However, the overall size of RTIC 20 is somewhat more compact and space-friendly. But what is actually the differencebetween these two coolers? RTIC coolers are available most commonly in tan, or white, while YETI has a tan, white, seafoam green and a light blue colour available. We checked each coolers ice retention/melt rate three times a day and recorded the time and temp for each one. Along the way, he's gained in-depth knowledge of the novel challenges overlanders encounter and practical ways to meet them. RTIC coolers are rugged and well-insulated. Partially, yes its the marketing. But guess what, this brand was also founded by two brothers, Jim and John, in Cypress, Texas. . As per many customers, the RTIC 65 can retain ice for up to 5 days. It features the two inches PermaFrost insulation and FatWall design for long-lasting ice retention. So you can go with either. 1. Their hard-sided coolers range in sizes 20 qt, 26 qt, 40 qt, 58 qt, 75 qt, and 140 qt and sell two soft-sided coolers: the 'Tote' and the '20 can', so you'll be sure to get something for your needs. The thickness of the insulation paired with the waterproof materials also prevents any sweating. In addition, their coolers all have (slightly) larger dimensions, despite the supposed same number of quarts. The best cooler overall. We'll get into all the details below, including a head to head test of each brand's ability to keep your stuff cool over an extended period. However, RTIC offers all of its products at a very low price compared to YETI. They offer a small enough size to fit amongst the weekend . It also has all the similar features to the last one. is available in a wide variety of colors. It does have a pretty high price. The flex-grip handles are comfortable and make for an easy carry. We reviewed the 55 Quart Ice Vault Roto-Molded Cooler with wheels from Blue Coolers over the last couple of months. While theyre quite expensive ($450), RovR coolers are some of the most durable, versatile coolers on the market today. Want to see how these two popular coolers stack up against the competition? Contedo. It just took up too much space. It also features the most popular features from RTIC like the leak-proof zipper, 2-inch thick insulation, sweat proof, mildew-resistant, and more. RTIC coolers are a good choice then. The empty weight of this cooler bag is about 5.1 pounds. Ice stays ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant. Within a few hours, each was reading about 34 degrees; nice and chilly. Lucky for you, we tested dozens of coolers to help you find the right pick. Remember that both of these are bulky to begin with. While Lifetime was no slouch, Yeti does seem to perform a bit better. They also makes the Hopper in the same three sizes an RTIC cooler does: in 20, 30 and 40 can capacities. Specifically made with hemp-filled polypropylene, the construction of the Taiga cuts back on petroleum plastic without compromising on performance. They work darn well and nearly identically, with the Yeti staying slightly colder. Heres the key differences and what you really need to know. Out of 10 coolers tested, only four made it to 9 days outside, and only two still had ice on day 10. This one comes with all the premium features of YETI Tundra hard coolers. The dimension of the cooler is 25 1/2 (l) x 16 (w) x 15 (h) inches. Because when warm air can penetrate the walls of that cheap box, what's inside is going to seek equilibrium with the outside climate. RTIC Coolers vs YETI. 20 qt: 70 qt: 25 qt: Days of Cold Beverages (Measured Days Below 50 F) 6.8 days: 5.3 days: 3 days: . We tested the best camping stoves from Coleman, Camp Chef, Primus, and more for this review. The Tundra 65 ($350 . . That might be a deciding factor for me. $60. Now, ideally, you find a way to shade your cooler (and we have a lot more tips to follow, no matter which tool you use for the job). As per RTIC it can keep ice-cold for up to 24 hours and keep warm beverages hot for up to 6 hours. The RTICs just have too many material issues we see over time. Hello ShedHeads readers! Similarly, it is also available in more than 20 colors to choose from. As a result, these soft-sided coolers can accommodate up to 24 cans with a 2:1 ice to can ratio or 30 lbs. My name is James Kennedy, and I've certainly enjoyed writing about my favorite outdoor gear over the years. Add a bag of ice to get it down to temperature, pour the water out, then fill the cooler when you are ready to head out. If you want a little extra space and a cheaper price, check out the RTIC 45. When . Heres a great video that compares the capacity of the RTIC 65 quart cooler with the Tundra 65. If you spend much of your time outside, especially for long periods of time, its a fantastic cooler to consider. YouTube. The newer Coleman 316 Series is home to 52-, 62-, 65-, 70-, and 100-quart coolers (some are wheeled options). In terms of