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Four cooler backpacks repose over a baby blue field. Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The Best Backpack Coolers of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Four cooler backpacks repose over a baby blue field. Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

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1
Editor's Choice Product image of Igloo MaxCold Voyager 30-Can Backpack
Best Overall

Igloo MaxCold Voyager 30-Can Backpack

This backpack cooler brings the best of comfort and insulation, for a comfortable cooler with good cold retention. Read More

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Solid cold retention
  • Extra storage

Cons

  • None we could find
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Carhartt Cooler Backpack
Best Hybrid

Carhartt Cooler Backpack

A true hybrid, this backpack cooler has excellent cold retention and a whole lot of room for extras. Read More

Pros

  • Strong cold retention
  • Good flex storage
  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Straps provide limited comfort
3
Product image of Tourit Backpack Cooler

Tourit Backpack Cooler

Decent cold retention and a lightweight design make this backpack cooler a contender, however, we're skeptical about its durability. Read More

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comfy
  • Good cold retention

Cons

  • Not the most durable
4
Product image of Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler

Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler

Mold resistant and compact, this lightweight backpack cooler will go the distance year after year. Read More

Pros

  • Mold resistant
  • Good cold retention

Cons

  • Poor storage design
5
Product image of Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler

Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler

A cooler backpack that stands out with lots of visual flair and moderate performance. Read More

Pros

  • Bright designs
  • Decent cooling

Cons

  • Limited extra storage

The best backpack coolers are built for mobility, affording you refreshment (or fresh food) wherever your hike takes you. With straps balanced like those found on a hiking backpack and cooling like that found in a soft cooler, backpack coolers make it much easier to tote around all of the cold beverages, brie, and watermelon you and your fellow picnickers or campers should want.

After several rounds of testing, the Igloo 30 Can Insulated Soft Cooler Backpack (available at Amazon for $53.49) emerged as the best backpack cooler thanks to its comfy straps and incredible insulation. For a smaller backpack cooler with extra compartments, check out the Carhartt Cooler Backpack (available at Amazon). It's the best hybrid backpack cooler we tested, with a generous amount of extra storage space for non-cold items like books. However, there are lots of great backpack coolers to pick from in our guide.

A man wears an Igloo backpack cooler over a pink background. Next to him, another shot of an Igloo cooler sits open.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The Igloo Soft Cooler Backpack keeps you refreshed wherever you trek.

Best Overall
Igloo Backpack Cooler

The Igloo Backpack Cooler is the best backpack cooler we tested, and it's a prime example of what a backpack cooler should be. It has adjustable padded straps for a comfortable carry, can store up to 30 cans, and has plenty of extra storage space for things that don’t need to be kept cool, like wet wipes.

During our cold retention tests, the Igloo kept our sensors under 40°F for around nine-and-a-half hours. With a 10.5 liter interior capacity, the Igloo Backpack Cooler has additional exterior storage, including a padded zip pocket on the back for storing flat items (like books) and two side mesh pockets with straps for insulated water bottles.

Overall, we think that this backpack cooler is a great solution for anyone looking to keep food and drink cool during a daylong hike while also having a little extra space for other essentials.

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Solid cold retention

  • Extra storage

Cons

  • None we could find

A man wears a Carhartt Backpack cooler on a yellow backdrop, next to him, the same model sits open, showing its contents.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The Carhartt Cooler Backpack comes with deep hybrid storage and reliable insulation.

Best Hybrid
Carhartt Cooler Backpack

After testing out the Carhartt Cooler Backpack, we think it strikes the right balance between being a cooler and a backpack.

The insulated cooler compartment is located in the bottom section. The upper compartment is constructed like any other backpack, a cavernous space with mesh pockets.

If you keep the bottom compartment locked up tight, you can expect all-day cooling. In our 72°F test chamber, the Carhartt kept our sensors cool for over 17 hours.

Based on the way the straps felt during testing, we think the Carhartt Cooler Backpack is best suited for short trips. Also, since the bottom cooler is relatively small, holding six cans comfortably with ice, it’s better for keeping an individual’s lunch cold at a worksite or a solo day at the beach.

