We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 7 Best Backpack Coolers, Tested and Reviewed These topped our tests for comfort, convenience, and ice-cold insulation. By Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick, CNC is a leader in the realm of nutrition and special diets, helping to make healthy eating affordable and easy for all. She has cooked professionally, intermittently, for well over twenty years, and has nearly a decade of professional writing experience. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 19, 2026 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews How We Tested Backpack Coolers Factors to Consider FAQ Other Backpack Coolers We Tested Our Expertise Credit: Food & Wine The best backpack coolers keep food and beverages chilled for hours and leave your hands free — free to carry other items, push a stroller, hold a leash, or do nothing at all. We love them for the beach, day hikes, picnics, and theme parks, and most are compact enough to bring on a flight (with a proper ice pack) or fit in a full car for a road trip. We’ve tested 26 backpack coolers over the past few years from brands like Igloo, Rtic, Yeti, and Titan, but only seven have earned our seal of approval. Read on to see which backpack cooler is right for you. Our Favorite Backpack Coolers The Yeti Hopper M20 is our old faithful of backpack coolers for its impressive insulation, leak-proof design, and durability over time. If you're looking for something less expensive yet reliable, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack cooler is a smart choice. Top Picks Best Backpack Cooler Overall: Yeti Soft Backpack Cooler at Amazon $325 Jump to Review Best Value Backpack Cooler: SALE Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack Cooler at Amazon $60 $50 Jump to Review Best Backpack Cooler for the Beach: RTIC Backpack Soft Cooler at Amazon $300 Jump to Review Best Backpack Cooler for Hiking: SALE REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler at REI $100 $50 Jump to Review Best Backpack Cooler for Easy Carrying: Hydro Flask Carry Out Soft Cooler Pack at Amazon $129 Jump to Review Best Backpack Cooler for Travel: Cotopaxi Hielo Cooler Backpack at Cotopaxi.com $200 Jump to Review Best Backpack Cooler for Wine: Corkcicle Cooler Backpack at Amazon $150 Jump to Review Best Backpack Cooler Overall Yeti Soft Backpack Cooler Credit: Amazon $325 at Amazon $325 at Yeti $325 at Cabelas.com Pros This cooler is durable, leakproof, and roomy enough for 18 or more cans with ice. Cons It’s so durable that it can be difficult to buckle and unbuckle. This Yeti cooler impressed us with its top-of-the-line durability, comfort, and insulation. It holds up to 26 pounds of ice or 36 standard cans and seals melted water inside with its impressively strong, leakproof magnetic shield. Editor Mary Claire Lagroue attests that once your food and beverages are sealed inside, the Hopper M20 keeps them cold for over 24 hours — even on days with a 100°F heat index in the Texas desert. The Hopper M20 reminded us of a hard cooler, as it held its shape no matter what we put inside. Weighing more than 5 pounds empty, it's heavy for a backpack model, though it's not the heaviest we tested. When we wore it on our backs fully packed, the cooler felt comfortable over a short distance. If you're hiking more than a mile or two, the shoulder straps can start to dig in. Still, it's ideal for most outdoor adventures, from mountain camping trips to coastal vacations, as it's made of UV-resistant material to protect against fading. After two years of testing this cooler, it has held up well with few scuffs and scratches. We only found it lacking compartments and pockets. Yeti makes these as accessories, the Sidekick Dry Gear Case and the Rambler Bottle Sling, which attach to any of its soft coolers but are extra costs. "I ended up buying the Sidekick pouch to have a place for my phone and keys," says Lagroue. "I imagine I'll have this cooler for years to come, so for me, it's worth investing in right now." Size: 18.1 x 18.1 x 10 inches | Capacity: 19.8 liters | Weight: 5.6 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Best Value Backpack Cooler Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack Cooler Credit: Amazon $60 $50 at Amazon $53 at Arcticzone.com $53 at Kohls.com Pros This cooler protects against odors and stains and has excellent insulation. Cons There was some leakage after the ice melted. For under $50, this backpack cooler features two layers of insulation, one of water resistance, one to protect against heat, and a leakproof lining. That insulation lived up to our expectations. In fact, after two hours of testing, the cans were about as cold as they would be coming out of the fridge, perhaps even a bit colder. There’s an antimicrobial material built into the lining to prevent bacterial growth, and that lining, which is also reflective, is quite easy to wipe down. The