coolers and ice chest

Coolers/ice chest:

Every Texan has a variety of coolers in his garage. There are many different manufacturers out there from the Coleman coolers that our parents had to the newer Yeti’s. I have several different brands and different size coolers; it all depends on the outing which one is going to get used. For instance, heading to the river for a week of floating, the old 120-quart Coleman is coming out along with newer small coolers for daily use. The huge 120 quart is great for packing all the stuff that is needed when you get there and once there loading up with ice to keep the drinks cold, or a watermelon to chill out in. The smaller coolers are needed for the river floats and just chilling in the river as no one wants to be lugging 120-quart cooler loaded with drinks and ice down a 100-yard walkway!

So, let’s look at some of the most popular cooler manufacturers out there today.

1. Coleman has been around for years and continues to be a great cooler. They are tuff as heck, hold ice well and last for years. The hinges do seem to wear out and break every couple of years, but these coolers are so popular that replacement parts are readily available at local grocery stores and sporting stores where the coolers are sold. new handles, hinges and latches every couple of years and your Coleman cooler will be around for years to come.

2. Igloo is another great cooler that has been around for years. They too come in a variety of sizes, colors, and construction materials. Another great cooler to have on hand and use. Personally have one of the 10-gallon drink coolers. Great for big family gatherings and parties. They also have parts readily available for replacement when they break. These coolers are affordable and do a great job of keeping things cold.

3. Yeti coolers have been around for a while now and are great at keeping ice. I have one, but probably won’t buy another one since you can not replace the zippers on them once they break. Everyone I know that has one, has tossed a great looking cooler in the trash due to the zipper breaking and no way to repair or replace it. These coolers are very expensive and tossing one in the trash hurts, all over a simple zipper. I loved the cooler when I first got it and used it heavily on river trips as it floats and keeps the drinks really well all day long, but now it is just sitting collecting dust.

4. RTIC coolers are great coolers also. I love these coolers as they are rugged and built to last. I have a couple of different sized ones. I use them a lot. Affordable and reliable. Great cooler to have around.

5. Bucees coolers. I know I know, it is a Texas thing. I have a couple of these coolers and I got to say: for the price, they are hard to beat! We bought one a road trip to carry some cold stuff home when I didn’t have a cooler in the truck with me and I got to say: I am impressed with them. They are a great cooler for the price and most of my buddies have replaced their Yeti’s with them since they are 1/3 the price and work great. Don’t hurt as bad when the zipper breaks on it and you have to toss it!

6. Cuddy is a newer cooler out there and I love it. I got the one that has wheels on it and floats. GREAT for going to the beach and pulling along or pulling to the pool side, versus having to carry it, and tossing in the water as it floats and holds ice great. This cooler is a huge hit at pool parties and everyone loved that it floated and had drink holders molded into the top to set the drinks in freeing up the hands for other things like tossing a ball to the kids.

There are several other cooler manufacturers out there and I am sure there are some great ones. These are the ones that I own, or have owned, and trust for my every day use or vacation use. I hope this helps some. Get outdoors and enjoy!