Pros

  • Strong cold retention

  • Good flex storage

  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Straps provide limited comfort

Other Backpack Coolers We Tested

Product image of Tourit Backpack Cooler
Tourit Backpack Cooler

Tipping the scales at just over a pound and having a very compact design, the Tourit Backpack Cooler is built to go along for the ride. The Tourit is ideal for outdoor excursions like cycling or kayaking. It even has a bottle opener sewn right into one of its straps.

Our temperature sensors recorded an interior temperature of less than 40°F for about 10 hours, which is about on par with our best overall pick.

We really liked the Tourit Backpack Cooler for its quality cold retention, compact size, and versatile storage. Over 22,000 Amazon reviewers give this backpack cooler a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, however, our research suggests that it’s not particularly durable and it may leak within a year of purchase.

If you just need a small backpack cooler for occasional, light use, then the Tourit is a solid bet.

Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Comfy

  • Good cold retention

Cons

  • Not the most durable

Product image of Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler
Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler

The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack is a super compact portable cooler. One thing that sets it apart from its competitors is that the interior is treated with Microban—a substance that resists mildew and odor. This is great if you’re the type of person that only plans on using this backpack once or twice a year while the rest of the time it sits in the garage.

Our cold retention test results show that the Arctic Zone Titan keeps a below-40°F internal temperature for just over 18 hours, which is almost double the amount of time as our best overall pick.

While this backpack cooler excels at keeping things cold, its storage potential lags behind its competitors. Everything felt too cramped and it was difficult to grab what we wanted from inside.

Pros

  • Mold resistant

  • Good cold retention

Cons

  • Poor storage design

Product image of Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler
Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler

If you want to go to the beach and have fashionable people compliment you on how cute your backpack cooler is, the Swig Life Packi is the one to get. From tie-dye to leopard print, the Swig Life comes with a variety of fun exteriors.

It has adjustable, cushioned shoulder straps, and there's also a top handle if you'd rather carry it like a purse than a backpack.

As a cooler, it’s okay. It kept the internal temperature under 40°F for about 11 hours.

We didn’t like how limited the extra storage was. There are two magnetic-close side pockets and one back slot for non-chilled items.

That all being said, we awarded it some bonus points because there are so few backpack coolers there that sparked any joy in us while still putting up decent performance numbers. The Swig Life backpack cooler is ideal for day trips to the pool, out on the boat, or to the beach.

Pros

  • Bright designs

  • Decent cooling

Cons

  • Limited extra storage

Product image of Rtic Backpack Cooler
Rtic Backpack Cooler

The Rtic Backpack Cooler is exactly like the company’s regular soft cooler, but oriented vertically.

And just like its cousin, this backpack cooler is designed to be durable, float, and provide plenty of insulation. During our cold retention test, it kept our sensors under 40°F for over 14 hours.

However, our biggest gripe with the Rtic is that it’s pricey compared to the other brands we tested.

Pros

  • Durable

  • Floats

  • Good cold retention

Cons

  • Pricey

Product image of Coleman Chiller 28-Can Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler
Coleman Chiller 28-Can Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler

The Coleman Backpack Cooler looks like someone took a regular backpack and lined the inside with insulation. It has a front pouch for non-chilled items and enough space in the cooler section for about 15 cans with ice.

According to our temperature sensors, the Coleman did not retain cold well. Even while filled with frozen cold packs, the internal temperature never fell below 40°F like other backpack coolers we tested.

However, the Coleman is very affordable and comfortable to carry. If that’s what you're after, it could certainly be the pick.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Comfortable design

  • Decent capacity

Cons

  • Poor cold retention

Product image of Corkcicle Eola Bucket Cooler Bag
Corkcicle Eola Bucket Cooler Bag

The Corkcicle Backpack Cooler is another fashionable pick we tested. However, unlike the Swig Life, the Corkcicle’s test results showed it has more style than substance.

The vegan leather straps are narrow and when fully loaded, the Corkcicle Backpack Cooler is uncomfortable to haul around. This backpack cooler also didn’t do well on the cold retention test, coming in second-to-last place.

Overall, the Corkcicle is slim and cute, but only suited to keep a few drinks cold for a short trip.

