The Best Cooler Backpacks for Outdoor Adventures

Bring those cold drinks anywhere.

By Field and Stream Commerce Team | Updated May 4, 2021 3:15 PM

Gear

A group of people standing around a fire in the setting sun.

When you need to bring cold drinks to a place you can’t drive to, a cooler backpack makes the job easy. Kimson Doan, Unsplash

Whether chilling poolside, paddling down the river, picnicking, or camping, cooler backpacks provide an efficient, easy-to-carry means to bring food and drinks with you, and have them stay chilled the whole time. There’s a lot of range in what’s on the market, so we laid out what you need to consider when choosing one — and listed a few top choices.

Durability and Closures: Even if a backpack is leak proof or waterproof, its closure may not be. Look for waterproof zippers or roll-top closures if you want it to be truly impermeable. Likewise, the fabric used — inside and out — matters greatly as far as how long your cooler will last, but so does the quality and weight-bearing capacity of the seams, straps, and zippers.
Capacity and Carrying Comfort: Different brands list their capacity differently, often in liters or cans…and with or without factoring in ice. Read carefully, check dimensions, and don’t assume an apples-to-apples comparison. Remember too that cooler contents are heavy, and consider the back support, strap comfort, etc. in choosing your pick.
Cold Retention: You need different levels of chill for an afternoon picnic, a day hike, and a weekend camping trip. Likewise, the weather surrounding the cooler pays a role, so think about if the bag will be out in the sun, or mostly in a climate-controlled car.
Leak Proofing: Between melting ice and condensation off of cold cans and packages, leak proofing is non negotiable on a backpack cooler, unless you’re hoping to get icy drips running down your back. Impermeable materials, as well as fully sealed (not stitched!) seams are essential.