The Best Backpack Coolers Are the Easiest Way to Schlep Your Food and Drinks (2026)

When the weather’s nice (and sometimes even when it’s not) I try to spend as much time as possible out in the fresh air. If you do too, you’ll want to pack drinks and snacks, of course, which always requires some logistics. Hard coolers are a slog, especially over deep sand and rocky terrain. Insulated totes can be fine for a bit—until you realize you’ve been walking around lopsided for hours. And most lunchboxes are only big enough for one person, not a whole picnic. If your summer plans include snacking or drinking outside in any capacity, this is your sign to get a backpack cooler. It’s exactly what it sounds like—a cooler you can wear on your back for hands-free travel, insulated to keep your precious snacks and drinks cool as a cucumber. They’re way easier to schlep around than a full-blown hard cooler, and since they’re backpacks, there’s no dealing with tired arms or shoulder pain. Genius, right? Our Top Picks - Best do-it-all backpack cooler: Hydro Flask 22L Carry Out Soft Backpack Cooler - Best for *serious* outdoor endeavors: Yeti Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler - Best for day hikes, beach picnics, and casual outings: Dometic Unrestricted 24L Cooler Backpack I got my hands on seven of the top backpack coolers to see which are worth icing down and packing out. There’s something for every adventure—off-the-grid campouts, beach days, park hangs—that’s bound to keep your snacks cool and shoulder pain at bay all summer long. Best do-it-all backpack cooler: Hydro Flask 22L Carryout Soft Cooler Backpack Pros and cons Pros: - Lightweight - Padded backstraps with sternum strap - Removable and convertible handles - Long-lasting cold - Exterior pocket and lash points - Easy to clean - Affordable - Lifetime warranty Cons: - No interior pocket or separate dry storage - Water-resistant, not waterproof Specs Can capacity: 30 Outer dimensions: 12.20” L x 9.60” W x 18.50” Weight: 3.34 lbs Colors: 7 What we love: Hydro Flask’s Carryout came out on top because it’s so versatile. It works just as well for quick day trips and casual outings as it does for longer, overnight excursions when insulation is of the essence. Right off the bat, I was impressed with its design. It’s roomy but not bulky, and hardy but not overbuilt. The soft, wide body sits nicely upright. The main zipper at the top is easy to open—no wrestling with taped zippers or funky clasps. The clamshell opening folds back and out of the way, too, so you can reach in to grab stuff without it flopping back in your way. Inside, there’s plenty of room to store food and drinks. Outside, there’s an exterior sleeve for stashing a phone, wallet, or keys, multiple lash points, and side handles. There’s also a removable strap that can be connected to carry as a sling or tote. What really sold me was its ice retention. I stashed 5 pounds of ice in the bottom of the cooler with a few cans of beer on top and checked how well the ice and temperature held over a few days. The Hydro Flask kept things chilly for 72 hours and had a bit of solid ice left up to the end of hour 48. Even when the ice fully melted, drinks stayed cold and refreshing. Clean-up was a breeze, too—I was able to easily dump the cooler out and wipe the interior clean, no scrubbing or waiting around for things to dry. For the price ($149 at the time of publishing), this pack is hard to beat. It’s got everything you want in a high-quality cooler, with a smaller price tag than a Yeti. It’s also incredibly comfortable to carry; while other coolers I tested were bulky and painful over long periods of time, the Carryout felt streamlined and comfy. For a quality backpack cooler that keeps things cold, doesn’t make you feel like a pack mule, and looks good, this is the one. What we’d leave: There’s no interior pockets or separate dry storage—it’s just one, deep vessel, like most of the models we tested. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you definitely have to keep it organized yourself otherwise snacks and bevvies can get lost. Also, the outer fabric (recycled polyester that’s certified sustainable by Bluesign) is water-resistant but not waterproof, so it’s not as rugged as other models. But unless you’re planning on rafting or paddling with it, that shouldn’t be an issue. Best for serious outdoor endeavors: Yeti Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler Pros and cons Pros - Superior cold retention - Spacious - Comfortable backstaps - Extremely durable - Easy to clean - Ample lash points - Trendy colors Cons - MagShield Access is a pain to open - Clunky, even when empty - Expensive Specs Can capacity: 36 Outer dimensions: 15.3"W x 9.9"D x 18.1"H Weight: 5.60 lbs Colors: 11 What we love: There is a reason the Yeti Hopper M20 is consistently shortlisted as one of the best backpack coolers by gear heads—it really is that good. As an avid outdoorswoman, my pink Yeti Hopper has accompanied me everywhere—across Adirondack lakes, down Wyoming river rapids, even in the back of a car on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Vegas. Its ruggedness and cold-retention are supreme (and they better be considering it has a $325 price tag). During my cold-retention test, the Yeti outshined all the other backpacks by keeping cans cold for more than 72 hours. By the end of my test, there was still a little bit of solid ice left at the bottom of Hopper M20—the only cooler with ice remaining after three full days. Its durability is a thing to behold. It’s made from a waterproof and UV-proof fabric that’s easy to wipe down, inside and out. After a few