capacity, the Yeti claims to . Lastly, the prices of the drinkware provided by YETI are also a bit higher compared to the RTICs. Similarly to the 45 quart models, the RTIC 65 has a true 65qt capacity, vs the YETIs 57qt internal storage. Best Premium Cooler with Excellent Ice Retention: YETI Tundra 65. Lastly, we filled each cooler to the very top with yet more loose ice. For a camping trip, the most suitable sizes made by RTIC are the 20, 45, and 65 models. Comparison Of The Rtic 20 vs The Yeti 20. RTIC skimps in a few areas, most notably in the unsealed gasket which can potentially peel off (these are fully sealed in YETIs) and the foam handles which are rubber on the YETIs. YETI is a company from Austin Texas, founded in 2006 by 2 brothers, Ryan and Roy Seiders. Which cooler actually performs better and gives you better ice life? The RTIC has a flip-top lid that isnt quite as secure and we could see breaking off pretty quickly. But with a 70-quart volume and cheap price tag ($85), the Coleman 316 line offers the best options for budget-conscious travelers. This is the 12 oz. Best Small Cooler for Day Trips: YETI Roadie 24. Its also available in several colours including some really slick looking camouflage designs. These ramblers are made with BPA-free 18/8 stainless steel. RTIC released a statement saying they wanted to conclude the suit, for the purpose of avoiding the additional costs and uncertainty of continued litigation. YETI Coolers seems appeased as they received some financial compensation from RTIC, and RTIC was also required to redesign their product line. IN GENERAL, we find that the YETI Hopper holds ice slightly better than the RTIC soft-sided coolers. 11 lbs 6 oz. The result is an extremely tough cooler that has a very impressive ice life . (Igloo claims retention for this cooler at 1-3 days.). What type of vehicle suits your overlanding style? Materials: YETIs materials are slightly better It weighs about 5.5 pounds when empty. Ideally with ice, but even as that melts, they suggest adding towels or anything to eliminate that layer. Mary also serves as the leader of AllGear Digitals DEI Committee. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Plus, we spoke with an expert on what to look for when shopping for coolers. Yeti lists a comprehensive game plan for packing its coolers. Then, as Yeti recommends, we added a "sacrificial" ten-pound bag of ice to each cooler and waited. Both are easy to transport and can be carried with one hand. Yeti's Tundra, like the RTIC, comes with roped straps, and we like their hard plastic, fluted grips that allow a better purchase, especially with wet or sweaty hands. Now the Ozark Trail coolers come with a couple of different types of handles. RTIC Softpak 30 Vs. The two companies have since reached an agreement, which has led to RTIC being required to cease all sales of their coolers and to redesign any future coolers. That's a rounding error. . Some would say this is personal preference, but in my opinion, it all comes down to your cooler volume and what youre hauling. The coolers in their line of Outdoors IceBox hard coolers start at size 20 and go all the way up to 75. Like RTIC, YETI also offers a plethora of premium features in its drinkware. Sizes are still very comparable, therefore the models can go head to head in comparison. They offer high-end coolers that are ruggedly built, come with useful features, and quality after-sale service. So, you will get coolers of similar sizes from these companies. Surprisingly, when comparing RTIC vs YETI coolers, the less expensive RTICs are more effective at retaining ice. That means it is BPA-free, non-toxic, and non-leaching. Some folks have received their RTICs with scratches and other blemishes already on the cooler when receiving. Still, as we said up top, Yeti ultimately wins out, thanks to its superior temperature retention, plus the brand's trademark user-friendliness and the fact that its carry handles are super comfortable. Ferenc has also written for Ih8mud, the Expedition Portal, the Overland Journal, and he is often invited as a guest to outdoors-related podcasts. This is one of the older models (pre-Yeti trademark lawsuit) from back when RTIC was still knocking off of the Yeti Roadies, with the same materials, same factories, and were virtually identical in every way. And the 100% leakproof zipper keeps water out and worst case scenario if something spills on the inside, will keep the mess inside rather than get all over your things. Its hard not to like everything about the Taiga Terra ($199). Well, wrong. Stanleys 30-quart cooler ($80) was a bit of a dark horse in testing but ended up exceeding expectations. Life is tepid. However, the plastics and insulation being used are nearly identical, so its up to you if these small features are worth paying for. Pelican coolers are different in many ways, but most notably, their design