Pros

  • Attractive design

  • Vegan leather

Cons

  • Uncomfortable fully loaded

  • Poor cold retention

Product image of Hydro Flask 20L Day Escape Pack
Hydro Flask 20L Day Escape Pack

Rounding out our list is the Hydro Flask Day Escape. During testing, we found major issues that made our testers dislike this 20-liter backpack cooler.

First and foremost, our temperature sensors showed that its price-to-performance ratio isn’t what one would hope. This is one of the most expensive backpack coolers we tested and its cold retention with cold packs wasn’t very good.

We also had about half a dozen people test the Hydro Flask out and not a single one of them enjoyed the experience. The opening of the Hydro Flask naturally wants to close, making it hard to see inside and producing a mild suction feeling when putting your hand in it.

If a backpack cooler isn’t easy or inviting to use, that sort of defeats the purpose.

Pros

  • Visually attractive

Cons

  • Poor cold retention

  • Uncomfortable

  • Expensive

How We Tested Backpack Coolers

The Testers

Hi, we’re Jon Chan, Beckett Dubay, and Michael Elderbee, and we’re the testing team at Reviewed, which means we design and implement the experiments involved in testing products for articles. For the best cooler backpacks, we are most concerned about performance, comfort, extra storage, and price.

The Tests

A hand holds a sensor over a loaded backpack cooler.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

We test backpack coolers for temperature maintenance with two ice packs and two sensors.

Testing coolers starts with measuring cold retention. We used a similar testing method with backpack coolers to tests we’ve run on hard coolers and soft coolers. At its core are two temperature sensors, one encased in a methylcellulose block and one in just a case. These sensors are placed in the backpack coolers to measure how long the backpack retains a temperature of 40°F.

Because most backpack coolers aren’t fully waterproof, we opted to test with ice packs instead. Each backpack cooler got two cold packs that weigh around 800 grams each.

We also tested each one for comfort by loading it up and walking around, evaluating how the straps felt under a full load.

What You Should Know About Backpack Coolers

What To Look For In A Backpack Cooler

A man adjusts a strap on a backpack cooler.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Ergonomics are ever important.

Cold retention is one of the most important factors. Look for a backpack cooler that fits your needs based on your activity and how long you will be outside.

Ergonomics are ever important in a backpack, and in a cooler backpack they’re arguably more important than ever, as these are often quite heavily loaded. Consider the type of straps that best fit your body and feel the most comfortable. A backpack cooler with padded adjustable straps is a versatile option.

Bodies vary greatly, if you have specific needs from a backpack, make sure to look for them.

How Can I Keep My Backpack Cooler Cold Longer?

It’s not a bad idea to pre-cool a cooler. Plop your backpack cooler into the fridge or freezer before you leave, if it fits. Keep your freezer packs frozen until just before you’re planning to take off. When not in use, leave your cooler in the shade and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Can I Use Ice In My Backpack Cooler?

Two hands load ice packs into a backpack cooler.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

We pack our backpack coolers with two ice packs.

While some backpack coolers are waterproof and won’t leak, others will. As a general rule of thumb we think good ice packs are better in this case than ice. Ice packs also make for an easier clean up than melted ice.

Can I Use Dry Ice In A Backpack Cooler?

Dry ice could also be a solution for some backpack coolers, as it won’t puddle when it melts. However dry ice comes with real downsides. While it’s way colder than water ice, dry ice melts very quickly.

As it melts, dry ice releases dangerous carbon dioxide. If you decide to use it, we recommend wrapping it in newspaper and keeping it at the bottom of your cooler.

Generally, we think dry ice isn’t the best choice in a backpack cooler.

What Is A Hybrid Backpack Cooler?

While there’s no hard and fast rule to differentiate hybrid backpack coolers from the regular sort, we made the distinction based on how much storage each has.

For example, some backpack coolers come with a significant amount of extra storage space for books and gear, while others are basically one big insulated bag.

Meet the testers

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews
Gabriel Morgan

Gabriel Morgan

Staff Writer, Home

Gabriel Morgan is a staff writer on Reviewed's home team, where he covers consumer education topics such as earthquake preparedness, radon in the home, and concerns about health and wellness in product design. He also writes product reviews and how-to articles on appliances, smart home technology, and goods for the home.

See all of Gabriel Morgan's reviews

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