Bulky coolers may keep your drinks cold for days, but they can be a bit inconvenient for short trips. Instead, opt for a large soft-sided cooler; it weighs less and will still keep things cold. Our favorite options have extra pockets for snacks, comfortable straps, and easy-to-open tops. The large soft-sided cooler you choose will mostly depend on how much space you need. Check out our favorites below.
Arctic Zone Titan deep freeze zipperless cooler
Keep your food and drink cold and dry
There’s nothing worse than a leaky cooler when you’ve filled it with ice to keep everything cool. Arctic Zone’s large soft-sided cooler is exactly what you need for those long days on the water or road trips across the states. It has an adjustable shoulder strap to make transport easy and can hold up to 30 cans at a time. There’s no zipper to fiddle with on the lid, instead opting for a Velcro closure. Inside, you’ll find a SmartShelf that can be used to keep sandwiches and other softer items from being crushed by heavy drinks.
Coleman soft cooler bag
Removable liner has bonus features
No one likes a musty cooler. To prevent this from happening, Coleman uses a germ-resistant liner, which includes antimicrobials to stop the formation of mildew or mold. But the features don't stop there. This model has multiple pockets on the outside for snacks, room for 16 cans, and a sturdy shoulder strap. You can choose from red, blue, gray, or green to match your other gear.
CleverMade collapsible cooler bag
Hidden wire frame to maintain shape
Most coolers take a lot of space to store. With this option from CleverMade, you can flatten the cooler after use, allowing it to fit almost anywhere. Both the reinforced base and the wire framework keep the cooler upright for easy loading. This option is also deceptively large, letting you store 50 cans. And if you prefer bottles, it has a built-in opener for your convenience.
Lifewit soft cooler bag
Offers a wide opening and multiple pockets
The top of this large soft-sided cooler opens wide, allowing you to fit multiple containers with sandwiches, snacks, or any other food you want to pack on your family outings. The padded shoulder strap makes it comfortable to carry and is fully adjustable. There is a small front pocket to handle your wallet and keys, as well as two side pockets. If you're using this as luggage, there is also a strap across the back to sit on top of your carry-on.
RTIC day cooler
The interior is easy to keep clean
Each time you open a cooler, you're letting out some of the precious cold air inside. But if you're just looking for a quick drink, consider this cooler. The exterior is made of sturdy polyester, and the interior is lined with high-density insulation. Large zipper pulls make the cooler incredibly easy to open. But if you keep it closed, you can expect drinks to stay cold for up to 24 hours.
Choosing a large soft-sided cooler
When you reach for a beverage at the beach or a tailgating party, you'll want it to be cold. But instead of lugging around a heavy plastic cooler, use a large soft-sided cooler to lighten the load. Our favorite option is the Arctic Zone Titan deep freeze zipperless cooler. It has a nice style and size that allow it to be packed easily in the car. There are zippered pockets on the front and sides for your small items. Plus, this cooler comes with a tray to protect sandwiches from getting flattened by cans or bottles.
For many, germ control is a big deal. The Coleman soft cooler bag can prevent mold and mildew growth with its lining. This option also runs smaller than our other picks, holding just 16 cans. However, if you're only going out for the day, and there aren't many people joining you, a smaller cooler is warranted to save strain on your shoulders.
Why trust us?
At GardeningEtc we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
