper Flip sets the benchmark for a bulletproof, super-cool personal cooler. 

From the get-go, the YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler ($250) was reliable and durable. It was reassuring to know it would get the job done and keep our things cold through all the adventures. This cooler also comes in a smaller size 8 or a larger size 18. We took this cooler out on multiple fishing trips and day trips to check out some new lakes, as well as a long drive back to Colorado from Southern Utah. At the lake, the Hopper Flip was the perfect size for our day trip and fit enough drinks and snacks for two or three people.

After sitting in direct sun for a few hours with an ice pack inside, our bubbly waters and snacks were still refreshingly cold and chilled thanks to the closed cell technology. It remained waterproof as it floated near the shore after the lake waves dragged it into the water. In the car, along with being lightweight and easy to carry with lots of different carrying options (like the lid handle, side handles, and the additional adjustable shoulder strap), the box shape of the Hopper Flip 12 was convenient to store and didn’t collapse when other bags were stacked on top of it. It kept our drinks and produce cool for the whole 9.5-hour drive with varying temperatures and sun exposure.

Outdoor instructor Makena Gross, the assistant ski patrol director at Utah’s Brian Head Resort, loved the additional clip-on shoulder strap. Its material is supportive and soft, almost like a memory foam pad, and it made carrying the cooler along the trail a much better experience. On this build, the exterior material was incredibly durable and withstood scratches and dents after being scraped against branches along the trails and dragged around on the rocky ground.

Once the lake day was over and we were unpacking, cleaning out the inside of the cooler was made easy since we could see all the corners and get to all the crevasses. The rigid construction kept the side walls from caving in and the openness of the insulated liner provided fast, easy cleaning, and also made it painless to organize and see the contents inside, to the joy of Senior Editor Morgan Tilton.

Our ice retention test concluded that the Hopper can hold ice for about 3 days. These results were similar to the RTIC 20 Can, and both of these coolers were among our best performers. YETI doesn’t claim a specific number of hours for ice retention due to the myriad environmental factors you may encounter.

The Hopper Flip can fit 24 cans only or solely 16 pounds, to give you an idea of the capacity. This soft cooler is definitely on the pricier side, but the insulative effectiveness and other design features made it stand apart from the other coolers in this guide and as our top favorite.

Bottom Line: A utility player that doesn’t pretend to be a submersible expedition bag. For picnics, angling, and road trips, the strap ergonomics, smart organization, and quick-access make it a heavy hitter in the value category.

Sitting squarely on the economy train, the Titan by Arctic Zone Bucket Tote ($53) is a great budget cooler that keeps our ice cold for long durations. A trio took the cooler fly fishing on Colorado’s Gunnison River, carrying along water and various canned beverages. The temps that day hovered around 80 degrees.

Despite being left in the car for a full day following the river outing, the cooler still had ice and felt cold. That well-founded retention is thanks to the brand’s blend of proprietary insulation, interior radiant barrier, and thick base made of three layers of SuperFoam. We also found the water- and stain-resistant exterior very durable. The inside was easy to wipe clean.

This shape and weight felt easy to move around, and the handles were comfortable. We appreciate all of the pockets to help us keep odds and ends organized. There are two zippered pockets, including one that fits a phone, and two huge, broad mesh pockets.

According to our ice retention test, the Titan Bucket Tote is capable of holding ice for up to 70 hours. This cooler could fit two dozen 12-ounce cans. We’re quite confident it’s the best soft cooler for the price.

Bottom Line: Its ability to fold completely flat makes it the best travel-friendly option — ideal for flying to a destination and having a cooler ready for the rental car. If you prioritize convenience and space-saving over 3-day ice retention, this is a must-have utility piece.

If you have limited storage space, consider the REI Co-op Campwell 18L Folding Cooler ($40). This origami-inspired design collapses and folds flat when it’s not a cube or a tote. When transformed into a box or bag shape, the cooler is light, nimble, and malleable. No other cooler would’ve fit into the awkward floor space behind our seats.

