Soft Coolers / The rankings
The best backpack coolers, sorted by whether they leak and how long they hold ice
A backpack cooler is a soft cooler you wear, so a leak is a wet back. Five ranked on OutdoorGearLab's measured days, the closure, and the term, including the one RTIC says not to put loose ice in.
By Mike M.Updated Sourced · units tested by us: 0
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Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler The longest-holding backpack cooler in OutdoorGearLab's Sept 2026 table (3.6 days) and Outdoor Life's Best Backpack (55 h). A magnetic closure instead of a zipper, and a 3-year term. | Best overall, longest measured3-yr warranty | 6.5 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 | Engel Roll Top BP25 Backpack Cooler A roll-top backpack cooler with 2.5 measured days and 52 cans for $190. Roll-top means no zipper at all. One-year term. | Best roll-top, no zipper1-yr warranty | 5.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 | RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can RTIC's answer to the M20: welded seams, waterproof zipper, press lid, 24 cans, 5 lb. Unmeasured, 1-year term, well under YETI's price. | Best value waterproof1-yr warranty | 5.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 | YETI Daytrip Backpack Cooler 20 L YETI's lightweight day backpack: 20 L, 3.2 lb, a foldable body. The Daytrip line is not in the warranty table we could read, so the term is unverified; the 9 L Daytrip lunch box measured 1.2 days at OutdoorGearLab. | Lightest, unverified termWarranty: unverified | 4.3 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 | RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 15 Can A fabric-zipper backpack cooler RTIC rates for 'up to 24 hours' and says is not for loose ice. Fine for lunch and a hike, not a cooler in the sense this site means. 90-day term. | Day-hike lunch only90-day warranty | 3.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, built from published specs, quoted warranty terms and cited third-party ice-retention tests, not our own measurements. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
What leaks and what doesn't
Three closures do not leak by design: a welded body with a waterproof zipper (RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack, with its EZ Waterproof Zipper and welded seams), a roll-top (Engel BP25), and a magnetic wide-mouth closure over a welded body (Hopper M20, which Yeti describes as leak-resistant rather than leakproof because the magnet is not a seal). One closure leaks by design: a fabric zipper. RTIC's Lightweight Backpack Cooler page says it plainly: “This item is constructed with a fabric zipper, not a waterproof zipper. Not designed to be used with loose ice.” That is the honest line every $40 backpack cooler should print, and this page ranks the Lightweight last on it while crediting RTIC for saying so.
Side by side
| Evidence | YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler | Engel Roll Top BP25 Backpack Cooler | RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 36 cans without ice (YETI spec via L.L.Bean); 20.1 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) | 52 cans / 25.3 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) | 24 cans · 14 lb of ice (maker) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 3.6 days below 40°F, 4.0 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab, Top Pick)55 hours at one-third ice (Outdoor Life, Best Backpack) | 2.5 days below 40°F, 2.7 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab) | Unverified: no third-party test found as of 2026-09-21 |
| Construction | — | — | Leakproof design; RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper; Cold Lock Press Lid |
| Exterior | 15.3 W × 9.9 D × 19.1 H in | 14 × 8.8 × 20.4 in (measured) | 13.78 × 12.6 × 16.14 in |
| Weight | 5.6 lb (maker); 5.2 lb measured (OutdoorGearLab) | 4.3 lb (measured) | 5 lb empty (maker) |
| Warranty | 3-year limited (YETI Hopper) | 1-year limited (Engel BP25 High-Performance Backpack Cooler) | 1-year (RTIC backpack coolers) |
| Score | 6.5/10 | 5.4/10 | 5.2/10 |
| Evidence | YETI Daytrip Backpack Cooler 20 L | RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 15 Can |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 20 L (1,220 cu in) | 15 cans |
| Ice retention (reported) | Unverified for the 20 L backpack; the Daytrip 9 L lunch box measured 1.2 days below 40°F (OutdoorGearLab) | — |
| Ice retention (maker claim) | — | 'keep cold for up to 24 hours'; 'Not designed to be used with loose ice' |
| Construction | — | Heavy-duty polyester; fabric zipper, not a waterproof zipper; two mesh side pockets |
| Weight | 3.2 lb | — |
| Warranty | Unverified: 'Daytrip' is not listed in the YETI warranty document we could read (2019 capture); newer product | 90 days (RTIC Day Coolers, including Lightweight Backpack) |
| Score | 4.3/10 | 3.4/10 |
The weight on your back
On ice, the M20's 3.6 days is the longest of any soft cooler in OutdoorGearLab's table, duffels included, and Outdoor Life's 55 hours at one-third ice made it that test's Best Backpack. The BP25's 2.5 days is second among backpacks. That the two zipperless designs hold ice longest is not a coincidence: a magnet and a roll-top both close more consistently than a zipper that got sand in it. Soft cooler ice retention: what to expect has the full soft-cooler table.
