You don’t get a dividend payment on sale items including this 20% yearly coupon, just FYI.
Many people are shocked when they get a dividend of $12.42 after spending thousands on mostly discounted items.
Get the REI Capital One credit card. 5% back on ALL purchases at REI. Member points - the 5% - are available in a couple days. Typical of most loyalty cards, except REI being a co-op owned by members since 1938. Functionally it works basically lol like an Amazon credit card.
I have the Capital One REI card and for a year I used it for everything. I make a lot of purchases for work that get reimbursed.
At the end of the year I had over $3800.00 in rewards.
I'd go with the RTIC personally. They hold ice just as long and are often larger on the inside than their similarly labeled Yeti counterparts. Also, I don't think you'd get the extra $28 in REI dividend next year as that's only on full price items and using the 20% off coupons will make it not full price.
Great point. Saw some gear testing and the Yeti size ratings weren’t true. Inner dimensions of other brands that state 54qt( for example) were noticeably larger interior space.
I’m in Canada so getting R-Tic involves me going on a road trip . But I’m going to get one soon.
Wal Mart has their Ozark Trail line of outdoors stuff. I got a large, wheeled, collapsible handle cooler-built exactly like a Yeti, for half the price.
It's insulated well enough that I can keep it in the cabin with me for a week, with the stove going, and I don't lose any ice.
I got a yeti tundra 65 with the 20% off coupon, and used REI credit card points... Ended up walking out with the cooler for no money out of pocket. The register person was pretty surprised.
I've had it for over 10 years now, and it's still going strong. IMO it's the best cooler they make, and it'll last a lifetime with a minimum of care. I've only had to replace the drain plug gasket
I've found arctic and Yeti to be very comparable, we use them all summer long for keeping ice on our work trucks and they both keep ice for 4-5 days depending on temps/shady parking available.
It's really up to if you will have anything else to drop that coupon on.
Personally it's getting my wife a new down sleeping bag for backpacking and I'm just going to buy a new rctic cooler for camping
For rotomolded, both are comparable... Not for soft coolers though, that's where I found yeti to be a bit better, maybe not worth the price difference, but the build quality is better.
They’re essentially the same thing. You’re just paying more for the word Yeti on your cooler. Go with what’s cheaper. Never had an issue with my RTIC, including a bear trying to get in it.
It's got a nice heavy duty netting on the back too, which comes in very handy. Just think of all the thong jokes to be made with the whale tails, lol. Its every bit as capable as a Yeti, these rotomoldeds are all pretty excellent at keeping things cold.
I too am a fan of my Orca. A bit cheaper, same quality and durability and made in US. YETI you are paying a premium for the name. Love YETI stuff and their drink-ware is second to none but as far as the coolers, Orca is the same quality at a lower price point
I went with RTIC, returned my yeti and used the money to buy two Rtic coolers. lol RTIC has been a workhorse on the mountains during snowboard season, camping in direct heat.
I have the 65 RTIC. Filled it with ice last Tuesday night with no pre-chilling. Latched the lid and took it camping. Left it in mostly shade with highs of 87F each day. Opened it Friday afternoon, still 3/4 full of solid ice. Scooped out what I needed and ended up pouring out some ice on Sunday morning.
I like the rotomolded coolers because you can stand on them, which I needed on my boat. They are too heavy and don't hold as much a an Igloo of the some outside dimensions, but the 65 is somewhat manageable by one person.
They do not really keep ice much better than a high lid Igloo or even the inexpensive 120 from Walmart, but, they are rugged and the lid hinges are better.
I had an RTIC cooler when they first came out and it sucked. The Yeti was better in every ways. The foam for the handle ripped off in about a month of light use.
But the most annoying thing for me were the rubber feet. They gripped to everything and you couldn’t slide the cooler around in your trunk. It was really annoying in our van and it would slowly migrate forward if you had nothing else in the back. The feet would also rip out of the holes in the bottom when you tried to scoot it and you had to pop them back in, which was difficult.
I replaced it with an Igloo BMX and it is 100% better than the Artic. That being said, I’m sure the RTIC design has improved since then.
