We’ve heard all the standard packing advice before. Only bring the essentials. Pack light. Yada yada. Here’s the thing, though, packing light means having to sip lukewarm coffee while watching a sunrise on a mountain top (because vacuum containers are heavy) or eating a cold lunch (because an insulated bag is extra bulk). If you’re at a point where you’re getting more fit and have a higher tolerance for carrying gear across distances, a backpack cooler is the next thing you should invest in.
Backpack coolers are like your regular 25-35L hiking pack except they have insulated interiors for keeping food and drinks at ideal temperatures. Think of them as the adventurer’s lunch box but bigger and with enough food for your entire group. This makes them great for everything from day hikes to picnics.
TOP CHOICES
Best Budget Option
Maelstrom Cooler Backpack
- 27 liter capacity quivalent to 35 cans.
- Keeps food hot and/or cool for up to 16 hours.
- Thick, padded shouklder straps and a chest strap.
- Bottle holders on sides and easy-access back zipper pocket.
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Best Overall
ICEMULE Pro Collapsible Backpack Cooler
- Made from ICEMULE’s MuleSkin fabric that’s thin yet temperature-retentive.
- Provides up to 24 hours of cooling.
- Completely collapsible for packing in a main bag.
- Designed to float.
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Best Premium Option
YETI Hopper M20 Soft Sided Backpack Cooler
- Up to 20 liters capacity, capable of carrying up to 18 cans.
- Leak resistant magnetic stays.
- Multi-cell cold shell design.
- Tear and puncture resistant high-density fabric.
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1ICEMULE Pro Collapsible Backpack Cooler
Best Overall
The ICEMULE Pro Collapsible Backpack Cooler is a portable backpack cooler with an emphasis on portable. You know those small hiking packs you bring with your main pack so you can hike with only your trail food and water? It’s that except it’s got a capacity of 23 to 33 liters, depending on what size you get.
The pack doesn’t have any side pockets for drinks, sadly. But you are getting a rugged backpack cooler made of MuleSkin fabric that’s hard to pierce and even harder to tear during your trips. This bag offers one of the longest temperature sustaining features of the backpack coolers on the market as it offers up to 24 hours of cooling.
PROS
- Made from ICEMULE's MuleSkin fabric that's thin yet temperature-retentive.
- Provides up to 24 hours of cooling.
- Completely collapsible for packing in a main bag.
- Designed to float.
CONS
- No side pockets for tumblers and drink bottles.
2ROCKBROS Backpack Cooler
The ROCKBROS Backpack Cooler is the backpack cooler for the group that loves to drink on the go — whether you like your drinks alcoholic or not. This pack has a spacious capacity of up to 36 cans or 20 Liters if we’re talking volume. It’s capable of supporting up to 4.2 pounds thanks to its thick straps made of high density fabric.
This backpack cooler doesn’t have any dividers on the inside so don’t count on being able to organize your food items without any extra packaging. That said, it does let you pack in more items since there are no built-in dividers to get in your way.
PROS
- Up to 20 liter capacity or 36 cans.
- Can keep drinks cool for a little under 48 hours if kept indoors.
- Soft side design allows for interior stretching and exterior compression.
- After-sale insurance guarantee.
CONS
- No organization features.
3Maelstrom Cooler Backpack
Best Budget Option
The Maelstrom Cooler Backpack is the cheapest option on this list. While you can’t count on it to be as durable as the other backpack coolers here, it’s not going to fall apart on short notice. It’s more than good enough for travelers who rarely go out and just need something that can survive a low-intensity activity like a simple picnic.
As for cooling though, the Maelstrom Cooler Backpack is capable of keeping food and drinks cool for up to 16 hours depending on the climate. It’s got a 5 layer cooling system and breathable, padded straps and backs.
PROS
- 27 liter capacity quivalent to 35 cans.
- Keeps food hot and/or cool for up to 16 hours.
- Thick, padded shoulder straps and a chest strap.
- Bottle holders on sides and easy-access back zipper pocket.
CONS
- Less durable than other options at higher price points.
4Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler
Don’t let the look of the Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler fool you, this soft looking pack actually has a self-supporting system that lets it sit up without any external support or holders. Made of nylon blend fabric and a 600D polyester shell, this lightweight and waterproof pack keeps your food safe and dry from the elements.
The bag features a standard sternum strap and side pockets for your water bottles, but the side pockets can be a bit narrow if you have a larger water bottle. Still, coming from Hydro Flask, you just know it’s worth the money.
PROS
- Comes in 18L, 20L, and 26L sizes.
- Made of smooth, tear resistant nylon blend fabric.
- Keeps food and drinks cool for up to 36 hours.
- Self-supporting design.
CONS
- Narrow side pockets.
- Side straps aren't very comfortable when the bag is fully packed.
5YETI Hopper M20 Soft Sided Backpack Cooler
Best Premium Option
The YETI Hopper M20 Soft Sided Backpack Cooler comes from the same YETI that makes the legendary YETI rambler drink containers so you can rest assured you’re getting your money’s worth for this premium backpack cooler.
The bag has YETI’s signature logo embedded on the padded back which is surprisingly comfortable even though it doesn’t look like your typical padded pack. Along with the two padded straps, there’s a sternum strap that helps keep the bag balanced throughout your body. On the sides, near the top opening, are two handles for lugging the bag when it’s fully packed to its 20 liter capacity.
PROS
- Up to 20 liters capacity, capable of carrying up to 18 cans.
- Leak resistant magnetic stays.
- Multi-cell cold shell design.
- Tear and puncture resistant high-density fabric.
CONS
- No side pockets for drink bottles.
- Priciest option on the list.
6Earthpak Insulated Backpack Cooler
If you’ve bought a backpack for your outdoor adventures in the past couple years or so, there’s a chance you’ve already heard of Earthpak. The brand is known for its waterproof, floating bags that are great for at-sea adventures. This Earthpak Insulated Backpack Cooler features the same leak-free design as their previous bags, both inside and outside so your food and drinks don’t spill nor get wet.
The Earthpak Insulated Backpack Cooler may not have any side pockets but what it does have is a spacious interior capable of holding 24 to 35 cans of drinks depending on the size you choose. It opens from the top, providing quick and easy access even while you’re on the trail.
PROS
- Comes in 24 can and 35 can capacities.
- Thick polyurethane lining keeps items cool for up to 72 hours.
- Leak free, seamless design.
- Spacious interiors with no permanent dividers.
CONS
- No pockets for drinks and umbrellas.
