Planning to have your family getaway this weekend? Maybe you need a bag that could keep your food and drinks the same way as it had just come from the refrigerator or the pan. We know what you are thinking, yes, cooler bags! In this article, we are going to explore twenty different options for your travel. We will guide you to choose from the best soft coolers and insulated cooler bags for the best planned one-day or fortnight escape for the family or personal celebrat.
Top 20 Cooler Bags Picks Of 2024
1. RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag
Are you planning to buy a cooler that has several colorful options and maintains the temperature of the food and drinks for 24 hours? The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag is one of the best insulated cooler bags we have on our list. It is the best cooler for the beach for this is a floating cooler suitable for lake or pool adventures. It contains a 2-inch closed-cell foam that allows less absorption of water and travel of air. It is considered lightweight and protected by the nylon exterior shell, making it a durable option.
Material: Nylon and Vinyl
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 12 inches
Capacity: 40L
2. YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler
Unlike the previous cooler bag, this cooler insulated bag has fewer color options. This cooler is also waterproof, so expect a very durable product from Yeti. It is insulated by ColdCell™ closed-cell rubber foam technology which increases the insulation factor than other soft coolers. With its size and comfortable strap, this is the best travel cooler bag that can be used for camping, swimming, or any type of vacation. You can also store food here and maintain its temperature, making it one of the cooler bags for food that we can recommend, especially if you don’t mind the price.
Material: Outer: 840-denier double-sided thermoplastic urethane; bottom: EVA
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 12.6 x 11.5 x 10 inches
Capacity: 11.7L
3. Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote
If you want a cooler travel bag that has more capacity than we previously mentioned, then grab one of Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Totes. Even though it has more space than others, it is still considered lightweight. It has welded seams and zippers that prevent water from coming out and come in. Hydro Flask products are popular with their cooler bag insulation technology, just like water bottles. Downside? Even though the site never mentioned the hours, reviews reported that the ice might not be longer than 24 hours. So if you are planning a getaway for days and you want to store food beyond 24 hours with the best cooler tote, there might be better cooler bags than this one.
Material: 600-denier TPU-coated nylon
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 25 x 15 x 10 inches
Capacity: 26L
4. Coleman Chiller Soft-Sided Portable Cooler
Just like the previously mentioned cooler travel bag, the insulation lasts up to 12 hours or more. The Coleman Chiller Soft-Sided Portable Cooler uses cooler bag insulation technology powered by TempLock™. This delays the influence of the environment to change the temperature of the food and drinks you will put inside the bag. Also, it has welded seams that prevent the water from getting out and getting in. This can also be used as one of the beach coolers you will have as it is easy to clean and portable.
5. Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote
If you are looking for a new cooler travel bag that holds ice for more than two days, we recommend the Arctic Zone Titan Bucket Tote as your next cooler insulated bag. The greatest advantage of this cooler is its interior, which incorporates a Microban lining that prevents odor and bacteria from remaining in the bag. It features a five-layer deep freeze performance insulation that ensures superior cold insulation. This might be one of the best cooler bags for travel if you just said yes to all the features above.
Material: 300D Poly Ripstop w/ Matte TPE coating
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 10 x 15 x 13.5 inches
Capacity: 24 cans
6. Orca Walker 20
If you’re looking for another close runner-up to the bags mentioned above, then grab the best cooling bag which is the Orca Walker 20. It maintains the ice-coldness for well over 3 days. Its inner wall is insulated by a durable and hard meta-polymer. It has also been tested as one of the coolers that has watertight zippers and prevents the melted liquid from coming out. If we’re to judge, it is one of the best insulated cooler bags on the market, even though the magnetic top handle split straps are not well-designed.
Material: None mentioned (Inner wall: tough Meta-Polymer)
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 14.5 x 11 x 13.25 inches
Capacity: 20L
7. REI Co-Op Pack-Away 24 Soft Cooler
Looking for a collapsible option as your next option cooler bags for food? Then look no further because the REI Co-Op Pack-Away 24 Soft Cooler is exactly what you are looking for. Exactly what we are saying, this cooler tote can be flattened if you never needed it. It can also work as a cubic cooler. It is rated with keeping the coldness up to 32 hours, noting that this time can be dependent on environmental factors. This is the best cooler tote if you want a fully opened top that ensures easy access to the food and drinks inside. It also has an exterior pocket and a key chain if you desire to include other accessories while carrying it.
