Tipping the scales at just under 13 pounds, the Roadie 24 manages to be both larger and lighter than the Roadie 20 before it. True to its name, the Yeti Roadie 24 is a great road trip companion. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing. Listen. Comparing water bottles also finds Yeti to be more expensive, with their 36oz Water Bottle with chug cap costing $50.00. Magellan Outdoors has a double-latching, double-hinged removable lid and happens to have won our picks for best small and large cooler. If youre looking for an affordable option, Im afraid this is not it. At this price-point, it's a no-brainer. No "sponsored" content. All rights reserved. It is financially restrictive to test all the coolers that the readers would like tested. On the topic of wheeled coolers, the Igloo Journey Trailmate 70qt All-Terrain cooler also came with a dizzying amount of extras and features. There isnt much variety here, to be honest. To do that, I started with a modified version of the ice retention test. YETI vs IGLOO IMX 70 Quick Review. Its got some really rugged plastic all over and a good mix of aluminum and steel for extra reinforcement. This cooler also features heavy-duty rubber latches and a NeverFail hinge system, for the premium performance of all its moving parts. No matter how we yanked, pressed, or jumped on the Roadie 24, it never broke or even gave us the impression that it might. If youre looking for pure insulation power and excellent performance, any Yeti cooler will do. Both coolers also have a single strong hinge at the back which, as I mentioned before, is a pretty good idea since its more durable. However, we would understand if youre a die-hard Yeti fan and want to stick to what you know. Heres how it works. If that sounds a little daunting, never fear. Its also half the price of the Tundra Haul and weighs about 25 lbs less, making it the more convenient option for most people. Especially with the waterproof construction, sturdy materials, and external attachment points that allow you to carry all sorts of items in addition to the food and drinks. It has two sturdy wheels and a retractable wheel handle that lets you treat this massive cooler like your checked luggage. With similar rugged construction used across the line of Yeti coolers, the Roadie 24 is rotomolded with thick walls filled with insulation and an interlocking hinge. the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, A high-performing and durable cooler with solid usability features at a lower price than expected, A functional cooler for a mere fraction of the price of the competition, A well-performing, personal-sized cooler for a fraction of the price of its competition, 41.9cm x 35.6cm x 44.5cm | 16.5" x 14" x 17.5", 81.3cm x 47cm x 43.2cm | 32" x 18.5" x 17", 72.4cm x 39.4cm x 44.5cm | 28.5" x 15.5" x 17.5", 51.4cm x 30.5cm x | 20.25" x 12" x 15.25"/20". Also, the cooler features a soft grip rubber grab handle for great grip and comfortable carrying. Just look at the graphs. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. Getting a cool box for your summer garden parties or getting your kid a soft sided cooler for school trips? Igloos coolers are less durable and dont perform as well or for as long as their Yeti counterparts. Theyre not the most functional features out there, but they certainly make the coolers more interesting. With dual-step, single-hand latches, the Roadie 24 is easy to open. Even though summer is over, it's never too early or too late to grab a reliable cooler. By Maggie Nichols, Genaveve Bradshaw. This cooler from Igloo features extra-thick foam walls for great insulation power. The IMX ice chest has a single aluminum hinge across the back. One of the more popular offerings from this cult-favorite brand, the YETI Roadie 24 (a replacement for the now-discontinued Roadie 20) regularly costs $250. As a matter of fact, at $220, this cooler is currently the cheapest of any cooler in either our midsize or large cooler category, with the exception of the Igloo BMX 52qt Cooler, which happened to be the poorest performer of the aforementioned categories. We are quite partial to rotomolded coolers here. Its worth noting that the smaller versions of the Tundra dont boast quite the same level of insulation but they will still retain ice for around four days. Labs Manager / Senior Technical Project Manager. The Playmate is shaped similarly to a six-pack, the BMX cooler has a ruler on the lid for measuring fish and the Ice Cube has cup holders! Yeti coolers consistently perform at the top of the pack. Are you looking to get a premium portable cooler or an affordable option? The lid also has a lock slot, in case you would like to secure the contents of your cooler with a padlock. Now let's compare that to most of the newer cooler designs on models like Yeti, RTIC, Orca, Cabela's or Frosted Frog that have rubber T-shaped handles you have to stretch to secure the lid. We found that, up until the 5th day, there was still plenty of ice left in the ice chest, even when ambient temperatures were very high. They boasts a few thoughtful features, such as an integrated bottle opener and cup holders. Go on, read through the comments on the Infinite Cooler's Indiegogo campaign, which blew through a March 2019 ship date with nothing to show for it. The four coolers tested in this test were a YETI Tundra 45 ($299), the Otter Box Venture 45 ($299), the Igloo Amadeo Bachar Limited Edition BMX 52 ($249), and the Igloo Leeward 50 ($199). Larger YETI ice chests, like the YETI Tundra 45, will generally run you a cool $325. Thats the Hopper Flip 8, which