Sometimes a traditional cooler just won’t cut it. Hard-sided coolers loaded with pounds of ice aren’t practical if you’re trying to keep food cold for a hike or another strenuous activity. The solution? Backpack coolers are a great way to bring food and drinks along on your outdoor adventures. They’re lightweight, portable, and designed with convenience in mind. Whether you’re headed to the beach, camping out for the weekend, or simply going for a picnic dinner, these convenient backpack-style coolers can help keep your supplies cool and organized.
Backpack coolers come in various styles and sizes to suit any outdoor activity. There is a wide range of backpack coolers available, from small and lightweight models to larger heavy-duty coolers designed for long hikes or camping trips. Some have compartments for food, while others have design features targeted at ice retention and keeping drinks cool. You may want additional features like a chest strap or extra compartments.
The best backpack cooler will depend on your individual needs. In your search for the right insulated cooler backpack for your next adventure, we hope our list of the 13 best backpack coolers of 2023 can help. Our favorite insulated backpack coolers have plenty of space and keep contents cold for several hours. Let’s jump right in!
1. Igloo MaxCold Voyager 30-Can Backpack
Price Range: $50-$70
What We Love: The Igloo MaxCold Voyager 30-Can Backpack is loved for its large storage capacity, well-insulated compartment, and comfortable straps, making it perfect for outdoor adventures.
The Igloo MaxCold Voyager 30-Can Backpack is a versatile and reliable backpack cooler that will keep your drinks and snacks icy cold for hours. With a spacious storage capacity, it can hold up to 30 cans with ice, making it ideal for camping trips, day trips, or even that long-awaited beach escape.
One of the standout features of this backpack cooler is its well-insulated compartment, which is designed to maintain the temperature of your beverages and food, while also preventing any leaks or water damage thanks to its watertight zipper. The exterior pocket provides convenient access to essentials like bottle openers or extra gear.
With adjustable and padded shoulder straps, sternum straps, and a hip strap, this backpack ensures a comfortable carrying experience even when fully loaded. The MaxCold Voyager also comes with mesh side pockets and a zippered pocket for additional storage options.
The Igloo MaxCold Voyager 30-Can Backpack is the perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts who want a reliable, durable, and functional backpack cooler that can keep their beverages chilled and their food fresh.
2. Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler
Price Range: $45 – $55
What We Love: : The Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler offers a unique combination of durability and functionality, making it perfect for outdoor adventures and day trips.
The Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler is designed to keep your drinks and food cold for hours. It features a spacious, insulated compartment that can fit up to 24 cans with ice or even wine bottles. The waterproof zippers ensure that no water leaks out or enters the cooler, while the watertight zipper at the top provides easy access to your items.
This Arctic Zone backpack cooler also offers excellent comfort with its padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip strap, allowing you to carry it effortlessly on your back. The adjustable straps ensure a perfect fit for every user.
With multiple extra pockets, including a zippered pocket and mesh side pockets, you can conveniently store your personal belongings, utensils, or extra gear. The exterior pocket features a built-in bottle opener, adding to its versatility.
Whether you are going on a camping trip, a day trip, or even to the beach, the Arctic Zone Titan 24 Can Backpack Cooler is a reliable and convenient choice. Its rugged construction and reliable insulation will keep your drinks cold and your food fresh throughout your outdoor adventure.
3. Carhartt Cooler Backpack
Price Range: $70-$100
What We Love: The Carhartt Cooler Backpack stands out with its durable construction and spacious interior.
The Carhartt Cooler Backpack is a reliable and sturdy option for those in need of a backpack cooler that can withstand the demands of outdoor adventures. This backpack cooler features a rugged build and is made from heavy-duty polyester material, ensuring its durability for years to come.
One of the standout features of the Carhartt Cooler Backpack is its spacious interior, which can hold up to 25 cans with ice. The main insulated compartment is designed to keep drinks cold for extended periods, making it perfect for day trips, camping adventures, or even picnics.
The exterior of the backpack boasts multiple pockets, including a zippered front pocket and dual side mesh pockets for easy access to additional gear and extra storage space. The padded shoulder straps offer comfort and can be adjusted to fit various body shapes and sizes. Additionally, the sternum strap helps distribute weight evenly for a more comfortable carrying experience.
