The Complete Guide to Outside Coolers: Why and What to Use

Epex Outdoor Coolers

What is a NASCAR race without a beer?

What is a picnic without a burger or hotdog? What is a road trip without snacks? The answer is incomplete.

No sporting event or road trip is complete without a cooler. Keeping your food fresh and drinks cool is vital to the success of your event.

With so many outside coolers to choose from, selecting the perfect one can become overwhelming, so we’ve created a list.

Keep reading for a guide on why and how you need to use them and what gets the job done best.

The Best Outside Coolers

We know that there are many different cooler and backpack options out there, so we’ve compiled the best for your outdoor needs.

Waist Coolers

Waist packs and coolers are easy to carry on your outdoor adventures and provide easy access to your necessities.

These items are great when you have limited items and no storage space.

Table Rock Waist Pack Cooler

This cooler allows you to carry it on your waist making it easier to carry around at outdoor events.

The padded mesh back with adjustable waistband also makes carrying it more comfortable than many other coolers.

It has a heat-sealed PEVA lining with a 6-can capacity to keep your drinks cool, and the side mesh pockets and front zippered pocket create additional storage space.

The table rock waist pack cooler is perfect for outdoor events like festivals.

Save your money on $5 water bottles and carry this.

North Vista Trail Waist Pack

This pack is great for snacks and small items during hiking or water activities.

The waist pack can be packed into a front zippered compartment

It has water-resistant zippers, a padded mesh back with an adjustable waistband, and an interior slip pocket.

Hard Coolers

Hard coolers are best used when you need large quantities and durability like on a boat or larger-scale event. These coolers offer

Elite 45qt Pelican Wheeled Cooler

The 45-quart Pelican Elite wheeled coolers perform to the highest of standards — better and tougher than any other cold locker or icebox.

Pelican Products has protected defense, emergency, and scientific expedition equipment through some of the harshest conditions on Earth since 1976.

Extreme insulation keeps ice for up to seven days. The molded-in lock hasp keeps your contents secure and has an integrated bottle opener.

It also features an integrated fish scale on the lid and molded-in carry handles with flip-up trolley handle.

The cooler has heavy-duty 8 1/2″ wheels, a sloped floor and a tethered drain plug that is threaded for a standard garden hose.

It is made in the USA and offers a lifetime guarantee.

An 80qt option is also available for those in need of something larger.

Coleman 9-Quart Cooler

This cooler is taking it back to the basics.

If you’re in need of something small, light-weight, and easy to carry, this cooler is perfect. It holds 9 cans and has a high-density foam insulation construction for maximum cold retention

It’s a very affordable option for those impromptu beach or park days.

Soft Coolers

Many sports venues and arenas now prohibit hard coolers, but they will allow soft coolers making this list perfect for those events.

2 in 1 Beach Bag Cooler

This cooler is perfect for beach days or just traveling with the kids.

The bag design combines two great functions into one handy item.

The top portion is a tote bag with mesh sides to allow you to see your items easily. The zippered cooler section on bottom has food-grade PEVA waterproof lining.

The super-strong handles ensure that your food, drinks, and personal items won’t be damaged.

24-Can Convertible Duffel Cooler

Do you have a hungry and thirsty group of athletes? This sports duffel cooler is perfect for sports teams.

It allows for 24 cans in addition to space for healthy snacks to keep the players energized.

The cool duffel shape not only aesthetically matches athletics, but it also has easy carry handles and a removable adjustable shoulder strap making it easy to take to matches.

It also provides thermal insulation, ultra-safe leak-proof technology, and easy clean PEVA lining.

The best part is that the ice cooler lining is removable for multi-use functionality, so when it’s not in use as a cooler, it’s a functional duffel bag.

Brown Paper Bag Cooler

Does your brand have a unique story? Is it environmentally friendly or focused on community service efforts like Meals on Wheels?

This brown paper bag cooler may be perfect.

This stylish cooler resembles the real thing but has an insulated main compartment with velcro rolltop closure.

This cooler is a great statement piece for your brand.

Igloo Marine Box Cooler

This cooler features a 50 can capacity and 25% more insulation than standard Igloo products.

It features leak-resistant, heat-sealed antimicrobial PEVA lining, and RadBar UV protective foil filters saving it from damaging UV rays.

It’s durable and functional with a zippered main compartment, side mesh pockets,  and a front zippered pocket for tons of storage space.  The top molded lid has integrated cup holders to hold your drinks while enjoying your adventure.

The rear trolley strap slides over a rolling cooler handle for easy mobility, and the adjustable and removable shoulder strap with neoprene pad makes it easy to carry.

It also has the ability to stores flat with Velcro straps.

Coleman 36-Hour 42 Can Marine Soft Cooler

This cooler is perfect for days on the beach or adventures at sea.

