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Hard cooler brand recommendations

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Do58, Oct 20, 2021.

  1. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:34 AM
    #1
    Do58

    Do58 [OP] New Member

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    Hey there, I’m looking at buying a new hard cooler ( 40-56 qt preferred ) and MUST have a drain. I’m using a cheap igloo cooler that does have a drain. I need it for work for storing water bottles and ice only. It has worked but not cost effective. I have to buy a bag of ice every other day haha. I have realized quickly that if I would spring for a good cooler that saves the ice longer, it will save money in the long run. I didn’t want to pay the price for a yeti brand because yes they may be great, I feel I’m paying for brand name also. I don’t care about that. Looking for functionality. I saw good reviews on RTIC coolers but just wanted to see what people thought and/or using.
    TIA
     
  2. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:34 AM
    #2
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Coleman has treated my family well.
     
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  3. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:42 AM
    #3
    boostedtrdpro

    boostedtrdpro voided warranty

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    I have a grizzly 40 that was given to me by my work. It’s a beast keeping things cold for days on end, but the downside is it’s a beast to pickup too!
     
  4. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:43 AM
    #4
    68rs75z28

    68rs75z28 New Member

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    Would it save ice longer if you're replacing the cold water bottles with warm water bottles routinely? Probably not but just a thought.
    I have some cheapy Fred Meyer set up that will save ice for 3 days as long as I don't add other warm drinks to it.
     
    Do58[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:46 AM
    #5
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    Pelican would be my top choice.

    Right now I'm using a knock-off Yeti from HD that I paid under $100 cad for. It has worked as well as the online Yeti ice tests.

    https://www.homedepot.ca/product/everbilt-26-quart-capacity-high-performance-cooler/1001386565

    I bought some -15c and -2c ice packs when on sale and fill it with a few of them and a few frozen water bottles. I didn't pay nearly what they are listed for below.

    https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00H50YTEQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
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  6. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:46 AM
    #6
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Cheap buddy of mine drilled holes in the cheap cooler he had and filled it with spray foam insulation to make it hold better. Says it worked well.

    Free advice, take it for what you paid.
     
    Do58[OP] likes this.
  7. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:49 AM
    #7
    bsktball55

    bsktball55 New Member

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    Ozark Trail or Lifetime coolers from Walmart are both pretty good coolers for the money. In tests, they weren't quite up to Yeti standards, but pretty close. I run a firework tent in the summer and I had my Lifetime cooler in the bed of my truck under my tonneau cover when it was 90-100 degrees outside, it would keep ice for 3-4 days in the heat. I'm sure it was 120+ under my cover.
     
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  8. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:51 AM
    #8
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    Costco Canada had the jumbo LIFETIME cooler this year. But it would have taken way to many ice packs for my needs.

    It was a great looking cooler for the price though.
     
  9. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:51 AM
    #9
    bsktball55

    bsktball55 New Member

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    very true. Any of the rotomolded coolers are HEAVY.
     
  10. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:53 AM
    #10
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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    NiCE brand coolers are badass. @Larmand has had one for a while and it impressed me with how long it will hold ice vs the brands that are three times the price. I went ahead and bought a 90L and it’s been fantastic for $200.
     
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  11. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:53 AM
    #11
    bsktball55

    bsktball55 New Member

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    I have the 55qt one. I am a teacher and have access to an ice machine at school so I would just fill it to the brim with ice every 3-4 days and it would be good. I've never had much luck with the ice packs lasting more than a couple hours, but I also just have a couple of cheap ones.
     
  12. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:56 AM
    #12
    Rngr188

    Rngr188 Ranked the best new member of all time

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    The key to any brand is keep them slam full. If you're putting a case of water in make sure you fill the cooler to the brim with ice. Also repetitive opening and closing kills ice longevity. I have a Yeti 65 which is about 7 years old and needs a new gasket but we just bought a new Yeti 45 to take on our Honda Talon, the first trip out we rode all day and parked it in the driveway once I got home with the cooler still strapped on the back and 6 days later I went to get it and it still had ice.
     
  13. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:56 AM
    #13
    Rodtheviking

    Rodtheviking New Member

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  14. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM
    #14
    The Californian

    The Californian Good Vibes Only

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    A little over a year ago I was in the market for one, and ended up settling for https://frostedfrog.com/. They test just as well as Yeti's at a fraction of the price - they even sent me a promo code when I asked for one. I have seen that Costco is selling some good rotomolded coolers for a good price. After all of my research, I found that for the most part - all rotomolded coolers perform similarly, the only real difference is the quality of the handles and what not. Here is one Costco has on their website: https://www.costco.com/coho-55-quart-rotomolded-cooler.product.100711730.html - I know they often have different stock in warehouse.
     
