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Need a battle-tested go-bag bag for your nosh that doesn’t greenhouse the goods? Start here.

Soft coolers might be the next great sandbaggers of the outdoors. Seemingly flexible and vulnerable — once the squall, whitewater rapids, tree branches and creatures arrive — these so-called ‘softies’ ride out the proverbial storm while keeping the moveable feast safe and chilled. MVPs.

Compared to their hard-sided cousins, supple ice chests lack some glacial retention, animal proofness and stackability but make up by being lightweight, cacheable and crushable. And soft cooler is a misnomer given many are substantial enough to pyramid other gear or tumble off the truck bed. While rigid coolers occasionally have wheels for smooth transport, soft coolers are easier to single-handedly grab over the shoulder versus heavier options.

So whether you are river rafting, SUPing from beach to beach, park BBQing, road tripping to ski volcanoes or trailhead tailgating, these coolers are stout enough to answer the call. Based on our own testing, this guide shares beta on the top choices for soft coolers that keep the goodies cold and portable. Check out all the need-to-know details, from volume and rigidness to ice retention, plus key features to help you pick the best soft cooler for your next adventure.

Need an easy-to-haul cooler that doesn’t eat huge wads of bills? Plenty of soft coolers sit well below the top-tier tag but not all perform as impressively as this RTIC Soft Pack Cooler that keeps 30 cans of our favorite soda and beer frosty. The cooler’s lack of attachment points and functional pocket space are made up for by excellent ice retention — our drinks stayed chill past the brand’s 24-hour claim — and the zipper is bombproof (requiring a bit more oomph to open). If you’re concerned about spillage, very little melted ice escaped these teeth.

Additional sizes: Soft Pack Cooler 12 Can, 20 Can, 40 Can (numbers don’t represent quarts)

Much like the brand’s hard-sided gallery, Yeti delivers best-in-class soft designs with the Hopper Flip. It powerfully preserves ice and keeps fare colder, longer, which is key for full-send days and muggy, hot conditions. Not all leakproof, waterproof zippers are easy to open like this one. It has streamlined hitchpoints, too, perfect for being snugged down with a utility cord on a paddle trip, or clipping a bottle opener. If you need a cooler that’s super durable and easier to handle than its stubborn-sided clan, snag one of these. It’ll last.

Additional sizes: Hopper Flip 8, Hopper Flip 12 (numbers refer to a ratio of ice and cans that fit in each size, click here to see those details)

Transforming this portable cube to a folded flat pad is so very satisfying for our gear closet. If you’ve also noticed the walls closing in, this origami-influenced chest is your prescription. The modifiable shape also converts into a tote. And it’s featherlight. At less than 2 pounds, this empty cooler sky bound could be airborne with a strong gust. While the liner doesn’t drip, the zipper does, which is what you give up for being among the least expensive items on our list. That said, in ideal conditions we found the cooler preserved ice beyond the promised 32-hour mark.

Additional sizes: The Pack-Away 12 (numbers refer to can capacity: a dozen on 8.5 pounds of ice), and the newest Pack-Away 6 (4 pounds of ice with 6 cans)

Looking to hide some sandwiches and 85 cans of beer from a bear?Here are the most rugged, capable, ice-retaining coolers to take on your next adventure.

This soft cooler is so sturdy we second guessed its categorization. Copious rainfall. Sharp hail. Deep puddles and sludge. Whatever the conditions, the Trooper defies abuse and not even nightlong drizzle gets inside its tightly closed quarters. Rather than a zip opening, a clasp clamps down, preventing any leakage. The brand claims the cooler keeps ice for more than 3 days, which we found spot on. Not many coolers offer a streamlined, functional pouch, so we also appreciate the spacious water-resistant front pocket for our wallet, phone and keys:

Additional sizes: 30-quart with backpack straps, a top latch and bomber ice retention that nearly rivals the Icemule Boss

A cooler this volume sans rigidity shouldn’t be comfortable to carry, we assumed, but the loaded Snow Peak Soft Cooler 38 hoists like a nice handbag. The malleable walls are actually soft and easy for one person to tote to the tailgate whereas a solid cooler with 10 gallons of fodder and refreshments can be awkward for strolls without wheels. After a day trip, the cooler also squishes down to stash in a lean space. We’re all about more elbowroom in the garage. Though the top zipper isn’t leakproof, the ice retention is reliable enough for a car camping getaway.

Additional sizes: Soft Cooler 18 (equivalent of 19 quarts), Soft Cooler 11 (nearly 12 quarts)

Are your digits sensitive from maxing the bouldering wall? Tired from typing or scraping wax off your skis? You’ll appreciate this cooler’s smooth, ergonomic handle with divots for fingers. The removable shoulder strap is also super plush. There’s ample space in the big waterproof front pocket for a tidy massage tool to nurse sore hands, too, in addition to keys, phone and wallet. Keeping the mood light, the Orca is floatable and a just-right height for stashing several bottles of wine. (Trust us, we tried.)

There’s something reassuring about having a streamlined cooler that perfectly hugs the front passenger seat: All the snacks and beverages are right within reach and can’t get knocked over. Even if they did, the zip closure is completely watertight and the buttery smooth exterior is waterproof with welded seams. A goldfish stands no chance of escape. And for extra snack space, Hydro Flask added inconspicuous slits to the cooler’s sides where reusable, sealable Dry Storage bags (sold separately) can be attached. At 3.4 pounds, this tote is also surprisingly lightweight for how rugged it is.

Editor's note: The Breeze colorway is currently on sale for $116.97, 35 percent off!

Additional Sizes: 18 liter (nearly 16 quarts)

For simple walks, outdoor lunches and home-prepped meals for the office, sometimes we need just enough room for fruit, chips and sandwiches. At 25 bucks, this scrunchable Carhartt tote delivers in classic style. With 1200-denier heavy-duty fabric, the exterior is ridiculously strong for that price — like a pair of workhorse farming pants — plus rain resistant and doesn’t leak (though the top zipper does). The interior mesh pocket is useful for utensils and toothpicks holders — not so much for a water bottle. But that’s perfectly fine with us, because this is a fine upgrade for a homemade BLT.