All Reviews
Every guide we've published, newest first.
Fishing Cooler Bag Setup: Soft Coolers, Drain Plugs, and What Fits Where
2026-10-26
A fishing cooler bag setup comes down to three jobs: the bag that carries the ice, the seal that holds it, and the plug that does not leak. Here is how the pieces fit together.
How to Pack a Cooler So Ice Lasts Three Days in Real Heat
2026-10-25
A cooler ice retention test starts before you leave the dock. Pre-chill the box, pack it full, keep the lid shut, and you can still be chipping ice on Sunday.
Yeti vs Igloo vs VEVOR: Which Hard Cooler Holds Ice Longest?
2026-10-24
A working fishing guide's take on insulated hard coolers for camping and day trips, comparing the YETI Tundra 45, two Igloo Trailmate models, and a budget VEVOR on gaskets, latches, drain plugs, and honest capacity.
YETI Tundra 45 vs Laka 45 vs Igloo Marine: Which Hard Cooler Keeps Ice
2026-10-23
A 45 quart rotomolded cooler comparison from a Lake Superior fishing guide: the YETI Tundra 45, two Laka 45 quart listings, and the Igloo Marine, judged on ice retention, gaskets, latches, and honest sizing.
Best Coolers for Fishing and Camping: Ice Retention Picks
2026-10-22
A practical guide to fishing and camping coolers, from hard-sided ice chests to soft bags that fold flat, plus a foldable bucket for live bait and catch.
Cooler Ice Retention Explained: Hard Chests, Wheeled Boxes, Soft Bags
2026-10-21
Cooler ice retention comes down to insulation, lid seal, and usable capacity in quarts. Here is how four insulated cooler styles differ and which trip each one fits.
How to Keep Ice in a Cooler Longer on a Three-Day Trip
2026-10-20
Cooler ice retention comes down to cold mass, a sealed lid, and lid discipline. Here is the pre-trip routine I run before every three-day fishing trip.
Yeti Tundra 45 vs Klein Tools Cooler: Which Keeps Ice Longer?
2026-10-19
A cooler ice retention comparison from a Lake Superior fishing guide, covering the YETI Tundra 45, the Klein Tools 55600 work cooler, a reusable Arctic Ice pack, and the replacement hinges that keep an old box alive.
Cooler Ice Retention: What Actually Keeps Ice Past Day Two
2026-10-18
A Lake Superior fishing guide on cooler ice retention: the gasket, the latches, the drain plug, and honest sizing, plus four coolers and parts worth carrying this season.
Best Coolers for Camping: Hard Coolers and Ice Packs Compared
2026-10-17
A field-minded look at the best coolers for camping, from rotomolded chests to budget chiller models and reusable ice packs, plus one clear top pick for most trips.
Cooler Ice Retention Explained: Hard Coolers, Bags, and the Parts That Fail
2026-10-16
Cooler ice retention comes down to insulation, lid seal, and how you load the box. Here is how a wheeled hard cooler, a soft bag, replacement drain plugs, and refillable ice packs each fit into a cold chain that actually holds.
How to Pack a Cooler So Ice Lasts Three Days in July
2026-10-15
How to pack a cooler for a real trip: chill everything the night before, use block ice, guard the gasket, and pick the right shape for the walk from the truck.
Hard Cooler or Mini Cooler? Building a Smarter Ice Chest Setup
2026-10-14
A working cooler dry storage setup, compared four ways: one hard-sided ice box, one small day cooler, and two dry-storage inserts that keep the food out of the melt.
Camping Coolers That Hold Ice: Honest Notes From a Fishing Guide
2026-10-13
Camping coolers that hold ice, sorted by a Lake Superior fishing guide. What the ice retention claims really mean, which boxes earn a spot on the boat, and the cheap part that saves the cooler you already own.
Best Coolers for Ice Retention: Hard Coolers, Ice Packs, and Spare Gaskets
2026-10-12
A practical look at the best coolers for ice retention on real trips, plus the ice packs and gasket parts that keep a hard cooler doing its job.
Cooler Ice Retention: Hard Rollers vs Insulated Backpacks
2026-10-11
Cooler ice retention is decided by wall thickness, lid seal, and honest sizing, not by a sticker claim. Here is how a wheeled hard cooler and a 30L insulated backpack compare, plus what a replacement gasket can and cannot fix.
