Portable Backpack Cooler for Family Sports: Titan by Arctic Zone 24-Can Backpack Cooler Review

This year, our family officially entered the sports circuit when my daughter made a youth traveling team. We live in a small, remote town in the Colorado Rockies. The nearest away games are at least 1.5 hours away. Let’s just say, I got a crash course in what to pack for soccer essentials pretty fast!

Fortunately, the more seasoned parents shared some valuable tips: Always bring layers, pack the right chairs, and don’t forget a variety of snacks and drinks for the player.

One of my favorite MVPs this season was a portable soft cooler: the Titan by Arctic Zone 24-Can Backpack Cooler.

This mid-size soft cooler ($50) has four pockets of various sizes for stashing water bottles, sunscreen, and smaller items like phones and keys. It easily holds enough food and drinks for our family of three, while the cooling power keeps things cold for the entire day. During our ice retention test, it kept ice up to 3.5 days.

In short: From keeping drinks icy cold to packing everything I needed, it exceeded expectations. The cooler was easy to clean and had enough room to hold a variety of items. While it wasn’t the most comfortable choice for a long hike into an aid station, I never felt like the weight of the pack would throw me off balance. And it is comfortable for shorter hikes — though it lacks a waist strap, and the chest straps weren’t the best fit for me: I’m 5’4”, but they worked fine for my 6’2” husband.

Read the full review or see how this backpack cooler stacks up in the Best Backpack Coolers buyer’s guide.

Awesome Soft Cooler: Arctic Zone 24-Can Backpack Cooler Review

This Titan by Arctic Zone 24-Can Backpack Cooler truly earned its place as a versatile travel companion. It wasn’t just my go-to cooler for soccer games. It also came with me as I crewed my husband during his Crazy Mountain 100 ultramarathon in the heat of summer.

This carrier was spacious enough to pack everything we needed — lunches, drinks, snacks. And it still had room for a few camping plates and other extras. The ice walls kept everything cool throughout the day. The large lid made it easy to grab snacks or drinks quickly when hunger hit. Plus, it held up in all kinds of weather, and cleaning it was a breeze, even when the inside or outside got messy.

For the price, I was really impressed with its performance. If you’re looking to pack food for more than five people, this might not be the best fit. But if using it strictly for drinks, it can hold up to 24 cans without ice. There’s enough room for a day of soccer, hiking, or other sports and outdoor adventures.

Cooler Pockets

Friends who know me know I’m a pocket fanatic. My leggings, dresses, and shorts all have pockets. So, I wasn’t surprised by how much I appreciated the pockets on this backpack cooler. They are so handy for staying organized while keeping everything packed into one bag.

The two side pockets expanded enough to fit large water bottles or a rolled-up hand towel. The top zippered pocket is big enough to hold my phone, keys, and a small wallet. And even during rainy weather, my items stayed dry.

The insulated front pocket is compact but roomy enough for our small camping plates, plus a couple of chapsticks. As a bonus, the insulation (bordered by the ice walls) kept my chapstick from melting. No goopy mess!

Then there’s the main cooler compartment: spacious enough to hold lunches, drinks, and snacks for a full day out. It’s the perfect size for our family of three, with room for everything you need without feeling too bulky.

Thoughtful Accessories & Handles: Backpack Cooler

This cooler also comes with a few thoughtful extras. The bottle opener is attached to the pack with a bright red cord and can be removed or swapped onto a different ring. That makes it super convenient for opening drinks on the go and never having to remember to pack an opener.

The bungee webbing is another detail that was big enough to hold a rolled-up blanket, yet adjustable enough to secure a jacket or other items tightly in place.

I also really appreciate the inclusion of a padded handle. When picking up the cooler by the shoulder strap repeatedly, the seams could wear down over time. The padded handle in the middle helps distribute the weight and alleviates stress on the seams when picking it up. That also extends the life of the cooler.

Cooler Microban Technology

The cooler’s interior has a Microban treatment that helps keep bacteria at bay, which is especially helpful when spills and leaks from food or drinks are inevitable. According to the brand, the Microban reduces surface bacteria by 99%.

I’ve spilled everything from sticky running gels to juice, and the cleanup was a breeze. The messes just wiped away with warm water and a cloth. I didn’t need to scrub or worry about stains. This bacteria-resistant lining not only keeps things more sanitary. But it also makes cleaning up spills quick and easy. Major win in my book!

Layers of Insulation

The Arctic Zone Backpack Cooler is built with five layers of insulation, each serving a specific purpose to keep your contents cold and the cooler durable.

Starting from the outside, the first layer is water-repellent and easy to wipe clean, which is perfect for repetitive use. Beneath that, there’s a reflective layer designed to reflect heat away, ensuring that the cooler doesn’t absorb warmth. Layers three and four are the brand’s so-called “Deep Freeze” insulation, which does an excellent job of keeping everything cold for hours.

Finally, the leakproof lining at the very bottom ensures that any melting ice stays contained. And I can confirm it does not leak.

I did a controlled ice retention test where ice melted in the cooler for 80 hours, and there was no leakage at all. Only when I flipped it over to test the zipper did any water leak out. (The zippers are not waterproof, but they do not claim to be, so I was not surprised.)

Ice Walls

The ice walls — designated pockets for ice packs — in this backpack cooler are the standout feature that really is unique. Ice packs can be stored in designated pockets in the front and back of the cooler. The cooler pack came with two reusable ice packs.

The ice packs help maintain the cold without needing traditional ice. They work best if you prechill the cooler before packing it: You can add a bag of ice to the sleeve and let it sit for a couple of hours to cool the interior. It’s a simple step that makes a noticeable difference in how long the cooler keeps things cold.

Ice packs themselves are easy to remove and refreeze after each use, and they’re durable. I never worried about puncturing them, even when the cooler was jostled around during travel or tossed into the car. To keep your items colder for longer, you can use both the ice packs and traditional ice in the cooler. You’ll lose some space with the ice, but the tradeoff may be worth it.

Improvements

While the 24-Can Backpack Cooler performs exceptionally well, it does have a couple of areas that could be improved for longer hikes.

Despite having a padded back and shoulder straps, the pack isn’t the most comfortable when carrying heavy loads over extended distances. A more adjustable chest strap and the addition of a waist strap would help distribute the weight more evenly, especially during longer treks and for a smaller torso frame such as myself.

However, considering the cooler’s price point, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall value it offers. 

Conclusion

Overall, the Titan by Arctic Zone 24-Can Backpack Cooler has been proven to be a great companion for all our outdoor adventures. It’s a solid choice for soccer games, ultramarathons, or on smaller grocery runs. It has the balance of functionality, convenience, and price.

The spacious main compartment paired with elements like the ice walls, multiple pockets, and easy-to-clean Microban lining.

The cooler’s design is especially practical, with extras like the removable bottle opener and bungee webbing for additional storage. I like the convenience of being able to store everything I need in one easy-to-carry pack.

For a busy soccer parent or outdoor enthusiast, these small details make a big difference in day-to-day use. While it’s not the most comfortable for longer treks, it still provides great value at its price point. At $50, this backpack cooler is an affordable solution for keeping food and drinks cold while you’re on the go.