10 Best Backpack Coolers for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Jun 09, 2023

By Hannah Singleton

During an outdoor adventure, nothing beats having cold drinks and fresh snacks at your fingertips—that’s when a backpack cooler stocked with fueling refreshments can really come in handy. “[It helps] keep my energy levels high while hitting the trails or capturing the perfect sunrise shot,” Carl Broadbent, a hiking guide and travel writer at Travel Spock, tells SELF. Just like a trusty daypack that enhances your treks, the best backpack cooler will become your ultimate summer companion.

Backpack coolers come in a number of different styles and functions, so the best choice truly comes down to personal needs and preferences.

The size of your backpack cooler matters, so take into account the number of people you’ll be accommodating during the length of your outing. For shorter trips or solo adventures, a compact cooler around 10 to 15 liters might be sufficient. But if you’re planning a daylong excursion with friends or family, consider opting for something a bit larger, like in the 20 to 30 liter range.

The heart of any good backpack cooler is the insulation—it’s what sets it apart from a standard pack. But the quality of insulation can vary dramatically between products and often plays a large role in determining the price. Some bags are designed with closed-cell foam to provide multiple days of ice retention, but these products can be a bit dense and heavy. Others are built with open-cell foam, which is more lightweight and flexible but can generally only keep out heat for one day.

A well-organized backpack cooler can make a world of difference in your outdoor adventures. Look for one that has multiple internal sections to help you keep things tidy and easily accessible. (Bonus points if it has external mesh pockets for stashing water bottles or essentials like sunscreen.) Beyond convenience, it’s also a matter of safety: “Compartments prevent the weight from shifting within the backpack, which helps you keep stable footing and spares your muscles and joints from unnecessary strain,” Gavin Dawson, PA-C, a wilderness EMT with Global Emergency Medics, tells SELF.

Consider how you’ll use the backpack cooler and how far you intend to carry it. After all, when you’re on the move, you don’t want to worry about achy shoulders or general discomfort. Will you use it to lug some drinks and lunch to the beach, or are you hiking five miles for a lakeside picnic? If you’ll be traveling any significant distance, “a backpack cooler with a well-padded back panel is crucial for reducing pressure points, plus adding an extra layer of comfort and support against the sharp edges or extreme temperatures of your items,” says Dawson. “This, in turn, improves your physical performance by allowing you to concentrate on the task at hand.” Tip: Look for padded (and adjustable) shoulder straps and a sternum strap to stabilize and better distribute the weight.

Backpack coolers come with different levels of waterproofing. Many heavy-duty products, like the RTIC 30L and IceMule Boss, have welded seals so they’ll keep all water out (and in), whereas soft-sided coolers, like the Coleman and Tourit, are mostly waterproof but will leak through the zipper if you aren’t careful. For a day at the park, you probably don’t need something top of the line—but if you want it to bob alongside your tube during a river float, go for one that has full waterproofing.

As a seasoned hiking guide, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with backpack coolers. To help you find the best options, I curated some of my top picks and spoke with fellow outdoor enthusiasts about their favorites—including some from highly rated brands like Coleman, Camelbak, and Hydro Flask.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Overall: RTIC 30 Backpack Cooler

RTIC

The RTIC 30 Backpack Cooler is our top pick because you can truly take it anywhere—hiking, camping, to the beach, or on the water. Christen Thomas, a travel blogger and certified travel advisor, loves its waterproof build and floating capabilities. “It was my faithful companion during a sailing trip in the Maldives, keeping my sustenance safe and my spirits high, even amidst the ocean’s unpredictability,” she tells SELF. It’s simple to use, with a boxy shape that maximizes space—so you could, in theory, fit up to 30 cans inside. However much you decide to carry, the padded strap system is comfortable and supportive enough to handle the job.

Most Versatile: Pelican Cooler 18L Backpack

Backcountry

Amazon

Pelican

Although this backpack cooler is an investment, Timon van Basten, a Spain-based travel blogger and tour guide, thinks its incredible temperature regulation (days instead of mere hours) make it worth the money. Plus, with an insulated bottom and soft-sided top, it includes spaces for all your belongings—not just the ones you need to refrigerate.

This backpack “was put to the ultimate test during my [Costa Rica] trip,” says Broadbent. “The cooler compartment kept my drinks refreshingly chilled throughout the day, despite the scorching heat.” He can vouch for its durability, too, as the rugged exterior “survived a few accidental drops and thorny encounters without showing any signs of damage.” Keep in mind that the actual cooler compartment is smaller than others on this list (6-can capacity compared to 30), so it’s a bit of a hybrid.