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  15. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:01 PM
    #15
    Buckeye1977

    Buckeye1977 New Member

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    Fill Tupperware with water FREEZE = block ICE, stays cold longer than bag of ice.
     
  16. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:06 PM
    #16
    Dsptundra

    Dsptundra Still a new member...

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    I recently bought Canyon’s 55 and 20. Been very happy with them. Work best if you sacrifice a bag of ice or a few ice packs to bring the temp down before you fill them.
     
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  17. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:08 PM
    #17
    BlueCrushSC16

    BlueCrushSC16 New Member

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    I'm using RTIC coolers and love them.
     
  18. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:31 PM
    #18
    Nomoredomestics

    Nomoredomestics New Member

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    I have the Ozark 70 or 75, whichever it is and it actually seems to hold ice longer than the yeti. . . No, it wasn't a controlled experiment but everything was pretty similar. For the money, I'd buy another tomorrow if I needed one
     
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  19. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:34 PM
    #19
    LarryDangerfield

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    Even though I have 2 RTICs I'd have to say the Walmart ones can't be beat as far as performance per dollar goes.
     
  20. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:43 PM
    #20
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

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    I went Yeti, but this was the place to get them, 20% off first order - it's now 15% off. they probably have other brands as well.
     
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  21. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:43 PM
    #21
    GTundraX

    GTundraX Rub some dirt on it.

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    I have the 88 qt from Cordova and it's a beast on ice retention, especially for its size, and it's made in the USA if that matters to you.

    They have a 48 qt version, which will outperform my larger one on ice retention.
    https://shop.cordovaoutdoors.com/48-qt-adventurer/

    Like most roto molded coolers, it is Bear Resistant (with locks) if you travel to bear territory. I also like the stretchy rubber latches on the cooler - just my preference.

    Like with any cooler, even the top-of-the-line ones, I usually pre-chill mine with a sacrificial bag of ice the day/night before packing, and make sure everything I put in is already refrigerated. Store it in the shade at camp, and I recommend buying one with a light lid because the darker lids attract the heat in my experience.
     
  22. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:47 PM
    #22
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

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    It's good
    ^ read a few articles on coolers and packing. I once did a week in 100 degree weather with basic Colemans and had frozen hamburgers on the last day from the "freezer" cooler
     
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  23. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:53 PM
    #23
    GTundraX

    GTundraX Rub some dirt on it.

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    Yeah, preparation and packing is the most important part IMO.

    I was upgrading from some cheap-o Walmart cooler and was going to get an Igloo, but they were out of the Roto Molded versions at the time, which I need to keep Yogi and Booboo away. I am still convinced it would have performed well, but I am happy I went with Cordova. Outlasted my friend's smaller Yeti because it was packed correctly.
     
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  24. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:55 PM
    #24
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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    Doesn't look like they actually make coolers anymore... I understand the website says "tumblers" but everything on Google keeps taking me there lol
    https://nicetumblers.com/shop/
     
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  25. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:55 PM
    #25
    Fiesta346

    Fiesta346 New Member

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    Grizzly made in America with a LIFETIME warranty. They got all sorts of color options! My 60 has been very solid. Best drainage system ive seen on any brand
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2021
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  26. Oct 20, 2021 at 12:58 PM
    #26
    GTundraX

    GTundraX Rub some dirt on it.

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    Fun fact: I use the Lifetime cooler as my "dry" bear box (dry food, cookware, soap, etc.)

    Haven't put ice in it, though.
     
  27. Oct 20, 2021 at 1:02 PM
    #27
    Outbound

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    I love Yeti drinkware but I don't feel that their coolers are worth the price. When it comes to coolers, I buy Pelican. Cheaper than Yeti, better latches, better grab handles, better features, made in the USA.
     
  28. Oct 20, 2021 at 1:12 PM
    #28
    Squatting Pigeon

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    Well damn, that sucks!
     
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  29. Oct 20, 2021 at 1:14 PM
    #29
    dittothat

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  30. Oct 20, 2021 at 1:19 PM
    #30
    GTundraX

    GTundraX Rub some dirt on it.

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