15 Best Soft Coolers in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]

Founded in 2006 by brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders, YETI has become a top brand for coolers and other outdoor gear. The HOPPER M30 soft cooler is made of waterproof TPU. Its magnetic closure makes it a great choice for everything from watersports to camping to outdoor festivals.

It has thick insulation that uses patented technology. In our tests, we measured an ice retention rate of about 49 percent.

It can be carried with one hand using the top handles, with two handles on either side or slung over the shoulder. The shoulder strap is soft and comfortably padded. However, it doesn't fold up easily, so make sure you have a place for it in your storage area.

Having a magnetic closure instead of a zipper makes it easy to access. But the inner lining is blousy and it's hard to wipe down all the surfaces. It didn't score above average in our usability test.

On the other hand, the magnet seal is so tight it's unlikely that anything will spill out, even if it tips over in your car.

With three layers of TPU, it's tough and fully waterproof. It also has thick handles and rugged stitching. The seams connecting the handles to the bag are reinforced, so it'll hold up even if it's chock-full of beverages. The magnet is also impressively strong right out of the box.

This offering from YETI boasts rugged construction, solid waterproofing, and great cold retention. It's a fantastic soft cooler for the beach, day trips, overnight camping, and road trips.

The Icemule Pro XL 33-liter cooler is a backpack type with a roll-down closure designed to keep cold in and heat out. After 24 hours, we found 38.79 percent of the original ice remaining, which is a good result. It may have something to do with the air valve. Although this is designed to allow the cooler to float, blowing air into it also creates an extra layer of insulation.

The only carrying option is as a backpack, but it sits snugly and weight is distributed evenly. The shoulder padding is very comfortable and it should fit a variety of body types. And you'll have both hands free to carry other gear.

The inner lining is loose and the interior is deep, so it might be tricky to wipe it down thoroughly when needed. It also doesn't have extra features like a bottle opener, side pockets, or hanging loops. If it's really full, it may leak melted ice if you tip it over, so keep this in mind when moving it around.

The outer fabric is coated and the stitching is tight, so we found it seemed durable overall. But since the shoulder straps have mesh, that part seems a bit weaker. The shoulder straps and body are joined by triangular stitches. We give it a passing score in durability.

All in all, this soft cooler fits well and is easy to carry around. It's a great choice for times when you need both hands free, such as during outdoor activities.

Known for their smartphone cases, Colorado-based Otterbox brings us the Trooper 20 soft cooler in two colors. With 38.04 percent of the original ice remaining after 24 hours, we gave it a good score for cold retention. It has a thick layer of polyurethane for insulation.

The construction and materials are stiff, so it's a bit awkward to carry. Although the shoulder strap has padding, it's not very cushioning. It bangs against your body as well, so it may be uncomfortable to carry long distances when full. But the interior is smooth and easy to wipe down. Features like side pockets and loops allow you to bring small items. But you won't need to pack a bottle opener, since it has one built-in!

The lid also opens with very little force. But it locks and seals tightly, so you don't have to worry about spills. The outer fabric is tough and coated with waterproofing. The shoulder strap is thick and wide and has tight stitching attaching it to the cooler shell. However, since the locking part of the lid is plastic, it could crack over time, with rough or frequent use.

But overall, we think this cooler is well-designed, with plenty of versatility built in. It's easy to care for and use not only for casual activities but also for more demanding situations.

This cooler by RockBros is shaped like a tote bag, comes in two colors, and is made of nylon TPU. It has sponge-like insulation with a four-layer structure. We found it retained 38.64 percent of the original ice after 24 hours.

The area where the bag sits against your body is big, so it feels secure and doesn't shift around when walking. The shoulder strap's padding is quite comfy, soft, and highly cushioned. Even when packed full, it doesn't hurt to carry it on your shoulder. But the short hand strap is stiff and hard and can feel like it's biting into your palm after a while.

The waterproof zipper is straight, so it's not too hard to open, but it's stiff enough to require a bit of force. Make sure not to yank it too hard or it might break from the repeated strain. Also, you need to pull the two sides of the opening apart when getting things from the cooler's interior.

It doesn't feature any extra bells and whistles, so our usability rating was not superb. But we found that the waterproof zipper did do its job, and the cooler didn't leak melted ice even when tipped over. The TPU coating makes the whole exterior waterproof, too. It has a reinforced bottom shell that's semi-hard, and won't slide around easily.