Whether you’re heading on a hiking trip, camping excursion, or simply need a reliable cooler for outdoor activities, the Carhartt Cooler Backpack is a versatile and durable choice that will keep your beverages and snacks cool and fresh throughout the day.
4. Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler
Price Range: $120-$130
What We Love: The Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler is not only stylish but also incredibly functional, making it the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure. It comes in over 15 fun designs making it a favorite for those with younger kids.
The Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler is a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast. With its sleek design and durable construction, this cooler will keep your drinks cold and your food fresh for hours. The exterior pocket is perfect for storing utensils or a bottle opener, while the spacious interior can hold up to 18 cans with ice or 24 cans without ice.
The padded straps and adjustable shoulder straps ensure a comfortable fit, while the sternum strap adds extra support during longer hikes. The waterproof zippers and watertight zipper seal ensure that no moisture will seep in, even during heavy rain. The Swig Life Packi also features multiple mesh pockets and a zippered pocket for additional storage, making it easy to bring along extra gear or snacks. Whether you’re heading out for a camping trip, a day at the beach, or a picnic in the park, the Swig Life Packi Backpack Cooler is the ultimate way to keep your drinks cold and your adventure going.
5. Tourit Backpack Cooler
Price Range: $35 -$50
What We Love: The Tourit Backpack Cooler is not only spacious and durable, but it also features a unique leakproof design that sets it apart from other backpack coolers on the market.
The Tourit Backpack Cooler is the perfect companion for all your outdoor adventures. With its spacious insulated compartment, it can hold up to 28 cans with ice or 35 cans without ice, making it ideal for day trips, camping trips, and beach outings. The cooler insert keeps your drinks cold for up to 16 hours, ensuring that you stay refreshed throughout the day.
This backpack cooler is designed with convenience in mind. It features adjustable shoulder straps and a sternum strap for a comfortable fit, even when carrying a heavy load. The exterior pocket and mesh side pockets provide additional storage for essentials like keys, phones, and snacks. The waterproof zippers and watertight zipper design keep your items dry even in wet conditions.
Whether you’re heading to a music festival, hiking in the mountains, or simply enjoying a picnic in the park, the Tourit Backpack Cooler will keep your food and drinks cold while ensuring you have a comfortable and hassle-free experience. Don’t settle for a regular backpack when you can have a cooler and backpack in one. Invest in the Tourit Backpack Cooler for your next adventure.
6. Corkcicle EOLA Cooler Backpack
Price Range: $160
What We Love: The Corkcicle EOLA Cooler Backpack combines style and functionality, making it the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure.
The Corkcicle EOLA Cooler Backpack is a top-tier backpack cooler that caters to those seeking the perfect combination of style, functionality, and durability. With its sleek and modern design, this cooler backpack is both fashionable and practical.
The main compartment is fully insulated, capable of holding up to 12 cans with ice, ensuring that your drinks stay cold for hours on end. The waterproof zipper and watertight lining keep the contents dry even in the most extreme conditions. In addition to its cooling capabilities, the EOLA features a variety of pockets, including a zippered pocket and mesh side pockets, allowing you to store your extra gear and essentials securely.
The adjustable shoulder straps and padded back panel make carrying the cooler backpack comfortable even during long hikes or day trips. The sternum strap adds extra support and stability, while the chest and hip straps ensure an even weight distribution.
Ideal for camping trips, beach outings, or any outdoor adventure, the Corkcicle EOLA Cooler Backpack is a reliable and stylish choice for keeping your drinks and snacks cold on the go.
7. Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler
Price Range: $200
What We Love: The Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler stands out for its exceptional insulation that keeps your drinks and food cold for extended periods of time.
The Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler is a top-of-the-line backpack cooler that offers unparalleled performance and durability. Its soft-sided design makes it comfortable to carry on your back, thanks to its padded shoulder straps and sternum strap for added stability. The adjustable straps ensure a customized fit, regardless of your body type.
With its 20 L capacity, this backpack cooler has plenty of room to store all your essentials for a day trip or camping excursion. The spacious insulated compartment can hold up to 24 cans with ice, or even accommodate wine bottles and food items. The waterproof and watertight zippers ensure that no moisture gets in or out, keeping your items dry and protected.
The Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler also features additional pockets, including a zippered pocket and mesh side pockets, providing easy access to small items and extra gear. Its rugged construction and high-quality materials make it suitable for any outdoor adventure, and its versatile design makes it perfect for both leisure and professional use.
Overall, the Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler is a fantastic investment for those looking for a reliable, feature-packed backpack cooler that will keep their food and drinks cold for hours.
8. RTIC Backpack Cooler
Price Range: $190
What We Love: The RTIC Backpack Cooler is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with its durable construction, ample storage, and comfortable design.
The RTIC Backpack Cooler is a top choice for anyone in need of a high-quality backpack cooler. With its spacious 20-liter capacity, this cooler can hold up to 30 cans without ice or 20 cans with ice, making it perfect for day trips, camping adventures, and tailgating parties.
Featuring a tough, water-resistant exterior and waterproof zippers, this backpack cooler is built to withstand even the harshest elements. The padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip strap provide extra comfort and support, allowing you to carry your chilled beverages and snacks for long distances without strain.
The RTIC Backpack Cooler also comes equipped with several convenient features. The exterior pocket is perfect for storing small essentials like bottle openers or utensils, while the mesh side pockets can hold water bottles or cans for easy access. Additionally, the insulated compartment keeps your drinks cold for hours, while the dry storage section is ideal for storing extra gear or non-perishable items.
Whether you’re heading out on a hiking adventure or lounging on the beach, the RTIC Backpack Cooler ensures that your drinks stay cold and your snacks stay fresh. With its durable construction and ample storage, this cooler is a must-have for all outdoor enthusiasts.
9. Columbia PFG Rollcaster Backpack Cooler
Price Range: $65 – $80
What We Love: Combining style, functionality, and sustainability, the Burton Prowess is the go-to choice for women who want a high-performance and fashionable snowboard jacket for their adventures on the mountain
The Columbia PFG Rollcaster Backpack Cooler is a versatile and durable backpack cooler that is designed for outdoor adventures. It has a spacious main compartment with enough room to hold up to 28 cans without ice or 16 cans with ice. The cooler compartment is fully insulated and features a watertight zipper to ensure your beverages stay cold for hours.
One of the standout features of this cooler is its comfortable and adjustable shoulder straps, which make it easy to carry even when fully loaded. The backpack also has a sternum strap and a hip strap for added stability.
In addition to the cooler compartment, the backpack has multiple pockets for extra storage. It has a front zippered pocket, two mesh side pockets, and a zippered pocket on the lid. These extra pockets are perfect for stashing small items like keys, cell phones, or a bottle opener.
Whether you’re going on a day trip, camping trip, or out for a long hike, the Columbia PFG Rollcaster Backpack Cooler is a reliable and functional choice. It is made with high-quality materials and is built to withstand rugged conditions. With its spacious cooler compartment, comfortable straps, and extra pockets, this backpack cooler offers both convenience and performance.
10. Vera Bradley Cooler Backpack
Price Range: $45 – $85
What We Love: The Vera Bradley Cooler Backpack stands out with its stylish prints and feminine design.
The Vera Bradley Cooler Backpack is a fashionable and functional backpack cooler perfect for on-the-go adventures. With its insulated compartment, it can keep your drinks cold and your food fresh for hours. The backpack has multiple external pockets, including a zippered pocket and mesh side pockets, providing ample storage space for your belongings and other essentials.
Designed with comfort in mind, this cooler backpack features adjustable shoulder straps, padded straps, and a sternum strap, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for any outdoor excursion. The backpack also has a hip strap for added stability during long hikes or walks.
Ideal for day trips, camping trips, and even beach outings, the Vera Bradley Cooler Backpack provides a convenient and practical way to carry your refreshments and snacks. Its waterproof zippers and watertight construction keep your items protected from water and moisture, making it suitable for outdoor activities.
In addition to its functionality, the Vera Bradley Cooler Backpack stands out with its visually appealing prints and patterns. It combines style and utility, making it a versatile accessory for any occasion.
11. YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler
Price Range: $299.99 – $449.99
What We Love: The YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler is a rugged and durable backpack cooler designed to keep your drinks and food ice-cold for all your outdoor adventures.