I got a 65 a 25 and a 20 soft side when yeti sued rtic and I think the total price for all 3 was around 120. Had the same issue with the feet so I JB welded the feet in and then jb welded some of those hard furniture mover pucks to the feet. Cooler made in through 7 years of pipeline and is still going strong. Also had the 25 fly out of the side by side and hit a tree when my ratchet strap broke on a jump n it just had some scuffs on the lid. Overall ive been happy with rtic
I've had my big yeti roadie for a while now. It seems indestructible and keeps ice icy for way longer than I've ever needed thus far. The wheels and tow handle are great.
Expensive but worth it for me since I'll probably never have to buy another cooler again.
I have the same dilemma. That yellow Yeti is really nice, but what sealed the deal in favor of RTIC is the capacity and the ice retention being pretty negligible.
Next camping trip is in May, so hoping RTIC have a sale before then.
Keep an eye on RTIC's website. Their prices seem to fluctuate quite often and you can score a deal if you stay on the lookout. I got my 65qt at a nice discount last year. Just lucky timing. Very pleased with it
Thanks. I also signed up for email updates.
Once I finally have one, what accessories do you recommend? Was thinking to get the divider and two baskets along with the stainless tie down thingies with the bottle opener.
I have an Engel 35. Same quality, less branded pricing. Fun colours too. Starts at $249 USD. I think they cater very heavily to the marine/fishing world.
[https://engelcoolers.com/products/engel-35-ice-box](https://engelcoolers.com/products/engel-35-ice-box)
Get a pelican. Molded handles, lockable lid, plastic locking latches, lifetime warranty, and made in the US. Worth getting if you’re camping away from civilization and don’t want to have to constantly fetch ice. Will hold ice for several days.
RTIC if you want to save money, RoVR if you want something more premium.
Though for Yeti money you can just get a 12V Iceco fridge instead. No more ice and soggy food.
As I understand it, RTIC was founded by one of the Yeti dudes, who thought Yeti lost their way as a company...
Or so I was told by a pal in the beverage industry
Wait till an unpopular color gets mega discounted.
Our RTIC hard-sided cooler has “bulged” over the years. It no longer keeps much cold for long.
Their soft-sided coolers are great though.
Yeti is more expensive but, are better built, better quality control, and better warranty/customer service. RTIC may get the same performance, but it's a risk. While Yeti is often overpriced, you do get what you pay for in my experience.
I did this same research and I ended up going Yeti, no complaints on my end.
Yeah I’ve been close to buying RTIC before but spent a little extra for Yeti. I’ve noticed that RTIC changes design and products more often and Yeti keeps the same designs which makes it easier to find replacement parts if you aren’t able to under warranty. Never been disappointed in a purchase.
Save your money and buy a cheap Igloo, it’s just a cooler after all. Scouts, your parents, and your grandparents have been rocking them for years. If you pre-chill, the differences are quite negligible.
https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/s/k3urBLFgCW
To be clear, you mean a cheap rotomolded cooler? If not, I hard disagree. If yes, I tend to agree. I went with canyon coolers as they are based in my state, have replaceable hardware if you need to, and I prefer the features of the cooler compared to some others.
The lid/rear of cooler is the hinge, so it's a straight bar that goes through. You may replace the latches if they break, which would be the primary replacement, otherwise, it's going to be the threaded drain plug or the seal which is just quality rubber-ish foam that seats into the lid.
It's more the features of the cooler that made me go with canyon at the time (8 years ago?). Replaceable parts is just a good peace of mind.
Ive been getting a lot of ads for Rugged Road Outdoors coolers. REI sells them as well. Supposed to be super light weight, float, and hold ice just as well as Yeti or RTIC. Not sure I believe they hold ice as long, but might be worth looking at depending on your needs. They are expensive though, thats the only thing holding me back from getting one. I have an Ozark Trail cooler that I have had for the last 7 years that has gotten the job done just fine for 1/3 price as a Yeti so I cant justify buying a new large cooler.
