The 10 Best Backpack Coolers We Tested on Picnics, Hikes, and Beach Days

Best Overall

Sparter Backpack Cooler

$37 at Amazon $25 at Walmart

This Amazon find received the highest score whilst being the most budget-friendly option on our list — a clear winner, no questions asked. We tested it on a sweltering summer day — we’re talking 95 degrees Fahrenheit at the beach — and were blown away by its performance. Our cans and bottles stayed cool and the ice barely melted, even after six hours in the sun. The cooler's sturdy nylon material has a leakproof and durable PEVA liner, so the melted ice never soaked through either. 

And sand is of no concern: Since the nylon material has a PU coating, too, it’s super easy to brush off sand, so you don’t bring half the beach home with you. The backpack is also very easy to lift — even when full of cans — and comfortable to carry, thanks to the padded straps. It also has a top handle, so you can carry it like a regular cooler if you need to. It also has enough pockets to stash other items, including wallets, keys, and sunglasses. Plus, it comes with a handy bottle opener keychain. 

Colors: 5 | Material: Nylon, PU coating, PEVA liner | Dimensions: 7.5 x 10.5 x 17.5 inches | Capacity: 5.55 gallons

Best Overall, Runner-Up

YETI Backpack Soft Cooler

View on Yeti.com $275 at REI $35 at Crate & Barrel

The Yeti M12 Backpack Soft Cooler is one of the most splurge-worthy options on our list. Despite its ultra-high price tag, it received high marks from our testing team (and convinced us that it’s 100 percent worth the investment). This durable backpack cooler boasts a stylish and sleek design, holds up to 12 pounds of ice, and even fits full size wine bottles. 

We tested this backpack cooler during a spicy New York City summer day at the beach and the pool. When packing it up, we took note of its durable construction but were concerned by the thinner material and thought it might not prevent melted ice leakage. But after using the cooler for five hours, the ice never seeped through — in fact, it barely melted and ended up staying intact for 24 hours. 

It’s also incredibly lightweight, so you don’t feel weighed down by unnecessary pounds (a must for backpack coolers). The shoulder straps also have some padding, making it comfortable enough to carry for long periods of time, even while trekking through the city. 

Colors: 7 | Material: Dryhide shell | Dimensions: 17x 8 x 16 inches | Capacity: 20 cans

Best Value

Tourit Lightweight Cooler Backpack

$46 $37 at Amazon $37 at Walmart

We think this budget-friendly option from Amazon is also worth considering. The overall quality of construction is impressive, especially given the low price. The design offers comfortable and durable shoulder straps — though you have to use ice packs for the inner chamber rather than actual ice. 

We tested it in several ways, including on a grocery store run in the city and a steamy 88-degree excursion to the pool. We found that our groceries remained cool from the store to our fridge, even without an ice pack. And, while at the pool, our beverages also stayed chilled, though the ones closer to the ice packs were the coldest. This bag is a great choice for those who live in a city and walk or take public transportation to the grocery store. 

Colors: 5 | Material: 600D Oxford, EPE foam, PEVA | Dimensions: 7.5 x 13 x 17 inches | Capacity: 7.4 gallons

Best Durable

Carhartt Insulated Cooler Backpack

$90 at Amazon $90 at Zappos View on Carhartt.com

The Carhartt Insulated Cooler Backpack was not only the most durable backpack we tested but the best for commuters. Our tester works in construction and brought this bag to a job site. Its sturdy material, durable handles, and varied compartments make it a great choice for keeping your lunch and beverages chilled, as well as storing work essentials like a notebook, pen, water bottle, tablet, and more. 

While the bag’s insulation isn’t powerful enough to keep ice frozen overnight, it works well to keep items cool from your morning commute to lunchtime. And because it's effective for beverages and food — including fresh produce — it’s a fantastic option for picnics. The backpack also has durable handles, so you can carry it by the top instead of wearing it. 

Colors: 3 | Material: 600 denier fabric with rain defender | Dimensions: 21 x 16.5 x 10 inches | Capacity: 12 cans

Best for Hiking

Coleman Soft Backpack Cooler

$50 at Amazon $60 at Walmart View on Lowe's

We tested the Coleman Backpack Cooler in a few different ways, including during a round of golf in 85-degree weather and a summer beach day. It’s an excellent choice for those looking at backpack coolers for outdoor activities, including hiking, because it has a super lightweight construction, doesn’t leak, and keeps ice packs frozen to ensure continued insulation throughout the day. 

Plus, it has all the usual backpack features with the added benefit of insulation. It also has a bungee cord detail on the front, so you can stow a light layer without taking up space inside. It’s not the most durable option on our list, but the lightweight construction makes it one of the more appealing designs for short-term use. 