On warranty, Yeti's 3 years on the Hopper line is the longest term any maker here gives a backpack cooler; RTIC and Engel give 1; RTIC gives its Lightweight 90 days as a “day cooler.” No maker sells straps, buckles or liners as parts. The warranty comparison quotes each.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Stock photoBest overall, longest measured
YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler
The longest-holding backpack cooler in OutdoorGearLab's Sept 2026 table (3.6 days) and Outdoor Life's Best Backpack (55 h). A magnetic closure instead of a zipper, and a 3-year term.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Backpack cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 3-year limited (YETI Hopper) |
| Wear parts | YETI lists replacement parts by category; Hopper-specific parts (straps, closures) were not confirmed on a fetchable page. |
| Capacity | 36 cans without ice (YETI spec via L.L.Bean); 20.1 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 3.6 days below 40°F, 4.0 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab, Top Pick) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 55 hours at one-third ice (Outdoor Life, Best Backpack) |
| Exterior | 15.3 W × 9.9 D × 19.1 H in |
| Interior | 11.6 W × 8.9 D × 14 H in |
| Weight | 5.6 lb (maker); 5.2 lb measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
How the 6.5 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 9
- Warranty term (20%)
- 5
- Repairability (15%)
- 5
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 3
- Build & carry (10%)
- 8
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Longest measured ice retention of any soft cooler in OutdoorGearLab's 2026 table
- Magnetic wide-mouth closure: no zipper to strip or leak
- 3-year term where most soft coolers get 1
Where it falls short
- $325
- 5.6 lb empty before 36 cans and ice go on your back
- Hopper parts are not clearly listed for separate sale
Skip this if…
…you never carry it more than a parking lot; the Engel HD30 holds nearly as long for $125 less and has a shoulder strap.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler
Rank 2
Stock photoBest roll-top, no zipper
Engel Roll Top BP25 Backpack Cooler
A roll-top backpack cooler with 2.5 measured days and 52 cans for $190. Roll-top means no zipper at all. One-year term.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Backpack cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 1-year limited (Engel BP25 High-Performance Backpack Cooler) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale. |
| Capacity | 52 cans / 25.3 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 2.5 days below 40°F, 2.7 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Exterior | 14 × 8.8 × 20.4 in (measured) |
| Weight | 4.3 lb (measured) |
How the 5.4 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 7
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 4
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 5
- Build & carry (10%)
- 7
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- Roll-top closure: the failure point on most soft coolers does not exist
- 2.5 measured days, second among backpacks in the table
- 52 cans at 4.3 lb
Where it falls short
- 1-year term
- Roll-tops are slower to open than a zipper or magnet
- No listed parts
Skip this if…
…you open the cooler thirty times a day; a roll-top is for packing once and carrying far.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Engel Roll Top BP25 Backpack Cooler
Rank 3
Stock photoBest value waterproof
RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can
RTIC's answer to the M20: welded seams, waterproof zipper, press lid, 24 cans, 5 lb. Unmeasured, 1-year term, well under YETI's price.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Backpack cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 1-year (RTIC backpack coolers) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale. |
| Capacity | 24 cans · 14 lb of ice (maker) |
| Ice retention (reported) | Unverified: no third-party test found as of 2026-09-21 |
| Construction | Leakproof design; RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper; Cold Lock Press Lid |
| Exterior | 13.78 × 12.6 × 16.14 in |
| Interior | 9.65 × 7.48 × 12.99 in |
| Weight | 5 lb empty (maker) |
How the 5.2 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 6
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 3
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 7
- Build & carry (10%)
- 7
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- Waterproof zipper and welded seams at a fraction of the M20's price
- 48-can version for the same design
- Press lid for one-hand access
Where it falls short
- No measured ice figure
- 1-year term versus the Hopper's 3
- 5 lb empty before ice
Skip this if…
…you want the measured longest-holding backpack; that is the M20 by the numbers we have.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can
Rank 4
Stock photoLightest, unverified term
YETI Daytrip Backpack Cooler 20 L
YETI's lightweight day backpack: 20 L, 3.2 lb, a foldable body. The Daytrip line is not in the warranty table we could read, so the term is unverified; the 9 L Daytrip lunch box measured 1.2 days at OutdoorGearLab.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Backpack cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | Unverified: 'Daytrip' is not listed in the YETI warranty document we could read (2019 capture); newer product |
| Wear parts | Not confirmed. |
| Capacity | 20 L (1,220 cu in) |
| Ice retention (reported) | Unverified for the 20 L backpack; the Daytrip 9 L lunch box measured 1.2 days below 40°F (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Exterior | 18.58 × 11.81 × 8.66 in |