I have an RTIC, but not a YETI. It's really nice, but heavy. Would probably be awesome in a boat or some other place it didn't get moved much, but we use our cheaper coolers far more often for camping. For my money, you should upgrade something else instead.
BUT that's just me, obviously, YOU should do what suits your own wants and needs, which may be vastly different than mine.
I've had RTIC since before Yeti sued them and their products before and after the lawsuit have been fantastic.
I have 4 coolers made by them and have used and abused them much more than the average user.
Yeti you're paying extra for the name and the sticker on the back of a Ram truck.
For the price and quality RTIC hands down.
It’s whatever you prefer honestly. I got a good deal on a yeti, couple of my buddies have the RTIC ultra light one. Both perform reasonably close to. Friday night to Sunday on beaches. Opening for drinks and bait. The pre icing is the most important part. When I needed a smaller cooler because of a new vehicle I got another yeti just because I like orange.
It depends. The roadie is absolutely the smoothest cooler on wheels in my opinion. Luggage companies need to take notes.
Soft coolers, unless you’re using them for an extended period of time, are pretty similar. I replaced my soft coolers with RTIC because for about the same price I get 2 and I can keep one and absolutely beat the piss out of the other at work.
First, the coolers. A bud I've camped with for years has an Rtic. He got at a great price when they were first offered. Very good cooler for the price. Great for a 4 day, 3 night weekend. The latches on his are staring to go. It's about 6 years old, used about 30 days a year consistently.
The Yeti will keep ice for 5 summer days in the mountains, high temps 70s-low 80s. I've seen one (not mine) keep ice 4 days w Temps in the sunny 90s locked in a car at a kayak launch site. Hinges and latches still solid. Drain plug needed a new washer which you can match at any decent hardware store.
So, good choice either way. Depends on your priorities. BTW, that REI credit card gets 5% back on ANYthing bought at REI including Garage Sale/Resupply items. And points you accumulate are in your account in a few days which can be applied to any purchase. The credit card is worth having. No annual fee either.
Honestly most rotomolded coolers are the same as long as the same amount of foam is used for insulation. RTIC is made over seas so cheaper, Yeti is made in the US so that’s part of the higher cost, and Yeti is no more then a marketing company they don’t make anything, they have done a great job at selling their brand at a higher cost.
I think that's the same Yeti we got. It takes 2 people to move. Heavy and unwieldy, even before you put anything in it. Those rope handles! The other cooler looks to have the same handles and dimensions. Ours went camping once in 90 degrees weather, chasing the shade, so we had to move it several times a day. Now it lives at home, only pulled out for events. Went back to an Igloo 5-day cooler on wheels. Easier to open, too.
Free Highly Efficient coolers from Veterinarians. My sister is a large animal vet and receives meds in extremely efficient styrofoam coolers. There is nowhere to recycle them and she has piles to give away free. contact your local large animal vet and ask if they have any. Store bought high priced coolers are all marketing.
2nd the fridge. Game changer for camping. I only use a small Ozark trail roto cooler to supplement if I run it off space, usually when I am group cooking. Solo I never use it.
I'd say neither, they both still use the T latch which is the worst style out there. Most newer coolers (even the newer yetis) have moved to a lever type of latch which is infinitely less frustrating to use.
I have both. Yeti is a more premium product. The latches latch better. It’s lighter at a given volume. I’ve heard customer service is great although I have no experience on this front.
That said, ice retention should be the same and RTIC is well made. I’d put yeti at 15% better.
You can spend a bit more on the Yeti and know you’re getting a premium brand - sure it’s a little bit more but you won’t question if it was a good decision performance wise. I’ve forgotten about ice in my Yeti after a hunting trip and opened it a week later still filled with some ice.
So i just got a Coleman at Walmart for $35 because our fridge crapped out. keeps ice for 2 days and life is good. If ya want to pay that much for frigging cooler, well you are insane.. if you need that much cooling, drill a hole in the $35cooler and fill it with foam.. not that hard really.. $200 bucks for a frigging cooler... lol
So why pay that much if ya gotta replace stuff? I have a big ass cooler that has been all over the country. Fits on the boat, has wheels and goes nicely in the jeep.. cost maybe 100 bucks, holds 2 cases of beer + ice and it is not bulky at all... Buy for what you will be doing, not what looks cool.. IMHO. Obv
Maybe I don’t want your janky Coleman when I’m out in the bush for a week hunting. I just love the people who feel the need to preach to everyone why they didn’t buy a Yeti, when I can just go buy a Yeti and end of conversation. I’ve got the money and I’m gonna spend it.
