For the most part, any of the rotomolded coolers (Yeti, Bison, Brute, K2, Rtic, etc.) will work well and will keep ice better than the standard ones. You just need to decide which handles you like better, which latches you like better, and how much you are willing to spend.

Me personally, I have gone with the Yeti. I have the 20, the 45, and the 75. They are heavy for what they are. But, I like the rubber T-handle latches and I also like the carrying handles. Ice retention is great and they are dry ice compatible - not sure if the others are or not - they may very well be, I just have never checked.

Good luck with whichever you choose.

Never was a sucker for the Yeti movement
Nope,no Rtic fever either
My old Colemans still do what they did brand new some 30yrs ago
Simple technology of keepin the lid closed still works like a charm

Yeti prices are coming down. Roadie is now $199. Used to be $250. Capitalism at work.

So what do you do when you are camped 20 miles down the beach from the nearest road for a week?

Walk?

I won a yeti, and I like it fairly well I guess. That said I would never buy one at the current prices. With the cooler in the bed of the pickup I can usually only get about 2-3 days out of a bag of ice. Who really has time to waste a bag of ice and cool their cooler down for a few days before draining water, adding drinks and a new bag of ice? I did that when the cooler was new and got about 5 out of one bag. Now I throw the cooler in the backseat and get 10 days out of a bag of ice pretty easily. However, I have a friend that owns a $40 Coleman Xtreme cooler that is larger than my yeti and will keep ice for 5-7 days if it is in the backseat of a pickup. Think of all the lures you could buy with the $300 you save by buying a cheaper cooler that does the same job....

If you want a Texas company and one that is made in U.S.A., get a Bison.






More like: "new overseas production now at work." Yeti's new owners have moved production outside of the USA, you have to custom order one made here now.

Use your current cooler or by a cheap one. Put some dry ice at the bottom and cover with ice. Should last a couple of days. I have had it freeze drinks and meat.

RTIC or cheaper, a steel sided Igloo from Academy is good too.

That's interesting. Rtic's website says they are direct to customer with no retailers in the chain. Wonder if Bucee's buys them and them marks them up. Nothing is cheap at Bucee's.

Igloo Sportsman 20 qt at sams club $99. Outperformed my friends yeti in direct sunlight.
New cooler company named Maluna just released. Have been following them for a while. They are cheaper than yeti but not by much, but according to tests the ice lasts for days longer than the yeti.

I'm debating on making the plunge and I'm blue in the face researching and reading reviews.
I think the price of Yeti's will start to come down as they feel the sting from Rtic as well as the other manufacturers entering the market. I really can't see where there is a great difference between all of the roto-mold coolers using the same insulation. Yeti was first and is taking advantage of their name recognition and counting that people will buy the name. Rtic is half the price with free shipping. The model number of the Rtic is actually the capacity of the cooler, not so with Yeti. Shopping on price, the Rtic is really looking good. No one else offers a 65 qt box for $199.

Interesting read, however, I'm disappointed they didn't throw the Rtic in the test given the price point of their coolers