The Best Backpack Coolers of 2024

We took the Everfun 30-Can Leakproof Insulated Black Cooler Backpack ($38) on a driving tour around Colorado for the fall soccer season. Its compact size made it easy to store when not in use, yet it was spacious enough to hold lunches and drinks between matches.

The puncture-resistant ripstop exterior proved its durability, withstanding the bumps and scrapes of being tossed in the back of a car alongside soccer cleats, balls, and other duffle bags. Impressively, it even survived a curious dog’s investigation without a scratch. During unexpected rainstorms, the cooler’s additional waterproof coating came in handy. While the exterior back panel isn’t waterproof and can soak up moisture, the insulated top pocket kept our phones and keys dry during the downpour.

Even though the shoulder straps are padded, we found them to be pretty uncomfortable, especially as the pack got heavier. Without a chest strap, the weight pulls down on the shoulders. If comfort-for-carry is your priority, the best option is the ICEMULE BOSS, which distributes weight across double-padded mesh shoulder straps, hip pads, an adjustable hip belt, and a sternum strap. Despite the drawback, the Overrun does have ample capacity, fitting up to 30 cans (without ice). There was plenty of room for us to pack lunches and snacks for three, with extra space for additional drinks and food to share. 

While the Leakproof can technically pack 30 cans in it, we would advise against this as it wouldn’t be comfortable to carry. However, it is a great lightweight and compact cooler for soccer games, quick outings, and short day trips. And you can’t beat the price.

With plenty of comfort and space for cutlery or seasoning, the Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler ($70) is an excellent value pack with impressive ice retention. And we appreciated the large variety of pockets — 9 in total — for storing essentials. Water bottles securely fit in the mesh side pockets, while we stashed keys and a blister kit in the top zippered pocket. The side pouches are so wide they can easily fit a water bottle plus two big bottles of sunscreen with room to spare. The front insulated pocket was perfect for carrying out trash. And there was even space to tuck a windbreaker into the bungee webbing on the front of the pack. There are also zippered mesh pouches inside the front and brain pockets, where you can organize smaller items. Pockets galore!

One of our most memorable tests with this cooler was while working at an ultramarathon in the Sawatch mountain range of Colorado over a hot July weekend. After pre-cooling the main cooler space, we found the Ice Walls to be impressive and hold a consistently cool temperature for an entire weekend. We liked having separate ice pack compartments that kept condensation off food. While we wouldn’t recommend this bag for extended hikes, this cooler outperformed its price point for an extended weekend of variable temps: in and out of the car and hanging around outside. And according to our controlled test, the Deep Freeze retained ice for 80 hours.

During another 100-mile ultrarunning race in Montana’s sweltering Crazy Mountains, we hiked with this cooler for more than 10 miles to support athletes. Ultimately, while it performed well and the padded shoulder straps were comfortable, the system lacked customization. Namely, the adjustable chest strap sits too low for a 5’4″ frame, as well as for bustier testers, but fits a 6’2″ (flat chested) tester just fine. One of our favorite elements was how easy this cooler was to clean. After dealing with sticky, messy run nutrition, we were relieved that a quick wipe-down with a wet cloth was all it took to clean. For tougher stains, we tackled them at home with dish soap and water post-race. As a perk, the Deep comes with two Titan Ice Wall ice packs, which slide into zippered pockets on either side of the primary cooler compartment.

So, whatever it lacks in carrying comfort and adjustability, it makes up for in ice retention results and storage options. If you’re headed out on a solo mission or need extra storage, this might just be the cooler for you. Considering the scale, this pack could hold 24 12-ounce cans with room for ice. New for 2024-2025, the brand launched a second eco-friendlier model with an exterior that’s made from recycled plastic bottles: The Titan Eco ($50), which is smaller (capacity for 24 cans versus 30) and costs less. One caveat: It’s only available at Target.

The Engel Roll Top High Performance Backpack Cooler ($220) is a true powerhouse in the world of backpack coolers. Weighing in at just over 3 pounds, this midweight cooler is one of the most robust and durable options we’ve used. We put the Engel to the ultimate test during a week-long archery hunting trip in the Colorado Rockies. The pack endured the rigors of being tossed around the back of an ATV, faced the demands of elk camp life, and generally took a beating — yet it came home looking as good as new (after a thorough hose down). 

