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Quality Cooler Suggestion #12203655 04/17/17 11:03 PM
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Texan Fisher Offline OP
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Hey guys, so I am on the search for a new cooler that will be capable of holding product for the duration of my fishing trips. Recently a buddy of mine let me borrow his Yeti and it did a hell of a job. But its a little bit on the expensive end of coolers. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about a cooler that is around the same quality but cheaper. Any ideas?

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12203695 04/17/17 11:28 PM
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nxt Offline
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Where are you located? I have a new Yeti I would part with.


Mac
Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12203815 04/18/17 12:36 AM
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kevine80 Offline
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arctic

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12203823 04/18/17 12:38 AM
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Snowflakes and entitled brats will be the doom of America!


Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12204694 04/18/17 02:28 PM
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Bison coolers

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12205791 04/19/17 12:20 AM
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Jim Ford Offline
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Look at K2 Coolers. I bought one for about half the price of a Yeti (I own Yeti, K2, and RTIC coolers) and found it to be of comparable quality.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12207378 04/19/17 09:40 PM
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Got an old Coleman Extreme that lives in the back of my truck. No one seems to want to steals it and it will hold ice for a full day in the hot summer dove hunting. cost $70. Hold ice for days when its cooler outside.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12208165 04/20/17 12:53 PM
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GRUMPS Offline
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I like my Bison better than Yetti

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12208201 04/20/17 01:08 PM
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Lazy Ike Offline
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Like chu said rtic coolers over built not overpriced, fast shipping, got my 65qt which is real 65 for half cosy of yeti look for sale on their web,maybe for memorial day.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12208351 04/20/17 02:14 PM
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1-2 Day fishing trip--AO soft sided cooler




3+ days fishing trip--RTIC Roto Mold


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12208491 04/20/17 03:47 PM
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skeeteroneal Offline
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RTIC. Got 2 roto and 1 soft side. Does a good job for less $. The new design due to the Yeti lawsuit is coming out so shipping will be a delay. Hearing May is when the new ones will ship.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12209421 04/21/17 02:24 AM
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Jim Ford Offline
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Real world: Those "heavy coolers" are heavy because of their construction. That construction makes them thermally efficient and durable (bearproof). In spite of all the hype, similarly constructed coolers provide similar performance.

I used to sell law enforcement equipment, and one of the products I sold was body armor. I handled several different brands. Since I was also a peace officer at the time, and I had already made a commitment to wear armor every time I wore a uniform, I felt that I needed to be as knowledgeable as possible on the various brands' effectiveness. For myself, and so I could truthfully counsel my clients. Having been shot a few times, I had made a promise to myself that I didn't want to endure that tribulation again. I may be slow, but eventually I find the acorn............ Anyway, I eagerly sought out all of the different manufacturers' test results. I quickly learned that each manufacturer's test results showed that manufacturer's product to be significantly superior to all of the competition's products. Wow...... Every body armor manufacturer built the best body armor in the world. By a HUGE margin.....

Kinda sounds like the cooler wars, doesn't it? If you take most of those tests shown on Youtube and compare the results to an identical test of an equal number of just one 'supercooler' manufacturer's product, you just might be shocked at the results. Yes, fans.... if you line up eight YETI Tundra 75s, or eight K2 20s, or eight Pelican 45s, and fill them with ice and leave them in the sun for five days, then open them and measure the melted water, you will likely find an identical range of results. That's reality.

Not everyone needs a supercooler. But if you run 100 miles offshore on three or four day trips, or camp a long way from the ice salesman (Yarborough Pass, or the Mansfield Jetties come to mind), or you just don't want to go get ice every day, they are worth the investment. When I go to the coast for a week or two in the RV, I like to watch the sun come up from my Soloskiff or my kayak. I often watch it go down from the same vessel. When I finally come in, I want to take a shower and relax while I enjoy a tall, cool, adult beverage. I don't really want to run to the store for ice. With my old Coleman and Igloo coolers I was making ice runs every night. And replacing the coolers every two to four years, due to hinge and/or latch failures. With My YETI, K2 and RTIC coolers I might make one or two ice runs in a nine or ten day stay at the coast. That's worth a lot to this old man.......

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12209703 04/21/17 11:35 AM
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Len B 1 Offline
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Bucee truck stop has R-tic ice coolers in store all sizes, hard and soft side.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12209755 04/21/17 12:39 PM
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C Worthy Offline
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Rtic +1

I have a Yeti and an Rtic. Never buy another yeti. Also, Rtic coolers are actually larger for the same QT size than a yeti.


Life is one big playground. Be sure to ride all the rides before it closes.
Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Jim Ford] #12209778 04/21/17 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted By: Jim Ford
Look at K2 Coolers. I bought one for about half the price of a Yeti (I own Yeti, K2, and RTIC coolers) and found it to be of comparable quality.


