Top 5 Hunting Coolers
When going on a backcountry hunt, it's important to bring a great cooler, not only for bringing food on the way down but bringing out meat on the way back home. There are several factors you’ll need to consider when picking your next hunting cooler. Here are a few things to look out for, as well as our picks for the best hunting coolers!
Capacity
Determining the capacity of your cooler is the first step in the selection process. You’ll need to determine if your cooler is going to stay at the truck, at camp, or come with you on your hunt. We carry Coolers with capacities ranging from 7.5 quarts all the way up to 100 quarts!
Hard or Soft Sided Coolers
Another major factor in the cooler selection process is determining if you want a hard or soft-sided cooler.
Hard Sided Coolers
Hard-sided coolers generally offer greater capacity, more ruggedness, and high levels of insulation. There are several models that are bear-proof, and they can make great coolers for storing large amounts of food or meat for several hunters. Choose from models like the Yeti Tundra, Pelican Personal Elite, and Coleman 1900 Hard-Sided Coolers.
Soft Sided Coolers
Soft-sided coolers can also offer many of these advantages, with ample storage and insulation. One of the main advantages of soft-sided coolers is that they are generally easier to pack than hard-sided coolers. Whether that’s on the mountainside or at camp. Their designs also allow them to be packed in vehicles more easily, thanks to their soft, flexible sides. Models like the Yeti Hopper and Engel Heavy Duty Soft-Sided Cooler are great soft-sided options for your hunting excursions.
Accessories & Added Features
Straps – Many of our soft-sided coolers offer comfortable straps or even backpack straps for backcountry treks. Instead of carrying a cooler by hand, these straps allow you to pack meals or game meat close to your body.
Baskets – Baskets allow you to keep certain items dry while still keeping them cool. Several coolers come with included baskets, and brands like Pelican offer aftermarket baskets and racks for dry and secure storage.
Ice Substitutes
Ice substitutes help to eliminate the mess and the risk of soggy food. These products have the same cooling effects as ice but melt within their containers, making them a mess-free alternative to ice.
YETI Tundra Cooler
The YETI Tundra cooler is designed for true lovers of the outdoors: guys and gals who are in the field or on a boat season after season, for whom ordinary coolers just won’t cut it. Durable? Oh yes. This marine cooler is made from the same roto-molded polyethylene as whitewater kayaks. And the molded-in, self-stopping hinges mean you’ll never have to replace a busted hinge again. Effective? You bet. Two to three inches of insulation, extra-thick walls and a freezer-style gasket mean you’ll spend more time doing what you love and less time restocking ice. If you happen to take these top-quality coolers into bear country, don’t fret — it’s been certified grizzly proof.
Features
- Rotomolded construction
- Bearfoot, non-slip feet
- Permafrost insulation
- No sweat design
- Doublehaul handles
- Vortex drain system
- T-Rex Lid Latches
What Customers Are Saying
My Friends Hate My Yeti's...
because I make them carry them as payment to keep their stuff cold. Built like tanks, keeps ice for days, more rugged than I am destructive, my Yeti coolers have become a staple at camp sites, river trips, boating, and I stand on them while washing my 4x4.- Adam21, 1/29/2014
About YETI
YETI is a trusted name in the outdoor and premium cooler industry and has a remarkable company history and commitment to providing high-quality products for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. Founded in 2006 by two brothers, YETI set out to create coolers that could withstand the demands of extreme outdoor adventures. YETI's core product offering includes rugged and durable coolers, drinkware, bags, and other outdoor accessories. YETI coolers are known for their exceptional ice retention, heavy-duty construction, and innovative features such as rotomolded construction, T-Rex lid latches, and FatWall insulation. YETI's most popular models include the Rambler, Tundra, LoadOut, Roadie, and Yonder. With their dedication to performance, innovation, and premium craftsmanship, YETI continues to be a trusted choice for those seeking reliable and high-performance outdoor products that keep their contents cold (or hot) for longer durations.
Shop NowPelican Elite Cooler
The Pelican Elite Cooler is a true next-generation innovation, created to last a lifetime. Pelican holds themselves to higher criteria than other cooler makers. When it comes to durability, performance and ergonomic design, just “good enough” doesn’t cut it. From the latches to the freezer-grade seal to the toughest handles in the business, every part is engineered to Pelican’s extreme durability and performance standards. Whether you’re on the hunt of a lifetime, far out at sea with a cooler full of catch, crossing deserts on safari or simply tailgating during a big game, the Pelican Elite Cooler is the one for you.
