The best backpack coolers

Yeti's hard cooler success is widely known, so it should come as little surprise the company also makes some of the best backpack coolers. With the Hopper Backflip 24, an impeccable construction quality, ice retention, and durability make it an easy choice as our top pick.

Taller and wider than other Yeti offerings like the Hopper Flip, the Backpack can carry upwards of 20 cans of beer or soda or 25 pounds of ice.

To make hauling the Hopper Backflip's contents a breeze, Yeti designed it to evenly distribute its weight, no matter if you pack it top-heavy or not. With comfortable, ergonomic shoulder straps and a removable hip belt and chest strap, even longer hikes are made easy when toting along a heavy pack. In other words, pack this to the brim and don't look back.

But what makes the Hopper Backflip truly stand out rests with three of Yeti's proprietary technologies: Its DryHide Shell, Hydrolok Zipper, and ColdCell Insulation. The brand's DryHide Shell is a high-density material that makes the pack resistant to mold, mildew, and UV rays while still remaining waterproof.

Its Hyrdolok Zipper helps avoid any errant spills, keeping liquids where they belong — inside the cooler. Finally, the Hopper Backflip's ColdCell Insulation promises to keep ice as well, if not better, than any pack on the market. We found it achieved several days of ice retention, no matter how hot it got outside.

Though it sports a premium price tag of $300, for everything Yeti's Hopper Backflip offers, it's well worth the investment.

Pros: Tough exterior is puncture-proof and protects against UV rays, HydroLock zipper offers superior waterproofing, ColdCell Insulation means drinks stay cold for days, and holds up to 20 cans of soda or beer

Cons: No shoulder strap for short trips, expensive

Since it burst on the scene with its innovative insulated water bottles, Hydro Flask has made a name for itself designing and manufacturing high-quality products. As it moves into the market of backpack coolers with the Unbound series, that trademarked quality is met with supreme convenience.

Featuring a molded base that allows it to sit upright on its own, Hydro Flask's Soft Cooler also boasts what's called a True Access hinged top that easily flips back when unzipped, making it incredibly easy to fish out any ice cold beers. There's just one exterior zippered pocket and one water bottle mesh pocket, which makes for a subtle design.

We liked using Hydro Flask's Soft Cooler Pack on shorter day trips. Since it weighs just three pounds when it's empty, it won't weigh you down if those short day trips turn into longer day hikes. Featuring the brand's innovative cold-retaining technology, the pack was designed to sport more insulation in areas where cold is lost quicker — i.e. the base. Because of this, it's capable of keeping contents cold for up to 48 hours, despite its smaller size.

If you do find yourself on the trail for more than two days, the pack's construction is watertight and backed by YKK Aquaseal zippers that won't let even a drop of liquid out (or in). It's cheaper than Yeti's Hopper or the IceMule Boss, and it's much smaller, too, but the Hydro Flask Soft Cooler Pack is anything but second-rate.

Pros: Weighs just three pounds when empty, Hydro Flask's insulation keeps pack cold for up to 48 hours, True Access hinged top makes it incredibly easy to access contents, woven sternum strap and carry handles are comfortable to haul, features unsupported self-standing design, and watertight zippers are 100 percent leakproof

Cons: Small capacity

Known mostly for its smartphone cases, OtterBox has diversified its product offerings in recent years by elbowing its way into the cooler market. Though this may seem an odd choice for the brand, its Trooper LT backpack cooler is one of the best we've tested, proving to be as versatile as it is tough.

It has an exterior mounting system that's perfect for attaching a bottle opener or dry box, and the Trooper LT also offers two Duraflex tie-downs for extra attachments. This means not having to decide what to leave behind on your next trip.

With a massive opening, loading and unloading the Trooper LT is easy, and its thermal insulation keeps ice for a whopping three days. No need to worry about a tipped cooler spilling water all over your back seat either, as its leak-proof seal keeps its interior contents secure. Additionally, its 30 liters of interior capacity means you can pack upwards of 24 cans of soda or beer and still have room for ice.

OtterBox also included an easy-open compound latch that you can open with just one hand and its exterior storage pocket is water-resistant, making the Trooper the perfect rafting companion.

Pros: Large 30-liter capacity, offers shoulder or backpack carry options, versatile accessory-mounting system, keeps contents cold for around three days, durable exterior construction, and is capable of being opened with just one hand

Cons: Can feel bulky when on your back, expensive

The words "behemoth" and "heavy-duty" only skim the surface of how durable and long-lasting the IceMule Boss is. Manufactured out of MuleSkin 1000-denier fabric, it's designed to take an absolute beating without sacrificing even the slightest in performance.

Because of its bombproof-type construction, the IceMule Boss is best used for serious campers and hikers, who intend to spend a few days digging through it while on the trail or deep in the backcountry. Its 30-liter capacity also means it offers enough storage space for at least 24 cans of beer or soda and ice — a capacity not many other backpack coolers on the market can claim.

The Boss achieves the ultimate in ice retention thanks to its close-cell PolarLayer XT Insulation foam and IceMule's innovative IM AirValve. In essence, this valve adds extra air into the insulation layer, thus boosting the pack's overall insulating ability. So, even if it's touching triple digits outside, the Boss keeps any packed food and drink chilled to perfection. Its wide-mouth enclosure also makes it easy to load and unload whatever you want to bring along.

Of course, its insulation and durability get high marks, but perhaps the most underrated aspect of the Boss is its actual backpack design. Featuring the kind of suspension system you might find on an actual backpacking pack, it's able to pack up to 60 pounds of contents with ease.

Its air-mesh back pads, cushioned hipbelt, and comfortable sternum strap also help keep you cool on hot days and allow you to stay comfortable on longer treks.

Pros: Wide-mouth enclosure makes it easy to load or unload, 30-liter capacity holds 24 cans of soda or beer plus ice, is capable of taking on extra air to boost insulation, suspension system and mesh back pads makes it comfortable to wear (even with up to 60 pounds of weight), features oversized exterior pockets, and is extremely durable

Cons: Anyone other than serious hikers or campers won't make use of entire pack

With every other pick in our guide costing no less than $275, it's clear backpack coolers aren't exactly cheap — if you want quality, that is. However, the Barebones Backpack Cooler costs less than $100 and still provides a high level of quality and insulation.

Featuring an interior capacity of 17.5 liters that can hold roughly 20 cans of beer or soda, the Barebones may not be the largest pack on our list, but it's smaller size is perfect for a short day hike or a couple's trip to the beach.

With a top-access zippered compartment, the pack's wide-mouth opening makes it easy to load and unload a day's worth of food and drink. The pack's square base allows it to stand freely without falling over, which is great for picnic time. Barebones also designed its water-resistant shell to feature an antimicrobial silver foil lining and its removable liner is easy to clean between trips.

No matter how many cans of your favorite chilled beverage you pack along, the pack's soft straps allow it to stay comfortable while on your back and its leather handle is perfect for unloading from the car or transporting it over short distances.

At $80, you'd have a hard time finding as quality a backpack cooler for as cheap of a price. The Barebones Backpack Cooler isn't just a budget-friendly model, it's a reliable summertime companion for anyone.

Pros: Small design makes it perfect for day hikes, features comfortable soft straps, manufactured with water-resistant fabric, removable liner allows for easy cleaning, and $80 price tag is hard to beat

Cons: Not meant for anything other than a day hike for one or two people

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