back is padded so that even if you are carrying it on rough terrain, it won’t uncomfortably rub against you. We liked that it was easy to pick up and put on with its upper handle and compact size, as well as fit our bodies, thanks to the adjustable straps. We recommend keeping it upright as much as possible because there was considerable leakage on its side after the ice melted. Size: 10.5 x 7.5 x 16.5 inches | Capacity: 24 liters | Weight: 1.53 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Best Backpack Cooler for the Beach RTIC Backpack Soft Cooler Credit: Amazon $300 at Amazon Pros It’s durable, floatable, and waterproof, making it suitable for beach and lake outings. Cons It doesn’t have any pockets. Whether you’re going to the beach, lake, river, or pool, this floatable, waterproof cooler is a must. Since you’ll mostly be in the sun, you’ll appreciate its outstanding insulation that keeps inside contents cold all day long. It’s available in two sizes suitable for 20 or 30 cans, plus we found it fits food on top of the maximum number of drinks. During our comfort and durability tests, we were impressed with the cooler’s padding and leakproof design. The backpack has three strips of thick padding on the back, which makes it feel cushioned and comfortable to wear. It also did not leak at all, and the zippers still felt sturdy and watertight. Size: 12 x 6 x 16 inches | Capacity: 20 cans | Weight: 3.7 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Best Backpack Cooler for Hiking REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler Credit: REI $100 $50 at REI Pros It features a hip belt and a chest harness, providing a comfortable fit for longer wears or for trekking the trails. Cons You might want to use ice packs instead of loose ice to prevent leaking. For hikes to stunning vistas or sandy shores, this backpack cooler is an insulated upgrade from a daypack or picnic basket. surprisingly comfortable, it has padded shoulder straps, an adjustable chest harness, and a cushioned hip belt and back panel for optimal weight distribution. It didn't feel heavy after the pack was fully packed, and we think this cooler could be easily carried for a longer duration. It features a leakproof cooler insert for chilled food and drinks, or you can remove it and pack nonperishables. We found that the cooler was very easy to load with ice and drinks because the opening was so wide. It has several compartments to carry items like your phone and trail maps, plus it even has a pocket large enough for a water bottle. Size: 22 x 16 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 30.5 liters | Weight: 3.5 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Best Backpack Cooler for Easy Carrying Hydro Flask Carry Out Soft Cooler Pack Credit: Amazon $129 at Amazon $120 at Target $120 $90 at Hydroflask.com Pros In addition to great insulation, this lightweight cooler bag has two sets of straps that let you carry it like a tote or wear it like a backpack. Cons The seal is leak-resistant but not leakproof. The Carry Out Pack is one of Hydro Flask’s newest releases, and it hit a home run in our tests. This soft-cooler backpack holds around 20 pounds of ice or up to 27 canned drinks, and its lightweight insulation kept the interior ice-cold for well over 24 hours during testing. The Pack has everything Hydro Flask’s other Carry Out soft coolers have: water-resistant polyester fabric, leakproof interior lining, and a compression-molded lid and base. However, this cooler is taller and has stowable backpack straps, lending itself to short-distance hikes and walks to the beach or pool. It’s equipped with other helpful features. We like the durable, domed lid since you can use the zipper as a max-fill line to prevent overstuffing your pack. A large, stretchy pocket runs around half the exterior to accommodate personal belongings and a water bottle up to 32 ounces. It even has webbing loops for holding insulated water bottles and other accessories outside your pack. When the cooler was full with ice and drinks, carrying it by the back straps and upper handles still felt secure. This new design also welcomes three swaggy new colors, plus two limited-edition combinations of the brand’s already popular colorways, like cascade and surf (dark and light blue). We found only a few issues with the Hydro Flask backpack cooler. In testing, we noticed some denting at the base when setting it down on rough ground, but the material bounced back like foam over time, leaving only minor scratches. We also think this pack could use hip and chest straps for better support on hikes longer than a couple of miles; nevertheless, it’s still an amazing backpack cooler for most use cases. Size: 11.5 x 11.5 x 18.2 inches | Capacity: 20 liters | Weight: 2.6 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Best Backpack Cooler for Travel Cotopaxi Hielo Cooler Backpack Credit: Cotopaxi $200 at Cotopaxi.com Pros It's