Premium ice chests/coolers? Reviews and Opinions?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
Messages
4,725
What I'm looking:

I own a smaller Pelican cooler but, I'm finding I need something larger. Just like a gun safe, when I first bought it every fit just fine. Over time my needs have grown. I'm still trying to balance overall size with available space for other stuff while still retaining ease of access (i.e. I can open the lid so, nothing on top of it, not too far away so I can reach in without over extending, etc.).

I can get the Igloo Sportsman locally for ~$250 out the door. The Yukon seems to be a little more expensive but, I have not seen one in person to understand why. I have looked at Yeti but, they just don't appeal to me for a reason that is hard to justify other then an initial first impression compared to my Pelican cooler (which was a lot cheaper and to me seemed better built).

First of all, how do the Igloo Yukon and Sportsman ice chests compare against each other? What makes the Yukon more expensive? Secondly, how do these Igloos compare to the Pelican coolers?

I would appreciate any user reviews or impressions about the these coolers and comparisons that can be made by boaters, off-shore fishermen, hunters, etc. that have owned, used, or been around one in harsh service (not in the back of a minivan but, also not on an oil rig somewhere). In my case, I need something that will stand up to vibration, rubs from toolboxes, crates, etc.

I am tempted to stay with 'roto-molded" cases due to long term experience with Hardigg Stormcase products I have owned for ~6 years now. However, I'm not stuck on this type of product if something better has come along. No aluminum exterior or interior skins though, I hate the aluminum oxidation/rubbing that occurs with raw aluminum in travel cases or hard "bags" like you see on motorcycles.

TIA,
Sid
 
ilten said:
Look here:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/outd...all-end-all-most-badass-cooler-ice-chest.html

ilten
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Thanks! There is a lot of reading there and after owning my Pelican a while, it helped a lot more reading it this time!

Other brands to consider:

I'm liking the Grizzly and Engel coolers. With a big purchase like this one, I'm still weighing my options but thanks to that site I have a lot more to consider to make a better informed decision.
 
I don't know if the boat guys would put any of those in the "super premium" category other than the Engel.. Go price Engel, Yeti and Frigid Rigid if you really want some sticker shock!!!!
 
jdm61 said:
I don't know if the boat guys would put any of those in the "super premium" category other than the Engel.. Go price Engel, Yeti and Frigid Rigid if you really want some sticker shock!!!!
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I'm probably going to pick up a Yeti Roadie though I really want a 29qt model for work and, I'm looking seriously at the Engel Deep Blue. Sticker shock is relative. I've broken, crushed, lost too many cheap ice chests - not to mention loosing food to spoilage or having a hot soda/beer after working/sweating for several hours in the Arizona/Oklahoma/Texas sun. After pricing an ARB fridge, the Engel/Yeti cooler option isn't so bad. ;)
 
While I don't own one, I've read and heard good things from hunters, campers, and long distance drivers about the Yeti.
 
While I would never drop so much money on a cooler, everyone I know (like 5 people) that has a Yeti act like it's the greatest product ever known to man. :P They're all guys who use to work in the oil fields in west Texas. So having your stuff stay cool was a big comfort to have.
 
Had a yeti, sold it after a few months, it never held ice any longer than my igloo, and when out fishing 200+ miles from land for 3-5 days at a time, that just isn't cutting it, overpriced and overhyped in my opinion, I tried an engel for a few trips and it was definitely a great cooler, wouldn't hesitate to reccomend one to anyone who is serious about needing a good cooler.
 
seth said:
Had a yeti, sold it after a few months, it never held ice any longer than my igloo, and when out fishing 200+ miles from land for 3-5 days at a time, that just isn't cutting it, overpriced and overhyped in my opinion, I tried an engel for a few trips and it was definitely a great cooler, wouldn't hesitate to reccomend one to anyone who is serious about needing a good cooler.
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Thanks for the personal feedback. I've sort of narrowed it down to the Pelican Elite Cooler and Engel Deep Blue. The Igloo Sportsman 55Qt at Sam's Club is very nice for the $$$ but, it is a little small and duplicates my current Pelican Elite Cooler.
 
Sid Post said:
Thanks! There is a lot of reading there and after owning my Pelican a while, it helped a lot more reading it this time!

Other brands to consider:

I'm liking the Grizzly and Engel coolers. With a big purchase like this one, I'm still weighing my options but thanks to that site I have a lot more to consider to make a better informed decision.
Click to expand...

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about Grizzly. Thanks.
 
I have been looking at a quality cooler as well. Seriously have been looking at Yeti. Dad has one and loves it. Saw the igloo 55 today and it seems very nice for about 1/2 the price at sams, $200. After seeing many reviews though about warpage and insulation being about half, wondering if you really get what you pay for and the Yeti would be the better deal in the end. Only buying ONE and expect it to last for years.
 
Since I normally am driving a pickup, my main problem with these high end coolers is the theft issue. I would really hate to spend the kind of money involved only to walk back to my truck and find my cooler gone when I'm out fishing or tromping around the woods. Maybe there might be a practical way to lock them down. I have been looking at some of the high end coolers at Sportsman Warehouse. They have a good selection.
 