ORCA, made in the USA and based in Tennessee, gives us the Walker 20 soft-sided cooler. It's a box type with a magnetic handle and comes in two colors. With 26 percent of the ice remaining after 24 hours, it's a decent performer for cold retention. For longer cold storage, try using a bigger ice pack or chilling the bag before packing it.

Although it's a soft cooler, the body is stiff and the shape is boxy, so it's a bit awkward to carry around. The shoulder straps aren't very padded, so if it's really heavy, it may start to cut into your shoulders.

The zipper is waterproof, which means it's thick and solid, and those with a weak grip may find it tough to manage. But we found that it does indeed seal melted ice in, and you won't see any leaks even if it's filled with water. Just be careful not to tug it open too hard. This type of zipper is very waterproof, but less flexible and prone to break if forced open.

The interior is flat and you can get to every nook and cranny easily to wipe it down thoroughly. It also boasts side pockets, exterior loops, and a shock cord. It's a versatile choice for carrying all kinds of things. The outside is coated and waterproof and the straps are sewn on with an X-stitch. Durability should not be a problem.

This is a shoulder strap model from Icemule that has a roll-down closure and folds up compactly when not in use. We measured ice retention at 17.25 percent, which isn't a stellar result. A quality ice pack and the right ratio of food and drink to ice will be essential for longer-term cooling.

Although the only carrying option is its shoulder strap, this is comfortable. It has good padding and a balanced feel against the body. Even when full, it sits well and doesn't feel like a heavy burden.

The roll-down closure is simple to operate. However, no matter how tightly we rolled it, it sometimes leaked melted ice. Be careful how you handle the cooler when moving it around. Also, the interior has loose-fitting material, making it tricky to wipe down. It doesn't have any extra features that would have bumped up its usability score.

The shoulder strap's ring is small and it doesn't have reinforced stitching. The durable coated exterior is waterproof and abrasion-resistant. The interior is also coated, and overall it feels like a quality item.

Earth Pak's Loch soft cooler is a waterproof box type. It was designed with watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding in mind. The interior and exterior are both coated with TPU for full waterproofing. The inside can be cleaned well since it's smooth and flat.

There's a mesh inside for access to your items and dumping extra water. It also has a bottle opener and hanging loops attached. The waterproof zipper is made tough and won't leak even if knocked over or dropped when full of water. It takes some force to open, though!

You can carry it three different ways: over the shoulder, with one hand, or with both hands using the side handles. Although the body is stiff, it seems to fit well against you when you move. It doesn't swing around much when walking. The shoulder strap is wide and the stitching is strong. However, neither the hand straps nor the shoulder strap have great padding. It may get uncomfortable when really full.

We don't think it would work well for longer-term cooling. In our tests, after 24 hours only 2.33 percent of the original ice remained. If you need to chill food and drinks for a long time you might have to pre-chill the cooler. We were also a little concerned that the molded interior is designed in a way that it might peel off easily.

The Day Escape soft cooler from Hydro Flask comes in two sizes, 26 or 18 liters. You can choose either a tote or backpack style. We tested the tote style. Although you have to pull the sides open to get things out, we liked that it's completely waterproof. And it can be fully cleaned inside and out.

The waterproof zipper does require some force to manipulate, but it stops leaks. Unfortunately, we didn't evaluate it highly for cold retention. After 24 hours only 12.31 percent of the original ice remained. You will probably need to use a few good-quality ice packs with this one.

The stitching is tight and the fabric is well-coated. The inner material is firmly attached and overall, it seems durable. The straps have padding, but it's on the thin side and they may get uncomfortable. In addition, the long shape may be awkward for shorter people to carry around. It also doesn't collapse for storage.

RTIC's soft-pack cooler comes with an antibacterial lining and is available in many colors. It features a box-like lid that opens fully, making it easy to grab your drinks and food. The inside is seamless, so you'll have no issues wiping down dirty areas. It doesn't have any extra features, but the waterproof zipper works well. We didn't notice any leaks when it was tipped over.

We weren't impressed with its cold retention. But it does the job with a moderate ratio of drinks to ice and a quality ice pack. We measured 12.11 percent ice remaining after 24 hours. The bag is rather hard for a soft cooler, so it tends to shift away from you when walking. Although the shoulder strap has padding, it's not much. In general, it isn't the most comfortable one to carry.

The way the bottom outer panel is attached doesn't seem incredibly secure. It feels like it might come off with repeated use or abuse. We also feel that even though the seams are X-shaped, they look weakly sewn. We aren't confident in this cooler's durability.