| Interior | 15.55 × 10.04 × 6.69 in |
| Weight | 3.2 lb |
How the 4.3 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 4
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 4
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 4
- Build & carry (10%)
- 8
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 5
What the spec sheet supports
- 3.2 lb for 20 L
- Packs flat
- YETI build
Where it falls short
- Warranty term unverified
- The related 9 L Daytrip held 1.2 days; expect a day
- Premium price
Skip this if…
…you want multi-day ice from a backpack; that is the M20.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to YETI Daytrip Backpack Cooler 20 L
Rank 5
Stock photoDay-hike lunch only
RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 15 Can
A fabric-zipper backpack cooler RTIC rates for 'up to 24 hours' and says is not for loose ice. Fine for lunch and a hike, not a cooler in the sense this site means. 90-day term.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Backpack cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 90 days (RTIC Day Coolers, including Lightweight Backpack) |
| Wear parts | None listed. |
| Capacity | 15 cans |
| Ice retention (maker claim) | 'keep cold for up to 24 hours'; 'Not designed to be used with loose ice' |
| Construction | Heavy-duty polyester; fabric zipper, not a waterproof zipper; two mesh side pockets |
| Exterior | 11 × 6.25 × 15.25 in |
How the 3.4 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 3
- Warranty term (20%)
- 1
- Repairability (15%)
- 2
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 8
- Build & carry (10%)
- 5
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 3
What the spec sheet supports
- Light, with bottle pockets
- Honest maker claim: 24 hours, no loose ice
- Inexpensive
Where it falls short
- 90-day term
- Fabric zipper
- No measured figure
Skip this if…
…you plan to put ice in it; RTIC tells you not to.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 15 Can
Buyer's guide: a cooler you wear
No fabric zippers with ice
RTIC says it; everyone else should. Use ice packs in a fabric-zipper pack, or buy a welded one.
Half the can count, plus ice
A 36-can backpack with 18 cans and a bag of ice is a comfortable carry. Full is not.
Magnet, roll-top or waterproof zipper
In that order for reliability; the zipper needs lubricant and a light hand. How to choose a soft cooler.
Read the term
Yeti 3, everyone else 1 or less. The strap that tears in year two is a warranty claim or a new cooler. Hopper vs RTIC is that trade in full.
Pack an ice pack under the ice
The best ice packs, and how to clean it when the liner smells.
How we scored this
Units we claim to have tested: 0
Plenty of sites say they filled every cooler on this list with ice and watched it for a week. We don't say that, and we say so on every page. What we do instead: read the maker's published capacity, insulation, dimensions and weight; quote the warranty term from the maker's own warranty page with the date we read it; check whether the latches, gaskets, plugs, lids and straws are sold as parts; and cite the third-party ice-retention tests (OutdoorGearLab, Outdoor Life, Treeline, Outside, Gear Patrol) as their measurements, never ours. Every figure links to where it came from.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not lab results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- First published.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is the best backpack cooler?
The YETI Hopper M20: 3.6 measured days (OutdoorGearLab), 55 hours at one-third ice (Outdoor Life), magnetic closure, 3-year term. For less, the Engel BP25 roll-top (2.5 days, 1 year) or the RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack (welded, waterproof zipper, 1 year).
Which backpack cooler doesn't leak?
Welded bodies with a waterproof zipper (RTIC Ultra-Tough), a roll-top (Engel BP25) or a magnetic closure (Hopper M20, which Yeti calls leak-resistant). Fabric-zipper packs leak and are not for loose ice.
How long does a backpack cooler keep ice?
1.5 to 3.6 measured days for the backpacks in OutdoorGearLab's September 2026 table; the M20 led at 3.6. Expect a day less with the pack opened on a trail.
Is the Yeti Hopper M20 worth it?
On measured ice it is the best soft cooler of any shape in the table, and its 3-year term is triple RTIC's. At $325 the cost is the cost.
Did you hike with these?
No. Units we claim to have tested: 0. Ice figures are OutdoorGearLab's and Outdoor Life's.
Keep reading
Related on Chill & Chest
Receipts
Sources
- OutdoorGearLab — "Best Soft Cooler", updated September 15, 2026, comparison table (read 2026-09-21)
- Outdoor Life — "We Tested the Best Coolers Head to Head", May 28, 2026, one-third-capacity ice test (read 2026-09-21)
- L.L.Bean (authorized YETI dealer) — YETI Hopper M20 Backpack product page (read 2026-09-21)
- L.L.Bean (authorized YETI dealer) — YETI Daytrip Backpack Cooler 20 L (read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler product page (read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Lightweight Backpack Cooler product page (read 2026-09-21)
- YETI — Warranty Information (YETI's warranty page as republished by Acme Tools, an authorized YETI dealer; read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Warranty page (read 2026-09-21)
- Engel — Warranty page (read 2026-09-21)
We don't claim to have tested these coolers or tumblers and we don't pretend to. Units we claim to have tested: 0. Specs come from the maker's own product pages (linked on every product), warranty terms from the maker's warranty page with the date we read it, and ice-retention measurements are attributed to whoever made them. Amazon prices change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.