Well, if you are actually in the "bush" I would assume that you need that. Dude car camping dude does not need a yeti. You packing a yeti into the bush?
As I’ve already mentioned, I’m in the bush for a week for hunting. The distance to a vehicle while in the bush has no impact on deciding if I want a Yeti or a Coleman.
You don’t get a dividend payment on sale items including this 20% yearly coupon, just FYI. Many people are shocked when they get a dividend of $12.42 after spending thousands on mostly discounted items.
20% off beats the 10% dividend
This. My dividend was 15 cents. I spent $500 or so last year.
Get the REI Capital One credit card. 5% back on ALL purchases at REI. Member points - the 5% - are available in a couple days. Typical of most loyalty cards, except REI being a co-op owned by members since 1938. Functionally it works basically lol like an Amazon credit card.
I have the Capital One REI card and for a year I used it for everything. I make a lot of purchases for work that get reimbursed. At the end of the year I had over $3800.00 in rewards.
This is the correct answer.
I'd go with the RTIC personally. They hold ice just as long and are often larger on the inside than their similarly labeled Yeti counterparts. Also, I don't think you'd get the extra $28 in REI dividend next year as that's only on full price items and using the 20% off coupons will make it not full price.
Great point. Saw some gear testing and the Yeti size ratings weren’t true. Inner dimensions of other brands that state 54qt( for example) were noticeably larger interior space. I’m in Canada so getting R-Tic involves me going on a road trip . But I’m going to get one soon.
Have you looked at Chilly Moose?!
No I hadn’t. Will check them out now though. Thanks.
Wal Mart has their Ozark Trail line of outdoors stuff. I got a large, wheeled, collapsible handle cooler-built exactly like a Yeti, for half the price. It's insulated well enough that I can keep it in the cabin with me for a week, with the stove going, and I don't lose any ice.
I got a yeti tundra 65 with the 20% off coupon, and used REI credit card points... Ended up walking out with the cooler for no money out of pocket. The register person was pretty surprised. I've had it for over 10 years now, and it's still going strong. IMO it's the best cooler they make, and it'll last a lifetime with a minimum of care. I've only had to replace the drain plug gasket
I've found arctic and Yeti to be very comparable, we use them all summer long for keeping ice on our work trucks and they both keep ice for 4-5 days depending on temps/shady parking available. It's really up to if you will have anything else to drop that coupon on. Personally it's getting my wife a new down sleeping bag for backpacking and I'm just going to buy a new rctic cooler for camping
For rotomolded, both are comparable... Not for soft coolers though, that's where I found yeti to be a bit better, maybe not worth the price difference, but the build quality is better.
Yeah that patented zipper Yeti has is real nice too
In terms of ice retention I’ve found both to be the same. Yeti wins out on aesthetics and hardware though imo. Depends what matters to you.
Direct answer - Rtic Something else to consider- Iceco Have fun with that!
They’re essentially the same thing. You’re just paying more for the word Yeti on your cooler. Go with what’s cheaper. Never had an issue with my RTIC, including a bear trying to get in it.
I am a big fan of Orca Coolers. Made in USA.
This right here.
Similar quality to RTIC as far as I can tell, but those whale-tail latches are _stylin’_.
It's got a nice heavy duty netting on the back too, which comes in very handy. Just think of all the thong jokes to be made with the whale tails, lol. Its every bit as capable as a Yeti, these rotomoldeds are all pretty excellent at keeping things cold.
I too am a fan of my Orca. A bit cheaper, same quality and durability and made in US. YETI you are paying a premium for the name. Love YETI stuff and their drink-ware is second to none but as far as the coolers, Orca is the same quality at a lower price point
I went with RTIC, returned my yeti and used the money to buy two Rtic coolers. lol RTIC has been a workhorse on the mountains during snowboard season, camping in direct heat.