lightweight, comfortable, and made from sustainable materials in unique color combinations. Cons Its insulation isn't Yeti level, and you don't get to choose the backpack's colors when you order. A favorite brand among outdoor enthusiasts, Cotopaxi makes its signature multi-colored pieces with a patchwork of repurposed and recycled materials. That means each piece features a one-of-a-kind combination of colors, and makes unboxing a new Hielo backpack extra exciting. Polyethylene foam provides insulation for day trips, but it's not equipped for overnight use. Even so, we think it's a great pack to travel with, even if you don't use it as a cooler exclusively. Padding on the straps and back of the bag give it an extra comfortable feel. It weighs about 3 pounds, and handles on the front and sides make it easy to pick up from nearly any angle. At first, we found the 22-inch height of the backpack a bit tall and awkward, but we got used to it and ended up appreciating its capacity. The Hielo has a food-safe, leakproof liner that comes in handy for full picnic lunches on ice. The backpack on the whole isn't leakproof, but the liner keeps melted ice from leaking out as long as it's standing up. Its rectangular shape helps to keep it upright (and is just right for standing bottles of wine inside), but it can topple if it doesn't have anything inside it to weigh it down. The backpack didn't show any signs of damage in our durability tests, though the fabric will likely show dirt over time. Plus, its many pieces seem durably sewn on, giving us no reason to think something might rip. We like its top compartment for storing keys, phones, napkins, or anything else that needs to stay dry. Size: 22 x 16 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 24 liters | Weight: 3 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Best Backpack Cooler for Wine Corkcicle Cooler Backpack Credit: Corkcicle $150 at Amazon $150 at Corkcicle.com Pros It fits five bottles of wine and comes in various colors. Cons The fabric’s quality is lacking, as it scuffed after falling off the table a few times. If you love to sip on wine, this backpack cooler makes it a breeze to take bottles with you on the go. It provides enough space for five wine bottles, two wine bottles with eight cans, or 12 cans, allowing you to pack something for everyone’s needs. Not only will you be able to carry plenty of drinks and even a few snacks, but you’ll also be able to do it in style thanks to its sleek design. It’s made of vegan leather, has seams welded to stay put, and adjustable straps. The closed-cell foam insulation will keep everything chilled, and the sturdy base means you won’t have to worry about heavy glass bottles tipping it over. During our drop test to analyze its durability, we noticed some scuff marks after a few falls. This isn’t a major issue, but it might show signs of wear quicker than expected. Size: 16 x 12 x 11 inches | Capacity: 12 cans or 5 wine bottles | Weight: 2 pounds Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine Credit: Food & Wine How We Tested Backpack Coolers We tested 25 of the most popular backpack coolers on the market, ranging in size, price, and style. Each cooler was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the best) in six categories: design, capacity, portability, durability, insulation, and overall value. To determine the scores, we put them through a series of tests, including determining how many cans fit with and without ice, how comfortable it was to pick up and carry when full, how much or little leakage or damaged items occurred after being knocked off a table, and how cold inside contents were after two hours. We also made notes about extra compartments, the functionality of the coolers’ openings, and whether or not the price matched their performance. Food & Wine Factors to Consider Insulation All the backpack coolers on our list featured top-notch insulation to keep temperatures down. Some coolers feature multiple layers of insulation so things stay cold for extra long durations, such as multiple days, while others just have a single layer. The insulated part is typically attached to the backpack, but some models feature a removable insert so the vessel can be used as a regular backpack. Food & Wine Comfort Because backpack coolers are worn, comfort is key. Look for features like adjustable straps and a padded back to ensure your backpack cooler offers your desired comfort level. Chest and hip straps are also helpful with weight distribution, especially if you’ll be walking with the backpack for long distances. If they only work for certain torso lengths, you’ll want to measure ahead of time to avoid a cooler that doesn’t suit your frame. Food & Wine Capacity The size of your cooler should be determined by how much you want to keep in it and how large of a backpack you can carry comfortably. The more items placed inside, the heavier it will inevitably be. Two-thirds