Ultrarunner Nick Couts loaded the Folding Cooler into our jeep for navigating Colorado’s high-altitude Alpine Loop, a 65-mile route that circumnavigates old mining roads through the San Juan Mountains. The cooler held lunch meats, cheese, veggies, dark chocolate, and seltzer waters.

The eco-friendly design has a recycled polyester upper and recycled nylon bottom. It’s also Bluesign-approved, which we appreciate.

Overall, we found the Folding Cooler durable, given it’s made with a tough polyester shell and abrasion-resistant nylon bottom. It also had decent ice retention. The size and insulation are ideal for a single day out. According to the ice retention test, this cooler can retain ice for 57 hours and fit 24 12-ounce cans.

Bottom Line: Stealthy and ideal for office environments, grocery runs, or as a snack station in the passenger seat. While it sacrifices the multiday ice retention and leakproof seal of the Hopper series, it gains points for accessibility and style.

The YETI Daytrip 14L Tote Bag ($145) delivers what you want in a sophisticated lunch-and-snack hauler: all-day cold retention, just enough space, and a clean, low-profile design that doesn’t scream “cooler.” This soft, fabulous tote keeps things fresh without the bulk of a hard-sided cooler, whether heading to the farmers market, packing for a beach picnic, or hauling snacks to the office.

This tote is the largest cooler bag in YETI’s Daytrip collection, which debuted in the summer of 2025, and offers more capacity than the 6L Lunch Bag. It fits up to 12 cans or three upright wine bottles side by side, making it a good choice for group occasions. We appreciated the two lengthy straps that could easily slide over either shoulder. A smooth Velcro handle nicely holds the straps together. 

Two exterior stash pockets (one zippered, one envelope) were handy for bike park builder Dane Tudor, who carried utensils, first aid supplies, snacks, and two meals for 12-hour days while managing the bike park build at RED Mountain Ski Resort. And a grid on the back gives you a place to clip extra gear. While the pocket space is good, you’ll find more carry power in the Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote. The Daytrip’s Coldcell Flex Insulation — a lightweight, closed-cell foam — does a pretty good job keeping contents cold at 60 hours. This comes as a surprise, given the YETI Hopper M30 Tote delivered 96 hours and the YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler hit 72 hours — and it’s likely due to the simple magnetic closure. While YETI’s Hopper M30 has two buckles that help clasp the magnetic closure, the Daytrip is free of straps.

The slender magnetic MagSnap closure offers quick access and a satisfying snap-shut, but it’s not leakproof, so ice packs are a more intelligent choice than loose cubes. Since the top doesn’t seal tightly, it’s not the best pick for SUP missions. Also, the lid won’t shut if your fruit or Tupperware is pressing too close to the lid, which docked points for utility and outdoor gigs. 

Its durable outer material is easy to wipe clean and holds up well to everyday wear. In hot, humid conditions, we did notice a little exterior condensation. Overall, this soft cooler is a snazzy, premium accessory for urban outings and office commutes, more than a utility workhorse made for comfort. At more than a C-note, the Daytrip is a splurge that performs and looks good. 

Bottom Line: Arguably the best bang-for-your-buck technical cooler on the market. For outdoor enthusiasts who need a cooler that floats, won’t leak in the backseat, and can take a beating on the river, this is a top-tier contender that doesn’t require a premium tax.

Compared to the YETI Hopper Flip 12 soft cooler, the RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler ($99) definitely checks off an equally impressive ice retention and insulative effectiveness. Plus, it’s significantly cheaper. 

We brought this cooler car camping with us in Leadville, Colo., for 3 days. To begin the trip, we kept a large ice pack in it. Once that thawed, we switched to bags of ice. Our food stayed nice and cool for the first couple of days before the ice started to melt faster and the air inside the cooler warmed. Considering it was sitting in the sun for most of the day, this RTIC pack was reliable and effective at its job thanks to the thick walls composed of closed-cell foam.

This cooler is leakproof, waterproof, and buoyant. It’s ideal for any activity on the water. The floating capabilities would come in handy after a boat flips on a rapid. 