How to Pack a Cooler So Ice Lasts a Three-Day Trip
2026-10-10
Cooler ice retention is a packing problem before it is a cooler problem. Here is how I load a box so ice survives three days on Lake Superior, plus the two coolers I hand clients.
Rotomolded Cooler Comparison: Yeti Roadie 15 vs EchoSmile
2026-10-09
A rotomolded cooler comparison from a Lake Superior fishing guide: the Yeti Roadie 15, two EchoSmile rotomolded listings that share one name, and one Pelican case that is not a cooler at all.
Best Portable Coolers for Camping: Soft Bags, Wheeled Hard Sides, and Honest Ice
2026-10-08
Portable coolers for camping, sorted by a Lake Superior fishing guide who runs an ice log every trip. No fluff, no marketing language, just what holds ice and what just holds a sandwich.
Best Coolers for Fishing and Camping: 6 Picks That Hold Ice
2026-10-07
A practical guide to the best coolers for fishing and camping, comparing six designs by ice retention, capacity, portability, and how you actually plan to use them.
Cooler Ice Retention Setup: Four Pieces That Actually Matter
2026-10-06
A cooler ice retention setup is a small system, not one purchase. Here is what the box, the ice, the seal, and the accessories each contribute on a long day outdoors.
How to Pack a Cooler for a 3-Day Fishing Trip and Keep Ice
2026-10-05
Learning how to pack a cooler for a fishing trip comes down to three things: pre-chilling the box, block ice instead of cubes, and a lid you stop opening. Here is the routine I run before every Lake Superior charter.
Which Cooler Keeps Ice Longest? Zipperless Hardbody and Budget Picks
2026-10-04
A working guide to zipperless hardbody coolers, budget hard coolers, soft cooler bags, and the replacement parts that keep an old box sealing, with picks for fishing, camping, tailgates, and picnics.
Pelican 14 Quart vs Coleman Classic: Hard Coolers for Real Trips
2026-10-04
Two Pelican 14 Quart listings, a Coleman Classic Series, and a cooler net, compared for anglers shopping hard coolers for fishing trips. No hype, no price promises, just how the gear splits.
Insulated Hard Shell Coolers: What Actually Keeps Ice on a Long Trip
2026-10-04
A field-minded comparison of insulated hard shell coolers, from the Engel 60 QT to the Igloo Marine and Trailmate, plus the small accessories that keep a trip from going warm.
Best Coolers for Fishing and Camping Trips: Rolling, Soft-Sided, and Collapsible
2026-10-04
A practical guide to picking a rolling cooler with wheels, a soft-sided bag, or a collapsible cooler, plus how to read ice-retention claims and match capacity to the trip.
Best Coolers for Camping and Tailgating: 6 Options Compared
2026-10-04
A practical look at the best coolers for camping, tailgating, and boat days, covering a 52-quart hard cooler, a roto molded 55-quart chest, a thermoelectric cooler and warmer, a small picnic cooler, and a butyl sealant tape for resealing jobs.
Best Coolers for Camping and Fishing: 6 Picks That Hold Ice
2026-10-04
A practical guide to the best coolers for camping, from a rotomolded hard cooler to soft insulated bags, and what actually matters before you buy.
Best Coolers for Camping and Fishing: 6 Picks Worth Comparing
2026-10-04
A practical look at coolers for camping and fishing, from a rotomolded chest rated for 5-7 days of ice retention to rolling hard coolers, a classic wheeled option, and reusable freezer packs that stretch a short trip.
Best Coolers and Ice Packs for Fishing Trips and Tailgates
2026-10-04
A practical guide to coolers and ice packs for day trips and overnights, covering a hard-sided carry cooler, a soft bag, a cooler backpack, reusable ice packs, and the small seals that decide whether a drain stays shut.
Best Camping Coolers for Ice Retention: Hard, Soft, and Replacement Parts
2026-10-04
Cooler ice retention comes down to the shell, the seal, and how you pack it. A 45-quart rotomolded chest, a budget hard cooler, a soft bag, and the latches and hinges that keep a lid honest.