Best Budget Friendly: Coleman Chiller Series Backpack

Amazon

Kohl's

Walmart

Jason Hitchcock, founder of Survival Stoic recommends this Coleman backpack cooler: “It’s comfortable enough to carry for a few hours of hiking, and of course gets lighter as the day goes on.” There’s a bungee cord on the front, which allows you to attach light items like a rain jacket, and the front pocket is perfect for storing items you don’t need to keep cold (silverware, napkins, salt, and pepper). But it might not perform well if you load it “completely full with anything heavy, like canned drinks,” Hitchcock tells SELF, so it’s best-suited for a couple or small group.

Best for Day Trips: Hydro Flask 20L Day Escape

Hydro Flask

Amazon

REI

Hydro Flask’s Day Escape cooler is an ideal beach companion: It can help keep your food from getting sandy, thanks to its sturdy base “that allows the backpack to stand unsupported,” travel blogger Shelley Marmor tells SELF. And the straps are well cushioned, so you can take your time finding the perfect spot to set up. It’s soft-sided and lightweight, but it also performs well, keeping items cold for up to 36 hours.

On a hike to a waterfall in Iceland, Thomas used it to transport an elaborate picnic of cheese and cold cuts, which stayed fresh the entire trek, “adding that extra bit of magic to an already memorable day,” she says.

Best for Hiking: Icemule Boss

Amazon

REI

Dick's

If you plan to hike for many, many miles, you’ll want a pack like the Icemule Boss, which has a supportive strap system. “It’s incredibly durable and comfortable to carry, even on long hikes,” Nina Cuthbertson, an Australia-based traveler, tells SELF. “The cooling prowess [also] makes it a winner.”

Coty Perry, an avid fisherman and editor of Anglers.com, swears by the IceMule Boss as well: “[I haven’t found] another waterproof cooler that’s both hands-free and floats when it’s full,” he tells SELF.

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Best Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler: Tourit Backpack Cooler

Amazon

Tourit

Most people don’t need a backpack cooler that’s capable of making a multiday trek—they just want to be able to carry around a few cold drinks and a couple sandwiches. That’s where this soft-sided cooler from Tourit comes in. You can use it for a trip to an amusement park, as a lunch bag, or for a day of boating. It’s lightweight with tons of pockets, and there’s even a bottle opener on the strap.

Best for Staying Hydrated: Camelbak ChillBak Pack 30

CamelBak

Amazon

Cabela's

Hydration bladders (those soft water pouches with an attached hose for drinking) are handy for hiking, but on a super hot day, it’s always a disappointment when you take a sip of lukewarm water. This backpack cooler has a six-liter bladder that’s stashed in its own compartment (so it doesn’t take up valuable space) and stays decently cool for hours. While you can drink directly from the hose, it also has a spigot-style attachment, so you can easily top off your friend’s water too. (Pro tip: Fill it with a fun cocktail or mocktail for an outdoor party—just be sure to clean it well after.) The cooler compartment is spacious, and the roll-top closure is much easier to use than a thick zipper.

Best for Camping: RockBros Backpack Cooler

Amazon

Rockbros

As a tour guide in Spain, Van Basten is responsible for keeping guests satiated with refreshments. His go-to for expeditions is the RockBros backpack cooler: “It’s spacious enough for a couple of water bottles, sandwiches, and snacks, yet it doesn’t feel bulky on your back,” he says. The pack has a durable, water-resistant outer layer and a leak-proof liner to ensure the food stays cold and your back stays dry. What’s more, it will keep the contents cool for up to 48 hours—perfect for a weekend camping trip.

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Best for Picnics: Corkcicle EOLA Backpack

Amazon

Walmart

This backpack has our SELF seal of approval. “I have to say: This thing’s fantastic. It’s super cute, with a durable neoprene shell and seven color options,” says Rachel Wilkerson Miller, SELF’s editor in chief. “More important, though, is the fact that it’s incredibly functional. It kept drinks cold for more than 24 hours, and it’s much easier to carry when full of heavy cans than other small coolers I’ve tried.” It doesn’t even look like a cooler, which makes it perfect for an Instagram-worthy picnic at the park or outdoor concert. The interior has a food-safe liner, so you can fill it directly with ice, and the back panel has a zipper pocket so you can keep your phone and keys safe without submerging them. Most importantly, it fits two bottles of wine with room to spare.

Best Lightweight: Icemule R Jaunt 20L

Amazon

REI

“Lightweight lovers will appreciate the Icemule Jaunt,” says Thomas. “In the past, during my solo travels across the rocky landscapes of Greece, its roll-top closure and compact design made it a breezy travel companion.” The bag is made of a soft, pliable recycled polyester, which—compared to boxier backpack coolers—can fold and compress down to reduce bulk once it’s near empty. I use the 20-liter because it has more space to cram goodies, but the 15-liter (which Thomas prefers) is more compact.

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