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Keep your drinks ice-cold for hours with these high-quality backpack coolers that are comfortable to carry.
Credit:Travel + Leisure
(Read more about our testing process below.)
It doesnt have any other storage besides the insulated main compartment.
After regularly using this bag for five months, we really appreciated that it collapses down for easy storage.
Credit: REI
There was quite a bit of leakage and melted ice after two hours.
We even love it for grocery shopping.
The backpack has an excellent capacity that can fit 20 cans with ease.
Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
There are also several exterior pockets that are useful for other items like a water bottle or utensils.
While the drinks were still very cold, we wish the zippers had been a bit more leak-resistant.
There was some leakage and broken cans after our durability test.
We suggest using ice packs instead of ice cubes to avoid leakage issues.
The top part of the backpack isnt insulated and the bottom section leaked a bit after the two-hour mark.
It has a top compartment with plenty of room for items that dont need to be chilled.
We wouldnt pack electronics or anything that could get damaged by water in this.
The cans in the bottom compartment were colder than the ones in the top compartment after two hours.
For packing a variety of food and drinks, we recommend the sleek, dual-compartment Pelican Dayventure Backpack Cooler.
The top zipper leaked a bit and several cans were dented or popped.
There arent any pockets for additional storage.
Beach goers andriver rafterswill appreciate the floatable and waterproof RTIC Backpack Soft Cooler.
The exterior nylon material resembles the feel of an inflatable raft and the zipper teeth felt sturdy and watertight.
A few cans were dented during our tests with one breaking open.
We still think these are great options, though.
It leaks a lot as the ice melts and would get everything in the front pocket wet.
This bag is best used with ice packs or to transport cold items short distances.
We evaluated each backpack based on design, capacity, portability, durability, and insulation.
We tested the coolers while camping, on picnics,at the beach, hauling groceries, and more.
We suggest usingleak-proof ice packsinstead of actual ice when carrying a backpack cooler.
We recommend packing a backpack cooler with ice and/or ice packs first as a bottom layer.
Backpack coolers can be used aspersonal itemsor even carry-on bags as long as they meet standard size requirements.
Double-wall insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours at a time.
It’s also completely leak-proof and perfect for bringing on camping trips, boating trips, and more.
It also comes with a dinnerware set for four people and several picnic accessories.
She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021.
Credit: REI
Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Credit: Igloo
Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Credit: Arctic Zone
Credit: Travel + Leisure
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Travel & Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure
