Buying guide for Best backpack coolers
There are few things better than a cool drink after a strenuous hike. Of course, you don’t have to be the adventurous type — enjoying a cold soda while lying on the beach is pretty good, too! The challenge is keeping your drinks (or food) cool while you’re traveling. That’s where a backpack cooler comes in.
For many years, hard-sided coolers have been the answer. They’re efficient, and you can get plenty of stuff inside, but did you ever come across one that was easy to carry? Fortunately, we now have backpack coolers that offer the perfect combination of performance and comfort. Just load up, strap on, and away you go!
Key considerations
Style
There are three main styles of flexible cooler: soft, bag, and backpack.
Soft coolers: These are similar to traditional hard-sided coolers but more flexible and include both handles and a shoulder strap. A soft cooler is easier to carry than a hard-sided model, but it isn’t really designed for much more than moving food and beverages from house to car or car to picnic spot.
Cooler bags: These are like rucksacks. Usually of modest capacity, a cooler bag is easy to throw over your shoulder to carry. Some of these are made without zippers or seams, so they’re not only waterproof but will actually float. They’re ideal for kayakers who can tow one behind the boat!
Backpacks: These are what we’re concentrating on here. They offer the greatest variety in terms of size and function, and they’re designed to go pretty much anywhere. At a minimum, they offer good shoulder straps to support the weight. The best have a full harness for maximum weight distribution and comfort and even a suspension system. A cooler backpack can be carried day after day, as you would expect from any top camping or hiking backpack.
Size
Physical dimensions are sometimes given, but the size of a cooler backpack is most often rated by the number of standard 12-ounce beverage cans it can hold. The smallest backpacks carry 6 or 8, but the biggest hold up to 40! There are often separate areas for food items that don’t need to be chilled and other gear, so it’s worth investigating the different configurations available.
Weight
The weight of the backpack cooler is something people tend to overlook — until they try to pick up a fully-loaded cooler! The backpacks themselves are usually quite light, somewhere between 1 and 3 pounds. However, a standard 12-ounce can of soda weighs at least 12 ounces (that might sound obvious, but some are heavier). A regular wine bottle weighs over 2.5 pounds.
For example, 24 soda cans add 18 pounds on your back, plus the ice or cold packs. It’s not a lot for serious hikers, and good backpacks should distribute it well, but it’s still worth thinking about. There’s no point in carrying more weight than you need to.
Structure
When you look at backpack coolers, you’ll notice that some seem to have rather hard sides and some look soft, like an ordinary backpack. This is mostly due to the ice section. A few have hard plastic liners that are usually removable. There are even one or two backpack coolers that are solid enough to sit on, which are much more puncture resistant (important when the ice starts to melt). Most backpack coolers are either a semirigid “bucket” or a soft bag. These are often more comfortable to carry, and, indeed, most of the largest backpack coolers are the soft kind.
Insulation
You would think that insulation would be a big deal; after all, the better it is, the longer your backpack contents will stay cool. However, insulation adds bulk. What’s equally important is how the ice compartment is sealed, and the zippers in particular, because letting the cold out and warmer air in is how your food and drinks get warm. It’s an area that needs careful checking if you want to keep things cold for more than a day. A lot of the top-rated backpack coolers do let you know about the materials used, and while keeping ice cold for 24 hours is common, some claim up to five times that long.
Insulated backpack coolers can range in size from holding six cans up to 18. Our investigation looks into each option to make a good recommendation on the size of the pack.
A key consideration when choosing a backpack cooler is the style. Our research looks into the style of each option and weighs the pros and cons of how well it works.
The weight of the backpack can make all the difference in how comfortable it is to carry. We vet each item to ensure that it is easy to hold even when fully loaded with cans or bottles.
Some cooler backpacks can be hard-sided, which allows them to be better insulated. We look for these products to provide long-lasting insulation that works well even in hot weather.
Soft-sided cooler backpacks can provide a lightweight option that is great for quick trips. We assess these options for both durability and insulation.
When taking a cooler backpack on the go, most users want it to have additional pockets. We look for products that provide more space for added versatility and value.
Backpack coolers can be priced anywhere from $25-$300. We research each option to provide recommendations that give the most amount of value for the price.
A cooler backpack needs to provide maximum insulation and interior waterproofing to truly work well. We look for options that keep your drinks cool for the maximum amount of time possible.
Cleanliness is a very important factor to consider when buying a backpack cooler. When conducting our research, we look for options that are as easy to clean as possible if something spills inside of them.
