Who wouldn’t mind enjoying some quality time spent in the mountains or woods? Some trekking can take you away from your daily hectic schedule. After all a breath of fresh air now and then can keep you healthy.
Every hiker needs an energy bite now and then to keep his spirit soaring. But how to keep food safe and tasty while on the go? Thanks to coolers, your favorite food remains fresh and ready to eat.
To help our dear hikers, we decided to review some of the Best camping cooler brands available in the market. We could risk our hiker’s appetite while on the go. Read on to find our top 10. BON APPETITE !!!
Quick Comparison: Top Best Camping Cooler
**Below, you'll find our expert's reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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Guidelines On Selecting Coolers
- Buy a cooler with at least 2” insulation.
- A two cooler system is always better. It is not advisable to store foods and drinks together
- Prepare your cooler a day beforehand before using it. The core needs to be cooled to work efficiently.
- Clean your cooler thoroughly before and after use.
- Prechill your cooler with cool water and toss some ice packets. This will help to lower the temperature inside the cooler.
- Chopping your veggies and marinating the food beforehand can help you save time and space
- Use ziplock bags to store food as this can reduced space consumed with more room for ice.
- To increase space, remove all store brought food from their packets.
- For multiday trips freeze food beforehand.
- If you are using a large cooler, consider making a cooler map to help you find food easily.
Tips For Buying Coolers
- Never put your cooler in the hot trunk of your car
- Avoid direct sunlight on cooler while camping
- Keep the cooler lid closed while not in use to retain cold
- Keep the meltdown water in to ensure that your food stays cold for long
- Consider switching to dry ice rather than using conventional water ice cubes.
- Pack like a pro by putting fragile items on top and ice cubes in bottom.
Review of Some of The Best Camping Cooler
Our #1 Rated
Our #1 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Suitable for hiking, barbecuing or tailgating
- Durable wheels
- Retractable handle
- Multi pocketed
- Hard plastic lined the interior
Features
Pros
- Resists mildew and odor
- Antibacterial protection
- Zippered main compartment
Cons
- The faulty lock system of handle
- Not stable
Our #2 Rated
Our #2 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Comes with wheels for easy transport
- Ergonomic cube design for easy lifting
- Unique telescopic handle
- Handle locking feature with push button
- Lid comes with cup holders
Features
Pros
- Triple snap drain plug for easy draining
- Made of ultratherm insulation for keeping food cold longer
- Larger version
- Perfect balance between price and quality
Cons
- Faulty plug design
- Can't keep food cool long
Our #3 Rated
Our #3 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Leak-proof
- Fits in any adventure
- Tough and durable
- Waterproof fabric
- Resistant to mildew and UV rays
- Unique closed cell rubber foam for cooling
- Attaches to anything with hitch point grid
Features
Pros
- Easy input and output
- Handling is easier with a tapered body
- FDA approved material
- Quality craftsmanship
Cons
- Heavier
- Difficult to pack and unpack
- Poor quality zipper
Our #4 Rated
Our #4 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Caters to any outdoor activity
- Extra thick walls for better ice retention
- Permafrost insulation for better cooling
- Rotomolded indestructible construction
Features
Pros
- Leak-proof
- Durable
- Suitable for all year round
Cons
- Small sized
- Expensive
- Heavier
Our #5 Rated
No products found.
Our #6 Rated
Our #6 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Leak-proof
- Easy to carry handle
- Multiple pockets for great storing
- Germ-resistant
Features
Pros
- Retains cold for 24 hours
- The bag comes with a front pocket to store dry items
- Seams are heat welded for superior leak proof
Cons
- Can accommodate only max 24 cans
- Poor leak system
Our #7 Rated
Our #7 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Retains ice for two days straight
- Deep freeze high performance
- Radiant heat barrier
- Triple layer cold block case for greater cooling
- Rhino tech exterior is easy to clean
Features
Pros
- Zipperless
- Water resistant
- Smart shelf feature allows keeping hard things separate
- Easy portability with Back savershoulder strap
Cons
- Not durable
- Thin plastic liner
- Expensive
Our #8 Rated
Our #8 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Easy transport with heavy duty wheels
- Premium insulation for extra cooling
- Provides ample space
- Leak-proof
- Integrated cup holders
Features
Pros
- Cooling lasts for 3 days
- Suitable for multi-day trips
- Premium quality
- Great functionality
Cons
- Collapsible handle when load increases
- Not wide enough
Our #9 Rated
Our #9 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Dual snap fit lids for a secure fit
- Threaded drain plug for easy draining
- Perfect for outdoor activity
Features
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Holds ice much longer
Cons
- Lacks updated features
- Not leak proof
Our #10 Rated
Our #10 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Side handle for easy carrying
- Secure screw top lid
- Expert in saltwater conditions
- Suitable for fishing
- UV guard protection
Features
Pros
- Rust-resistant stainless steel finish
- Easy to clean valve
- Antibacterial
Cons
- Suitable only for marine use
Features To Look For While Buying Coolers
- Always buy cooler with a bottom drain that helps to drain excess water.
- Consider buying coolers with molded handles that last long
- Look out for a strong latch holder to keep the cold from escaping
- A ribbed bottom will ensure that the water won't get into the food.
- For lazybones, consider investing in a cooler with wheels for easy transport.
- Check for coolers with section dividers that help to sort out the food.
- If you prefer metallic cooler, then go for stainless steel ones as they last longer.
Care And Maintenance
- Clean the inside and outside of your cooler with a regular mild soap
- A solution of baking soda can be used as a natural soap
- A solution of chlorine bleach and water eliminates odors
- To prevent mold growth, leave the lid open after washing
- Ensure that the cooler is dried properly after washing to prevent mildew.
- Sanitize the cooler before use to prevent bacterial growth on food.
Footnote
- Who wants to spend the day in the empty stomach after a long day of trekking. For foodies , lousy food can turn the even most serene hiking into a nightmare. Chilled drinks with a bite of turkey sandwiches can put any tired hiker back on the trail.
- The waft of food now and then can give you the urge to go more. Let hiking be not a reason to bid farewell to your favorite food. Eat like an animal while in the jungle !!!!