We have two older first gen RTIC soft side coolers that are falling apart. We have been really happy and even in their delapitated condition still hold ice really well.

I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement. Preferably the 30+ size. I will not pay for a yeti, rtic soft sides are slightly on sale but still over priced in my opinion, but has anyone used their insulated tote?

Anyone have other brand recommendations?

AO coolers

Icemule

These seem pricier than RTiC and inconvenient to access.

AO Coolers and Polar Bear Coolers are high quality and have been around for a long time. That said, there are in infinite number of quality cooler brands these days. I'd try to look at some in person and see what has the best design for your preferences.

I have a midsize Ice Mule and really like it. Good for about a 12 pack of cans. It's the "dry-bag" style. It rolls up and is compact and I've packed it in a bag or used it as a personal carryon before when traveling. Nice for that.

Biggest negative is the tall tubular design makes it harder to dig to the bottom. Otherwise very convenient design.

Bison Outdoors makes one. He is an Aggie

I also have had a Yeti soft side for a long time. Still going strong

I paid for a Yeti. Zipper failed after 6 years and they sent me another one for free. Do what you want but at least Yeti stands behind their warranty.

All of these companies should have similar customer service. The margins are insane. That said I can't vouch for any of them for corner service personally.

I'm not sure where you live, but the Ace in Wimberley has some Yukon brand ones that look pretty good

Fishpond just released one that I am happy with

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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These seem pricier than RTiC and inconvenient to access.

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I have the $100 backpack one. Love the backpack design of it. I do wish it just had a magnetic close like the Yeti one, but the Yeti cost $400. Can't justify that, plus in extreme conditions the mag close will fail while the dry bag roll will not.

I have the old generation yeti backpack that doesn't have the mag close and love it. We've taken it to the beach, camping, boating, etc. and have had zero issues.

Love my polar bear backpack cooler

I have an Ice Mule, Yeti backpack and a couple of Polar Bears. I had several soft Rtic's. Yeti is hands down the best that I have and it's not even close. The Rtic's were trash and fell apart within a couple of years and are long gone. The Ice Mule got a tear from a sharp rock so I had to replace. I like the Ice Mule for carrying on beach trips that involve a flight. You can let the air out so it fits in a suitcase. I also use it for cocktail ice. The Polar Bears are pretty decent. The main issue is accessibility to the contents. The backpack version is really puffy on the inside so it's a pain retrieving something at the bottom. The latching system on the regular version is kind of a pain as well. Still pretty decent coolers though.

I don't disagree that Yeti's are probably overpriced but do appreciate that I don't have to have any concerns regarding the quality of their stuff and their solid customer service.

maverick12 said:

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I have an Ice Mule, Yeti backpack and a couple of Polar Bears. I had several soft Rtic's. Yeti is hands down the best that I have and it's not even close. The Rtic's were trash and fell apart within a couple of years and are long gone. The Ice Mule got a tear from a sharp rock so I had to replace. I like the Ice Mule for carrying on beach trips that involve a flight. You can let the air out so it fits in a suitcase. I also use it for cocktail ice. The Polar Bears are pretty decent. The main issue is accessibility to the contents. The backpack version is really puffy on the inside so it's a pain retrieving something at the bottom. The latching system on the regular version is kind of a pain as well. Still pretty decent coolers though.

I don't disagree that Yeti's are probably overpriced but do appreciate that I don't have to have any concerns regarding the quality of their stuff and their solid customer service.

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I do get that Yeti has a good customer service but I can buy 3 rtic coolers for the price of one. And living near their offices customer service has been good with Rtic, my soft side coolers lasted nearly 8 years. I don't expect a company to repair an 8yr old cooler, and they mainly broke down because they were stored in the upper parts of my uninsulated garage.

I have 2 RTIC but won't buy another. Neither is very good.

Which do you have?

I'm intrigued by the insulated tote for a day bag/cooler type use. Like for youth baseball games etc.

I've had an RTIC like this for probably 7-8 years that gets used a lot. Mine has been great!

Go into the rtic store and buy an open box section way in the back of the store for cheaper.

I got a 30can soft side few months ago and super happy with it.

Anyone ever used a good ole igloo version?

https://www.igloocoolers.com/collections/totes-soft-coolers?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

bam02 said:

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I've had an RTIC like this for probably 7-8 years that gets used a lot. Mine has been great!

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I wish I had the same experience. The lid on mine split open near the zipper after about a year of use. Looks like that is actually happening on the corner of your picture.

I've got one of the Kodi coolers from HEB like this one. It has seemed to hold up well thus far.

CE Lounge Lizzard said:

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I've got one of the Kodi coolers from HEB like this one. It has seemed to hold up well thus far.

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I had to look those up and HEB sells 12 can coolers for almost $200?

I'd say if you had great experience with Rtic go that way again? They always have sales going on.

HtownAg92 said:

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CE Lounge Lizzard said:

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I've got one of the Kodi coolers from HEB like this one. It has seemed to hold up well thus far.

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I had to look those up and HEB sells 12 can coolers for almost $200?

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I got mine on sale several years ago for considerably less than $200.

My expensive ass yeti is by far the most worthless piece of **** ever sold.

Has an annoying magnet top so its two hands to get in or out of it, which is idiotic

And the only way to wash it out is prop something between the magnets to keep it open.

More importantly, it is not a 'cooler' at all. It sucks so badly i literally did a test one time and just wrapped my bag of ice and drinks in a towell, and it kept the ice longer than the yeti.