The Best Backpack Coolers to Keep Drinks and Snacks Ice-cold All Day

We love how durable and secure the Igloo Outdoor Pro Water Repellent Backpack Cooler is. After two hours, the cans were still very cold and most of the ice was intact, perfect for a long day trip or camping trip. This backpack cooler snagged the highest scores in all of our testing categories, but it particularly stood out for its functionality. It has a sturdy roll-top opening that made it simple to pack 40 cans that felt fresh out of the refrigerator after sitting for two hours. When we tested durability by throwing the cooler off of a table, there wasn’t a single can that was damaged and we didn’t see any leaking.

The ripstop poly materials feel tough and water-resistant, and the straps and back panel make the backpack more comfortable to wear and adjust for a customized fit. Plus, the bag has padded tote straps so it can be carried in several ways while on the go. Additionally, the two side pockets, back mesh pocket, front zippered pocket, and built-in bottle opener are thoughtful touches that solidified our decision to make this backpack cooler the overall winner.

Price at time of publish: $140

The Details: ‎13 x 7 x 17.5 inches | 25 liters capacity | 2.1 pounds

We think the ability to use the REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler as a backpack cooler or as a regular hiking backpack makes it a winner for versatility. After regularly using this bag for five months on weekend trips, camping trips, and days at the beach, we love that it can fit absolutely everything you need, from drinks to snacks. We even love it for grocery shopping. The backpack has an excellent capacity that can fit 20 cans with ease. There are also several exterior pockets that are useful for other items like a water bottle or utensils. The adjustable straps and back panel are nicely padded with mesh fabric so the backpack was comfortable and breathable to wear while testing. However, if the backpack tips onto its side, a noticeable amount of melted ice can leak out, and after two hours, most of the ice had turned to water. While the drinks were still very cold, we wish the zippers had been a bit more leak-resistant.

Price at time of publish: $100

The Details: 22 x 16 x 8.5 inches | 30.5 liters capacity | 3.5 pounds

The IceMule Boss 30 is fully equipped for any type of outdoor activity like a solo camping trip or family beach day. After regularly using this bag for five months, we found it perfect for keeping items ice-cold, especially on day trips. This heavy-duty backpack cooler is easy to pack with up to 24 cans and ice thanks to the roll-top that opens up to reveal a spacious rectangular main compartment. The backpack is made with IceMule’s welded MuleSkin fabric that is designed to be ultra-durable and waterproof. There’s an air valve that can be opened to fill up the insulated layer with air so the backpack can float, too. The pack is clearly designed with durability and function at the forefront and it showed during testing. We also like the insulated side and front pockets for storing snacks separately, and the adjustable backpack straps are padded for extra comfort, which helps distribute weight to offset the slightly bulky feel of the large cooler.

Price at time of publish: $375

The Details: 11.02 x 16.93 x 24.02 inches | 30 liters capacity | 7.9 pounds

If you’re looking for a backpack cooler that doesn’t have a structured rectangular shape, consider the soft-side IceMule Pro. We love that the roll-top bag has more of a tote style to it, making it simple to load cans and ice into the main compartment. While the listed capacity is 18 cans, we could have easily fit double that amount plus ice thanks to the spacious interior. We were skeptical of the roll-top opening when it came to the leak test, but this backpack thoroughly impressed us by only leaking a drop or two after half the ice melted. Our drinks were still plenty chilled after two hours, and while we wish there was at least one external pocket, this backpack cooler is ideal for your next trip to the beach. After regularly using this bag for five months, we really appreciated that it collapses down for easy storage.

Price at time of publish: $135

The Details: 11.02 x 14.17 x 16.93 inches | 23 liters capacity | 2.6 pounds

Igloo’s Pursuit Cooler Backpack weighs just under 2 pounds, making it one of the lightest backpacks we tested that still has a generous capacity. We had no issues packing 24 cans and ice in the main compartment through the rectangle-shaped opening at the top of the bag. While the bag has a structured style that stands upright, the backpack didn’t feel stiff or cumbersome to carry around like other structured backpacks we tried. We appreciated the adjustable chest and backpack straps for evenly distributing weight, and the cushioned back panel added extra comfort, too. The only downside to this backpack cooler is the durability, as we noticed the polyester material and zippers couldn’t contain the water from the melted ice, which led to a noticeable amount of leaking coming from the compartment. However, we still think that the backpack cooler did a great job of keeping our drinks chilled, and it was noticeably comfortable and lightweight, making it a great option for light hikes or walks on the beach. We suggest using ice packs instead of ice cubes to avoid leakage issues.

