Best Yeti Cooler for Camping: A Complete Guide

A backpack cooler is such a great idea as you can carry it hands-free whenever you want to. These Yeti 20 coolers come in 8 colors and hold up to 18 cans, so they’re good for shorter camping trips or for day hikes with a picnic.  

The Hydrolok zipper is a key feature. It’s a really tough zipper that’s leakproof and waterproof. As with other soft Yeti coolers, this one features closed-cell foam for insulation plus high density, UV ray and puncture resistant fabric.  

Whether it’s a full day of food and drinks for the family or your own supplies for several nights away, this best selling Yeti cooler will see you through. The adjustable backpack straps make it comfortable to carry too.  

Pros:

• Water & leak proof Hydrolok zipper so as ice inside melts, it doesn’t leak out all over you as you’re carrying it 
• UV ray & puncture resistant outer 
• Comfortable to carry, making it good for backpacking or hiking

Cons:

• Works best when pre-cooled, which can be tricky if you’re on a multi-day camping trip. So it’s best for short trips where you can start with it cooled at home.

If you want to just grab and go, this Yeti tote could well be the best soft Yeti cooler to buy. It’s great for picnicking, boating, and days out as well as short camping trips. You can simply transfer the contents of the fridge to it before leaving, or take it into a local store to fill up with supplies en route. 

This Yeti soft shell cooler comes in your choice of pink, mint, yellow, navy or gray. The best feature is the wide, easy close mouth of the bag that simply seals shut when pushed gently.

A tough outer shell can cope with strong sunshine and can take knocks and scuffs without puncturing. The closed cell foam within, meanwhile, keeps food and drinks ultra chilled.

Pros:

• Hitchpoint grid 
• Magnetic closure 
• Ultra tough construction

Cons:

• Not the easiest to load – it closes automatically with the magnetic closure and you then need to roll it up for a full seal. This can be kind of annoying if you’re using it in a confined space like a boat or canoe.

Another option if you’re looking for soft Yeti coolers with a 20 capacity  – or thereabouts – is the Hopper Flip 18.  This range is one of the top Yeti products and comes in a choice of colors. (There are also different sizes, some of which are featured further on in this guide under the small coolers category.) 

The Yeti Hopper 18 can accommodate up to 20 cans with ice, and also has closed cell foam insulation to ensure all-day cooling. There is also a DryHide shell to resist UV rays and puncturing, and a super strong Hydrolok zipper. 

This could the best Yeti cooler to buy when you want something for a picnic, a full day out, or a short camping trip – it’s a versatile, compact size that’s not at all bulky or awkward to store and carry. I also love that there are 8 colors to pick from.

Pros:

• 8 colors 
• DryHide shell 
• Hydrolok zipper

Cons:

• It’s relatively pricey (as Yeti coolers generally are – you pay for quality)

The Roadie is a Yeti small hardside cooler that’s so popular that it’s offered in a range of 11 colors. It’s a revamped version of the Roadie 20, and this one is lighter and more effective than its predecessor. It also holds 20% more, and as it’s taller can accommodate a full-sized bottle of wine. 

This Yeti Roadie can also fit snugly behind the passenger seat of your car, and has a long shoulder strap for carrying. It’s been designed to offer one-handed access, and the ‘never-fail’ hinges are made to last the distance. 

This hard sided cooler is the best Yeti size for camping when you want to travel light, yet want to keep your food and drinks chilled in the way that only a hard cooler can. 

Pros:

• Wine & soda friendly height 
• Tough rotomolded build 
• NeverFail hinges
• Because it’s hard-sided, it keeps things colder for longer than similar-sized soft-side models

Cons:

• Not the biggest capacity
• The strap is definitely not as comfortable to carry around than the backpack or even the tote models. It’s convenient to carry it from your car to campsite or boat, but not the best for longer hikes.

Yeti 35 coolers are a favorite and this one offers a good alternative to the Roadie. It’s a different shape and holds a couple of additional cans. This sort of shape fits snugly into a gap inside a camper van or RV, and the wide, smooth lid means you can even use it for sitting on or as a tabletop. 

The Tundra 35 comes in 9 colors and is a good-looking bit of outdoor gear. A thick, tough outer wall that’s actually certified bear-resistant and PermaFrost insulation are among the impressive features. Heavy duty T-Rex latches are also designed never to break.  

You can also buy the Yeti Tundra in other sizes including the 45 and 65 models – simply click the link to see more options listed.  

Pros:

• Bear-resistant build makes it handy for many national park trips
• PermaFrost insulation 
• Easy for one person to carry

Cons:

• Not the most slimline design, so you’ll need sufficient space at your campsite to store it

The Yeti Tundra 105 is around the middle of the range when it comes to size – you can find smaller options above or an extra big Yeti cooler below. 

This one can hold up to 67 cans and has added height so you can stack up food and drinks while still leaving sufficient space for a layer of ice on the top. This also has a certified bear-resistant build. 

Like other Yeti models this one has military grade DoubleHaul handles, an InterLock lid system, a freezer level ColdLock gasket, BearFoot non-slip feet and tie-down slots for secure mounting. 

