Best Backpack Coolers 2023

Coolers are a crucial piece of equipment for keeping food and drink cold when you’re spending time outdoors, but hard-sided coolers can be a hassle to carry from place to place because they’re often bulky and heavy. That’s where the venerable backpack cooler comes in. This clever design allows you to carry drinks (and food) hands-free, wherever you roam, whether you’re embarking on a hike with friends or simply ending your day with a walk to the local lake. Of course, the best backpack coolers retain ice all day and are comfortable to carry, but some offer more quirks and features than you might imagine.

Keep food and drink cold on the go with the best backpack coolers.

Some backpack coolers on this list have storage space for dry goods, while others stick with the basics, like premium insulation and a supportive strap system. Check out our picks below to find the best option for your next adventure, and for more advice, don't forget to check out buyer's guide at the end, where we also chat to Kieran Kreevy, International Mountain Leader and wild chef, about storing food safely when out and about.

hydroflask

Material: 600D Polyester | Weight: 3 pounds | Capacity: 36 cans without ice

If you’re looking for a do-it-all backpack cooler that you can take to the beach or the backcountry, Hydro Flask’s rendition tops our list thanks to it’s versatility and lightweight design that’s perfect for trips both short and long. You can fill it with 36 cans of your favorite beverage (although you can probably fit closer to 20 cans with ice), and this backpack will keep them chilled for nearly two days.

Design features, like a Tru Zip zipper and welded seams, take this cooler to another level—one where you never have to worry about leakage. On the side, a large, stretchy mesh pocket fits a water bottle or other belongings. But, if you need room for more gear, you can purchase waterproof, dry storage bags that clip to the exterior. One great perk of the Day Escape cooler is that it comes with a 5 year warranty, but we’d be surprised if you had to use it.

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Carhartt

Material: 1200D Polyester | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Capacity: 12 cans

This little backpack cooler is small yet durable, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for it day after day. At only 1.5 pounds, it’s lighter than any of the other backpacks on this list, and it’s designed by Carhartt, a brand known for crafting durable, hardwearing goods. Consider this the perfect lunchbox backpack for a workday.

The clever 2-in-1 design allows you to pack your essentials in the top portion of the pack, while the zippered, insulated bottom compartment stores a cold drink and snacks. The front pockets provide extra storage space, and the side pockets fit 12-ounce cans but are too shallow for tall water bottles.

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REI

Material: Recycled nylon, Polyester | Weight: 3.25 pounds | Capacity: 31 liters

Part hiking backpack, part backpack cooler, the Cool Trail Pack Cooler from REI is a great option for hikers who want to carry perishable goods or cold beverages on longer hikes. While other cooler backpacks skimp on padding (or eliminate it entirely), this pack employs a comfortable, contoured hip belt and adjustable shoulder straps that are in line with REI’s traditional day packs. When you just need a standard pack, you can remove the cooler insert and load it with your favorite essentials.

Front lash straps contribute to this pack’s classic trail aesthetic but also serve as anchoring points for larger gear items like a picnic blanket. The side pockets are well designed—a mesh exterior pocket sits on top of a roomy zippered pouch to fit a water bottle and snacks all in one spot. It’s a great pick for hikers looking to strike a balance between function and ice retention.

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Decathlon

Material: Polyamide, Polyethylene co-vinyl acetate, Polyethylene terephtalate | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Capacity: 30 liters

This cooler backpack from Decathlon is practical, comfortable, loaded with clever features and often on-sale, which makes it possibly cheaper than the six-pack of artisanal IPA it’ll be carrying. It’s engineered to keep food cool without ice for five hours, and while that doesn’t sound all that impressive, add in some ice blocks and you’ll have chilled drinks and fresh food for an entire day. As a result, this is a superb backpack for picnics.

At 1.5 pounds (empty) it’s extremely light compared to the competition, and the shoulder straps are well padded, with chest and waist straps included for extra support. We’ve had reports of some straps coming loose, but have experienced no such issues. There’s a zipped pocket and a mesh pocket on the outside, separate from the cooler, so you can keep your belongings dry, and you’ll find extra buckles on the underside for carrying a pad or blanket.

The backpack is not watertight, so it’s not suitable for carrying ice, and you may notice condensation build-up from ice blocks. But thanks to internal pockets, the ice blocks don’t need to come into direct contact with any food.