weighs less than 3 lbs and is perhaps the best cooler for short one-day adventures. The new over-the-top handle is wide, hefty webbing with a robust plastic handle attached by rotating plastic attachments that feature tie-down slots on the outsides. Additionally, the BMX cooler features oversized hinges and stainless steel screws that are extremely durable. It is much better than the Yeti cooler, but the Yeti brand still gets our vote for the best locking mechanism, no doubt. x 17.75 in. And thats fine if you dont need to fit 40+ cans in a cooler, the Tundra is too big for you anyway. You actually have to buy it separately with most premium ice chests! In our rigorous hot room insulation testing, the Roadie lasted an impressive 2.8 days of holding temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. On the same spot as the lock slot is a bottle opener so you never have to carry your own bottle opener. On the sixth day, it was mostly water, but it was still super cold and painful to touch. $150.00 + $5.00 shipping. There aren't many crazy features on this unit, but it does have bottle openers built into the rubber latches, a pressure relief valve to help open the cooler when the interior pressure rises, and rubber padded feet to elevate the cooler and help reduce direct heat transfer. Secondly, as we discussed above, the tape that holds together the two ends of the rubber gasket is a bit sloppy, and the seal is imperfect. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking. And now is the perfect time to look for a new cooler. By far the lightest and smallest cooler we tested, the Igloo BMX has skinny walls compared to the more expensive options in our line-up. IMX Coolers. My favorite is the fact that this cooler has a dry foods basket. Though they cost extra, Yeti also offers several additions to the Roadie 24 that can improve your user experience, including a tie-down kit, ice packs, a dry bin, and even a seat cushion. In its closed state, full of water, I sloshed it around without spilling a drop, so it's safe to assume that leaks won't be an issue. The latches are made of rubber and quite stretchable, making it super easy to pull them down tight while locking your cooler. on the inside. The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally. Several models I've tested from Cabela's, Orca, Rovr, Magellan Outdoors and Yeti all make the cut. However, this personal-sized box is much less likely to be our top choice for a weekend camping in grizzly bear country anyway, so we don't think it's a significant downgrade to this model. Paired with our test lab facilities, I write about lots of outdoor related things - portable power stations, tools, etc. Though some ice chest sizes are more popular than others (50-quart, for instance), there really isn't much uniformity among coolers as far as size and shape are concerned. Performance is important, but design matters, too -- and sometimes, it's a deal-breaker. Copyright 2022 by Expert World Travel. I have to say we were quite shocked that this ice chest could have such good ice retention. But, to be fair, my personal opinion is that all soft-sided coolers are bad choices. But the Igloo BMX 25 Qt cooler insulates well . And there is a faucet at the bottom that lets you drain water, so theres an easy way to get rid of the melted ice inside. Not great if you're looking for a camping cooler. I asked three other adults to secure these handles and out of the four of us, two were successful, one unsuccessful and the last successful only after an excessive amount of struggling. Igloos more colourful, budget friendly options may suit better. But their coolers are expensive the more budget-friendly options are around $100-200, with their most premium coolers retailing for well over $400. And its remarkably durable for a softshell cooler the exterior of the Hopper is resistant to punctures, abrasions, mildew, and UV rays, making it tough enough for any adventure. I recommend keeping an eye on other brands we've come to respect that have a more palatable price tag. Everyone expects a Yeti cooler to perform well. They consist of a nylon cord with a strong plastic handle. The Roadie is a rotomolded personal-sized cooler with dual handles and an internal height just over 13 inches, easily accommodating most 2L sodas and bottles of wine. I've been an outdoor enthusiast my entire life. If I'm trekking into the woods for a weekend with a couple of pals, I'm going to take the Rovr, no question. Our top-performance, super durable IMX cooler features Ultratherm insulation that provides advanced ice retention (the longest-lasting among all our coolers!) These have a tendency to come apart very quickly. In addition to that, this Yeti cooler features a soft shoulder strap with padding, which is more comfortable than the Tundras aluminum handle. Hard Cooler Comparison: YETI vs RTIC vs IGLOO vs ORCA vs Reyleo The New YETI Roadie 24 Hard Cooler 1 for 1 lifetime shooting this spare This Honda was Built for Car Camping from Factory - Honda Element $3500 VS $1800 ROOF TOP TENT | WHY DO THEY COST SO MUCH | 23ZERO ARMADILLO X2 VS IRONMAN NOMAD 1300 Do NOT Buy A Yeti Can Koozie! The list of options has grown steadily in recent years. These latches have rubber straps to secure the lid, but at the end of each strap lies a plastic handle which you can leverage against the mounting point to easily achieve the tensioned fit. I update this list periodically. Yeti's Hopper Backflip 24, a soft-sided backpack cooler, had the most understated volume of all coolers we've tested so far. If overextended, you can literally see them straining towards breaking point. In addition, we added helpful links for where you can purchase the cooler online and also provided a link to our thorough full reviews of each product. Under the lid is a freezer-grade gasket that works hard to keep the cold in and the heat out. