Credit:
Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
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Credit:
Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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This backpack cooler brings the best of comfort and insulation, for a comfortable cooler with good cold retention. Read More
A true hybrid, this backpack cooler has excellent cold retention and a whole lot of room for extras. Read More
Decent cold retention and a lightweight design make this backpack cooler a contender, however, we're skeptical about its durability. Read More
Mold resistant and compact, this lightweight backpack cooler will go the distance year after year. Read More
A cooler backpack that stands out with lots of visual flair and moderate performance. Read More
The best backpack coolers are built for mobility, affording you refreshment (or fresh food) wherever your hike takes you. With straps balanced like those found on a hiking backpack and cooling like that found in a soft cooler, backpack coolers make it much easier to tote around all of the cold beverages, brie, and watermelon you and your fellow picnickers or campers should want.
After several rounds of testing, the Igloo 30 Can Insulated Soft Cooler Backpack (available at Amazon for $53.49) emerged as the best backpack cooler thanks to its comfy straps and incredible insulation. For a smaller backpack cooler with extra compartments, check out the Carhartt Cooler Backpack (available at Amazon). It's the best hybrid backpack cooler we tested, with a generous amount of extra storage space for non-cold items like books. However, there are lots of great backpack coolers to pick from in our guide.
The Igloo Soft Cooler Backpack keeps you refreshed wherever you trek.
The Carhartt Cooler Backpack comes with deep hybrid storage and reliable insulation.
Mold resistant
Good cold retention
Poor storage design
Affordable
Comfortable design
Decent capacity
Poor cold retention
Attractive design
Vegan leather
Uncomfortable fully loaded
Poor cold retention
Hi, we’re Jon Chan, Beckett Dubay, and Michael Elderbee, and we’re the testing team at Reviewed, which means we design and implement the experiments involved in testing products for articles. For the best cooler backpacks, we are most concerned about performance, comfort, extra storage, and price.
We test backpack coolers for temperature maintenance with two ice packs and two sensors.
Testing coolers starts with measuring cold retention. We used a similar testing method with backpack coolers to tests we’ve run on hard coolers and soft coolers. At its core are two temperature sensors, one encased in a methylcellulose block and one in just a case. These sensors are placed in the backpack coolers to measure how long the backpack retains a temperature of 40°F.
Because most backpack coolers aren’t fully waterproof, we opted to test with ice packs instead. Each backpack cooler got two cold packs that weigh around 800 grams each.
We also tested each one for comfort by loading it up and walking around, evaluating how the straps felt under a full load.
Ergonomics are ever important.
Cold retention is one of the most important factors. Look for a backpack cooler that fits your needs based on your activity and how long you will be outside.
Ergonomics are ever important in a backpack, and in a cooler backpack they’re arguably more important than ever, as these are often quite heavily loaded. Consider the type of straps that best fit your body and feel the most comfortable. A backpack cooler with padded adjustable straps is a versatile option.
Bodies vary greatly, if you have specific needs from a backpack, make sure to look for them.
It’s not a bad idea to pre-cool a cooler. Plop your backpack cooler into the fridge or freezer before you leave, if it fits. Keep your freezer packs frozen until just before you’re planning to take off. When not in use, leave your cooler in the shade and keep it out of direct sunlight.
We pack our backpack coolers with two ice packs.
While some backpack coolers are waterproof and won’t leak, others will. As a general rule of thumb we think good ice packs are better in this case than ice. Ice packs also make for an easier clean up than melted ice.
Dry ice could also be a solution for some backpack coolers, as it won’t puddle when it melts. However dry ice comes with real downsides. While it’s way colder than water ice, dry ice melts very quickly.
As it melts, dry ice releases dangerous carbon dioxide. If you decide to use it, we recommend wrapping it in newspaper and keeping it at the bottom of your cooler.
Generally, we think dry ice isn’t the best choice in a backpack cooler.
While there’s no hard and fast rule to differentiate hybrid backpack coolers from the regular sort, we made the distinction based on how much storage each has.
For example, some backpack coolers come with a significant amount of extra storage space for books and gear, while others are basically one big insulated bag.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Gabriel Morgan
Staff Writer, Home
Gabriel Morgan is a staff writer on Reviewed's home team, where he covers consumer education topics such as earthquake preparedness, radon in the home, and concerns about health and wellness in product design. He also writes product reviews and how-to articles on appliances, smart home technology, and goods for the home.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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