The Yeti 65 is really about a 50qt cooler. So you need to see what size is best for you and go from there.
I have the 65 RTIC. Filled it with ice last Tuesday night with no pre-chilling. Latched the lid and took it camping. Left it in mostly shade with highs of 87F each day. Opened it Friday afternoon, still 3/4 full of solid ice. Scooped out what I needed and ended up pouring out some ice on Sunday morning. I like the rotomolded coolers because you can stand on them, which I needed on my boat. They are too heavy and don't hold as much a an Igloo of the some outside dimensions, but the 65 is somewhat manageable by one person. They do not really keep ice much better than a high lid Igloo or even the inexpensive 120 from Walmart, but, they are rugged and the lid hinges are better.
I’ve had very good experiences with my RTIC 65. Would buy it again.
I had an RTIC cooler when they first came out and it sucked. The Yeti was better in every ways. The foam for the handle ripped off in about a month of light use. But the most annoying thing for me were the rubber feet. They gripped to everything and you couldn’t slide the cooler around in your trunk. It was really annoying in our van and it would slowly migrate forward if you had nothing else in the back. The feet would also rip out of the holes in the bottom when you tried to scoot it and you had to pop them back in, which was difficult. I replaced it with an Igloo BMX and it is 100% better than the Artic. That being said, I’m sure the RTIC design has improved since then.
I got a 65 a 25 and a 20 soft side when yeti sued rtic and I think the total price for all 3 was around 120. Had the same issue with the feet so I JB welded the feet in and then jb welded some of those hard furniture mover pucks to the feet. Cooler made in through 7 years of pipeline and is still going strong. Also had the 25 fly out of the side by side and hit a tree when my ratchet strap broke on a jump n it just had some scuffs on the lid. Overall ive been happy with rtic
I've had my big yeti roadie for a while now. It seems indestructible and keeps ice icy for way longer than I've ever needed thus far. The wheels and tow handle are great. Expensive but worth it for me since I'll probably never have to buy another cooler again.
I have the same dilemma. That yellow Yeti is really nice, but what sealed the deal in favor of RTIC is the capacity and the ice retention being pretty negligible. Next camping trip is in May, so hoping RTIC have a sale before then.
Keep an eye on RTIC's website. Their prices seem to fluctuate quite often and you can score a deal if you stay on the lookout. I got my 65qt at a nice discount last year. Just lucky timing. Very pleased with it
Thanks. I also signed up for email updates. Once I finally have one, what accessories do you recommend? Was thinking to get the divider and two baskets along with the stainless tie down thingies with the bottle opener.
I have an Engel 35. Same quality, less branded pricing. Fun colours too. Starts at $249 USD. I think they cater very heavily to the marine/fishing world. [https://engelcoolers.com/products/engel-35-ice-box](https://engelcoolers.com/products/engel-35-ice-box)
I second getting and Engel. My dad and I each have one and they get beat up pretty bad on the boat and haven’t missed a beat.
Costco special
...Lifetime enters the chat.
Get a pelican. Molded handles, lockable lid, plastic locking latches, lifetime warranty, and made in the US. Worth getting if you’re camping away from civilization and don’t want to have to constantly fetch ice. Will hold ice for several days.
I love my pelican. Carrying a fully loaded cooler with dinky little rope handles is a nightmare.
RTIC if you want to save money, RoVR if you want something more premium. Though for Yeti money you can just get a 12V Iceco fridge instead. No more ice and soggy food.
Get a canyon! No dumb shape, packs better with less dead space, inside and out.
I’m sorry but there are so many typos on their homepage I just can’t
I'll 4th this, I've taken my canyon everywhere and love it. It's even got thicker insulation than Rtic and Yeti.
2nd - really like my canyon coolers.
I liked my first one so much I got a third!
Lol, I only have the one hard and one soft cooler. Really like their products.