Unfortunately, the shape and height of the cooler make the storage space pretty narrow, noted Wilderness Medicine course instructor Makena Gross. Looking at it from the outside, the cooler looks like it will fit more than it actually can. The walls are two inches thick, and the lid is robust. The shape works well for canned drinks, but other than that, the narrowness of the storage space makes it difficult to organize. 

Our ice retention test for the RTIC 20 ended approximately three days in when all the ice had fully melted — comparable stats to the YETI Hopper Flip 12. RTIC claims the 20-Can volume can keep your drinks cool for 24 hours — a claim that our tests more than verified. This RTIC soft cooler did indeed fit 20 cans, just as its name suggests. This is a great overall cooler — especially for watergoers.

Bottom Line: A practical daily driver built for the user who is tired of fighting stiff, waterproof zippers to grab a Gatorade. It trades a perfect air-tight or submersible seal for unmatched convenience and internal organization. 

Looking to ditch the zipper on your soft cooler without sacrificing cooling power? The Titan by Arctic Zone 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler ($70) stands out for its functional, user-friendly design, especially the zipperless flip-top lid, which we loved for its easy access during road trips, soccer games, and outdoor adventures. It made grabbing snacks and drinks quick and hassle-free, and impressively, the lid stayed secure even after we purposely knocked the cooler over from every side — it never popped open.

The removable HardBody liner adds structure to the interior, making the cooler easier to pack and clean. We found removing the liner after each use helpful — just in case — since a small amount of water occasionally made its way between the liner and the cooler’s edge. Taking it out ensured everything dried properly and stayed fresh for the next trip. 

A removable ‘SmartShelf’ kept soft foods separate from cold drinks, so nothing got soggy or crushed. Genius! The shelf lifts out easily to create a single large compartment when needed. The deep freeze insulation with a cold block base kept items cold for up to 3 days in our controlled ice retention test and held them up for a solid 1.5 days during real-world use with regular opening and closing.

Outdoor expert Constance Mahoney found that the adjustable Backsaver strap with anti-slip padding was comfortable for short distances, but a little padding would have gone a long way. Much like the Hydro Flask 20L Carry Out Cooler, we appreciated the multiple carry handles that made loading in and out of the car easy, as well as the two zippered insulated pockets for smaller essentials. 

That flat-top design, complete with a bungee cord for securing or attaching extra items, added unexpected versatility — we used it as a mini prep station to make sandwiches and slice fruit on the go. The cooler also proved durable, and the water- and stain-resistant exterior wiped clean effortlessly after a mustard mishap.

Overall, the Zipperless HardBody Cooler delivers convenience, reliable cold retention, a thoughtful zipperless design, and SmartShelf, making it ideal for everyday use, travel, and active outings.

Bottom Line: The evolved soft cooler that ditches a zipper in favor of high-powered magnets. You get the thermal performance of a premium cooler without the maintenance or two-handed struggle of a traditional waterproof seal. 

YETI completely reworked and relaunched the magnetic closures for their soft coolers — and the powerful design is back and better than ever. This time, the brand launched the Hopper collection with magnetic closures, including the YETI Hopper M30 2.0 Soft Cooler ($350), which comes in an even larger M30 tote that fits 42 cans of bubbly water over the 32 cans that can stack into the M15. There’s also a shoulder strap version: the Hopper M12 or M20 Backpacks.

To close up this cooler, you snap shut the top of the tote, fold down the rim, and then click two wide buckles over the top for extra security. Either side of the mouth is lined with a strip of super-strong magnets. We’ll be the first to confirm: Despite the shark clamp this magnet offers to hold in cold air or liquid, when the clasp is manually set open, the gap stays.

Senior Editor Morgan Tilton never saw the cooler slam shut when propped open. And without a doubt, the ice retention of this soft cooler is among the front-runners. The only challenge we had was with closing the two buckles: One of our easiest solutions was to place a knee on the top of the tote to more easily slide the ends together. But the pressure of a palm will also do. Also, the shape of this cooler means it’s not our choice for grocery store runs — it’s simply not big or boxy enough — but is a classy, top-notch design for day adventures.