Features
- Extreme ice retention
- Press and Pull Latches
- Integrated Cup Holders
- Built-in Bottle Opener
- Non-Skid & Non-Marking Raised Feet
- Molded-In Lock Hasp, Stainless Steel Plate
What Customers Are Saying
Excellent purchase
These coolers are great , if you cool them properly they'll keep your food cold for quite some time . I intend to fill mine with deer meat this weekend !- SteveinLR, 11/11/2021
About Pelican
It all began in 1976 when scuba enthusiast Dave Parked designed a mini anchor out of a few parts in his Torrance, CA garage. Dave dubbed it the “Pelican Float.” He devised this gadget because he knew it had the potential to save lives. He was right. Dave’s next product was a superior first-aid kit for divers. The cases were rugged, durable, and built to keep the contents stored inside safely protected from water and dust. The product was a hit with divers and others who tossed out the first-aid supplies and used the case to protect other valuables. From this humble beginning sprang a company that ultimately became the global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance protective cases for all your gear. The Vault Series, Storm, and Air are some of the best gun and gear cases that will serve any need you may have for them. Pelican takes great pride in the products created over the years that assist police, firefighters, military personnel, photographers, and many others.
Shop NowColeman Atlas Chest Cooler
Upgrade to a Coleman Atlas Chest Cooler and receive longer lasting ice retention. The TempLock FX insulation keeps ice for days which keeps colder drinks in your hands. When it is time to drain the water, you don’t have to work to hard. Just pop open the tethered drain plug and forgot about it.
Features
- TempLock FX insulation
- Made with 15% less plastic vs. comparable Coleman coolers
- Tethered drain plug
About Coleman
Coleman was founded by W.C. Coleman and has been a pioneer in providing innovative and reliable outdoor gear for over a century. From its humble beginnings, Coleman has expanded its products to include a wide range of camping essentials. Today, Coleman is synonymous with high-quality tents, sleeping bags, coolers, camp stoves, lanterns, and other outdoor equipment. With a focus on durability, functionality, and user comfort, Coleman products are designed to enhance the outdoor experience for campers, hikers, and adventurers. From family camping trips to rugged wilderness expeditions, Coleman equips outdoor enthusiasts with dependable gear that withstands the elements. With their commitment to quality and ability to adapt to evolving customer needs, Coleman remains a trusted and reliable brand in the outdoor industry, helping individuals create lasting memories in the great outdoors.
Shop NowPlano Frost Cooler
The Plano Frost Cooler delivers results in a way only Plano can. The other guys may just be catching on to the power of plastic, but Plano has been perfecting injection molding techniques since the ‘60s. Their coolers get a leg up from this experience, with industrial-strength molded construction, shock-resistant protection and dual-stage molded latches for an airtight seal.
Features
- Includes a hanging basket
- Dual-stage molded latches
- 1” commercial grade insulation
- Continuous, airtight Dri-Loc seal
- Retains ice for up to 5 days
- Stainless steel bottle opener in lid
- Integrated tie-down slots in handle
- Rugged, industrial-strength construction
- Shock- and drop-resistant for worry-free transit
- Heavy-duty ergonomic carry handle
What Customers Are Saying
Cooler
Nice cooler but doesn't keep ice for 3 days. Should come with the tie down straps.- Cb, 9/27/2023 Shop Now
YETI Roadie Cooler
The YETI Roadie Cooler is a fresh take on a tried-and-true YETI favorite. It’s 10% lighter weight, holds 20% more, and even performs 30% better thermally than its legendary predecessor. Plus, YETI built it tall enough to accommodate taller bottles but slim enough to squeeze behind the driver’s or passenger’s seat of a car.
Features
- Rotomolded Construction
- Permafrost Insulation
- Neverfail Hinge System
What Customers Are Saying
Good for what it's for, some room for improvement
Why I bought it: You can fit two 1-gallon jugs of water plus four 20oz bottles of water in it with room for a 10lb bag of ice on top, so ideal for those who work in the heat and want ice cold water sun up - sun down. It has a smaller footprint than the Roadie 20 and fits perfectly in the passenger seat of my work truck/field office. The added height vs the 20 means you can pull out a jug to drink and not have to dig at the the ice with your hand to fit it back inside and be able to close the lid. Also, taller 1L water bottles fit upright. The TL;DR details: I have used the Roadie 20 (basically the baby of the Tundra line with an annoying stiff handle) for a few years as a work cooler and overnight camping or dayhike trailhead cooler, it will still be used for the latter two purposes, handles a 12pk like a champ, but the Roadie 24 is now my regular jobsite cooler. Compared to the Roadie 20, the 24 is not bear-resistant, the new plasticy-rubbery latch handles are not as secure as the tire rubber tun...- Randy Marsh, 5/4/2020
About YETI
YETI is a trusted name in the outdoor and premium cooler industry and has a remarkable company history and commitment to providing high-quality products for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. Founded in 2006 by two brothers, YETI set out to create coolers that could withstand the demands of extreme outdoor adventures. YETI's core product offering includes rugged and durable coolers, drinkware, bags, and other outdoor accessories. YETI coolers are known for their exceptional ice retention, heavy-duty construction, and innovative features such as rotomolded construction, T-Rex lid latches, and FatWall insulation. YETI's most popular models include the Rambler, Tundra, LoadOut, Roadie, and Yonder. With their dedication to performance, innovation, and premium craftsmanship, YETI continues to be a trusted choice for those seeking reliable and high-performance outdoor products that keep their contents cold (or hot) for longer durations.
Shop Now