The Coleman Marine Soft Cooler has a 36-hour ice retention at temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit to withstand those sunny summer days.

it’s made of water-resistant material and features antimicrobial heat-sealed liner that resists odor, mold, mildew & fungus from forming on the product, which is great for extended trips.

Speaker Coolers

These coolers provide multi-functionality that is perfect for a BBQ, the beach, or a game day!

Game Day 30-Can Speaker Cooler

As part of Leed’s exclusive Game Day collection, this cooler is ideal for your next sporting event or beach trip.

The zippered leak-proof main compartment holds up to 30 cans and has an adjustable, removable shoulder strap and padded carry handle for easy carrying.

This cooler features two speakers that are compatible with most smartphones and a zippered front pocket sized to hold most tablets and smartphones.

The slash pocket inside holds a battery box that uses four AA batteries to keep the music going.

CD/MP3/AM/FM Radio Cooler

If you can’t let go of those old CDs, this cooler may be the one for you.

This 30 can, 20-liter cooler box is equipped with a CD player, MP3 hookup, an AM / FM radio with quality stereo speakers for all of your different music needs.

The auto power plug will keep it charged up to ensure it lasts for the entirety of your event.

The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry.

Unique Coolers

If you’re looking for unique, statement pieces for events or your home, these coolers will be perfect for you.

Oak Street Bar Cart Coolers

Does your company host events?

This stained hardwood cooler is a beautiful piece to display at any event, or even in your home.

This masterpiece is equipped with 2 shelves, caster wheels, and now a built-in cooler. The new rolling bar cart with the additional built-in cooler is perfect to serve your guests from!

Four Season Event Cooler Table Kit

Perfect for sporting events, this cooler serves as an end table, bar table, and cooler all-in-one for outdoor or indoor use.

The double-walled design keeps drinks cool and can hold 20 lbs. of ice and 30 12 oz cans.

The telescoping design allows the table to open easily. It is constructed from polypropylene for long-term repeated use with full-color graphics to match any event.

Toolbox Cooler

If you own a hardware store, mechanic shop, or you’re just a ‘tool enthusiast’, this is the perfect cooler for you.

This rugged cooler holds 20 12oz cans and comes with a built-in bottle opener.

It’s a great addition to a man cave or a promotional item for your business.

Can Cooler

This 2-gallon cooler is a plastic can replica that holds 11 cans.

It has a folding handle, and it’s strong enough to sit on – no crumpling like a regular can.

This fun cooler can be easily customized with any wrap to fit your business needs.

It’s the perfect attention-grabber.

Adirondack Chair with Cooler

Enjoying a summer day on the beach, or do you have a nice lawn to enjoy?

This innovative, stylish chair has a cooler underneath the seat and a drink holder in each arm.

It’s easy to assemble and easily customizable.

You’ll be the envy of your neighbors at home and on the beach.

Backpacks

If you love adventure, then backpacks are a great alternative to coolers. Some also provide dual functionality, but you’ll be able to carry your essentials with ease.

Precipice Trail Backpack

As its name indicates, this backpack is perfect for the trails.

The padded shoulder straps with sternum strap and top grab handle allow it to stay in place when you’re on the move.

It provides plenty of organizational space with a padded laptop pocket with exterior entry, multiple exterior pockets, and organization pockets in the front zippered pocket.

With a 25-liter capacity, it provides optimal space for hikes.

The drawcord cinch top with zippered brain pocket flap and adjustable clip closure adds extra security.

Black Mountain Day Pack

Are you traveling to another state or country for a camping trip?

The Black Mountain Day Pack is another great backpack for hiking or camping.

It has a 20-liter capacity but can also be packed down to fit in the attached small pouch making it easy to travel with.

Just use it during your trip and pack it back up into the small pouch to save space in your luggage.

The water-resistant zippers and side mesh pockets make it easy and safe to carry your water with.

Overall, it’s a great functional backpack.

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Backpack Cooler

Going hiking overnight during your outdoor excursion?

The Titan Deep Freeze backpack has your back, literally.

This backpack cooler holds ice for up to 1.5 days and can easily accommodate more than a day’s worth of food and drinks.

It features SuperFoam high-performance insulation with Therma-Flect radiant barrier to keep contents cold and an Ultra Safe® leak-proof, easy clean lining.

The exterior includes 3 pockets, a padded back with breathable mesh and adjustable, padded backpack straps for an easy carry. It also features Rhino-Tech water and stain-resistant material.

It’s perfect for the overnight hiker.

Enjoy Your Adventure

No adventure is complete without food, drinks, and snacks.

Coolers are perfect promotional items for your business to display at sporting and music events, but they also serve as great giveaways.

Contact us to learn more about promotional items and how we can help you grow your business.

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