A narrow but wide slide-in kangaroo pocket on the side of the cooler is perfect for sliding a phone or wallet while you stroll. And we’re a sucker for a comfortable grab handle that’s as ergonomic and strong as this one has. One of our favorite details of this tote is the lengthy shoulder strap, which is removable but has a lean yet cushy, grippy, and soft pad right where you need it most. There are two additional hand straps as an alternative loop to grab, which can slide over your shoulder, too for a close-to-torso carry. Those straps are convenient but barebones and not as comfortable as the longer body strap.

We were impressed with how slender this large bag feels, due to the tapered design and sleek crown to this tote. The exterior is buttery smooth, easy to wipe down, and is just as durable as all the other touchpoints from top to bottom.

Overall, despite being large, this YETI tote is simply comfortable to carry. Yet the base is wide and sturdy, so we don’t need to worry about where we set the load down — gravel and uneven ground isn’t an issue. The Hopper M30 is a premium soft cooler that’ll last through whatever you throw its way.

Bottom Line: A path-of-least-resistance cooler, this is an elite choice for the weekend warrior who wants a stylish, high-capacity hauler for the beach or for driving home from the store. Although it lacks waterproof seals, the zipper moves easily.

The Hydro Flask 20L Carry Out Soft Cooler ($100) is a lightweight, everyday cooler that shines in short-term use. We found it perfect for grocery runs, day trips, or keeping in the back of your car for errands and impromptu adventures. While it doesn’t keep items cold for multiple days, it reliably holds a chill for over 24 hours in our real-time use and nearly 3 days in our ice-retention test, making it a solid option when all-day cold is all you need.

With a 38-can capacity (without ice) and a wide top opening, the Carry Out is easy to pack, unload, and can fit bulky items like Tupperware or orange juice jugs. The compression-molded lid and base add structure and help the cooler stay upright, whether in our car trunk or on uneven rocks by the river. We especially appreciated the stable, flat base — it never tipped over during grocery runs or day trips. While bumpier 4×4 roads might be a different story, that’s a good time to strap everything down.

The cooler’s lightweight insulation makes it easy to carry. It is made from 100% recycled polyester with a durable 600D water-resistant coating, offering solid protection against everyday wear and light moisture. One thing to note: while the cooler’s lighter color options look great out of the box, they tend to show dirt quickly, especially after being used outdoors or tossed in a car trunk.

A removable cross-body strap adds convenience when carrying heavier loads, and webbing loops let you attach accessories for added versatility. However, the exterior stash pocket is tighter and lacks a key ring or secure clip — something we appreciated on the Hydro Flask 20L Insulated Tote.

The Carry Out Cooler is a reliable, straightforward soft cooler that performs well for short trips and everyday use. If you’re looking for something compact, lightweight, and easy to grab, it’s a great choice — just don’t expect it to replace your heavy-duty, multiday cooler.

Bottom Line: The Mountainsmith Sixer’s unique shape allows it to slide into spaces other coolers can’t reach — like the footwell of a Jeep — making it an essential piece of kit for solo adventurers or the designated trailhead toast specialist.

For lunch on the go, the Mountainsmith Sixer ($40) was a great cooler. Our tester, a Colorado-based electrician and mountain biker, packed it with a canned drink, sandwich, fruit, and chocolate. The cooler’s shape and size were easy to fit in a messy work truck.

Inside and out, the cooler was easy to clean. It seems durable, and we like the vintage look.

The haul handle is ergonomically sound and comfortable to grab. However, our ice melted fast on hot days, and with minimal room in the cooler, the food can get wet. But, the seamless liner did hold the water and showed no sign of leaks.

According to the ice retention test, this cooler can preserve ice for 25 hours. The Sixer can fit one dozen 12-ounce cans.