Material: Upper: recycled polyester; bottom: recycled nylon
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 10 inches
Capacity: 32L
8. Igloo Pro Snapdown Backpack
What about a comfortable backpack cooler? The Igloo Pro Snapdown Backpack is the best cooler bag on our list with its unique backpack design. This is perfect for customers that has difficulty wearing a shoulder bag because of the unequal distribution of weight. Just like a normal backpack, this has pockets and sternum straps for accessibility and comfort, respectively. This might be the best travel cooler bag especially if you look at its abrasion-resistant material and cooler bag insulation technology, the Advanced MaxCold®, making it a durable option for you.
Material: Oxford cloth
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 17.5 inches
Capacity: 32L
9. Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38
If you want something larger than the previously mentioned cooler bags for travel, then the Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38 might be for you. Its insulation is protected by the aluminum air shell that maintains the temperature inside the cooler. This is best for camping or even beach getaways provided that you stay on land or the boat. Other than being a cooler insulated bag, its straps are also adjustable and the cooler is foldable. The brand itself is 60 years old, so they might have more experience making durable bags as the temperature stays up to 2 days or more.
Material: PVC Polyester and Aluminum Air Shell
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 19 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches
Capacity: 10 gal
10. IceMule Classic Collapsible Backpack Cooler
If you want another backpack design but minimalistic by design, then you can consider the IceMule Classic Collapsible Backpack Cooler. This is the Walmart cooler bag you are looking for in terms of versatility and functionality. It has welded seams so it is one of the best soft coolers you can get on the market right now. It can be taken anywhere from the beach to camping near a river as it floats in the water, making it completely waterproof. If you like the design that has no compartments and no zippers but a single opening, then this is one of the beach coolers you can get your hands on.
Material: Muleskin Exterior and Interior
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: Small: 8 x 8 x 16.00 Inches (Others: Mini and Large)
Capacity: 10L
11. AO Coolers 24 Pack Canvas Cooler
Looking for the best soft coolers in the list, didn’t you scroll faster? This is one of the best choices if you are on a budget. It has a simple style and is more like a straightforward design. The best thing about this cooler is that it has a high-density insulation technology that supports up to 24-hour ice retention. Well, at its price point, you are getting the exterior pocket compartment, making it the best travel cooler bag on a budget. Downside? It has no external attachment points and also no padding in its straps. But for under 70 dollars (current), you mostly get more than its price.
Material: Polyurethane (PU), Polyester, Vinyl, Polyethylene (PE)
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 12 inches
Capacity: 24 cans
12 OtterBox Tote Cooler
This cooler insulated bag is popular with its minimalist design and style. It can keep the cold for up to two days or more depending on the influence of the environment. It has optional straps that can be used aside from the top handle. It is one of the custom cooler bags that can be designed at will because of its minimalist design, making it a friendly option for patches and velcros (if you add it yourself). The fabric itself is water-repellent so you can easily clean it with wipes. Downside? It might not be tougher than other options.
Material: None mentioned
Leak-proof: No
Dimensions: 15.35 x 22.83 x 7.09 inches
Capacity: 29L
13. Cotopaxi Hielo 12L Cooler Bag Del Dia
If you are looking for the best cooler bag that is concerned about the environment, at least in the recycling aspect, then you should get the Cotopaxi Hielo 12L Cooler Bag Del Dia. This bag used repurposed fabric to at least lessen the amount of waste that would normally go to the landfill. It has a zipper and roll-top closure. It is also insulated by the brand’s technology. The thing about this is every piece of the bag has no particular prearranged set of colors, meaning, every item has a different colorway. This is mostly dependent on the fabric they would gather. Downside? This is one of the smallest insulated cooler bags on our list.
Material: Repurposed polyester and nylon
Leak-proof: None mentioned
Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 5.5 inches
Capacity: 12L
14. Nook Theory Insulated Grocery Bag
Do you like grocery shopping? The Nook Theory Insulated Grocery Bag is one of the best insulated cooler bags when it comes to temporarily maintaining the temperature of food products for six hours after grocery shopping. This can also be a great option for cooler bags for travel because of its lightweight body and included straps. There are also several color choices you can look at. With the price, you’ll surely have the best cooler bag for everyday use.
