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A portable soft cooler is an excellent alternative to a hard-sided model that can be hard to pack.

RTIC Soft Cooler on an Adirondack Chair

Credit:Travel + Leisure

We love how flexible and lightweight soft coolers are, plus how easy they are to clean.

We especially appreciate models with extra pockets for organizing smaller cold items.

While the sides are soft, it is so well-insulated it cant be folded down for packing.

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

Credit: Amazon

It would be nice to have a separate pocket or two for organization.

This has less ice retention in direct light than others we tested.

Its made with a rugged 600-denier polyester shell and is reasonably lightweight for how much it holds.

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sitting on the beach

Credit: Travel + Leisure

Plus, it comes in plenty of fun colors.

The zipper needs regular reapplication of the provided zipper lube.

The zipper isnt watertight, so we had to deal with some leakage.

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits outdoors near a beach

We loved the comfort of this cooler as well as its packable, collapsible design.

The strap padding isnt sufficient for over-the-shoulder carrying when fully packed.

Its probably best for shorter trips or providing snacks for one to two people.

Close-up of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

The insulation is thinner than others we tested, and didnt hold ice as long.

Whilewheeled coolersarent typically known for their portability, Dbests compact, collapsible cooler is the best of both worlds.

We were able to assemble this in less than two minutes, and the instructions were very straightforward.

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits outdoors in foliage

Here are the coolers that werent our absolute top favorites, but will work for plenty of travelers.

Look for coolers that have a few different carrying options, including a shoulder strap and a duffle-style handle.

Padding on the straps is also helpful for when youre carrying a full load.

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sitting on the beach

And some coolers are shaped for carrying better than others.

A soft cooler can last many years as long as you take good care of it.

This means cleaning out the inside to prevent mold and mildew, and always storing it fully dried.

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits outdoors near a beach

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

Close-up of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler

A Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler sits outdoors in foliage

IceMule Pro Cooler

Credit: REI

Person securing the buckle roll top of the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

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Person reaching into the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

Person scooping ice into the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

Person wearing IceMule Pro Cooler 23L on their back

Person securing chest strap while wearing the IceMule Boss 30-Liter Backpack Cooler

IceMule Pro Cooler 23L on sand next to towel

Back of IceMule Pro Cooler 23L next to towel

Person securing the buckle roll top of the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

Person reaching into the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

Person scooping ice into the IceMule Pro Cooler 23L

Person wearing IceMule Pro Cooler 23L on their back

Person securing chest strap while wearing the IceMule Boss 30-Liter Backpack Cooler

IceMule Pro Cooler 23L on sand next to towel

Back of IceMule Pro Cooler 23L next to towel

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

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Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote sits in the grass near parked cars

Two men pose outdoors while one carries 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

The Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote sits in the grass

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

Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote sits in the grass near parked cars

Two men pose outdoors while one carries 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

The Hydro Flask 26 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Tote sits in the grass

Iron Flask Soft Cooler

Credit: Amazon

An Iron Flask Soft Cooler sitting on the ground with two beverages in its holders

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A hand holding a strap on the Iron Flask Soft Cooler

The Iron Flask Soft Cooler sits open on the ground with canned beverages inside

A hand opens the Iron Flask Soft Cooler to reveal food and beverages inside

An Iron Flask Soft Cooler sitting on the ground with two beverages in its holders

A hand holding a strap on the Iron Flask Soft Cooler

The Iron Flask Soft Cooler sits open on the ground with canned beverages inside

A hand opens the Iron Flask Soft Cooler to reveal food and beverages inside

Monti the Mayfly Cooler

Credit: Monti

A person pours ice into the Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler

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The Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler sits in sand

A person places a can into the Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler

A person carries the Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler by the strap

A person pours ice into the Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler

The Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler sits in sand

A person places a can into the Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler

A person carries the Monti The Mayfly 14L Cooler by the strap

RTIC Soft Pack Cooler

Credit: RTIC

Drinks and ice inside the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

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

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

Ice and drinks in the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Drinks and ice inside the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

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

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

Ice and drinks in the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag

Calpak Insulated 17L Soft-Sided Cooler

Credit: Calpak

Drinks inside the Calpak Insulated Soft-sided Cooler

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

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

Dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler Smart Cart

Credit: Dbest

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler filled with ice and drinks

Credit: Travel + Leisure

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler folded up

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler filled with ice and drinks

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler filled with ice and drinks

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler folded up

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler

dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler filled with ice and drinks

A Hydro Flask Carry Out Soft Cooler sits opened on the beach with an ice pack inside

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Titan Deep Freeze Cooler

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A woman carries the RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag on her shoulder while walking on a beach trail

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