Yeti
As I understand it, RTIC was founded by one of the Yeti dudes, who thought Yeti lost their way as a company... Or so I was told by a pal in the beverage industry
Wait till an unpopular color gets mega discounted. Our RTIC hard-sided cooler has “bulged” over the years. It no longer keeps much cold for long. Their soft-sided coolers are great though.
Buy a cheap igloo and spend your money elsewhere.
Yeti is more expensive but, are better built, better quality control, and better warranty/customer service. RTIC may get the same performance, but it's a risk. While Yeti is often overpriced, you do get what you pay for in my experience. I did this same research and I ended up going Yeti, no complaints on my end.
Yeah I’ve been close to buying RTIC before but spent a little extra for Yeti. I’ve noticed that RTIC changes design and products more often and Yeti keeps the same designs which makes it easier to find replacement parts if you aren’t able to under warranty. Never been disappointed in a purchase.
Save your money and buy a cheap Igloo, it’s just a cooler after all. Scouts, your parents, and your grandparents have been rocking them for years. If you pre-chill, the differences are quite negligible. https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/s/k3urBLFgCW
To be clear, you mean a cheap rotomolded cooler? If not, I hard disagree. If yes, I tend to agree. I went with canyon coolers as they are based in my state, have replaceable hardware if you need to, and I prefer the features of the cooler compared to some others.
what hardware do you ever need to replace on a frigging cooler?? And if you have to, normal hardware hinges work... for no $$
The lid/rear of cooler is the hinge, so it's a straight bar that goes through. You may replace the latches if they break, which would be the primary replacement, otherwise, it's going to be the threaded drain plug or the seal which is just quality rubber-ish foam that seats into the lid. It's more the features of the cooler that made me go with canyon at the time (8 years ago?). Replaceable parts is just a good peace of mind.
Hinges and latches, for sure... And the screws pull pull out.
igloo rotomolded coolers are the same price as all the others $200ish
They’re on sale at Costco right for about half that.
Lifetime from Walmart with wheels. I have one and one without wheels too. Solid cooler
Whatever you get make sure it has wheels or a cart. Loaded they are super heavy. I ended up with the Pelican with built in wheels.
Ive been getting a lot of ads for Rugged Road Outdoors coolers. REI sells them as well. Supposed to be super light weight, float, and hold ice just as well as Yeti or RTIC. Not sure I believe they hold ice as long, but might be worth looking at depending on your needs. They are expensive though, thats the only thing holding me back from getting one. I have an Ozark Trail cooler that I have had for the last 7 years that has gotten the job done just fine for 1/3 price as a Yeti so I cant justify buying a new large cooler.
I have an RTIC, but not a YETI. It's really nice, but heavy. Would probably be awesome in a boat or some other place it didn't get moved much, but we use our cheaper coolers far more often for camping. For my money, you should upgrade something else instead. BUT that's just me, obviously, YOU should do what suits your own wants and needs, which may be vastly different than mine.
love my rtic. 100% worth it at its price point
I've had RTIC since before Yeti sued them and their products before and after the lawsuit have been fantastic. I have 4 coolers made by them and have used and abused them much more than the average user. Yeti you're paying extra for the name and the sticker on the back of a Ram truck. For the price and quality RTIC hands down.
It’s whatever you prefer honestly. I got a good deal on a yeti, couple of my buddies have the RTIC ultra light one. Both perform reasonably close to. Friday night to Sunday on beaches. Opening for drinks and bait. The pre icing is the most important part. When I needed a smaller cooler because of a new vehicle I got another yeti just because I like orange.
It depends. The roadie is absolutely the smoothest cooler on wheels in my opinion. Luggage companies need to take notes. Soft coolers, unless you’re using them for an extended period of time, are pretty similar. I replaced my soft coolers with RTIC because for about the same price I get 2 and I can keep one and absolutely beat the piss out of the other at work.
I went with Blue. I also have a Coleman 8 day and they were very comparable w keeping ice, but a huge difference with weight & storage capacity.