style. This is another area where the two cooler brands differ. Its great because although the insulation is soft, its still rigid enough to have the entire cooler have a stiffer structure and a uniform shape. As we mentioned earlier, while YETI does make a comparable cooler to RTIC in their flip-top lid, we actually prefer the hopper style over the boxy flip-top. On his website, he shares informed opinions about everything from the best overland gear to how to get a vehicle unstuck. Comparing these identical models can be rather difficult considering that the Rtic 20 is built so similarly to the Yeti 20 . Why is a YETI cooler so dang expensive? . This model has a sturdy rotomolded construction that makes it sturdy enough to support your weight, so it can easily double as a chair. Pelican 20 QT Elite Hard Cooler. YETI was founded back in 2006 by two brothers Roy and Ryan in Austin, Texas. The sweet spot volume of all the coolers we tested was a 40- to 45-quart cooler. And while sustainable outdoor gear can sometimes disappoint when it comes to utility, this cooler performed alongside the best. Best 20 Quart Cooler: YETI Roadie 20 Cooler VS RTIC 20 Tan. RTIC is probably the brand who established themselves as the toughest competitor, with their great value for money, quality products and proven track record. These coolers are made for a day trip or a weekend. I think that the priciest cooler they make is about $250, which is virtually the starting price for most Yeti coolers. The Hoppers can be 2-3x more expensive than the RTICs. It is finished with DuraCoat color, which doesnt fade, crack, or peel. Youll want to consider not only how much cooler space you may want for different adventures, but perhaps the most important factor a coolers dimensions. What brand is better than YETI? The YETI Tundra Wheeled cooler ($450) has all the features you could want: a great design, formidable construction, high-quality materials, versatile volume, and more. Unlike Yeti's measurement system, this one actually holds 20 quarts. 4. $249.99). Still, we wanted a setup that was pretty much worst-case: You're out on that boat in the ocean or parked at a National Park campground, and there's strong, consistent solar exposure. It also comes with many similar features like DryHide shell, leak-proof HydroLok zipper, heavy-duty shoulder straps, and more. While the RTIC is a decent cooler, weve seen a few issues with them that we dont with the YETIs. It has heavy-duty latches and side handles. Larger can be good. This is also made with 18/8 stainless steel. Some of the key features of this cooler are a cool lift design, built-in tie download, no-fail hinges, and more. Expert advice on Overlanding - equipment, routes, inspiration, overland blog. Due to their convenient sizes and capacities, the most popular ones in the line are YETI Tundra 45 and 65 (my review or price on Amazon). This soft cooler has a wider, easier to access opener, that functions without a zipper. Unfortunately, the likeness was a little too striking, and YETI filed a patent infringement lawsuit against them. Free shipping for many products! The 40 is honestly quite large, which we love since we always like to overpack (who wants to be hungry or thirsty?). In fact, RTIC has numerous cooler and tumbler options that are almost identical to YETIs. They're also lockable for security (since there's a bling factor to a rotomolded cooler) and for preventing critters like bears from getting into your precious provisions. . While the RTIC 45 holds 45 quarts as advertised, the Tundra 45 actually only has a capacity of 38 quarts. Remember how earlier when we were talking size range, we noted that the the RTICs are larger in general, with thicker walls and plastic? Along with that, it also comes with a dry good basket. Because this brand started its journey in this industry a long time ago. I can load up the 65-quart with four frozen gallon-jugs of water and have lots of room for food and drink. . Specs of RTIC 45. Where each cooler varies here is the thickness of the cooler itself. In addition, the gasket is not sealed/joined, so there is a small gap where the two ends meet. Since then, they have been offering a myriad of coolers and drinkware with so many unique and useful features and reliable build quality. Sitewide Sale: Extra 20% off coolers, drinkware, and more with this RTIC promo code. If you need help answering that question or narrowing down your choices, wed recommend comparing our best picks. of ice. First, we put both coolers into storage in a basement where the ambient temperature was about 60 degrees. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Good materials, though significantly heavier, Manufactured with premium materials but still lightweight, Material and fabric are good, but not great, Great ice life and performance, as expected. 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