Backpack coolers are oftentimes made to be taken out on hikes and other adventures. During our research, we look for each of our top picks to have excellent durability under any circumstance.
Features
Storage
Small items: The addition of outer pockets, either zippered or webbed, is great for carrying bits and pieces. We’ve seen as many as ten provided.
Gadgets: Several backpack coolers also have specific spaces for phones and tablets. The linings are separated, so there’s virtually no danger of leaks between sections. And several offer connectivity for your portable gadgets. There are Bluetooth speakers and power bank options, too.
Clothing: Corded areas can be useful for attaching a sweater or waterproof jacket.
Dry food: One manufacturer not only provides a separate dry food storage area but also includes a bamboo cutting board!
Wine: Some backpack coolers have divided compartments for wine, so two bottles don’t bang together, and many are supplied with a bottle opener.
You can find instructions online to convert your ordinary backpack into a cooler, but when you factor in the material cost, time, and likely durability, we think a purpose-built budget model is a better choice.
STAFF
BestReviews
Accessories
Ice that’s carefully packed around your food and drink containers will keep them cold, but if you don’t want that fuss (and the melted water to get rid of later), there are several easy-to-use alternatives that some backpack cooler makers recommend. Depending on the composition, these may freeze colder and stay cold longer.
Reusable bags: Cool It Ice Packs
Supplied in a pack of six, these 10 x 9-inch bags contain a non-toxic gel. You add water to activate it, and then freeze. They stay cool for up to 12 hours.
Slim ice packs: Kona Ice Packs
Sold in pairs or fours, these slender 13 x 10-inch packs freeze in just 25 minutes (there are no figures for how long they stay cold). The manufacturer says they are an “environmentally friendly, non-hazardous, water-based solution that can achieve temperatures lower than ice.” They are also BPA-free and FDA approved.
Large ice pack: Yeti Ice Reusable Cooler Pack
Available in 1-, 2-, or 4-pound blocks, these come from a well-known cooler maker. They’re designed to be used on their own or in addition to natural ice. They’re particularly tough, nontoxic, and food safe.
Backpack cooler prices
Inexpensive
You can get a good, cheap backpack cooler — what you might call a day pack — for not much more than $25. They can have good capacity but perhaps aren’t the most durable.
Mid-range
There are lots of choices between $30 and $50, including many different sizes and plenty of versatility. Most people will find the backpack cooler they need in this price bracket.
Expensive
Those that top $50 offer high levels of ice retention, are particularly tough, or float. To some degree, there’s a premium for some of the top brands. They can go as high as $300, and that doesn’t necessarily get you the greatest capacity.
Tips
Cool your backpack before you go. Whenever possible, cool your container with a bag of ice a couple of hours before your trip.
Use cold ice. It sounds odd, but there can be a 30° difference between ice that’s been in the freezer a week and recently frozen water. If it’s wet, it’s too warm.
Use more ice. The recommended ratio is two parts ice to one part food or drink. If you can, use a block of ice in the bottom (it thaws more slowly), ice cubes packed around your cans or containers, then another block on top.
Keep your backpack cooler as full as possible. It restricts the air inside. Only open the cooler when necessary.
Add zipper tags. If you’re into serious adventuring, zippers with extended tags are easier open when you’re wearing gloves or your hands are cold. If your backpack cooler didn’t come with any, it’s usually possible to add your own. Short lengths of bootlace are quite effective.
FAQ
Q. How long does a backpack cooler stay cold?
A. There are so many variables here that it’s almost impossible to say, and in fact, some manufacturers don’t give details. Those that are specific vary considerably. It can be 24 or 48 hours or even several days. Customer feedback is worth checking because it’s information that comes from real-world experience.
Q. How do I clean and store my backpack cooler?
A. Fabrics can usually be wiped clean, the same as any backpack. Food usually shouldn’t be put directly into an ice hopper; it should be packaged so the hopper itself can just be left to drain. A little dishwashing detergent in warm water can be used if necessary. Before storing, make sure everything has dried naturally to prevent mildew — don’t use direct heat like a radiator or hairdryer. Unless the manufacturer says differently (always read the instructions), your backpack cooler should be fine hanging in a closet or stuffed in a drawer if it’s foldable.
Q. I’ve read that dry ice is best in a backpack cooler. Is that true?
A. Dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) is colder than frozen water, so it will keep things cooler longer. However, its use depends on the ice container. Hard-shell buckets are usually fine. It’s not recommended that you use dry ice in soft models because it can actually burn a hole in the liner.