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ICEMULE Coolers

Material: MuleSkin 1000D fabric | Weight: 7.2 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans with ice

For fishing trips, hunting trips or camping trips when you need multi-day ice retention, the IceMule Boss should be at the top of your list. It’s designed like a hiking backpack but has the performance of top-level soft coolers—hence the hefty price tag. Welded seams and a roll-top closure design create a completely water- and weather-proof interior. The side pockets serve as dry storage compartments and come equipped with PakShield zippers, so you’ll keep your drinks cold and your electronics dry.

This backpack cooler warrants the name “Boss” for many reasons; it’s large, durable and designed to withstand the elements. However, for many casual users, it’s overkill because of its bulk and heft. But if premium performance is what you’re seeking, you can’t get much better than this.

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Igloo

Material: Neoprene, Primaloft | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Capacity: 18 cans

Sadly, one of our previous best buys, the Igloo Reactor Soft Sided Backpack Cooler, is no longer available, but we think the Moxie is a worthy replacement thanks to its mix of everyday street style and cooling ability. The blend of tough neoprene and recycled Primaloft Gold insulation does a solid job of keeping drinks and fresh food chilled during the day. It’s not a bag for camping missions, but one for park adventures, or festivals.

Rated as having an 18-can capacity, it’s not a huge bag, but in truth, the tapered shape is ideal for carrying a few wine bottles at the ideal temperature. The internal liner and zips are both leak-resistant, but this bag is better suited to ice blocks than loose cubes.

As you’d expect from a traditional-style backpack, there’s also a side pocket for your water bottle, and a cinch-opening flip-top that allows for quick access, without having a rather ugly square ‘cooler style’ design. The straps lack padding, and there’s no waist support, but in reality, this is a bag for city jaunts, not thru-hikes.

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Camelbak

Material: TPU | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans, 6 liters water, 15 pounds ice

At $325, it’ll cost you as much as a hard-sided Yeti, but we’ve been hugely impressed by the versatility of the CamelBak ChillBak 30. As well as space for 24 cans and 15 pounds of ice, the undisputed leaders of portable hydration solutions have also included a generous six-liter reservoir bladder. It even comes with a clever spigot for sharing its contents, rather than the typical bite-and-suck personal nozzle, which transforms the design into a handy tap for impromptu washing up.

The whole system is waterproof, with sealed seams and a reliable roll-top closure. Once loaded, it can keep drinks cold and ice in ice form for up to 72 hours, which should guarantee a good weekend. The separate reservoir is also kept cold behind a very padded back panel, and the watertight zipper prevents spillages.

The only drawback to this cooler is the fact it weighs close to 50 pounds when fully loaded. This is not an inconsiderable amount of weight, and many people will struggle over longer distances. The straps and waist belt are supportive though, and you are effectively bringing both the party, and hangover cure, with you in one big blue bag.

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Arctic Zone

Materials: Recycled plastic | Weight: 3.49 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans

This backpack cooler is a little more niche than other models on this list, but if you’re looking for an all-in-one picnic bag, look no further. Arctic Zone’s Eco Picnic Backpack Cooler comes with everything you need to host a picnic for four: cutlery, wine glasses, cloth napkins, plates and a bottle opener.

Despite it’s fully stocked interior, it’s also incredibly compact and lightweight, which makes you wonder how the entire ensemble compresses into such a seamless design. While your picnic supplies are tucked neatly in the front compartment, the zip-top main compartment features a soft-sided cooler with a Microban lining that’s both easy to clean and protects against odors and stains. It doesn’t have the same ice retention as other backpack coolers on this list, but it will definitely keep your goods icy cold for a day in the sun.

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Backcountry

Material: 600D Polyester | Weight: 2 pounds | Capacity: 28 liters, 24 cans

If you’re on a tight budget, but refuse to compromise on style and performance, the Stoic Hybrid is well worth a look, boasting a lovely Hydro Flask aesthetic for a fraction of the cost. Looks count for nothing though if your beverages arrive tepid, but thankfully the use of 600-denier polyester and super thick padding will keep your drinks cold for the weekend.

It doesn't have a huge capacity, and while the main body cavity is welded to be waterproof, the top zipper isn’t, so you’ll need to keep it upright at all times. But the compact style, impressively padded back panel and reinforced straps make it a very comfortable choice that also won’t make your back chilly. We’re awarding this cooler extra points for including a bottle opener on the webbing straps, which also come in handy if you want to carabiner essential extras to the pack.

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We’ve combed through reviews, technical details and first-hand accounts to create a list of the best backpack coolers across multiple categories. We’ve also tested, and continue to use, some of these coolers in our personal lives, from the backyard to the backcountry.

