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Keep food and drinks cool when you’re out in the sun with these perfectly compact coolers.

The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler sitting on sand at a beach

Credit:Travel + Leisure

Staying properly hydrated is even more important as temperatures rise.

Our top picks feature several different styles, plus superior ice retention, thoughtful design, and long-lasting durability.

These small coolers go big on capacity while remaining manageable, and we love them for it.

RTIC Outdoors 30-Can Backpack

Credit: Amazon

The shoulder strap doesnt have enough padding to make it comfortable to carry when the cooler is full.

This RTIC Soft Pack Cooler is tough and durable without looking too much like a rugged outdoor product.

Oh, and it also floats!

The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag and information inside the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Casey Ringhofer

The waterproof zipper tracks can be sticky and you may need zipper lube.

This Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler is one of the most durable and cold coolers we tested.

We took it out with us on a hot beach day and it did not disappoint.

The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag sits in grass

The exterior is water-resistant, not waterproof.

When we tested this cooler, we made it work double time as both a cooler and ourbeach bag.

Although its fairly compact, you might unbuckle the sides to fully expand the bag for more room.

Drinks and ice inside the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Theres also an exterior zippered pocket and pouch pocket.

The interior is well-insulated and waterproof, and we didnt experience any leaking during testing.

This also comes in an8-liter sizefor smaller hauls.

Ice and drinks in the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

We wish its side handles were more comfortable to hold.

The interior is one main compartment that can hold up to 42 12-ounce cans, without any ice.

Built-in woven loops on the outside of the bag make it easy to attach Molle-style accessory attachments.

A person places a bag of food into the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

It has a relatively low ice-retention time and is not collapsible.

This compartment has elastic straps that are perfect for holding utensils, powder sachets, or even threading sunglasses.

Its designed to retain ice for about five hours in direct sunlight.

The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag and information inside the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

We tested this cooler with ice packs and found they were still partially frozen after being left overnight.

The zippers are not leak-proof and the capacity reduces significantly when you add ice.

Each cooler was tested over a period of two weeks.

The RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag sits in grass

Waterproof also means that you wont experience waterenteringthe cooler either (at least when properly sealed or closed).

Alternatively, water-resistant means your cooler materials are partially protected against water and liquid exposure.

Heading out on a boat or kayak?

Drinks and ice inside the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Consider a cooler that will float in case it goes overboard.

Water-resistant materials are best since you never know when you might encounter unexpected weather or spills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you’re free to put ice in a mini cooler.

Ice and drinks in the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Hard-sided coolers are good when you want to give added protection to the items in your cooler.

Always check the manufacturers recommended cleaning instructions for your specific cooler.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, T+L contributorK.

A person places a bag of food into the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Each pick on this list scored high and received top feedback during our in-house lab and real-world testing.

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

Credit: Amazon

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits in foliage with its lid open

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Brooke Dubuque

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits outdoors in foliage

Close-up of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits in foliage with its lid open

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits outdoors in foliage

Close-up of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

Calpak Insulated 17L Soft-Sided Cooler

Credit: Calpak

A person reaches for a canned drink inside the Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nina Ruggiero

The Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler sits on a beach blanket on the beach

Drinks inside the Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler

A person reaches for a canned drink inside the Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler

The Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler sits on a beach blanket on the beach

Drinks inside the Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler

Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote

Credit: Amazon

A woman walking outdoors while carrying the Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Thomas Bergerstock

Drinks and snacks on ice inside the Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote

Overhead view of the Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote in the grass

A woman walking outdoors while carrying the Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote

Drinks and snacks on ice inside the Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote

Overhead view of the Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote in the grass

STATE Wellington Cooler

Credit: State Bags

A person removes a canned drink from the STATE Wellington Cooler

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jasmine Grant

The STATE Wellington Cooler before use

The STATE Wellington Cooler sits in grass

A person removes a canned drink from the STATE Wellington Cooler

The STATE Wellington Cooler before use

The STATE Wellington Cooler sits in grass

Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler

Credit: Arctic Zone

Person wearing Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler on back

Credit: Travel + Leisure

Person sitting next to Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler packed with cans

Person lifting Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler from tarp

Person placing can in Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler

Cans in Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler

Person wearing Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler on back

Person sitting next to Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler packed with cans

Person lifting Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler from tarp

Person placing can in Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler

Cans in Arctic Zone 24-Can High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler