Maintaining cold food items and beverages while enjoying the outdoors not only makes camping enjoyable, but it is also a necessity.
Rugged Road makes strong, light, and floatable high-performance coolers perfect for camping and outdoor use.(Photo: Courtesy Rugged Road)
There are many things to consider when purchasing a cooler, whether hitting the beach with some friends or hiking into the deep wilderness and in need of a bear-proof container. Campers should consider insulation quality, ice retention time, size, weight, durability, and portability features like handles or wheels. Ease of cleaning is a nice touch, too. Look for a cooler to fit storage needs, which is also rugged for outdoor conditions.
For this list we looked for the best coolers for general camping and outdoor use. We considered and researched cooler brands to find the best on the market to recommend. For our decisions we compared durability and functionality in multiple sizes and considered customer satisfaction.
Rugged Road 85 V2
Easily the biggest bang for the buck, the Rugged Road 85 V2 is built for the adventurous. Half the weight of similar, top-performing coolers, the ultralight design makes this cooler floatable and easy to carry. The large version holds 85 12 oz. cans plus ice. The multi-purpose lid can be flipped for use as a fishing tool or a food prep space. Using best practices, ice can last up to seven days! As a bonus, this model comes with a branded water bottle, snack rack, and moving divider. $399
Available at Rugged Road Outdoors
Yeti Roadie 48
Photo: Roadie 32
Yeti is the most recognizable brand in the United States when it comes to coolers, marketing themselves as “the cold standard” of coolers. The Yeti Roadie 48 wheeled cooler makes our list for its durability and ease of use. The coolers wheeled technology is sturdy enough for all outdoor settings with a non-slip grip (great for boating) and Neverflat wheels, which are single-piece, puncture resistant tires. The mid-sized version fits 54 lbs. of ice and is tall enough for a wine bottle to stand inside. $400
Available at Yeti
ORCA 20
Made in the USA, the ORCA 20 features small to mid-range capacity with an easy carry handle. The durable, roto-molded construction and tight lid gasket ensure the contents inside stay cool for an extended period of time—up to five days with best practices. An integrated cargo net on the outside of the cooler provides space for a small snack, a cellphone, or keys. A lifetime warranty covers any manufacturing defects in material or workmanship. From $197
Available at Amazon
Taiga 27 Quart
Photo: Taiga 27
When looks matter, Taiga is top notch. Taiga’s niche, for both coolers and drinkware, is customization. This cooler is made with injection molded polypropylene, making it UV resistant and heavily insulated. The online customization process is easy. The base comes in either black or white and customers can choose a lid from 16 distinct colors—there are also color options for the inner base and the inner lid. Upload a company or personal logo and add to cart, ordering is simple. $249
Lifetime 55
Lifetime, a heritage-time brand associated with outdoor recreation and noted for their product’s durability, has entered the high-performance cooler market. The Lifetime coolers have made innovative additions, like drain plugs compatible with garden hoses, stainless steel plates for padlocks, and superior ice retention of up to seven days under best practices. The 55 is one of the lighter mid-sized, high-performance coolers on the market. We recommend this cooler for light camping and everyday use. $189