Constructed with 840-denier material, this Roll Top offers strength and abrasion resistance. The exterior is fortified with laminated thermal plastic urethane (TPU) film, which provides an extra layer of puncture protection — it didn’t even get a scratch while off-roading. While there’s a 1-inch layer of closed-cell foam insulation and welded seams, which helped keep our food cold, the unique design also has a patent-pending vacuum valve that allows you to attach your at-home vacuum hose to suck out air. This step removes any trapped air between the foam and the TPU, enhancing insulation and improving thermal efficiency.

When we packed the Engel on its side for the bumpy drive out, we were pleasantly surprised that the roll-top closure and secure clips kept everything contained. Despite hours of navigating a rough, muddy 4×4 road, we experienced zero leaks. We also found a new appreciation for the rectangle shape as it stacks nicely with our plastic bins. 

Out in the field, the padded back and shoulder straps are surprisingly comfortable. The adjustable chest strap has a wide enough range for various heights and chest sizes. When we filled it with items too heavy to wear on our back, the side handles came in handy for two people to carry together. A third grab handle above the back panel is equally sized and easy to wrap our hands around. Between the long ice retention, roomy compartment space, and overall ruggedness, the Roll Top High-Performance Backpack Cooler has proven to be a solid choice for our outdoor adventures. 

The RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler ($159) blurs the lines between a soft and hard-sided cooler. This tote will keep your food and beverages cold for days and can take a beating. All for under two-hundo and with an impressive ice retention score.

No small accessory, the RTIC 30 is also huge. If you’re hanging out with a crowd or headed out for a full weekend, this cooler can handle the load. We loved this cooler for car camping, hanging out at a park or the beach, or anything around the water. The durable waterproof zipper is truly leakproof — and relatively easy to pull closed or open — plus the whole thing floats! Even after opening this cooler frequently, our food stayed cool all weekend long. However, in direct sunlight, the exterior face of the cooler gets hot to the touch.

With a super sturdy base and durable all-around construction, this cooler is easy to drag in and out of the car and through the dirt and sand, and it’s easy to clean. It remains upright with zero collapsing when we set it down on the ground, which we appreciate. We also loved the bright orange interior which made it easy to see what’s hidden at the bottom. And wow, the RTIC 30 also retained ice for 85 hours in our in-house test. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 30 12-ounce cans with room for ice.

This roomy design will hold everything, though it’s heavy. The padded shoulder straps and hefty waist belt are nice, but some of our testers found it challenging to carry the cooler comfortably. We wish the straps were adjustable or the waist belt were removable. While we love the concept of having a hip belt for the extra load support, some of us found that the hip belt sat too high for comfort when we tested this cooler while crewing an ultramarathon around Colorado’s San Juan mountains, as well as on a river trip down the Gunnison River.

The unique REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler ($100) is an adaptable backpack cooler with a removable cooler insert, so you can drop the liner for a traditional day pack. Essentially, you’re getting two pack styles in one piece of gear for only $100, which is a good deal if you’re not looking for a specialized item. For this price, you’re giving up the rigidity and support of a build like the RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler or stout ICEMULE BOSS. But this is one of the most modifiable hybrid cooler packs on our list.

We most appreciated the padded back panel and padded, contoured hip belt, which elevated the load off our back. After loading the pack with canned beverages for boating on a Wisconsin lake, we could still carry the bag with ease. One caveat: The material doesn’t wick sweat super well, but it is slightly suspended for some airflow. The handle isn’t fancy but has a wide opening and is easy to grab — holding it, we carried the pack a full mile.

These trusty pockets are well-built and utilitarian. For our 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles and sunscreen, we used the two mesh water bottle holders, which are sandwiched on the face of side zippered pockets. With Bluesign-approved materials, the design is more eco-friendly than other packs we tested. The exterior is made with recycled ripstop nylon, and the liner is recycled polyester.

According to our test, the Cool Trail is able to retain ice for nearly 77 hours, well above the claimed rate. To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit 20 12-ounce cans.