Best Camping and Fishing Coolers: Hard, Rolling, and Backpack Picks
2026-10-04
A practical look at camping and fishing coolers, including hard-sided ice chests, a wheeled model, and an insulated cooler backpack, with the features worth checking before you buy.
Coolers That Actually Hold Ice: Rotomolded, Marine, and Soft-Sided Picks
2026-10-03
A Duluth fishing guide on coolers for ice retention: rotomolded, marine, hard-shell, and soft-sided picks, and how to match one to the trip you actually take.
Best Coolers for Fishing Trips and Tailgates: Ice Retention Compared
2026-10-02
A practical look at the best coolers for fishing trips, camping weekends, and tailgates, covering hard-shell ice chests, a wheeled chest, soft bags, and reusable ice packs.
Hard Shell vs Soft Coolers: Picking Ice Chests That Hold Ice
2026-10-01
A practical explainer on coolers for camping and tailgating, from a 110-quart wheeled hauler to a roto-molded ice chest, a leak-proof soft bag, and a day-trip classic.
How to Pack a Wheeled Cooler So the Ice Lasts Three Days
2026-09-30
Wheeled cooler ice retention is a routine, not a number on the lid. Here is the packing order, the ice math, and the two rolling coolers I would put on a three-day trip.
Hard Coolers vs Soft Bags: Which Cooler Actually Holds Ice
2026-09-29
An insulated cooler comparison from a Lake Superior fishing guide: a hard-sided Igloo and Coleman against a leakproof soft bag and a 9L lunch box, judged on ice retention, gaskets, and real trip logistics.
Coolers That Hold Ice: A Lake Superior Guide's Honest Picks
2026-09-28
Coolers for fishing trips, picked by a Lake Superior guide who has watched a limit of walleye go warm by noon. Ice retention, gaskets, latches, and honest picks.
Best Coolers for Camping: Hard, Rolling, and Backpack Picks
2026-09-27
A practical comparison of the best coolers for camping and tailgating, weighing hard-sided boxes, a wheeled model, and a 30L backpack cooler by seal design, ice retention claims, and honest capacity.
Rolling Coolers Compared: Igloo, Coleman, and INSMEER
2026-09-24
A rolling cooler comparison from a Lake Superior fishing guide: four wheeled coolers, what each one is actually built for, and where each one loses the fight.
Hard Shells vs Collapsible Bags: Four Coolers Compared for Ice Retention
2026-09-24
A fishing guide's comparison of coolers for ice retention, weighing two hard shells against two collapsible bags for trips, tailgates, and beach days.
Hard Cooler vs Soft Cooler: 4 Picks for Fishing Trips and Tailgates
2026-09-24
A hard cooler vs soft cooler comparison from a Lake Superior fishing guide: four coolers, what each one is actually for, and where each one falls short.
Four Cooler Upgrades Compared: Hard Cooler, Ice Pack, Lunch Box, Latch
2026-09-24
Camping coolers and ice packs, compared by a Lake Superior fishing guide who runs a three-day ice test before he trusts any of it.
Cooler Ice Retention: Hard, Soft, and Budget Picks Compared
2026-09-24
Cooler ice retention is the only spec that survives a real trip. Here is how a budget Coleman, a rotomolded box, a collapsible soft bag, and one cab accessory actually stack up against each other.
Cooler Backpack vs Portable Air Cooler: What a Fishing Guide Packs
2026-09-24
A camping cooler backpack, a portable evaporative air cooler, and two cheap pieces of gear decide whether a hot-weather trip stays comfortable. A Lake Superior fishing guide sorts all four before the ice goes in.
Coleman vs INSMEER vs MIYCOO: Coolers, Bags, and the Drain Plug Fix
2026-09-24
The best coolers for camping trips, compared by a Lake Superior fishing guide: a hard-sided Coleman, a rolling INSMEER, a MIYCOO cooler bag, and the drain plug kit that saves the cooler you already own.
Coleman vs EchoSmile: Which Cooler Holds Ice on a 3-Day Trip
2026-09-24
A Coleman vs EchoSmile cooler comparison built for anglers and campers: hard cooler ice retention, gasket quality, latch durability, and which box earns permanent space in your truck.
