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Coolers are a crucial piece of equipment for keeping food and drink cold when you’re spending time in warm weather, but hard-sided coolers can be a hassle to carry from place to place because they’re often bulky and heavy. That’s where the venerable backpack cooler comes in. This clever design allows you to carry drinks (and food) hands-free, wherever you roam, whether you’re embarking on a hike with friends or simply ending your day with a walk to the local lake. Of course, the best backpack coolers retain ice all day and are comfortable to carry.

Store food, drinks and other essentials in a capable backpack cooler

Some backpack coolers on this list have storage space for dry goods, while others stick with the basics, like premium insulation and a strap system. And while you may or may not consider this a virtue, some make you look like an astronaut. Ready for liftoff? Check out our picks below to find the best option for your next adventure.

Material: 600D Polyester | Weight: 3 pounds | Capacity: 36 cans without ice

If you’re looking for a do-it-all backpack cooler that you can take to the beach or the backcountry, Hydro Flask’s rendition tops our list thanks to it’s versatility and lightweight design that’s perfect for trips both short and long. You can fill it with 36 cans of your favorite beverage (although you can probably fit closer to 20 cans with ice), and this backpack will keep them chilled for nearly two days.

Design features, like a Tru Zip zipper and welded seams, take this cooler to another level—one where you never have to worry about leakage. On the side, a large, stretchy mesh pocket fits a water bottle or other belongings. But, if you need room for more gear, you can purchase waterproof, dry storage bags that clip to the exterior. One great perk of the Day Escape cooler is that it comes with a 5 year warranty, but we’d be surprised if you had to use it. 

Material: 1200D Polyester | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Capacity: 12 cans

This little backpack cooler is small yet durable, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for it day after day. At only 1.5 pounds, it’s lighter than any of the other backpacks on this list, and it’s designed by Carhartt, a brand known for crafting durable, hardwearing goods. Consider this the perfect lunchbox backpack for a workday. 

The clever 2-in-1 design allows you to pack your essentials in the top portion of the pack, while the zippered, insulated bottom compartment stores a cold drink and snacks. The front pockets provide extra storage space, and the side pockets fit 12-ounce cans but are too shallow for tall water bottles.

Material: Recycled nylon and polyester | Weight: 3.25 pounds | Capacity: 31 liters

Part hiking backpack, part backpack cooler, the Cool Trail Pack Cooler from REI is a great option for hikers who want to carry perishable goods or cold beverages on longer hikes. While other cooler backpacks skimp on padding (or eliminate it entirely), this pack employs a comfortable, contoured hip belt and adjustable shoulder straps that are in line with REI’s traditional day packs. When you just need a standard pack, you can remove the cooler insert and load it with your favorite essentials.

Front lash straps contribute to this pack’s classic trail aesthetic but also serve as anchoring points for larger gear items like a picnic blanket. The side pockets are well designed—a mesh exterior pocket sits on top of a roomy zippered pouch to fit a water bottle and snacks all in one spot. It’s a great pick for hikers looking to strike a balance between function and ice retention.

Material: Polyester | Weight: 1.75 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans without ice

This backpack cooler has a lot going for it despite the budget-friendly price. First, it’s less than half the price of other high-end options on this list but works well for all-day cooling. The interior and exterior are both easy to clean, and come protected against odors thanks to an antimicrobial Microban coating (an especially important trait if you use this as a lunchbox or food cooler.) It’s spacious with plenty of pockets, like the mesh side pockets and zippered top pocket to store your keys, wallet and phone. 

However, while it boasts up to two days of ice retention, it realistically only keeps food and drink cold for one day if you fill it up halfway with ice. You also won’t want to tip it upside down, as the top zipper is not watertight. As long as you know what to expect, this little pack will serve you well whether you’re bringing it to work or the beach. 

Material: MuleSkin 1000D Fabric | Weight: 7.2 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans with ice

For fishing trips, hunting trips or camping trips when you need multi-day ice retention, the IceMule Boss should be at the top of your list. It’s designed like a hiking backpack but has the performance of top-level soft coolers—hence the hefty price tag. Welded seams and a roll-top closure design create a completely water- and weather-proof interior. The side pockets serve as dry storage compartments and come equipped with PakShield zippers, so you’ll keep your drinks cold and your electronics dry. 

This backpack cooler warrants the name “Boss” for many reasons; it’s large, durable and designed to withstand the elements. However, for many casual users, it’s overkill because of its bulk and heft. But if premium performance is what you’re seeking, you can’t get much better than this.

