The Best Soft Coolers

Carhartt Deluxe Insulated Cooler Bag

Functional Simplicity

This soft cooler's got all the features you need to keep your lunch cold, and it's designed with usability and durability in mind.

Best Overall

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Carhartt’s been a well-regarded brand among working folks of all stripes for decades, and this soft cooler is a perfect example of why they’ve endured. It’s made with durable, water-repellent fabric on the outside and insulated, leakproof material on the inside, giving you everything a cooler needs for functionality today.

This bag’s got two easy carrying options — a short handheld handle and a longer shoulder strap. Its large main compartment can hold up to six cans, and it keeps foods cold with the help of ice or an ice pack. It’s also got a small section on top for dry food items or personal belongings that don’t necessarily need to be kept cold and a front zip pocket for forks, spoons, and knives. This functional cooler is ready for anything the day may throw at it.

Pros:

• Includes heavy-duty features like reinforced stitching and metal hardware
• Available in multiple neutral colors, so you can pick the shade you like best
• Carhartt name has been trusted for generations

Cons:

• This cooler is on the smaller side, so it’s best used for individuals or couples

Lifewit Collapsible Cooler Bag

Innovative Insulation

This cooler uses new insulating technology to keep your foods cold from morning until night.

Best Insulation

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This Lifewit cooler is a clear winner in the insulation department, as its high-density material can keep ice cold for up to 12 hours at a time. It’s also got a leak-proof liner, allowing you to pour ice directly inside and simply dump it out when it melts — no need to worry about water dripping all over while you travel.

Not only is this cooler insulated well, but it’s also extremely user-friendly. It’s large enough to hold up to 27 cans, or 24 cans plus ice, and it’s got tons of pockets for dry food, personal belongings, and silverware on its top, front, and sides. It’s even double-stitched to ensure all of these pockets continue to serve their purpose for the years to come.

Pros:

• Available in black or gray 
• It can be purchased in larger sizes if you need a bit more space
• It folds flat between uses for easy storage

Cons:

• Added insulating power and large interior make it slightly bulky for everyday carrying

Tourit Cooler Backpack

Convenient Carrying

This backpack-style soft cooler is perfect for outings that keep your hands full, and it's packed with high-quality features, too.

Best to Take to the Game

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You’ve got enough to carry with you on the way to the game — and probably everywhere else you go, too. This soft cooler from Tourit features a lightweight, backpack-style design with comfortable, adjustable shoulder straps to make transport significantly easier.

This device has impressive insulation and can hold either cold or hot temperatures for up to 16 hours at a time. It has a leak-proof liner to keep melted ice inside until you’re ready to empty it. It’s waterproof on the outside for inclement weather conditions as well.

Pros:

• Tons of exterior pockets for utensils and other non-food items
• Bottle opener on top for added convenience
• Available in multiple colors to suit your style

Cons:

• Slightly higher price point, though its added convenience features are worth it to many

OlarHike Large Cooler Bag

Hydrate the Whole Crew

This soft cooler holds up to 40 cans, giving you plenty of space for any amount of food you may need throughout the day.

Best Extra-Large

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If you’re planning on bringing tons of food or drinks to serve a large group, OlarHike’s soft cooler is the perfect way to make it happen. Its eight-gallon interior capacity can hold up to 40 cans plus ice, and it’s built to handle up to 50 lbs of weight.

This product can keep ice cold for up to 12 hours straight, and it’s made with easy-dry oxford fabric. It’s got comfortable handles for easy carrying, including both a handheld strap and a shoulder version for your convenience.

Pros:

• Available in black or gray
• Collapses flat between uses for compact storage
• Available in a 24-can size if you don’t need quite as much space

Cons:

• Foam insulation makes it less flexible than other soft coolers sold today, but this feature does help protect your food and keep it cool 

RTIC Soft Cooler Bag

Ice for Days

This impressive cooler can keep ice cold for up to five days, making it perfect for long hikes or off-grid camping trips.

Longest Ice Life

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This is the bag worth looking into if you’re on the hunt for something high-end. It’s made by RTIC, a brand that’s well-known for its quality and impressive insulating abilities. Case in point: this cooler is designed to keep ice cold for up to five days straight.

Not only is it insulated well, but it’s also designed to be spill-proof. It’s got a leak-proof liner, a thick vinyl exterior, and even leak-proof zippers to prevent potential messes as the ice melts over time. It can hold up to 20 cans plus ice, making it an incredible choice for a well-built, medium-sized soft cooler.

Pros:

• All stitching is reinforced for added durability
• Hand and shoulder straps are strong and comfortable for easy carrying
• 2″ insulation protects your contents while also keeping them as cold as possible

Cons:

• Higher price point thanks to its quality build and added usability features
• Its thick foam does not allow for folding between uses

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which soft cooler is best for an everyday lunch bag?

A: For your personal lunch, you probably want a small size that’s easy to carry with you with a nice balance between durability and affordability.

Q: Can these coolers keep foods hot as well as cold?

A: Yes, most soft coolers can keep foods hot with a hot pad or through their insulating abilities alone.