15. Iron Flask Soft Cooler
Are you looking for the best cooler bags for beach adventures? Then you should grab one Iron Flask Soft Cooler. From the name itself, this cooler is marketed as one of the most durable options that you can have. It is made from rip-resistant fabric and protected by rubber on top and bottom. It is sturdy and ensures that the drinks would last for 48 hours. It is lightweight, easy to clean, and has removable straps that you can use if you prefer. It is one of the best beach cooler bags that is rated as a floating cooler. Downside? The rigid structure might not be suitable for some customers.
Material: Rip-resistant fabric
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.4 x 7.9 inches
Capacity: 12L
16. Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack
Another cooler backpack for you! The Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack features a durable water-repellent technology that makes the bag partially waterproof. Just like a normal backpack, this cooler travel bag has two mesh side pockets for water bottles or other accessories. It also has two other zippered mesh pockets and a key fob. For the drinks, it can hold 12 cans and maintain the temperature for more than 8 hours. Advantage? This is the best travel cooler bag for versatility because it can be used as a normal backpack.
Material: Oxford cloth
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 12.5 x 8 x 17.5 inches
Capacity: 12 cans
17. Mountainsmith The Sixer Cooler Bag
If you’re looking for the best cooling bag that can fit two growlers, then this might be it! The Mountainsmith The Sixer Cooler Bag is best for people who want a smaller alternative to their previous coolers that will help them in their travel. In addition, this has a mesh pocket for utensils and more pockets inside for other accessories. The strap itself is comfortable and made to be worn for long hours. The problem is, that reviews stated that the bottom can absorb moisture and the zippers are also not waterproof.
Material: P600D PVC
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 6 inches
Capacity: 12L
18. Engel HD30
Are looking for the toughest design on our list? Well, besides the first two options we presented, the Engel HD30 is the best cooler bag when it comes to the overall design and capacity. It holds drinks for well over 3 days with the help of its vacuum valve technology. For traveling enthusiasts and experts, this can be a great piece of equipment to use. This is one of the most highly rated insulated cooler bags that competes with our top recommendations with its features. However, unlike the other options that have a lifetime warranty, this only comes with a one-year warranty.
Material: Outer Wall: Thermal Plastic Urethane (TPU)
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 20.5 x 9.5 x 17 inches
Capacity: 48 cans
19. Business & Pleasure Co. Premium Cooler Bag
Do you love to keep your things in vintage styles? Maybe you have a collection or a goal that you need your bags to stay retro? Then grab one of the Business & Pleasure Co. Premium Cooler Bags near you. This cooler insulated bag is marketed to be used when having beach getaways. The top handles are incorporated with leather that helps the carry-on comfortable. It is among the best beach coolers for stylish options that you might prefer. Though the exterior fabric only allows spot cleaning, the interior only needs wiping to clean.
Material: Cotton, polyester, and PVC
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 8 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches
Capacity: 12 cans
20. RovR Products TravelR 30 Soft Cooler
If you are looking for another option for the best soft coolers on this list, then we recommend trying out the RovR Products TravelR 30 Soft Cooler. Even though this might be pricier than most coolers we mentioned, this Walmart cooler bag features an antimicrobial liner that prevents bacterial accumulation in its interior, making it always odorless if cleaned. It is also one of the best insulated cooler bags that has completely leak-proof zippers and is lightweight and durable. It has sternum straps and a removable shoulder strap for comfortable travel. The best thing? It folds flat, making it portable when not in use.
Material: Nylon and TPU
Leak-proof: Yes
Dimensions: 19 x 17 x 14 inches
Capacity: 30L
Conclusion
With all the 20 options for the best cooler bags for travel we presented above, we are sure you can get one that is tailored to your needs. Each of them has its own set of features that would suit different travel goals. There are beach coolers, tote coolers, and premium insulated cooler bags that would help you decide and complete your trip. The thing is, whatever you use will be with you for the long term. Determine the best features you desire and you’re surely good to go.