Colors: 2 | Material: Recycled polyester | Dimensions: 18.75 x 12.5 x 2.75 inches | Capacity: 28 cans

Best Design

Corkcicle Lotus Backpack Cooler

$170 $131 at Amazon View on Corkcicle.com

If we had to choose a bag for its looks alone, we’d go with the Corkcicle Lotus Backpack Cooler every time. But, as it turns out, this bag isn’t just cute, it’s also super functional and has one of the best insulation times on our list. The bag was tested in 90-degree beach weather and not only kept items cool but also kept ice frozen, even in direct sunlight. Once home, we left the ice in the backpack, and it took 31 hours for it to fully melt. 

The design also has lots of functional details, like side pockets for water bottles and a front pouch for essentials. It’s also incredibly comfy to wear — even while commuting — and can hold a lot for its size. While it is a little top heavy when empty, the bag is very durable and feels sturdy on the shoulder when filled with food and drinks. Our only real complaint? Since it’s made from a neoprene fabric, the material gets dirty easily. 

Colors: 4 | Material: Neoprene | Dimensions: Not listed | Capacity: 24

Best Insulation

Hydroflask Carry Out Soft Cooler Pack

$120 at Amazon View on Hydroflask.com $120 at Dick's

The Hydroflask Carry Out Soft Cooler Pack impressed us with its insulation capabilities. This backpack cooler has a firm shape that maintains its structure whether full and empty, and it has comfortable straps for convenient portability. We took it to the park in 80-degree weather and let it sit in the trunk of our car to see just how well it performed.

The bag has a high-quality construction and design that is easy and comfortable to wear (though the shape makes it a bit bulky). After 20 hours, there were still chunks of ice inside, and the melted ice water remained chilled. When empty, the bag feels like it weighs nothing, but, since it is so large, it can get heavy when fully packed, especially with ice packs and glass bottles.

Colors: 4 | Material: Recycled polyester, water-resistant 600D fabric | Dimensions: 11.5 x 18.20 x 2.60 inches | Capacity: 20 liters

Most Spacious

IceMule 33L Backpack Cooler

$135 $121 at Amazon $150 at Dick's $145 at REI

This backpack cooler can hold a whopping 33 liters and is one of the more durable options on our list. This large backpack cooler has a nice coating on it (similar to the Yeti designs) so it doesn’t leak or feel moist once ice melts. Since its large size can get heavy, the bag has a chest strap to relieve some weight from your shoulders, plus padded shoulder straps for comfort. 

The backpack was tested in 90-degree weather and used for soccer games, picnics, playground playdates, and even a short hiking trip. The ice started to melt after around three hours of use, but it remained mostly intact for all of our tests and kept its contents chilled. It also has a unique valve feature that allows you to blow air into it for further insulation. The massive capacity is actually quite hard to fill to the brim. With ice, it can hold 32 cans and, without, it can hold 56, so it’s great for a large party or when you’re on snack duty for your kids’ sporting events. 

Colors: 5 | Material: Not listed | Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 24 inches | Capacity: 33 liters

Best Compact

Stanley All Day Madeline Midi Cooler Backpack

$170 at Amazon $170 at Target View on Stanley1913.com

Our new Stanley obsession isn’t a tumbler — it’s The All Day Madeline Midi Cooler Backpack. This small backpack cooler is seriously cute and fun, plus it’s functional enough for activities like pool days and park hangs. We love that it resembles a classic backpack but opens up to reveal high-quality insulation that keeps beverages and food cool for hours.

While testing this bag out, we packed it with snacks and drinks for a hot summer day at the pool. It kept our items chilled for the duration of our excursion, plus the ice stayed intact for around 18 to 20 hours, so it has a good insulation time. Much like Stanley water bottles, this backpack cooler comes with a hefty price tag, especially when you consider its compact size, but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of ease of use, overall durability, and function. 

Colors: 9 | Material: Recycled polyester | Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.87 x 16.14 inches | Capacity: 20 cans

Best Lightweight

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack Cooler

$45 $40 at Amazon View on Arcticzone.com $30 at Kohls.com

Another budget-friendly option, the Titan by Arctic Zone Backpack Cooler is a great choice if you want something lightweight, that’s easy to pack, and has lots of pockets. In our testing, this bag worked best for short picnics and hiking trips, as it kept refrigerated items chilled for several hours. That said, frozen items didn’t always stay that way.

The bag has a comfortable, lightweight construction with durable padded shoulder straps and handles that make carrying it a total breeze. It can also carry a lot (and a good variety of items), so it’s a fantastic pick for a group of four on a short day trip.  

Colors: 8 | Material: Deep Freeze™ Performance Insulation, fabric | Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.5 x 16.5 inches | Capacity: 24 cans