Bottom Line: This Saturday-morning bag bridges the gap with a technical soft cooler, providing enough thermal protection for a day at the park without the bulk or weight of a traditional ice chest. 

From riverside picnics to road trips, we found that the Hydro Flask 20L Insulated Tote ($65) is a practical yet stylish soft cooler that serves its purpose without unnecessary frills. Its 20L capacity provides ample room for essentials like snacks, drinks, or a small picnic setup. We love that the oval bottom offers a solid base and keeps it from easily tipping. This functional design and slim profile make this tote one of our top picks for short trips, post-run bevies, or a quick grocery run. 

This tote-style soft cooler offers one large main compartment and an exterior pocket with an attached lanyard for keys. The keyring has a convenient slit, making it easy to quickly slide our keys in and out. The exterior pocket was particularly handy while grocery shopping to stash our phone, keys, and wallet for easy access. Outdoor enthusiast Constance Mahoney appreciated this tote’s ability to keep things contained and organized without being bulky or overcomplicated.

In terms of materials, the fabric feels durable and is lightweight, weighing just 1 pound, 5 ounces. Despite the lightness, this tote is sturdy enough to hold heavy items — like three gallon-sized milk jugs — without any noticeable strain or seams stretching on the handles. The 20L size with soft expandable sides is deceivingly large! We were surprised by how much food we could fit inside on grocery store outings. While this cooler performs well for everyday tasks, it’s not built for extreme weather or heavy-duty outdoor conditions, like the YETI Hopper M30 tote, which is a better option for those seeking something more rugged.

We tested the “surf” baby blue color, which added a cute factor to the tote. There are plenty of other fun shades to choose from! The lighter colors do show dirt more easily, but we had no issues cleaning the exterior with a wet rag and a little water. If you’re looking for a reliable, compact tote that can easily live in your car for grocery runs or small outings, this tote from Hydro Flask is a great choice.

Bottom Line: This adventure musette is a specialized tool for cyclists, hikers, or commuters who want to bring a cold celebratory beverage or a fresh lunch. Its ability to transition from a handlebar bag to a shoulder tote makes it one of the most clever pieces of hydration gear. 

This soft cooler is a triple-whammy design. Dubbed the ICEMULE Impulse ($100), this lunch cooler adapts with simple straps to become a hand-carry, cross-body tote, or a bike handlebar bag. Inspired by the musette bags that became more known in the U.S. following mega race events, namely the Tour de France, this design is a step up: It’s waterproof for any weather or puddles that might cross your path and of course, it’s insulated to keep your grub or drinks cold.

Senior Editor Morgan Tilton was pleasantly surprised by how durable, soft, and dense this material feels, especially for such a small pail. This bag really does feel like it’s built with tenacity, much like any bikepacking bag.

For the cross-body tote, we like that the strap is thick and has a central buckle, so you can easily disconnect if needed — though, we didn’t totally find it necessary with how long the strap can extend. Two additional streamlined buckles connect each strap end to the cooler body.

The two straps that attach the soft cooler to bike handlebars have reflective material, a touch we appreciate. Inside, there’s a sleeve that works great for a slender ice pack. On the backside of the exterior, there’s a small pocket with a zip closure that’s big enough for a spork, ID, or that lean, removable shoulder strap.

Overall, we love that we can cruise to a riverside park with weight on our bike, easily pull off our lunch bag, transition the tote to a cross-body bag, and hike around to find a picnic spot. Of course, that means we need to carry the removable shoulder strap with us, but it isn’t too cumbersome. The Impulse is a cool triple-bargain and well-executed design.

Bottom Line: Hits the sweet spot for those who don’t want to drop $200 on a soft cooler. While it isn’t 100% leakproof if it tips over, its blend of smart storage, solid insulation, and no-lube-needed zips makes it a practical daily driver.

The Igloo Trailmate 18-Can Cooler Bag ($80) became our favorite snack-and-drink companion for road trips thanks to its compact size, efficient insulation, and travel-friendly design. With room for up to 18 cans and MaxCold Ultra insulation (20 mm HDPE foam), our snacks and drinks for a family of three were cold for a full day on the road.