Pros:

• ColdLock gasket 
• BearFoot non-slip feet 
• Durable DoubleHaul handles

Cons:

• Heavy to carry. At this size, you’re looking at either a longer trip or one with more than just yourself. You can have someone help you carry it, or invest in a dolly to help you if you’re setting up your own campsite.

If you like the sound of a versatile cooler that’s also one of the best Yeti products for parties, then take a look at this ultra-cool ice bucket model. The Yeti Tank 45 can hold an impressive 52 cans, and comes in a bucket shaped design with side handles for easy carrying. 

Despite the relaxed look and compact shape, these bucket-style Yeti coolers 45 are serious bits of camping kit with the usual features such as DoubleHaul handles, PermaFrost insulation and a Vortex drainage system.  

These Yeti 45 coolers are great for cookouts, BBQs, beach parties, and tailgate parties as well as camping, and like other Yeti coolers should give many years of reliable service.  I like them best for short beach camping trips.

Pros:

• Unique bucket shape 
• Vortex drainage system 
• Multi-purpose for parties & camping

Cons:

• The shape makes it handy for drinks, but not the most convenient for storing more food + drinks for longer trips.

Other than the Yeti lunch bag, the Yeti Hopper 8 is the smallest soft-sided cooler from Yeti. It’s capable of holding up to 8 cans, so is ideally sized for all-day outings or shorter overnight trips when it’s just one or two of you. 

This also comes in a nice range of color options and features Yeti’s DryHide shell that can withstand scrapes, UV rays and scuffs. To the outer there’s a long shoulder strap, a top grab handle, and a hitchpoint grid for attaching accessories. 

A tough, leakproof HydroLock zipper, ColdCell insulation and a sleek, compact design complete the picture.

Pros:

• Hitchpoint grid 
• ColdCell insulation 
• Shoulder strap & grab handle

Cons:

• Limited capacity, so it’s best for day or weekend camping trips

When you want something a little larger than the Yeti Hopper Flip 8,the Flip 12 is a good option for you. It can hold up to a dozen cans plus ice, and is also a highly portable and reliable cooler. 

The closed-cell foam construction keeps drinks or food icy cold and the high density outer can stand up to knocks and scrapes while resisting penetration by UV rays or water. When empty this cooler weighs just over 3 pounds, and has a shoulder strap and handle for portability.  

This cooler also has a strong Hydrolock zipper and those hitchpoint grid lash points to the outer.

Pros:

• 12 colors 
• 12 can capacity 
• Weighs just over 3 lbs

Cons:

• Bulkier than the Flip 8

The Tundra Haul is the Yeti camping classic roller cooler. Portability isn’t a problem when you can wheel it along, especially when the wheels have been made never to develop a puncture.  

Like other hard models these large Yeti coolers on wheels feature the brand’s rotomolded build. This one also has an ultra robust StrongArm handle with comfortable grips for hauling it around.  

Up to 45 cans of beer can fit inside this cooler and it comes in a selection of 7 colors.  

Pros:

• NeverFlat wheels make this very portabe without needing to compromise on size. It’s big enough for a basic camping trip and easier to get to the campsite and move around.
• StrongArm handle 
• Rotomolded build make it durable and really well insulated to it keeps things cold for a long time

Cons:

• Weighs 32 lbs when empty, so those wheels are necessary

The Yeti Tundra 210 stands out because it’s the deepest one available. It’s taller than others like the Yeti 105 coolers, the Yet coolers 110 or the Yeti 125 coolers, and thus has less of a footprint for when floor space is at a premium. 

As with all of the Tundra range it features a rotomolded, bear-proof construction, is fully armored to withstand whatever your outdoor life throws at it, and has those T-Rex latches that Yeti promises will never break.  

This is one of Yeti’s biggest coolers, but is narrower and more compact that some of the other Tundra models due to the added height.

Pros:

• T-Rex latches 
• Bear-proof design 
• Added height = less floor space

Cons:

• Not everyine likes the deep format. I find it harder to get to stuff at the bottom.

If you want the biggest Yeti cooler ever made then this is the one. It’s designed along the same lines as the Tundra Yeti 160 coolers and Yeti 250 coolers, but can hold a whopping 222 cans of beer or soft drink. That’s one huge family, group or camping trip chiller.  

The FatWall design is bear-proof, so it’s ideal for many of our national and state parks. Several inches of PermaFrost insulation keeps everything ultra cold, while the armored construction makes it just about indestructible.  

Whether you head out on prolonged fishing trips solo, taking a long trip or camping with a large group, this could be the Yeti cooler for you.

Pros:

• 222 can capacity make it ideal for large groups or long trips
• FatWall construction 
• Virtually indestructible

Cons:

• It’s big and heavy, so takes up a lot of space and is not easy to move around

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James Ian has traveled to 82 countries and all 7 continents.  He has visited all of the main national parks in the United States, as well as many national monuments and state parks.

He has rafted through the Grand Canyon; rappelled down slot canyons near Zion and Arches; hiked among the hoodoos in Bryce and the enormous trees in Sequoia; admired the waterfalls in Yosemite and the colored hot springs in Yellowstone; seen moose in Grand Tetons and seals in the Channel Islands, and much more.

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