Best soft cooler

Here's a roundup of the best soft coolers that are lightweight and easy to transport.

Best soft cooler
(Image credit: Arctic Zone)

A soft cooler is a lightweight way to store and chill your beverages. Unlike traditional hard styles, soft versions are much easier to transport from one location to another. Most even have a convenient hands-free strap that allows you to fully enjoy your adventure. Here's a roundup of the best soft coolers.

Staff pick

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze zipperless hardbody cooler

(Image credit: Arctic Zone)

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze zipperless hardbody cooler

Features chill-retaining insulation

This soft cooler has an FDA-approved HardBody liner.

Pros:

  • High-performance insulation
  • Zipperless lid
  • HardBody liner and SmartShelf
  • Leaf-proof
  • Water and stain-resistant
  • Adjustable shoulder strap

Cons:

  • Insulated area may be smaller than expected
  • Liner may break with too much force

This soft cooler has an adjustable shoulder strap and is great for travel. Featuring Deep Freeze insulation, it keeps your beverages cold, longer. Since it is leak-proof, water-resistant, and stain-resistant, it's convenient to store ice. This is also great for protecting your items from water or sand. The model, measuring 12.7-by-7.6-by-10.2 inches, is backed with an FDA-compliant HardBody liner and features a removable SmartShelf. 

Best backpack

best soft cooler

(Image credit: Amazon)

TOURIT cooler backpack

Lots of pockets

This soft cooler backpack can hold up to 30 cans at a time.

Pros:

  • 600 Oxford high-density foam and leakproof liner
  • Lightweight
  • Keeps items cool or warm
  • Pockets for your valuables

Cons:

  • May leak
  • Not intended to store loose ice

This soft cooler measures 13-by-7.5-by-15.8 inches and weighs only 1.1 pounds. It features high-density foam and a leakproof liner that keeps your beverages cool or warm for up to 16 hours. This style also has six pockets, allowing you to store your valuables and other must-have items in a safe place.

Best duffel

best soft cooler

(Image credit: CleverMade)

CleverMade collapsible cooler bag

Easy-carry duffel bag handles

This soft cooler has a 50-pound weight capacity.

Pros:

  • Holds up to 50 cans and ice
  • Collapsible
  • Duffel bag handles

Cons:

  • May leak
  • Not as insulated as other brands

This soft cooler has a duffel bag design with two top handles. Measuring 18.25-by-12.25-by-11.5 inches, it can carry up to 50 cans with ice. This option has a weight capacity of up to 50 pounds, allowing you to pack it full of goodies without the risk of it tearing. When not in use, simply collapse it for easy storage.

Best for ice

best soft cooler

(Image credit: The Coleman Company, Inc.)

Coleman soft cooler bag

Chills beverages for hours and hours

This soft cooler bag has seams that are heat-welded to protect against leaks.

Pros:

  • Holds up to 30 cans
  • Keeps ice for 24 hours
  • Has pockets
  • Heat-welded seams

Cons:

  • May not feel as sturdy as expected
  • Inner liner can tear

Capable of holding ice for up to 24 hours, this soft cooler is great for any outdoor adventure. It stores 30 cans along with some ice to keep you (and some friends) cool and hydrated while journeying through nature. The seams are heat-welded, which minimizes the risk of leaks. Additionally, the adjustable shoulder strap makes this cooler easy to transport, and the built-in pocket is a great place to store small essentials. 

Best for wine

best soft cooler

(Image credit: Amazon)

Fit + Fresh insulated wine cooler

Taller design accommodates larger bottles

This soft cooler holds up to 16 cans or six wine bottles.

Pros:

  • Great for wine bottles
  • Tote design
  • Stores 16 cans or six wine bottles

Cons:

  • May not be completely leakproof
  • Zipper can be weak

This soft cooler has a handy tote design. With removable dividers, you can safely store up to six wine bottles or 16 stacked cans. It is 16-by-8-by-16 inches and has a convenient storage pocket to keep your wine opener or wallet. Take this cooler with you to the beach or picnic.

The bottom line

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best soft cooler is designed to keep your beverages cold while remaining easy to transport. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze zipperless hardbody cooler makes a terrific adventure companion. It features high-performance insulation that keeps your beverages and food cold for hours. This leakproof soft cooler has an adjustable shoulder strap to make carrying it easy.

The TOURIT cooler backpack is ultra-convenient when it comes to mobility. This backpack style has adjustable straps and a whole bunch of pockets to store your valuables. Easily carry this leakproof cooler with you wherever you go.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Camille Sanghera is a UX writer and copywriter for global brands as well as an author of self-help books. Although she has lived and traveled internationally, Camille is originally from British Columbia, Canada. She merges over 10 years of writing experience with a love of words to bring authenticity and human connection to every project. When not writing, Camille can be found exploring nature with her dog, sketching to music, or laughing with loved ones.

You can chat with Camille on Instagram at @projectpvo.