Its structured EVA top and bottom provide superb stability and shape, whether fully packed or half empty. The low profile and boxy shape make it easy to stack on and around when not using it up front for snacks. But up front in the car, the wide zippered lid with a pull tab makes packing and accessing food and drinks easy from the nearby seats. Outdoor expert Constance Mahoney found the 600D-coated polyester exterior durable despite tossing it in and out of the car during a long desert road trip. 

Dual top handles and a removable shoulder strap with padding were nice touches to help with varying carrying options. The built-in bottle opener hidden in the front pocket is an appreciated feature, and the front zip pocket also offers space for napkins, utensils, or your phone. Zippers can be tricky, but these water-resistant zippers with corded pulls were smooth and easy to use.

While it doesn’t match the ice retention of the similarly designed YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler, the Igloo Trailmate was our top pick for riding up front — it is the right size to keep snacks and drinks within easy reach at a fraction of the price.

Bottom Line: Won’t win an ice-melt contest against a rotomolded box, but it is the king of capacity. It avoids the heavy-duty weight and stiff zippers of its competitors in favor of a massive, accessible interior and a foldable footprint. 

One of our favorite products overall was the Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38 ($130). Even given its large size, it was still very comfortable to transport, due to the soft, malleable walls. With the simple, wide handles Velcroed together, we could sling the cooler over our shoulders when it was fully loaded.

A hard cooler this size would require two hands to move. But the flexible walls allowed us to flatten and fold the cooler for easy storage, saving us space in a tight apartment. If you’re looking for an easy-to-store soft cooler with a smaller capacity, don’t overlook the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cooler.

The exterior is made of synthetic plastic and nylon, so it’s not resilient for a rugged whitewater trip but is suitable for basecamp. There’s ample space to carry multiple meals for several people. The insulated walls have an interior aluminum coat that helps trap cold air, and the ice retention is adequate for single- and 2-day adventures.

If you want a versatile cooler with a bit more volume than a traditional soft cooler, look no further. This Snow Peak did well on a weekend road trip to climb in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains and camp out, according to Senior Editor Morgan Tilton, but wouldn’t be able to retain ice for longer durations. Our ice retention test corroborated that experience, showing the cooler is capable of holding ice for nearly 2.5 days.

Bottom Line: This double-duty cooler tote serves as a dry bag thanks to a removable liner. High-capacity cooler on Saturday. Waterproof travel bag on Sunday. Snag it on sale while supplies last — it’s been (unfortunately) discontinued. 

Doubling on duties, the Booe 30L Waterproof Insulated Tote ($200) is more than just a cooler tote. This cooler doubles as a dry bag when you take the removable liner out. When the insulative liner is in the bag, there is room for extra storage in between the exterior shell and the liner for your dry goods. However, be cautious about any ice melt or liquid that could spill into the dry goods side if the cooler is tipped over. 

Wilderness Medicine course instructor Makena Gross brought this cooler on a car camping trip to Colorado for 5 days and tested it out on the lake, in the car, and on the trail. Gross used this cooler for snacks and drinks, and it did well to keep things cold for a couple of days at a time. She had to switch out the ice every 2 days or so.

Additionally, we noticed that it was challenging to organize and see everything that was inside because the zipper doesn’t open very wide, and the material around the zipper is stiff. This made cleaning the inside a bit troublesome, but removing the insulating liner helps with this problem. On the plus side, the zipper is leakproof and closing it is a piece of cake. 

This cooler’s exterior material is super tough and held up against the gritty rocks and dirt around the lake. The exterior is also waterproof and the tote itself floats on the water, making this another great water activity cooler. Being a tote cooler, it doesn’t have completely rigid walls. It can be compressed and be stored efficiently if need be. The additional shoulder strap is a great way to carry this cooler tote around with you. 

The Booe 30L holds ice for about 53 hours. Its 30L capacity can hold 36 cans plus a 5-pound bag of ice.