To keep you up to date, we routinely update this article to provide current availability, prices, noteworthy specs and detailed descriptions. Additionally, we regularly review new gear and product releases to ensure this list includes some of the best backpack coolers on the market right now. This article was last updated in July 2022.

When you’re shopping for a backpack cooler, consider how you intend to use it. Do you need to keep food and drinks cold for a weekend trip, or will you be using it for less than 24 hours? High-end brands like Yeti and IceMule offer longer ice retention but premium insulation comes at a price. Alternatively, brands like Igloo and Arctic Zone are more affordable, but the ice will melt faster. None can match a hard sided cooler for long-term ice storage, but they're getting better by the year.

You should also consider how long you plan to carry your backpack cooler. If you’re hiking more than a mile, look for a cooler with supportive and comfortable padding, as well as a hip or chest belt to reduce the weight on your shoulders. If you’re just walking a few minutes from the car, you don’t need a hip belt or padded straps.

Backpack coolers come in a variety of sizes, from small lunch box sized packs to big tote-style backpackers that can fit 36 cans. Determine your capacity needs before buying the cooler, and remember, ice cubes take up a large amount of space.

Do you need functional features like pockets and dry storage? Or will you just use the backpack strap system as a convenient carrying method? If the backpack cooler is the only thing you’re carrying, pockets can be useful for storing personal items like your phone, wallet, keys, and water bottle.

Backpack coolers come in two main types: 1) boxy and stiff coolers, and 2) more flexible soft-sided coolers. The boxy, stiff designs have a flat bottom for easy loading and can fit food and drink more easily. However, they are less comfortable to haul around.

Soft-sided backpack coolers—like the Hydro Flask Day Escape or the REI Cool Trail Pack—sit more naturally on you back for more comfortable carrying. But they’re also less convenient to load up with cans.

Kieran Kreevy, International Mountain Leader and backcountry chef, suggests how to prepare your backpack cooler and its contents to elevate your time outdoors.

Your primary method of cooling should be ice blocks, ice packs and then use ice cubes to fill in any empty space. A cooler backpack needs to be as full as possible in order to stay cold for longer. If you've got the space, chilling the backpack cooler in the fridge or freeze before you load it can help.

“It's important [that] anything you're planning on putting in the cooler are all properly chilled,” says Kieran. “Obviously if you're out in cold conditions, you're possibly already at fridge temperatures, which makes life easier, but remember that even in freezing conditions, food left in direct sunlight can spoil quickly.”

“If you're taking meat for a barbecue, I would be inclined to stick with fish and beef, rather than chicken or pork, just because you need to be really careful with them,” notes Kieran. “One option is to pre-cut raw chicken and freeze it, then transport it in a Ziplock bag or sealed container, to avoid contamination.”

“I'm a big fan of using insulated containers as an extra guarantee against ingredients getting warm,” suggests Kieran. “I've taken ice cream in one, kept it in the cooler, and it's been perfect, even after a five hour hike.”

According to Kieran, pre-preparing food is another great way to save time cooking at the end of the day, but also to reduce the amount you need to carry and dispose of. Some ingredients such as coffee grounds can be buried and compost quickly, but banana peels take months to decompose, so always take them with you.

Properly loading your backpack cooler is important too if you're carrying food because, as Kieran notes, “coolers can be too cold, which can spoil delicate ingredients such as leafy greens and fresh berries. Make sure these items are separate from the ice and cool blocks, and if you keep them together, you can easily remove them.”

Grouping cold goods separately—drinks, snacks, meal ingredients—also means you won't have to be rummaging around in an open cooler, letting the cold air escape.

Absolutely, but no matter how insulated the cooler, the ice will melt eventually, so you have to be prepared. Cheaper fabric coolers can leak, leaving you with a soggy sack to carry, so if you want to carry ice, make sure your cooler is properly waterproof. Read Kieran Creevy's top tips below for more storage advice, but also remember to double up on cooling—include space for ice blocks, which stay colder for longer and don’t melt as quickly.

Most backpack coolers are soft coolers, which means they’re constructed from more pliable materials than those found in hard-sided coolers. With this in mind, you should avoid using dry ice in soft coolers as it could damage the insulation and soft materials.

This depends on the type of insulation in your cooler, the outside temperature and how often it's opened, but ice will last from 12 hours to 7 days. Premium hard coolers will last the longest, while simple soft coolers may only manage a day in the sun.

Sadly, the Yeti Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler has been recalled because the magnet-lined lid can release its magnets, which poses a number of risks. You can use the Yeti backpack as a cooler, but we recommend you work with the brand to submit a recall claim and return the cooler.