The Best Soft Cooler Options for Camping Reviewed

One of the main reasons to use a soft cooler when you’re going camping is the weight. If you have any amount of hiking to do, a soft-sided cooler is considerably lighter than a more common hard plastic cooler. This is ideal when you’ve got to park and hike to your campsite, or you’re going on a day hike and want to keep your lunch cold.

Often, a soft cooler has a hard inner shell. This plastic will protect the food inside, but the whole thing won’t be as heavy as a cooler that’s completely solid.

On the other hand, sometimes the best soft cooler has completely soft sides. These are even lighter than those with a shell. And when they’re empty, they pack down to fit in your backpack. Then, you can take them home without any hassle.

The best time to use a soft cooler is any time you would have to lug a hard cooler to your campsite. Sure, if you’re taking a 24-pack of canned drinks, you might not notice a huge weight difference between the two. But when weight is more important than content, the best soft cooler will be there for you.

There are a few other differences that may make you choose a soft cooler over a hard cooler. You should consider these when looking for the best soft cooler.

One major benefit of a hard cooler over a soft cooler is that hard coolers keep things colder for much longer. While this can vary based on what brand of cooler you use, it is generally true. Depending on the brand, certain hard-sided coolers can keep ice cold for several days.

Another benefit of hard-sided coolers is durability. If you’re planning on exposing your coolers to the elements, a hard-sided cooler will give you superior toughness in any scenario.

As for portability, you won’t want a hard-sided cooler if you have to carry it too far. While most of them have wheels and handles for carrying, the best soft cooler will be more portable every time.

Finally, soft and hard coolers vary widely concerning capacity. Hard-sided coolers are often much larger, so if your camping trips look like parties, a hard cooler may be the better option.

Now that you know if you need a soft cooler, all that comes next is deciding what you need from one.

The first thing you should think about is capacity. While all soft coolers are portable, some can last your group for a weekend. Others should stay in the realm of day trips. Know what kind of camping trips you like to take and how much food or drinks you’ll be taking.

How you carry your soft cooler can also make a big difference. One type is the messenger bag cooler. As its name suggests, this has a single large strap that you can throw over your shoulder. Many also have additional handles for easier carrying. These coolers are the largest and most common soft coolers you can buy.

If you’re not planning a multiple-person or multi-day trip, there are other choices. One is the lunchbox cooler. These aren’t always as small as the lunchbox you may take to work or school. In fact, one could fit lunch for your whole group! They’re also much easier to carry, even alongside a full hiking backpack.

For hands-free convenience, there’s one cooler that beats all the rest. Backpack coolers are exactly as they say they are: coolers that strap onto your back. If you have a partner to help carry all of your essentials, the backpack cooler is perfect. You can load it up with more food than you’d fit in a lunchbox or messenger bag cooler, and it will be more comfortable too!

Once you’ve picked the best soft cooler style for you, the last thing to do is pack it!