Material: Nylon | Weight: 3 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans without ice

Not everyone needs weekend-long ice retention. In fact, some people are simply looking for a backpack cooler to take to sports games, family reunions and picnics. This leakproof cooler from Igloo is a great value for casual day use thanks to its comfortable straps, solid carrying handles and welded seams that keep it watertight.

The rectangular shape is not as comfortable to carry as other models over long distances, but it is ideal for maximizing space. Easily pack it full of food and drink, then load it up in your car or on the boat and rest assured it’ll stay in place thanks to the textured base material.

Material: 800D Thermoplastic Polyurethane | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Capacity: 18 cans without ice

Yeti is really good at making coolers, as evidenced by the brand’s diehard, dedicated fanbase. Their backpack cooler, though a departure from their well-known hard-sided coolers, is no exception—it performs well as a hands-free carrying cooler and is one of the best you can buy in terms of ice retention. So, if you’re looking for a high-quality cooler that’s easy to carry to beach barbecues, camping weekends or fishing trips, it’s a great option because of the puncture-resistant, waterproof fabric and closed-cell foam insulation. 

However, it doesn’t have much functionality as a backpack beyond keeping things cold—Yeti eliminated side and top pockets in favor of more insulation. While you can attach some gear to the HitchPoint grids, we would have loved to see a built-in storage pocket. If you need extra storage space, you can purchase the YETI SideKick Dry Bag add-on separately. 

For Snacks, Sips And The Ultimate Charcuterie Spread

Materials: Recycled plastic | Weight: 3.49 pounds | Capacity: 24 cans

This backpack cooler is a little more niche than other models on this list, but if you’re looking for an all-in-one picnic bag, look no further. Arctic Zone’s Eco Picnic Backpack Cooler comes with everything you need to host a picnic for four: cutlery, wine glasses, cloth napkins, plates and a bottle opener.

Despite it’s fully stocked interior, it’s also incredibly compact and lightweight, which makes you wonder how the entire ensemble compresses into such a seamless design. While your picnic supplies are tucked neatly in the front compartment, the zip-top main compartment features a soft-sided cooler with a Microban lining that’s both easy to clean and protects against odors and stains. It doesn’t have the same ice retention as other backpack coolers on this list, but it will definitely keep your goods icy cold for a day in the sun.

We’ve combed through reviews, technical details and first-hand accounts to create a list of the best backpack coolers across multiple categories. We’ve also tested, and continue to use, some of these coolers in our personal lives, from the backyard to the backcountry.

To keep you up to date, we routinely update this article to provide current availability, prices, noteworthy specs and detailed descriptions. Additionally, we regularly review new gear and product releases to ensure this list includes some of the best backpack coolers on the market right now. This article was last updated in July 2022.

When you’re shopping for a backpack cooler, consider how you intend to use it. Do you need to keep food and drinks cold for a weekend trip, or will you be using it for less than 24 hours? High-end brands like Yeti and IceMule offer longer ice retention but premium insulation comes at a price. Alternatively, brands like Igloo and Arctic Zone are more affordable, but the ice will melt faster.

You should also consider how long you plan to carry your backpack cooler. If you’re hiking more than a mile, look for a cooler with supportive and comfortable padding, as well as a hip or chest belt to reduce the weight on your shoulders. If you’re just walking a few minutes from the car, you don’t need a hip belt or padded straps.

Backpack coolers come in a variety of sizes, from small lunch box sized packs to big tote-style backpackers that can fit 36 cans. Determine your capacity needs before buying the cooler.

Do you need functional features like pockets and dry storage? Or will you just use the backpack strap system as a convenient carrying method? If the backpack cooler is the only thing you’re carrying, pockets can be useful for storing personal items like your phone, wallet, keys, and water bottle.

Backpack coolers come in two main types: 1) boxy and stiff coolers, and 2) more flexible soft-sided coolers. The boxy, stiff designs—like the Igloo Reactor—have a flat bottom for easy loading and can fit food and drink more easily. However, they are less comfortable to haul around.

Soft-sided backpack coolers—like the Hydro Flask Day Escape or the REI Cool Trail Pack—sit more naturally on you back for more comfortable carrying. But they’re also less convenient to load up with cans.

Most backpack coolers are soft coolers, which means they’re constructed from more pliable materials than those found in hard-sided coolers. With this in mind, you should avoid using dry ice in soft coolers as it could damage the insulation and soft materials.

To keep a backpack cooler cold for as long as possible, you should pack it with pre-chilled food and drink and reference the manufacturer's recommendations for the proper ice-to-goods ratio. Your primary cooling method should be ice blocks or ice packs, and then you can use ice cubes to fill in any empty space. When possible, chill your backpack cooler in the fridge or freezer before loading it up so your ice or cold packs won’t have to expend energy to cool down the backpack.