Coleman Rolling Cooler vs Pelican 14 Quart: Ice Retention and Dry Storage Compared
2026-09-24
A working fishing guide's cooler ice retention and dry storage comparison: the Coleman rolling cooler, the Pelican 14 Quart, and the cooler net that keeps gear out of the melt.
Insulated Cooler Bags and Ice Packs: What Each One Is Actually For
2026-09-14
Insulated cooler bags and ice packs solve different halves of the same cold storage problem. Here is how four options fit together and how to match each one to the way you travel.
How to Pick a Fishing Cooler: Ice Retention, Size, and Seals Explained
2026-09-14
Fishing cooler ice retention, honest sizing, and gasket quality decide whether your ice survives the trip. Here is how four very different coolers fit four very different jobs.
How to Keep a Fishing Trip Cool: Cooler, Rod Kit, and Portable AC
2026-09-14
Fishing trip cooling gear solves three separate problems: holding ice, staying small enough to pack, and moving air where there is none. Here is how a hard cooler, a telescopic rod kit, and two small powered coolers divide the work.
How to Choose a Hard Cooler With Real Ice Retention
2026-09-14
Cooler ice retention is a gasket and insulation problem, not a sticker problem. Here is how a marine cooler, two Coleman hard coolers, and a two-pack of reusable ice packs cover four different jobs.
Hard Cooler Ice Retention: What 45 to 70 Quart Models Actually Give You
2026-09-14
Hard cooler ice retention comes down to construction, gasket seal, and honest sizing. Here is how a rotomolded 45 quart, a marine chest, a wheeled 70 quart, and a budget cooler differ.
Cooler Ice Retention Explained: Hard Coolers, Backpacks, and Ice Packs
2026-09-14
Cooler ice retention comes down to insulation, the lid seal, and how much cold mass you pack. Here is how hard coolers, a cooler backpack, and reusable ice packs each fit.
Cooler Ice Retention Explained: What Actually Keeps Ice on a Trip
2026-09-14
Cooler ice retention comes down to insulation, gasket seal, and honest sizing. Here is how rotomolded hard coolers, wheeled coolers, soft totes, and replacement lids each fit into a real trip.
Cooler Ice Retention Explained: Hard Coolers, Rollers, and Reusable Ice
2026-09-14
Cooler ice retention comes down to insulation, gasket seal, and honest sizing. Here is how the day claims work and which of four cooler picks fits your trip.
Cooler Dry Storage: Keeping Food Out of the Meltwater
2026-09-14
Cooler dry storage accessories keep bread, fruit, and paper goods out of the meltwater. Here is how a stretch net, an adjustable basket, and two coolers work together on a real trip.
Cooler Buying Guide For Fishing Trips
2026-09-04
Cooler buying guide for fishing trips, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
Buying Guide Coolers For Tailgating
2026-09-01
Buying guide coolers for tailgating, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
The 8 Best Coolers of 2026, After the 3-Day Ice Test
2026-08-29
I've spent 15 years guiding on Lake Superior, and I've watched cheap coolers turn ~$80 of walleye into a warm, sad smell by noon. That's not a bad day;...
Best Coolers for the Beach: Sand, Sun, and Salt
2026-08-28
The beach is the worst place for a cooler. Sand gets in the hinges, salt corrodes the latches, and the sun beats down with zero mercy. I've hauled coolers...
Best Cooler for Boating: The Deck Test
2026-08-27
Well, the marketing copy calls the Igloo Marine the "ultimate fishing companion" and the Coleman Marine "built for the toughest conditions." But I've...
Best Cooler for Camping: Ice That Survives the Weekend
2026-08-26
The Coleman Classic Series Rolling Cooler is advertised as the cooler that'll keep your food cold for days. But is it really? I've spent 15...
Best Cooler for Fishing: The Guide's Pick
2026-08-25
Well, the Igloo Marine is advertised as the go-to for anglers, but is it really? I've been guiding on Lake Superior for 15 years and testing coolers for...
Best Cooler for Tailgating: Big, Rugged, and Rolling
2026-08-24
Well, I’ve been hauling coolers to boat ramps, golf carts, and craft fair booths for the better part of 15 years, and I’ve got a confession to make. I’m...