Price at time of publish: $151

The Details: 18.9 x 7.5 x 12.6 inches | 8.5 liters capacity | 1.9 pounds

We love that the Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack has a regular backpack style with a small insulated section at the bottom. It has a top compartment with plenty of room for items that don’t need to be chilled. For snacks and drinks, the bottom compartment is insulated and has enough room for 10 cans plus ice for keeping everything cold on the go. Although the bottom leaked a bit of water after it sat for two hours with cans and ice, the drinks were still cold. We wouldn’t pack electronics or anything that could get damaged by water in this. Still, we were impressed with the comfortable and functional design of the bag, which has a few external pockets for accessories. It was super comfortable to carry and felt like a normal backpack but with added padding that makes it much more comfortable, even when packed full.

Price at time of publish: $65

The Details: 12.5 x 8 x 17.75 inches | 4.25 liters capacity | 2.1 pounds

For packing a variety of food and drinks, we recommend the sleek, dual-compartment Pelican Dayventure Backpack Cooler. The roll-top backpack has a larger top section that could fit 16 cans, and the separate bottom compartment fit about six cans plus ice. We discovered that after two hours, most of the ice had melted, but the drinks in the lower part were still frigid, whereas the cans in the top part were cold but not as chilled as the drinks above. Despite most of the ice melting over the course of a few hours, the waterproof sealed zippers and TPU-coated nylon material kept all of the water inside of the cooler without any leakage. After five months of regularly using this pack, we found it to be extremely durable, but a bit bulky when storing. Still, the back of this pack is extremely well-padded, as are the straps, making this a super comfortable choice for weekends away.

Price at time of publish: $290

The Details: 12.1 x 7.1 x 21.7 inches | 13-liter top, 4-liter bottom capacity | 3.1 pounds

While schlepping food and drinks to the beach or lake can sometimes be a hassle, the Arctic Zone High Performance Welded Backpack Cooler will make the trek a lot more comfortable. The back panel is lined with a thick foam, and the adjustable backpack straps are also padded and have a slight curve for a natural and customizable fit. Despite the impressive 24-can capacity, we found the bag to be noticeably comfortable with ample padding at the hip and arms. We’re big fans of the dual-compartment design that makes it easy to pack food and cans separately for a waterside picnic. Throughout five months of testing, we did notice that the bottom zipper can sometimes stick and the top zippers allow water to drip out, but the zipper is not advertised as leak-proof, so we still think the backpack does a solid job of containing most melted ice. In our lab, we found that the insulation kept the cans very cold after two hours, and only one popped during our drop test for durability.

Price at time of publish: $165

The Details: 15.5 x 8.25 x 21.5 inches | 16 cans on top, 8 cans on bottom capacity | 3.2 pounds

Beach goers and river rafters will appreciate the floatable and waterproof RTIC Backpack Soft Cooler. The exterior nylon material resembles the feel of an inflatable raft and the zipper teeth felt sturdy and watertight. After five months of regularly using this cooler boating, on day trips, and to the park, it has been through a lot, but only shows minor scuffs. After throwing the packed cooler off of a table during lab tests, all of the 20 cans packed inside remained in perfect, chilled condition, and there wasn’t any spillage from the melted ice. The exterior also had no damage or scuff marks from a little rough handling, and although the backpack felt a little heavy to carry, the plush padding in the backing and the adjustable straps provided plenty of comfort and even weight distribution. We wish that there were a few pockets for extra storage, but we don’t think that is a deal-breaker since kayakers or boaters will appreciate the waterproofness and float-ability of the backpack in the event that it lands in the water.

Price at time of publish: $170

The Details: 12 x 6 x 16 inches | 20 cans capacity | 3.7 pounds

When you want to enjoy a casual picnic in the park without feeling weighed-down with a pack for the rest of the day, this multifunctional backpack cooler won’t ruin your vibe. With a variety of neutral colors to choose from, this cooler looks like any other day bag, but has the functionality of a high-quality cooler. There are two mesh water bottle pockets on each side of the backpack, a zip pocket on the lid that can easily fit extra snacks, a slim front pocket for plates and silverware, plus the great interior cooler space that can fit up to 20 cans and plenty of food. While the pack is easy to carry, you may not want to wear it packed full when walking long distances as there are no hip or sternum straps. We also found the bag to leak when it’s on its side, so highly recommend using ice packs instead of loose ice when taking this bag out for a day. Still, at the end of our tests, the cans were about as cold as they’d be coming out of a refrigerator and we loved the extra pockets for keeping all of your favorite foods organized.

Price at time of publish: $37

The Details: 13 x 7.5 x 15.8 inches | 20 cans capacity | 1.1 pounds

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I clean a backpack cooler?

  You should always consult the instructions that come with your backpack cooler, but in the event that guidelines aren’t included, you can consult the manufacturer’s website or rinse the backpack using soapy water.

• Can all backpacks be coolers?

  Backpack coolers are made with insulation that’s designed to keep the contents of the bag cold over a period of time. While you can certainly use a backpack for snacks and drinks, it won’t keep the items temperature-regulated like a backpack cooler can.