How to Choose a Cooler
There are several important factors to consider before making your cooler selection.
Material
For one, the type of material your cooler is made out of will affect how long your food and drinks will stay cold.
Hard-sided coolers boast greater sizes and high-density foam insulation to keep food and drink chilled for days on end. Sealed lids, durable handles, and molded plastic bodies make these coolers the kind of workhorses you need to keep up with the whole crew.
Soft-sided coolers are a lightweight and easily transportable option for shorter trips and smaller loads. With the durable outer material, insulated liner, and comfortable carrying handles, you can pack up quickly and hit the road.
Size
Lugging around a giant cooler is only fun for so long. It's important to choose the right size cooler for the activity you will be doing.
Extended trips, tailgates and events with large groups call for a cooler that can accommodate sufficient amounts of food, drink, and ice. With lengthy ice retention capabilities, size options up to 205 quarts, and insulated sealing lids hard-sided coolers are best suited for the job. For easy transport, try a larger cooler with heavy duty wheels. You can also insert trays or dividers to keep your food and beverages separated.
Suitable for shorter outings, personal sized coolers are lighter to carry and convenient to store. There are soft-sided and hard-sided coolers that are under 14 qts and will keep your belongings cool for the entirety of your day trip.
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