Best Cooler for Truck: Bed, Cab, and the Rough Road Test
2026-08-23
I've spent 15 years guiding on Lake Superior, and I've hauled a lot of coolers in and out of truck beds. I've seen cheap rotomolded boxes crack in the sun...
Best Cooler Under $100: The Budget Ice Reality
2026-08-22
The marketing department wants you to believe you need to drop four bills on a rotomolded box to keep a sandwich cold. I've spent 15 years guiding on Lake...
Best Cooler Under $200: Where Rotomolded Gets Real
2026-08-21
Well, the ~$300 cooler crowd is going to hate this. My CORE (more expensive) kept things colder, sure. But after 15 years guiding on Lake Superior and...
Best Large Coolers: The 100-Quart Commitment
2026-08-20
I've spent 15 years guiding on Lake Superior, and I've learned that a cooler is only as good as the day it saves. I've watched cheap coolers turn ~$80 of...
Best Small Coolers: The Day-Trip Reality
2026-08-19
I've hauled coolers to craft fairs, boat ramps, and golf courses for fifteen years, and I've watched a ~$400 rotomolded monster fail to justify its price...
Best Soft-Sided Coolers: The Carry-On Cold
2026-08-18
The best soft-sided cooler isn't the one with the loudest marketing campaign; it’s the one that survives the back of my Jeep, a week of shore lunches, and...
Best Wheeled Coolers: Rolling the 100-Quart Problem
2026-08-17
The 100-quart cooler is the point where the wheels stop being a luxury and start being the whole point of the cooler. Once you cross that size, you’re not...
Cooler Accessories: Baskets, Dividers, and Dry Storage
2026-08-16
Well, the cooler accessory market is a weird place. You'll see a ~$40 basket sitting next to a ~$12 bag of ice cubes and somehow the basket is the one that...
Cooler Drain Plug Leak Fix
2026-08-15
The drain plug is the most annoying failure on any cooler, and it's the one nobody talks about until they're standing in their driveway with water leaking.
Cooler Ice Retention Mistakes
2026-08-14
Cooler-ice-retention-mistakes, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
Cooler Latch Replacement Guide
2026-08-13
Cooler-latch-replacement-guide, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
Dry Ice In A Cooler Safety Tips
2026-08-12
Dry-ice-in-a-cooler-safety-tips, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
How Long Does Ice Stay in a Cooler? The Real Numbers
2026-08-11
Well, here's a question I get asked more than any other on the lake: how long does ice actually stay in a cooler? Not what the box says, not what the...
How To Clean A Cooler Mold
2026-08-10
How-to-clean-a-cooler-mold, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
How To Drain A Cooler Properly
2026-08-09
How-to-drain-a-cooler-properly, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
How To Fix A Cooler Hinge
2026-08-08
How-to-fix-a-cooler-hinge, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
How to Pack a Cooler: Ice Layers, Drainage, and Order
2026-08-07
I’ve spent 15 summers guiding on Lake Superior, and I’ve seen more than one ~$80 walleye catch turn into a warm, sad smell by noon because someone threw...
How To Remove Cooler Odor
2026-08-06
How-to-remove-cooler-odor, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
How To Season A Cooler
2026-08-05
How-to-season-a-cooler, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
How To Store A Cooler For Winter
2026-08-04
How-to-store-a-cooler-for-winter, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
Rotomolded vs Plastic Coolers: Is the Premium Real?
2026-08-03
I've spent 15 years guiding on Lake Superior, and in that time I've watched a ~$400 rotomolded monster keep ice for six days while a ~$60 Coleman held its...
Soft Cooler Vs Hard Cooler
2026-08-02
Soft-cooler-vs-hard-cooler, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.
Yeti vs Pelican: The Premium Cooler Showdown
2026-08-01
I've hauled coolers for 15 years on Lake Superior, and I've seen the premium category go from "just buy a Yeti" to a real fight. Pelican has been nipping...
Yeti vs RTIC: The Rotomolded Price War
2026-07-31
Well, Yeti has spent a decade convincing the world you need to drop ~$400 on a cooler to keep a six-pack cold. I’ve been testing coolers on Lake Superior...