*Update* Since writing this article the YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler has been recalled. Please visit Yeti site for instructions if you have recently purchased this cooler!
the YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler is the perfect companion for your camping trips, day hikes, or beach outings. Its soft-sided design, combined with its robust insulation properties, allows you to keep your drinks cold and your food fresh for extended periods of time.
One of the standout features of the YETI Hopper M20 is its innovative and leak-proof HydroLok zipper, which ensures that no water or air escapes from the cooler. This means your drinks will stay cold for longer, even in direct sunlight.
Overall, the YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler is a high-quality, feature-rich backpack cooler that is worth the investment. Its durability, insulation, and comfortable design make it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who want to keep their drinks and food cold on their adventures.
12. Cotopaxi Hielo 24L Cooler Backpack
Price Range: $150 – $200
What We Love: The Cotopaxi Hielo 24L Cooler Backpack is not only functional, but also stylish, making it the perfect companion for all your adventures.
Featuring a spacious 24-liter capacity, this Cotopaxi Hielo cooler backpack has plenty of room to keep your food and drinks cold for hours. The insulated compartment can hold up to 20 cans with ice, or even accommodate wine bottles or other tall items. The watertight zipper ensures that no liquid seeps out, while the padded straps and sternum straps provide comfortable support for longer trips.
What sets the Cotopaxi Hielo apart is its innovative design. In addition to the cooler compartment, it also boasts multiple extra pockets, including a zippered pocket and mesh side pockets, allowing you to store extra gear, water bottles, or snacks. The exterior pocket even comes with a built-in bottle opener, adding a convenient touch to your outdoor gatherings.
Whether you’re going on camping trips, day trips, or simply need a cooler for your picnics, the Cotopaxi Hielo 24L Cooler Backpack is the perfect option. Its durable construction and waterproof zippers make it suitable for any weather conditions, while its sleek design ensures that you’ll be the envy of everyone on your next adventure.
13. REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler
Price Range: $80 – $100
What We Love: The REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler is not only a backpack cooler but also a versatile daypack, making it perfect for any outdoor adventure.
The REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler is designed to keep your drinks and food cold on all your outdoor excursions. With a spacious insulated compartment, this backpack cooler can hold up to 24 cans with ice, ensuring you have plenty of refreshments for your day trips or camping trips. The watertight zipper and waterproof zippers on the external pocket keep everything dry, even in direct sunlight.
What sets the REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler apart is its functionality as a backpack. The padded shoulder straps, adjustable sternum strap, and hip strap provide exceptional comfort, making it easy to carry even when fully loaded. The backpack also features multiple pockets, including a zippered pocket for valuables and mesh side pockets for easy access to water bottles or other essentials.
Whether you’re going on a hike, heading to the beach, or just need a convenient cooler for your picnics, the REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler is the perfect choice. Its durable construction and versatile design make it a reliable companion for all your outdoor adventures.
What to Look For in a Backpack Cooler
When searching for the perfect backpack cooler, there are several key features to consider. These features can greatly enhance your experience and ensure that your drinks and snacks stay cool and refreshing. Here are some important factors to look for when selecting a backpack cooler.
1. Insulation: One of the most crucial features of a backpack cooler is its insulation. Look for a soft-sided cooler backpack with thick insulation that can keep your beverages cold for an extended period, even in hot weather.
2. Capacity: Consider the amount of storage space you need. Backpack coolers come in various sizes, so choose one that can accommodate your desired number of cans, bottles, and food items.
3. Comfortable Straps: Opt for a backpack cooler with padded shoulder straps and adjustable sternum straps for optimal comfort. This will ensure that you can carry your cooler comfortably, even when it is loaded with drinks and snacks.
4. Additional Pockets: Look for a backpack cooler with exterior pockets and mesh side pockets. These pockets provide extra storage space for items like keys, phones, utensils, or napkins.
5. Durability: Check for sturdy and durable construction materials to ensure that your backpack cooler can withstand frequent use and outdoor adventures.
Remember, when shopping for a backpack cooler, consider your budget, use case, and capacity needs. By taking all these factors into account, you will be better equipped to select the best backpack cooler for your upcoming camping trips, day outings, or any other adventure where you want to keep your drinks and food cold and refreshing.
