Gear Test: Coolers

Today’s luxury-cooler market is heating up, with higer price points drawing smarter design and innovation into a formerly staid market. Mobility and extensibility are major themes as every manufacturer has mastered the science of keeping ice cold for days

YETI Tundra Haul

$399, yeti.com

PROS: YETI is synonymous with durable, bulletproof coolers, and the Tundra Haul lives up to the expectations. The handle is sturdy and strong and handled the worst abuse we could dish out. The finish on the Tundra Haul is typical Yeti—semigloss on the sides with some texture on the top that doesn’t show scuffs and provides traction for whatever you set on it. The wheels are low profile and don’t eat into interior space, as some others do. It’s sure-footed and when not being pulled, will not slide even on smooth floors. CONS: The wheels feel a bit cheap given the price, relative to their competition. YETI’S T-strap closure system requires more hand strength than others we tested. THE VERDICT: Every one of these coolers can keep ice cold for a long weekend of camping or fishing, so the real test is durability and utility. The solid construction of the Tundra Haul handle and the efficient way it offers full interior space despite the wheels are fantastic touches—you can see the attention to detail throughout. —Jamie Bogner

Otterbox Venture 65

$349, otterbox.com

PROS: The Venture 65’s strength is in its design, as the team at Otterbox developed the line with modularity in mind. From the slide-on bottle opener to the interior dry-storage tray, available side-table attachments, and designed-to-fit ice packs, they’ve thought of just about everything. The matte finish feels sophisticated, and the construction is durable, with cleverly designed fasteners that use leverage to achieve tension. The molded ribs that encircle the cooler serve both as fastening points for accessories and shock reinforcements—we couldn’t damage the corners despite a number of drops with weight in the cooler. Molded handles offer solid tie-down points, and the included dry-storage tray is handy. CONS: The matte finish picked up dirt a bit more than the semigloss finish of other coolers, and the locks require very long loops to properly secure the cooler. The molded handles make it wider than others of the same capacity. THE VERDICT: The Venture feels more “technical” than some others in our test, perfect for gearheads who care about design. —Jamie Bogner

Rovr Rollr 60

$399, rovrproducts.com

PROS: The Rollr 60’s wheels were in a class of their own, with inflatable tires on aluminum hubs that were fully capable when used with the optional $50 bike attachment. The fit and finish of the Rollr 60 were top-notch, with a semigloss finish that shed dirt. It’s sturdy when sitting, with traction pads opposite the wheels to keep it in place. A folding dry bag flattens and straps to the top of the cooler when not in use or expands and straps to the cooler, making it perfect for hauling non-refrigerated items. CONS: While the pull handle was slightly less confidence-inspiring than the Tundra Haul, we weren’t able to actually break it. The interior loses space due to the wheel axle, making the overall cooler physically larger for the given capacity. THE VERDICT: The Rollr 60 was the standout of our test, and the bike attachment made it all the more useful for a variety of outdoor activities. The strap-down loops and collapsing dry-storage bag are small but powerful design touches. All things considered, the Rollr 60 was the one cooler everyone on the staff wanted to take home at the end of the test. —Jamie Bogner