Coolers? What you do have?

[Ringbill27]

Hey everyone,

So I’m in the market for a good cooler.

I’ve been going on canoe trips to the Boundary Waters for years now but this last winter I’ve blown up my shoulder up in a snowmobile accident. Paddling is out for the year. I’m switching to boat trips in instead, which means I can go in way heavier with real food.

Typically I have to hang my food in a tree for bear protection(black bear). But that sucks and bear are not the issue that the rule makers make it out to be Most trips are 2-3 day boat trips sometimes 5-6. I’m looking for a yeti style cooler in the 60qt range that I can lock shut and chain to a tree. There a lot on cheaper then yeti coolers out there for less money. I’m currently looking at “Blue Coolers” but there so many it’s hard to decide.

Wondering what you have, what you like, what’s works best?

Appreciate the input.

Picture for attention but also the lake I’ll be boating into.

 

[rayporter]

an R tic can be bolted shut with a couple eye bolts and chained to a tree. mine [ 65 q] has never been bear tested but it has fell off the back of the truck and survived with minor scratches

 

[Zdub02]

I have a 20qt RTIC, a 45 qt VIBE, and a 150qt coleman. The Vibe was a waste of money as it's on par with the coleman. Recently filled both up for a party kept outide for 4 hours on a 65 degree overcast day with folks getting drinks out of consistently. Then both were stored in my basement. Ice was completed melted to water in 4 days for both coolers. I've consistently had better luck with the RTC for ice retention.

There are also a ton of good youtube videos comparing multiple brands if you really want to go down the rabbit hole. My vote would be for the RTIC based on personal results.

 

[chancey]

Check out Grizzly as well. I have both Grizzly and Yeti, while the yeti is slightly better in build quality it’s not worth the cost over the Grizzly. Grizzly is also made in ‘Merica.

 

[rogerdoger]

I have a grizzly cooler, I think it’s around 65. It has worked great. I just picked up a yeti 125 on Facebook for $350. Was looking at the RTIC as they are really similar to Yeti but cheaper. I would keep an eye out for used.

The key I have found for ice retention is freezing meals, cooler layout (layering food so last day is in the bottom). I like having a small cooler to transfer my day snacks to so I am only opening the big cooler a couple times a day. Watching cooler packing tips and tricks from rafters on the grand has helped.

 

[JJ.]

IMO, pelican will out perform all the rest.
Ice retention and durability.
Made in USA.

Only downfall, they are heavy.

 

[kpk]

I've got a Canyon that I've been super happy with for at least 10 years. We picked up a Bison off Marketplace last summer that looks super nice, but don't have a lot of experience with it yet.

 

[jcaud]

I have a Pelican (110 I think?) that holds ice great, but like others have said it's an absolute boat anchor. Load it up with meat and put it in the back of a truck, good luck getting it out with the grippy feet.

I bought a smaller RTIC 52 a few years back on sale and I have used it for pretty well everything (minus hunting out west) since. Holds ice well and is light enough that you can move around easy. Seems to be much less lb/qt space compared to other coolers.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

There is no real difference in the higher end roto coolers. I have a ton of Yetis and also grizzly, orca, and canyon. When I need a cooler now, which is rare because I have way to many, I look for something the dimensions I want. I wish I would have paid more attention to that earlier on than just brand. A 65qt orca might be taller than a yeti but the yeti wider, just get what fits your needs the best. They all hold up and have places for locks.