days camping, I can hose the whole thing down back to front, flip it over, and dry it out. The straps are relatively comfortable and the “Hitchpoint Grid” (a section of lash points down the center and sides) make it easy to clip on accessories you want to tote along. And, of course, it comes in Yeti’s rainbow of colors, including core classics and trendy, seasonal drops that make them all the more covetable. It’s an excellent cooler, but I think it’s overkill for the casual beach-goer or pool lounger. If you camp, fish, or like to disappear off the grid from time to time, get this cooler. But if you just need something to tote to and from a picnic or a few hours out on your annual vacation, this is not the cooler for you. More on that below. What we’d leave: I am in a love-hate relationship with my Yeti Hopper. It’s just so difficult to open. And I know that’s what makes it stay cold, but it does make me want to use it less. When it’s not filled completely, it’s almost worse—any excess air pushes open the MagShield, which makes it hard to roll down the top and clip shut. There’s no casually opening or closing this thing—you have to be on top of it with two hands to get a drink in and out. It’s also clunky, even when it’s completely empty. There’s no shoving it in a closet or folding it up to get it out of the way. It’s always there, and if you’re short on space or don’t have a designated gear garage to tuck it away in, it can be a pain. Lastly, it’s expensive—that Yeti quality comes with a noticeable price bump. Best for day hikes, beach picnics, and casual outings: Dometic Unrestricted 24L Cooler Backpack Pros and cons Pros - Soft and lightweight - Spacious - Adequate (though not top-of-the-class) cold retention - Easy to open - Internal and external sleeves (even one for your laptop) - Padded backstraps with sternum strap - Ample lash points, pockets, and cinch straps Cons - Expensive - Only one color, but was still impressive Specs Can capacity: 39 Outer dimensions: 13.39" D × 21.06" H × 7.09" W Weight: 3.4 lbs Colors: 1 What we love: This was the most “backpack-y” of the bunch. Dometic’s Unrestricted 24L looks like something you’d see a tech bro carrying to-and-from their office in midtown Manhattan, and that’s kind of what it’s made for. It’s loaded with features, including two water bottle pockets, daisy chain attachments, and even an internal laptop sleeve (tech bros, rejoice.) All of this comes together in a lightweight, leakproof silhouette insulated with recycled Primaloft® Gold insulation (a synthetic insulation used in things like jackets or sleeping bags), which explains how it’s so featherlight. The roomy interior is spacious enough to hold 39 cans of soda when completely empty, meaning there’s plenty of room for snacks, sandwiches, and drinks. Inside, there are also two connection points for the brand’s reusable, magnetic ice packs, which hang on the side for out-of-the-way insulation. I tested the cooler both with normal ice and the Dometic ice packs, and it kept things cool exceptionally well both ways. With ice, my drinks stayed cold for around 48 hours, even when left to bake in the sun. The ice packs remained frozen for less time (around a day), but the drinks stayed chilly inside long after they melted, meaning it still kept temps cold. Afterwards, it wiped down and dried easily until the next time I needed it. If the Yeti M20 is made for outdoorsy folks, I would argue this is made for urbanites who want a backpack cooler to take from trail to tasting room. It’s super comfortable—that Primaloft Gold gives it a lofty, squishy feel that’s nice to carry, even when filled. Even more impressive are the features, which are made for folks that want to have their creature comforts (or full-blown laptop) close by. What we’d leave: The black is sleek and modern, but I do wish it came in another color—even a basic, icy white or beige would offer folks some options. It’s also a splurge ($249 at the time of publishing). Add on the magnetic ice packs ($45 at the time of publishing) and you’re definitely paying a premium. Finally, the outer layer might be a pain to clean given how many compartments there are. It’s not like the Yeti that you can leave out in a rainstorm and dry off with a towel. The softshell outer fabric repels moisture, but you don’t want to douse it. And if you do, dry it off well (and take out your laptop first.) How I tested these backpack coolers To try to make the results of these tests meaningful, I chose coolers that of a similar size (between 20-30 liters). I wrapped 5 pounds of ice in a plastic bag and placed it in the bottom of each cooler. Each one received a few of my favorite non-alcoholic beers (shoutout to Best Day brewing) that had been pre-chilled to help maintain cold temperatures. Then I left them outside for 4 days in a mix of sun and shade. I checked on them daily to monitor ice melt, how cold the cans stayed, and to check for leaks (which, luckily, none of them sprung). I paid close attention to how easy each of the coolers was to open and close, and took note of zipper- and clasp-quality. I also noted whether there were features that might make them more organized inside: Would I have to dig around a void of ice to retrieve a refreshing beverage? Could I separate dry snacks from wet items? Were there internal pockets or sleeves where I could store things like utensils or ice packs? After the cold-retention test, I carried each cooler out in the real world. I tried to put the coolers through a realistic set of paces to see just how comfortable they were to carry on basic hikes, to picnics, and to barbecues, to get a sense of how it felt to