I won a K2 Summit 60 with wheels. It is a fine cooler, but I never have a use for a large cooler. It is stored and never had any thing in it.

http://www.k2-coolers.com/index.php/summit-series/summit-wheeled-60.html


Snowflakes and entitled brats will be the doom of America!


Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12209938 04/21/17 02:24 PM
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RTIC... half the price of a YETI and it's the same cooler basically. They work great!

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12212486 04/23/17 03:57 PM
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BMowatt Offline
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RTIC

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12212557 04/23/17 05:16 PM
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trapperben Offline
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Interesting thread. Like someone else said I had an old Coleman Extreme that provided I kept it in the shade would keep ice two or three days in deer camp. Don't know if the new ones are the same quality. My age if I buy another one it probably will be a similar one though vs a yeti or similar.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12213052 04/24/17 01:52 AM
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My kids got me an RTIC, keeps the adult beverages at the right temp!


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12215569 04/25/17 03:58 PM
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ou.sooner Offline
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I really like my Bison but can't say whether or not one is any better than the other.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12215781 04/25/17 05:21 PM
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RTIC is the best for the price. Pelican coolers are my favorite. I have a 95 qt that makes a great sight fishing platform and keeps my food and drinks cold for days. I think that cooler might actually make ice.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12215839 04/25/17 05:35 PM
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I've got the artic lunch size and the 24. I took the lunch sized one fishing this weekend. I out 3 ice packs in it. The blue type that you freeze ahead of time. I had 2 sandwiches in zip lock bags and 2 can drinks. The can drinks were slushy to almost frozen at lunch time. I had to let the sandwiches sit a minute and thaw as the meat was almost frozen.

I've been very happy with my artics

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12243196 05/12/17 08:46 PM
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+1 for Rtic holds ice for days at half the cost !

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12243639 05/13/17 03:27 AM
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RTIC, Ice Hole, or Pelican


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12244694 05/14/17 07:31 AM
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Big'n On Jig'n Offline
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Here is a interesting read and side by side comparison.

Might want to consider Walmart's Ozark Trail.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586765&page=4

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12244739 05/14/17 11:51 AM
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Engel Coolers


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Tim Haugh] #12245356 05/14/17 09:52 PM
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Po Boy Offline
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I have a small Bison, 20 or 25 at I think. It will not hold ice any longer than a cheap Igloo or Colman. I was very disappointed in it.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12245551 05/15/17 12:56 AM
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encKe Offline
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I went with a Megellan Ice Box 50 (Academys house brand) & couldnt be more pleased. Coming in at $169.99 compared to the Yeti @ $379.00. I paid $200.00 fer mine cause i bought it bout 6 months ago. Very heavy duty construction / material. Its a beast to move around. Great on my War Eagle for the much needed weight in the front.




My ol lil JRT insist she be the picture fish

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12246439 05/15/17 05:42 PM
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murraycamp Offline
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I have had very good experiences with Ice Mule coolers FWIW.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12252518 05/19/17 01:45 AM
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Freeman Clark Offline
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Garage Sale cooler have worked for me the past 50 years.LOL.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12253082 05/19/17 02:10 PM
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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.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12256086 05/21/17 11:04 PM
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SARG Offline
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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 dance2

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12257507 05/22/17 07:56 PM
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KingwoodCat Offline
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Yeti prices are coming down. Roadie is now $199. Used to be $250. Capitalism at work.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: SARG] #12259281 05/23/17 07:05 PM
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Jim Ford Offline
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Originally Posted By: Sarg
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 dance2


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

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Jim Ford] #12259429 05/23/17 08:35 PM
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Smurfs Offline
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Originally Posted By: Jim Ford
Originally Posted By: Sarg
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 dance2


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


Walk?
bolt

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12260100 05/24/17 03:49 AM
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FXfromTx Offline
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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....


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12261369 05/24/17 10:07 PM
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If you want a Texas company and one that is made in U.S.A., get a Bison.




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


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.



Last edited by Mikel Stephens; 05/24/17 10:11 PM.
Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12262669 05/25/17 06:05 PM
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pagemaster Offline
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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.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12262672 05/25/17 06:07 PM
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Cast Offline
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RTIC or cheaper, a steel sided Igloo from Academy is good too.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Len B 1] #12267634 05/29/17 01:27 PM
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Bob Landry Offline
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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.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12267740 05/29/17 03:10 PM
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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.

Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: KingwoodCat] #12267781 05/29/17 03:37 PM
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Bob Landry Offline
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Originally Posted By: KingwoodCat
Yeti prices are coming down. Roadie is now $199. Used to be $250. Capitalism at work.


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.


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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: Texan Fisher] #12267806 05/29/17 03:58 PM
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Re: Quality Cooler Suggestion [Re: cwil] #12268132 05/29/17 08:56 PM
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Interesting read, however, I'm disappointed they didn't throw the Rtic in the test given the price point of their coolers


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