I work at a shop and we're a Yeti dealer (not my duties though), they make a solid cooler but I'm not a fan of the rubber ball locks or the rope handles. We sell a lot of them and have only had a couple issues that were from a faulty cooler, never heard of a dissatisfied purchaser.

I'm picking up a Pelican in a couple weeks for those reasons. Real latches and handles. Although I'm not sure if the Pelican is warranted for installing a bottle opener like the Yeti is.


And agreed with the above post. Theives suck...one reason I've been holding off on getting one.
 
nyefmaker said:
I have been looking at a quality cooler as well. Seriously have been looking at Yeti. Dad has one and loves it. Saw the igloo 55 today and it seems very nice for about 1/2 the price at sams, $200. After seeing many reviews though about warpage and insulation being about half, wondering if you really get what you pay for and the Yeti would be the better deal in the end. Only buying ONE and expect it to last for years.
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I bought the Pelican 45qt about 3 years ago. I have compared it to the Yeti and Igloo. All 3 are very good coolers. For the money, the IGLOO is a lot of cooler but, you need to have realistic expectations with it. It will outperform everything you see at the "major" big box retailers but, it's not something to air drop out of a C-130 or leave in the harsh sun for weeks on end. The Yeti is a definitely a solid choice but, it is more expensive than the competition where I shopped and I didn't like the "texture" of the cooler. The real difference for me was the latches, I just don't like the rubber "bungee" latches and love the Hardigg Stormcase style latches on the Pelican.

My 45qt Pelican will keep a cold case of beer in the shade for ~1 week, at which point the last of the ice has melted but the water will still be plenty cold for a few more days. Frozen meat will easily stay frozen (hard frozen, not soft mushy) for 3 days in a 110F heat during the summer.

Can you tell I really like my Pelican ice chest. :D
 
22-rimfire said:
Since I normally am driving a pickup, my main problem with these high end coolers is the theft issue. I would really hate to spend the kind of money involved only to walk back to my truck and find my cooler gone when I'm out fishing or tromping around the woods. Maybe there might be a practical way to lock them down. I have been looking at some of the high end coolers at Sportsman Warehouse. They have a good selection.
Click to expand...

I use a chain locked to the pickup bed. I don't normally pad lock the lid but, I also don't worry about theft of the contents where I normally travel. If someone would cut the handle off to free it, how will they "carry it"?

In terms of value, fishing rods and reels, cordless power tools, etc are lot more marketable to a thief, smaller, and easier to "flip" on craigslist, ebay, flea market, etc.
 
M67 said:
I work at a shop and we're a Yeti dealer (not my duties though), they make a solid cooler but I'm not a fan of the rubber ball locks or the rope handles. We sell a lot of them and have only had a couple issues that were from a faulty cooler, never heard of a dissatisfied purchaser.

I'm picking up a Pelican in a couple weeks for those reasons. Real latches and handles. Although I'm not sure if the Pelican is warranted for installing a bottle opener like the Yeti is.
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I recently shopped a Yeti "Roadie" against the similar Pelican. The little Pelican "lunch box" cooler was not only cheaper but, I felt it had better construction for my uses. Again, the latches are better and this specific model has a better "center carry handle" than the Yeti Roadie.

The only downside if you will, is the relatively large size and its relatively small capacity which is the price you pay for something with this much insulation. It's not any worse than the Yeti Roadie but, something to consider if you are putting your "office" lunch it everyday and commute in an "econo-box" or ride the bus.
 
Bought a mid sized Yeti several years ago. Considerations included its acceptability as bear proof. Places that have bears are pretty strict on coolers. I guess they get tired of having to deal with the bears that learn how to break in to coolers. Other considerations are the tight seals, their compatibility with dry ice, and how long they keep ice. Parts are widely available. Down side is that they are heavy. Expensive. Theft, although deterrents are available.

My experience (in Texas) is they keep ice for a long long time.
 
Sid Post said:
I use a chain locked to the pickup bed. I don't normally pad lock the lid but, I also don't worry about theft of the contents where I normally travel. If someone would cut the handle off to free it, how will they "carry it"?

In terms of value, fishing rods and reels, cordless power tools, etc are lot more marketable to a thief, smaller, and easier to "flip" on craigslist, ebay, flea market, etc.
Click to expand...

With coolers, people would take them to use, not for resale. It is different with cordless power tools which I keep inside my vehicle always.

I am considering one of the smaller ones that I can easily place inside the cab of my truck. That is not an absolute protection obviously. People with pickups often have stuff like bolt cutters. I carry a small one myself, but not for stealing stuff. It is a last resort on some jobs and getting approved access. Waiting 4 or 5 hours for someone to open a door is not something I am patient with when it was supposed to be open to begin with. I actually do not lock my tool box on the back of my pickup. It is too easy to break into those and I don't want the damage. I just don't keep anything particularly valuable inside.
 
As a repo agent I can tell you that it is no big deal to open the door of any vehicle in less than a minute. So any theft deterrent is only effective in warding off opportunists, not an experienced thief. I am researching soft coolers right now. So far I have not found one that really meets my needs on the points raised above. Price, insulation, portability and volume. I may just have to make one myself to get the exact features I want.

The Yeti I saw at Sportsman's Warehouse is close but fails big time on price. Yeti Hopper 30 Cooler $299.99
 
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