carry them around. What to consider when shopping for a backpack cooler Cold retention A cooler’s whole job is keeping your drinks cold and your sandwiches not soggy. But they aren’t all intended for the same situations: Some are made for a quick afternoon at the beach, while others are designed to keep ice frozen through multi-day camping trips and long, hot car rides. If you’re planning on spending serious time outdoors—or just hate sipping lukewarm seltzer by hour two—look for thick insulation, leakproof construction, and closures that actually seal in the cold. Those are the keys to keeping the cold in. Comfort A backpack cooler can have elite ice retention, but if it digs into your back after 20 minutes, what’s the point? Since these coolers are designed to go where hard-sided models can’t, comfort matters. Padded shoulder straps, sternum straps, breathable back panels, and lightweight construction all make a huge difference once the thing is packed with ice, drinks, and snacks. The best ones distribute weight evenly and feel more like a good hiking pack than a portable fridge. Durability Look for sturdy fabrics, reinforced stitching, waterproof or highly water-resistant exteriors, and materials that wipe clean easily. Your backpack cooler should be able to handle everyday use without leaking, fraying, or turning into a mildew trap after one season. Features The little details are often what separate a decent backpack cooler from one you’ll use constantly. Thoughtful features—like exterior pockets, lash points, water bottle sleeves, or dry storage compartments—can make packing and hauling way less chaotic. Easy-access openings matter too; if you have to wrestle the cooler every time you want a drink, you’ll notice fast. Other backpack coolers I liked: Cotopaxi Hielo 24L Backpack Cooler Cotopaxi’s Hielo backpack cooler was maybe the prettiest model I tested (even my mom complimented it, the only one of the bunch to catch her eye.) It’s lightweight, comfortable to carry, and refreshingly easy to open and close—something I came to deeply appreciate after wrestling with more heavy-duty coolers. The insulation held up well for a daypack—ice started to melt by hour 36, and cans stayed chilly for a while after all the ice was gone. That said, the boxier shape felt awkward on my back when fully packed. There’s also no separate dry storage or internal organization, so everything ends up in one chilly abyss. If aesthetics and ease-of-use matter just as much to you as performance, though, the Hielo is still a really solid pick. Rovr TravelR 24-Can Backpack Cooler For the price, Rovr’s TravelR backpack cooler impressed. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and has a more casual, streamlined feel than some of the more rugged coolers I tested. The padded shoulder straps make it genuinely pleasant to carry, even once it’s packed with drinks and ice. I especially liked the external zipper pocket, which gave me a convenient place to stash essentials like my phone, wallet, or sunscreen without digging through melting ice. Where it falls short is cold retention: In my testing, the ice only lasted about a day before fully melting, which is noticeably less impressive than higher-end models like the Yeti or Hydro Flask. Still, if you mainly need a cooler for short beach trips, park hangs, or tailgates (and don’t want to spend upwards of $250) it’s a good value buy. Backpack coolers I don’t recommend: BruMate’s MagPack 24-Can Backpack Cooler is a beast. Weighing in 7.74 pounds completely empty, it was the heaviest I tested. It does a great job keeping things cold (my ice stayed frozen for more than 48 hours), but unfortunately, it’s just too clunky. Its firm, leakproof body is technically sound, but it feels a bit like carrying around a mini fridge on your back. I can’t imagine wearing it longer than a half-hour at a time, I think I’d get tired and annoyed. That said, I have tested the smaller, 18-can version of this cooler, and it’s lovely. It’s smaller and there are no backpack straps (only a shoulder strap), but I think that works in its favor. If you’re looking for a hardy cooler you can tote around to tailgates or the beach, the 18L is great. The 24-can is sadly just too cumbersome. For the price, I had high hopes for this mini backpack cooler, but was extremely disappointed. Not only did all my ice melt after 24 hours, but the cans didn’t even stay cold. Most of the other coolers at least kept the temps low—this one became lukewarm after a day. It’s also so small. Maybe it could work as a lunchbox? But that would be one expensive lunchbox… The backpack cooler FAQ How long do backpack coolers actually keep ice cold? It depends on the cooler, how much ice you use, and the weather conditions, but most high-quality backpack coolers will keep ice frozen for somewhere between 24 and 72 hours. Premium models with thicker insulation and airtight closures perform best, especially when they’re packed full and kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Is a backpack cooler better than a regular soft-sided cooler? A backpack cooler is designed to be worn as a backpack for hands-free portability. Regular soft coolers often have larger capacities and simpler tote-style designs, but they can get uncomfortable fast once loaded up with ice and drinks. Can you use loose ice in a backpack cooler? Yes, you can use loose ice in a regular cooler, however ice packs are less messy. For my test, I used loose ice in plastic grocery bags. Reusable ice packs make less of a mess, don’t require draining, and help keep things organized, especially in coolers without separate dry storage compartments.