full of ice, the backpack coolers we tested could fit anywhere from eight to 24 cans. Food & Wine Intended Use Think about where you’ll be taking your backpack cooler and what you’ll put in it. If you want to keep a bottle or two of wine chilled, a tall option that can hold the bottle upright is best. For people hiking or walking long distances, look for backpack coolers with extra compartments to store other items and lots of comfortable padding and weight-balancing straps. Food & Wine Frequently Asked Questions How do you properly pack a backpack cooler? First, add large food and drink items that you won’t need immediately to the bottom. Next, add a layer of ice and then other items you’ll want sooner, with the heaviest going in first. On top should be delicate items, such as fruit and crackers. You’ll want to avoid excess air and space, so fill any empty areas with ice or ice packs. Will water leak out as the ice melts? If a leakproof cooler is worth its salt, water won’t leak out as the ice melts. If you’re worried about that, opt for ice packs instead of loose ice. Additionally, it’s worth noting that some coolers don’t have waterproof zippers, so if they get wet they may leak more and become difficult to use. How do you clean a backpack cooler? Use a damp cloth and warm soapy water to wipe out the interior. If it’s very soiled, you can wash it out completely with warm water and dish soap. To facilitate air drying, turn the backpack upside down to dry. Unless a backpack cooler says it’s machine washable, that should be avoided. Other Backpack Coolers We Tested Strong Contenders Hydro Flask Escape Soft Cooler ($200 at Amazon) We enjoyed this backpack cooler for its long-lasting, heavy-duty construction and effective insulation. Our only drawbacks were that the cooler bag’s opening is very tight, which makes packing large items difficult. Also, we wish it were offered in more colors. Carhartt Insulated 24-Can Insulated Backpack Cooler ($100 at Amazon) This Carhartt cooler backpack looks like a regular backpack, and it feels comfortable to walk around with, even when it's full. It has space for a change of clothes or picnic blanket on top and an insulated compartment for lunch with an ice pack on the bottom. It only fits six cans in the insulated section, however, so if you want a dedicated cooler, we recommend one with more space and better insulation. Food & Wine Igloo Premium Soft-Sided Insulated Cooler Bag ($100 at Amazon) We tested three Igloo cooler backpacks, and this one has the best design. We found it very comfortable to wear with its padded shoulder straps. Its chest strap, meanwhile, helped to balance the weight of the cans inside. About a third of the ice melted, however, and one can burst in our durability tests, which led to liquid leaking out of the backpack. Magellan Outdoors Pro Backpack Cooler ($100 at Academy) Consider the Magellan a good middle-of-the-road backpack cooler, both in price and performance. It's a bit heavy, but its padded straps offer good support, and it felt comfortable even when weighted with cans. We were happy with the quality throughout the tests, which made its leakage near the end of our tests all the more of a disappointment. Also, drinks at the bottom of the bag were colder than those at the top. Pelican Dayventure Backpack Soft Cooler ($288 at Amazon) We liked the look of this backpack cooler a lot; its outer shell almost resembles canvas, but it's super-durable, water-resistant Nylon. We only found its insulation lacking, as the drinks at the bottom of the bag were noticeably icier than those at the top. For the price, we recommend a more reliable alternative. What Didn't Make the List In testing 26 backpack coolers, some were bound to rank lower than others. Our major cons came down to leakage as well as cans denting or bursting inside the bags, which happened with the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 24-Can Backpack Cooler ($53 on Amazon) and the TourIt Cooler Insulated Backpack Cooler ($37 at Amazon). The drinks inside these coolers still felt as cold as if they had been in the refrigerator, but we'd recommend spending a bit more on a cooler with better insulation. Our Expertise Ariane Resnick is a special diet private chef, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle writer with two decades of culinary and literary experience. Her work has been featured in Simply Recipes, The Spruce Eats, Clean Plates, Huffington Post, Verywell, and more. For this article, she used testing insights from our staff to determine the best backpack coolers on the market. Mary Claire Lagroue is an Editor at Food & Wine. A former Associate Editor at Allrecipes, she joined People Inc. in 2019. She has written about food since 2017, covering product reviews, restaurants, and recipes. Living in Texas, she loves being outside when the weather allows. Explore more: What to Buy Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit