Coolers are great at keeping our drinks chilled and food fresh when camping, on the beach, or going for a picnic. But the same insulation that keeps the contents cold (or hot) can make them bulky and difficult to carry. They aren’t designed to be hauled very far from your car. The solution when you need to be more mobile is the backpack cooler. This lets you keep food chilled while you carry it comfortably on your back to your picnicking spot or campsite.
The best backpack coolers are roomy enough for a good amount of food and drink but with enough insulation to keep the contents cool. It’s helpful if they are leakproof so one burst can or loose lid doesn’t result in disaster. Multiple pockets are also useful for organizing the contents. Here are the cooler backpacks we would recommend.
TOURIT Cooler Backpack
Leakproof liner and lots of pockets
This lightweight backpack cooler is well insulated enough to keep food cold/hot for up to 16 hours. It can hold up to 30 cans with a leakproof liner in case of accidents. Multiple pockets help you organize your picnic – there’s a roomy main compartment, two side mesh pockets, two large front zipper pockets for utensils, a zipper pocket on the lid, one mesh pocket, and even a beer opener on the strap.
Coleman Soft Backpack Cooler
Good capacity with leakproof seams
The main compartment on this cooler holds up to 28 cans and prevents leaks with heat-welded seams. You could even fill it with ice. Extra padding in the back and waist make it comfortable to carry. A zippered front pocket is ideal for small items and there’s a bungee cord on the front for things you need to access quickly. The lining has antimicrobial properties for extra freshness.
YETI Hopper Backflip 24 Soft Sided Cooler/Backpack
Big, stable and rugged
YETI’s first cooler designed to be carried as a backpack has all the durability of their Hopper Flip cooler. Designed to efficiently distribute the weight of your food and drink, the ergonomic shoulder straps, removable chest strap, and waist belt all help make it a comfortable carry. A leakproof zipper, superior cold-holding and a tough DryHide shell add to the impressive specs.
Bottom line
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Backpack coolers are great for any occasion where you want a cool drink and fresh food but not to have to struggle with a standard cooler. They are the perfect solution for hiking, trips to the beach, and camping. Simply slip one on your back and you can have chilled (or warm) food wherever you go. We would recommend the TOURIT Cooler Backpack to most people. It has a good capacity, keeps the contents cool and has plenty of additional pockets to keep everything organized.
If you want a backpack cooler that keeps things cooler for longer and is very robust, the YETI Hopper Backflip is a good choice. It’s a little bulkier than some designs but has high levels of protection for whatever you put in there.