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. Does it Fit a Wine or 2L Bottle Standing Upright? A wheeled cooler is a great option for a camping trip or a day on the beach when you have to transport it from the car to your final destination, but it doesnt take more than 15-20 minutes to do so. It has a massive capacity of up to 45 cans of beer, which is really good. This cooler also features a pair of wheels and a telescopic wheel handle, for easy transport even at full capacity. Magellan Outdoors, Frosted Frog, RTIC and even the Amazon Commercial coolers are worth a look pretty much across their product offerings based on what I've seen. Ones been chilling for the best part of a century while the other threw its thermally insulated hat in the ring less than two decades ago. Some are good, some are bad and some are just nonexistent. In episode 12, we got. The Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 was the first backpack-style cooler that we've tested, and although its overall performance wasn't stellar, there were things I did like. The 15-liter capacity of the Playmate is enough to hold 30 small cans of beer, which should be plenty for a day outing. However, thats probably because this isnt a rotomolded cooler, making it less durable. This quality can also be seen in their Trailhead camping chair, which is very highly thought of but also very expensive. You can easily fit 2-liter soda bottles upright in the Roadie 24 cooler, while the quality rotomolded construction guarantees that the durability isnt impacted by the weight reduction. The zipper boasts claims of being both water- and leakproof. Whatever outdoor activity you decide on, having a cold place to stash drinks is key for you and your guests to stay cool, hydrated and happy -- which is especially important during big events like Labor Day. It also makes for a much stronger cooler that is able to handle just about any kind of damage. Show more What is the. The BMX cooler has a ruler in the lid, making it a great option for fishing trips. You can findholiday deals going on now. Small or personal-sized coolers that advertise internal volumes of less than 40 quarts (that's less than 10 gallons or 37.85 liters). At under $100, the price and the features make for a compelling argument on why you should get one it simply depends on whether it will serve your needs. After several weeks of hands-on testing and countless ambient temperature readings, I've separated the winners from the also-rans. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement. Yeti and Igloo both are leading manufacturers of camping coolers, Yeti have a range of products but they are perhaps best known for their hard sided coolers, Yeti's Lowlands Blanket is one example of the brand branching out into other camping gear, Ice, ice baby: ice retention is a key quality for a cooler, How much you spend on a camping cooler will depend on whether it's just needed for the occasional garden party of more serious backcountry use, A quick guide to synthetic fabrics for outdoor gear, These are the 7 best National Parks for bear sightings. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. I look at the data. water, isn't as good at keeping drinks cold). Its much like what you find on the Yeti Tundra, and it is a very strong type of hinge. This adds up to a lid that wont withstand years or abuse in rugged outdoor settings. Its not exactly a ruler you can use to take photos while holding fish, but it will certainly let you measure your catch of the day. It is very lightweight, making it one of the best options on the market for people who need a cooler they can carry for prolonged periods of time. In fact, Im yet to hear of a certified bear-resistant ice chest that isnt rotomolded. Rovr pegs the capacity of its $400 Rollr wheeled cooler at 60 quarts, but I could only fit 52.8 quarts of water inside when I measured for myself. Worth the Buy? The build on this cooler is pretty solid and its ice retention is good enough to put many higher-end coolers to shame. There are also rubber pads under the feet to prevent the box from skidding around on bumpy rides. A strong, durable cooler but lightweight cooler, with great ice retention that seems to defy all stereotypes we have about non-rotomolded coolers. Setting up base camp on Everest? Whether you are trekking gear to the beachfront or headed out for a hiking day, having free hands is always a bonus. Yeti has also swapped out the stiff top handle for a webbing version with a moveable plastic grip, that's far more comfortable use hooked over your forearm than the old metal handle was. I also took each cooler's design and features into consideration as I tested and kept an eye out for durability concerns. Alex is a qualified Mountain Leader, adventure writer and content creator with an insatiable passion for the mountains. I was able to fill the Lifetime High Performance Cooler with 62.4 quarts of water without causing it to overflow when I shut the lid. That said, every now and then, we come across a cooler that just blows our minds, despite not being rotomolded. Thats the Hopper Flip 8, which is really good the most understated of! Yeti counterparts, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement are trekking gear the! 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