Looking for a no-frills backpack cooler? The ICEMULE Recycled Jaunt ($170) is the one we reached for time and again. We tested this cooler on packrafting and SUPing trips in the Elk and Sawatch mountains of Colorado. With a unique entrance, the roll-top waterproof closure lends itself well to watersports and peace of mind while it sits in the back seat. We loved that the bright interior makes it easy to see what you’ve packed at the bottom. Lightly padded, we also really like that the shoulder straps of the Jaunt are great for short trips to the riverside or ocean sand.

Overall, this design is lightweight, simple, and sustainable. Made of recycled materials, it’s durable and easy to clean. The bottom is textured and rigid enough to stand up on the beach or uneven ground. The inside is shiny, like a whitewater raft, and rinses out clean. We appreciate the minimal seams in this cylindrical design and secure strap attachments.

We love the zipper pocket on the front for a phone, keys, or other small valuables, but you won’t find any other pockets or attachment straps. This cooler worked best when two people were headed out — with a secondary pack to carry other odds and ends — but was challenging for solo missions. If you’re looking for an all-purpose, simple, sustainable design that holds ice well, this cooler is a great option. If you want a pack loaded with pockets, don’t miss the Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler, which costs $100 less, retains ice for a bit longer, and has eight unique pockets — it just weighs twice as much as the Jaunt.

The test scores were good, too: The Recycled Jaunt retained ice for 75 hours. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 22 12-ounce cans with room for ice.

We’ve consistently put YETI’s coolers to the grindstone and never been disappointed. New for fall 2023, YETI launched an extended family of the Hopper lineup, and we got our paws on the entry-level YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Cooler ($275). While the tidy size is manageable to swing over your shoulder and carry, the design doesn’t skimp on the freeze-power — our fare stayed fresh.

The Hopper M12 has an upgraded and safer iteration of the brand’s previous ultra-strong magnetic closure — and that sucker is powerful. The strip of magnets even fully blocks water from leaking out or in. Despite the strength, this closure is easy to open and, yet, it does stay ajar until you physically push the folds back shut. We found the narrow opening and shape are best for drinks and the elongated height does indeed fit a bottle of wine. Stacking groceries doesn’t go far with this silhouette but a handful of snacks can certainly go atop the ice and cans.

Also, the two buckles that close across the top of the pack are not super long, and the material is rather rigid. Our tester found it was easier to take a knee to the upper material to get those two clipped. One of our favorite details about YETI is the tenacity and smoothness of the exterior material including with the Hopper M12. This stuff is so easy to wipe down after getting smudges, too. And we really love the grab handle, which is super comfortable and wide to grip. Those shoulder straps are supportive and clean-cut, too.

Otherwise, the pack includes a pocket in front that reaches about half the bag’s height. There’s no zipper or Velcro on the pocket, but the envelope is stiff and tacos around whatever you slide in whether that’s your phone, wallet, or keys. Four columns of attachment points run vertically on the pack, where you can clip gear via carabiners. YETI also designed in-house products that link up with the loops like a bottle holder and 3-liter gear case. With premium ice retention and a more accessible size and capacity for folks, the Hopper M12 Backpack Cooler is one of our favorite packs that we’ve tested. Also, this volume can fit 20 standard cans of beverages.

With a smooth yet durable exterior, the Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack ($200) rewarded us on a double-date hike in Colorado’s Elk Mountains. Our quad packed all the tasty fare from champagne and dark chocolate to strawberries, lunchmeat, and bread. We loved that the top zipper is waterproof and bombproof — it’s also silent. There’s hardly a stronger, more durable waterproof zipper than the one on this backpack cooler, so if that’s your closure preference versus a roll-top, the Escape should be at the top of your list.

This cooler’s malleable walls feel rather buttery and lean, so we were surprised by the overall comfortable, ergonomic support as we trekked. We were happy to wear this pack and these padded shoulder straps for longer hikes and extended periods. Despite its light weight and flexibility, the pack is structurally sound with durable handles and 600-denier polyester waterproof material. The chest strap stabilizes the shoulder straps; Otherwise, they annoyingly slide around. We also dig the stretch mesh side pocket, which easily fits a 1-liter bottle or utensils.

The downside is a watertight zipper takes two hands and more time to open and close than a traditional zipper. With a similar hand feel, the ICEMULE Recycled Jaunt also has a light, durable exterior but instead of a waterproof zipper, the bag has a roll-top design. Both options keep water out and ice in, but it’s a personal preference if you want to muscle a strong zipper or take a few extra second to curl the closure.