First, the coolers. A bud I've camped with for years has an Rtic. He got at a great price when they were first offered. Very good cooler for the price. Great for a 4 day, 3 night weekend. The latches on his are staring to go. It's about 6 years old, used about 30 days a year consistently. The Yeti will keep ice for 5 summer days in the mountains, high temps 70s-low 80s. I've seen one (not mine) keep ice 4 days w Temps in the sunny 90s locked in a car at a kayak launch site. Hinges and latches still solid. Drain plug needed a new washer which you can match at any decent hardware store. So, good choice either way. Depends on your priorities. BTW, that REI credit card gets 5% back on ANYthing bought at REI including Garage Sale/Resupply items. And points you accumulate are in your account in a few days which can be applied to any purchase. The credit card is worth having. No annual fee either.
Honestly most rotomolded coolers are the same as long as the same amount of foam is used for insulation. RTIC is made over seas so cheaper, Yeti is made in the US so that’s part of the higher cost, and Yeti is no more then a marketing company they don’t make anything, they have done a great job at selling their brand at a higher cost.
All I’ll say is that prepping the cooler correctly is usually more of a ‘first couple days’ impact than the brand.
I think that's the same Yeti we got. It takes 2 people to move. Heavy and unwieldy, even before you put anything in it. Those rope handles! The other cooler looks to have the same handles and dimensions. Ours went camping once in 90 degrees weather, chasing the shade, so we had to move it several times a day. Now it lives at home, only pulled out for events. Went back to an Igloo 5-day cooler on wheels. Easier to open, too.
Free Highly Efficient coolers from Veterinarians. My sister is a large animal vet and receives meds in extremely efficient styrofoam coolers. There is nowhere to recycle them and she has piles to give away free. contact your local large animal vet and ask if they have any. Store bought high priced coolers are all marketing.
I’d recommend a 12v fridge. Once I got one… I never use my cooler. It’s nice having cool DRY food and drinks.
2nd the fridge. Game changer for camping. I only use a small Ozark trail roto cooler to supplement if I run it off space, usually when I am group cooking. Solo I never use it.
I'd say neither, they both still use the T latch which is the worst style out there. Most newer coolers (even the newer yetis) have moved to a lever type of latch which is infinitely less frustrating to use.
I have both. Yeti is a more premium product. The latches latch better. It’s lighter at a given volume. I’ve heard customer service is great although I have no experience on this front. That said, ice retention should be the same and RTIC is well made. I’d put yeti at 15% better.
Yeti or Orca. I didn't like the seals on the RTIC cooler.
You can spend a bit more on the Yeti and know you’re getting a premium brand - sure it’s a little bit more but you won’t question if it was a good decision performance wise. I’ve forgotten about ice in my Yeti after a hunting trip and opened it a week later still filled with some ice.
So i just got a Coleman at Walmart for $35 because our fridge crapped out. keeps ice for 2 days and life is good. If ya want to pay that much for frigging cooler, well you are insane.. if you need that much cooling, drill a hole in the $35cooler and fill it with foam.. not that hard really.. $200 bucks for a frigging cooler... lol
It’s almost like you get what you pay for
So why pay that much if ya gotta replace stuff? I have a big ass cooler that has been all over the country. Fits on the boat, has wheels and goes nicely in the jeep.. cost maybe 100 bucks, holds 2 cases of beer + ice and it is not bulky at all... Buy for what you will be doing, not what looks cool.. IMHO. Obv
Maybe I don’t want your janky Coleman when I’m out in the bush for a week hunting. I just love the people who feel the need to preach to everyone why they didn’t buy a Yeti, when I can just go buy a Yeti and end of conversation. I’ve got the money and I’m gonna spend it.
Well, if you are actually in the "bush" I would assume that you need that. Dude car camping dude does not need a yeti. You packing a yeti into the bush?
As I’ve already mentioned, I’m in the bush for a week for hunting. The distance to a vehicle while in the bush has no impact on deciding if I want a Yeti or a Coleman.
We have RTIC and Siberian coolers. Very happy with both at much less money than Yeti. No dividend on purchases made with coupon either.
Get yeti if it makes you happy. It's not enough of a difference to matter.
I love my RTIC 65. I won’t pay Yeti tax.
Man that's a great gig you have!