Which Cooler?

[AJ01]

Okay, I'm sure this topic has been covered before, I just wanted to "stir it up" again.

Long trips. Needing to store harvested game. Most "bang for the buck". Reliable at holding ice. I know everyone has a personal preference, so what's your idea cooler for the trip?

Will it hold a boned out deer?

The boys all laugh at me cause I'm too cheap to buy a Yeti. Around the deer woods here there are Yeti's, Coleman's, Igloo's, Rtic's and even a Pelican 70qt.

What say you?? And why?

[Hi5]

Yeti was the first cooler brand that I noticed that seemed to be designed to do its job. I bought one asap afterwards. The cheap crap ones I had been using were given away or consigned to yard sale.

I still have my Yeti. Why? Because it was built to last. And do its job.

There may now be similar quality products out there. Maybe they are less costly. Whoever the heck Mr. Yeti is, he set the standard, and thank you to him for that.

[DuckHunt]

I spend more money on on a pack of broadheads than on an ice chest.

Leave a scuffed up $20 Igloo unsecured in the back of your truck and, like a good dog, it'll still be there when you return.

[Normous]

In the last 3 years I have donated all my inexpensive coolers away to anyone who may need a larger weekend or overnight cooler.

Today, I own two efficient coolers made by BIG FRIG based out of South Dakota. A large 110 QT ( no longer made) on wheels that I find very welcome and easier to move and a 70 QT without wheels. Both get the nod.

Big Frig includes an inner basket and real thick quality plastic divider which doubles as a cutting board.

Rubber feet prevent slipping and sliding around in your vehicle.

I pre-freeze 2 QT/L plastic pop bottles and my goods/food/game stay cold for easy 5 days or more. The more frozen packs the better.

I signed up for the Big Frig news letter and receive good deal offers numerous times per yr.
I pull out my CC when coolers are advertised at 30% to 40% off and free shipping.

Draw back is you require two people to lift it into a truck when full.

I recommend this cooler. I like em

Lots of choices out there in the premium cooler market. Buy WOS - (what's on sale).

[nchunter]

I’ve never heard of Big Frig coolers. Thanks for bringing them to our attention!

One trick I’ve done to improve the performance of lower-end coolers is to lay a generous bead of silicone around the lip of the cooler, then smear some plain old unscented vasoline on the mating surface of the lid.
Close the lid, and let the cooler sit unopened for a few days, giving the silicone time to set.
After a few days open the lid and let set for another day to allow the silicone to air cure. Wipe off the vasoline off the lid with a rag.
Now you have an air-tight seal!

[Normous]

70 QT. Big Frig features excellent latches, tight seal, divider/cutting board and basket.

[Hillcountry]

I bought a Coleman. Surprisingly, they make a “thicker walled” style cooler that keeps stuff cold better than the old thin walled ones (still make those too)
When I saw them at a fraction of the price of the Yetis I didn’t hesitate to grab one. They worked well for hot summer days trolling for salmon. Nothing “bear proof” about them but for keeping ice they did the job. Side by side with the lesser Colemans, they look the same so you have to open the lid to see the thick walls.

[robertyb]

There are literally dozens of knockoff Yeti coolers out there now. Rtic makes some very good ones at a good price.

[DuckHunt]

There are literally dozens of knockoff Yeti coolers out there now. Rtic makes some very good ones at a good price.

I have to admit that the RTIC coolers are enticing.

As for the knockoffs sold at Wal-Mart, they have these Ozark Trail versions made in China.

Or these Lifetime models made in the USA.

As for performance, I believe the Ozark Trail holds ice longer. But it is heavier and has less internal space. I prefer the latches on the Lifetime models because they are easier to use with one hand. I've got a somewhat smaller Lifetime model with a metal handle that holds enough beverages for an average day trip for two on the ATV or boat.

[janesy]

I have Xactics. They are commercial. Same company makes railcar coolers for transporting seafood inland.

But the best cooler Is the freezer I have in my hunting trailer

[Normous]

Any cooler over 70 Q I suggest a model with 2 factory installed wheels for ease of movement , even up and down stairs.
Worth the little bit of extra money , especially in the second half of your life.

[longbow joe]

Although l love buying high end stuff l personally usually only need my ice to last about a day so no need for something flashy as the others said a lot of the knock offs are actually more functional it's only a cooler save the money for something else.
You loose a lot of room on the thick walls of the yeti unless you really need more cold time.
Long before the yeti a big Walmart Coleman 120 quart hollow cooler has served well on an all day striper or bluefish trip with no worries for 2 days.
I think it's all about actually "needing " your ice to last for days in the end.

[AJ01]

Long before the yeti a big Walmart Coleman 120-quart hollow cooler has served well on an all-day striper or bluefish trip with no worries for 2 days.
I think it's all about actually "needing " your ice to last for days in the end.

Joe I must admit, I have 2 of those 120qt Colemans. They have toted a lot of deer, elk and other mammals back to my place. Not to mention a lot of fish!!
I also have some 70qt Colemans. My boys and sons-in-law's all have either Yeti or Rtic. I have a buddy I hunt with quite a bit; he swears by his 70qt. Pelican. They give me a hard time when I drag into camp with the old beat up Colemans. But ya know what? Mine leaves full most of the time and theirs don't!!

[DuckHunt]

Any cooler over 70 Q I suggest a model with 2 factory installed wheels for ease of movement , even up and down stairs.
Worth the little bit of extra money , especially in the second half of your life.

No kidding! We had a 150qt Colemans filled to the top with ice and beverages and my day was almost shot before it began trying to get them into the back of a truck. Movement of full coolers that large requires pall bearers.

[Normous]

your right!