This unique canister-shaped cooler has a flip-up lid, and double-coated TPU fabric. It's great for watersports like fishing and paddling. The waterproof zipper is strong and wide and won't leak. The coating also performs well, making it a reliable choice for use in and around water.

Most of the ice melted after 24 hours in our test, leaving behind a paltry 2.37 percent. You'll likely need a quality ice pack and careful packing for this one to work more than a few hours.

The body is rather hard and bangs against you as you walk, and the straps don't have a lot of padding. If it's full and heavy it might hurt your hands or shoulders. The stitching of the straps also isn't very tough-looking. The zipper is pretty hard to open and takes some strength, in fact.

It does have one side pocket, and the interior is very easy to wipe down. We also like how the shoulder strap ring is large and sturdy.

The Deep Freeze from Titan is a box-type cooler that uses a Velcro closure instead of a zipper. It has a lot of features that make it popular for outdoor activities, such as its lid. It flips open firmly, making it easy to take things out. The interior is smooth and easy to wipe down. It has a compartment to prevent food from getting submerged as the ice melts. We also like the four side pockets, shock cord, and bottle opener hanging on it.

With only 10.25 percent of the original ice left after 24 hours, you will need to use lots of ice for longer-term storage. The shoulder strap has padding, but not a lot, so you may start to feel some strain after a while carrying it when it's full. But the side handles are thick and soft. We preferred these for easy lifting.

Because it uses Velcro, it's not fully leak-proof. Dropping it or tipping it over in the car could get messy. With dense triangle stitching, the shoulder strap seems solid. But the urethane coating is thin and may rub off over time. We also worry because Velcro tends to weaken with repeated use.

This cooler from Maelstrom weighs only about two pounds. The box-shaped bag can be folded down for compact storage. The shape and its coil-type zipper make it easy to open and grab your food or drinks. It also has useful features such as a built-in bottle opener, hanging loops, four side pockets, and a snack tray.

But since we found that all the ice we put in it had melted after 24 hours, don't expect to use it overnight. You may want to make sure to use a lot of ice or pre-chill the bag before loading it up. The soft material of the back makes it feel form-fitting and light to carry. However, the shoulder strap is a bit thin and might dig in if it's loaded up.

Also, it can leak melted ice, so be careful not to drop it or knock it over. We also worry that the strap may not hold up because of its stitching and small attachment ring. However, we liked that the PVC-coated interior is totally waterproof.

Igloo's 40-can soft cooler on wheels has a handle that's adjustable to three heights. It's easy for anyone to cart around. It doesn't feel difficult to maneuver up stairs, thanks to the side handles and soft fabric.

The zipper also opens and closes smoothly, and it's easy to add and take out items. There's even a little quick-access flap on top so you don't have to open the whole lid to get one drink out. We do wish it stayed cooler, though. After 24 hours, all but 0.22 percent of the ice was melted. Pre-cooling the bag or adding more ice packs might be called for.

Also, the inner lining is loose, which is harder to clean off, and the coil-type zipper doesn't fully prevent leaks. The stitching seems a bit weak and the outer fabric isn't coated for waterproofing. The adjustable handle is nice, but more parts mean more places for potential breakage. Treat it with care.

This cooler from Tourit has an inner box made of PEVA, a waterproof and tough material. The lid opens easily thanks to the coil-type zipper. Since it snaps back, taking out drinks and food is a quick process. But it has an inner lining that's the loose kind, which is a bit hard to wipe down.

Virtually no ice was left after 24 hours, so for long-term cold storage you'll need more ice or a quality ice pack. Also, the handles and shoulder strap aren't padded at all. If you load it fully, they may dig in.

It can be folded down compactly when not needed, but it can leak if tipped over. Although the construction has three layers of fabric, they're thin. We also question the strength of the handle's material. It looks functional overall but it's pretty basic.

Coleman's box-shaped soft cooler folds down when not in use. It also has a mold-resistant antibacterial liner. The body is soft with no hard shell at all, so it feels like it hugs your hips when you carry it, and the handle is comfortable. The shoulder strap is also adjustable.

Its coil-construction zipper glides with ease, and its shape offers easy access. Getting your beverages in and out will be a breeze. But wiping it down may not be. The inner lining is loose so finding all the nooks and crannies could be a challenge.

And while that zipper is smooth to operate, it won't prevent leaks from melted ice. The fabric is thin but it does have a honeycomb pattern that adds strength. We wanted a more solid stitching on the handle, but overall durability seems decent.