To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit 36 12-ounce cans. It truly keeps the temps low. The Day Escape is able to hold ice for nearly 60 hours, based on our test, which is above what the brand advertises.

For shorter day trips, we gravitated toward the Titan by Arctic Zone 24 Can Welded Backpack Cooler ($165), which offers two cooler compartments that we liked for the separation of drinks and food. While the Carhartt Cooler Backpack likewise has two compartments, one is for dry goods while only one is insulated for cooling edibles. We tested this Arctic Zone pack on a full-day fishing trip on Colorado’s Taylor River on a warm summer day.

We appreciated the ability to use cubed ice for canned beverages in the bottom compartment and ice packs for food and more fragile items in the top compartment. Both compartments have waterproof closures for peace of mind when hiking with the backpack or throwing it in the back of the car. The rigidity and durability of this cooler were great for a full day of exploring river banks and picnicking in high country fields. 

These backpack straps sit high, which pulled the weight of a fully loaded cooler up and off the tops of our shoulders, and the back panel offered ample padding and airflow. However, we wouldn’t recommend this cooler for longer trips or extended hiking. The ice retention suffered in the heat and direct sunlight. The placement of zippers, handles, and shoulder straps made the cooler uncomfortable to carry for long stretches of time.

Checking out the test results, the Arctic Zone 24 retained ice for 40 hours on the bottom and 48 hours on the top. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 20 12-ounce cans with room for ice.

The Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler ($70) is reminiscent of your childhood lunchbox. This stylish cooler looks excellent at a lakeside picnic. Our tester took this cooler down the Gunnison River on floating trips and for lakeside afternoons in Crested Butte, Colorado.

This cooler is lightweight and simple in design. We appreciated that the interior fabric wipes clean easily. And we love the mesh zippered pocket inside the lid for smaller food items. To carry the goods, the side pockets and spacious front sleeve pocket are great for your water bottle, sunscreen, and a book for a day at the lake. And the shoulder straps stow away in a back pocket with a solid top-handle carry option for simplified carrying.

We suggest ice packs (versus ice cubes or blocks) to keep your food and beverages cool, as the zipper is not waterproof, and the tall cooler tips over easily on uneven ground. If that’s key for you, check out the RTIC 30 Can Backpack Cooler, which has a super sturdy base and remains upright with zero collapsing when sitting on the ground. We also wish the Bygone cooler had a zippered outside pocket, like the ICEMULE Recycled Jaunt, for a phone and other valuables.

However, we wouldn’t take this cooler on longer hikes because it lacks padding and adjustability as a backpack, and its ice retention decreases quickly in direct sunlight. But, if you’re looking for a small, simple cooler for a day outside, this is the cooler for you. Checking with the ice lab, the Bygone retained ice for 48 hours. To put the size in perspective, this pack could hold 20 12-ounce cans with room for ice.

If you need to primarily carry apparel or gear plus a bit of cooler space, check out the two-in-one Carhartt Cooler Backpack ($90). We used this simple day pack on a two-person day hike in Crested Butte, Colorado, bringing along a load of seltzer water and Red Bull but it’s perfect for bringing along lunch or snacks. While most of our other favorite backpack coolers have a boxier or rectangular frame and greater cooler storage, like the Eddie Bauer Recycled Bygone Backpack Cooler, this Carhartt resembles and feels like a simple everyday backpack.

This Carhartt’s shoulder straps aren’t super robust, but for toting a moderate load for a few hours, the pack provides fair support. The 600-denier strong polyester material is tough and treated with a DWR coating to protect against a drizzle. A stout handle at the top of the bag is comfortable to grab.

We like that you can organize your stuff in several spots. Inside the dry compartment, there are two mesh pockets with elastic closures. There’s also a large exterior front pocket with a zipper closure, which has two interior mesh pockets. Two mesh pockets are on each side of the pack, which are stretchy but stumpier than other water bottle holders like the ones on the Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler.

According to our test, the Cooler Backpack is able to retain ice for nearly 25 hours. To put the size in perspective, this pack could fit two dozen 12-ounce cans.