Hanging out at the beach is a great way to spend the day especially when you have everything you need to stay comfortable. A great thing to have during this kind of venture is a beach cooler. It’s able to hold drinks and snacks so you can have plenty of refreshments. Keep reading for information to help you find the right products and some suggestions for great products to check out for yourself.
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Finding the Right Cooler
When you are trying to find the perfect cooler for your needs, there are a few things you should always keep in mind.
- Size. One of the most important aspects of a cooler is the size. Not only does it need to be the correct size to accommodate your family’s needs, but it also has to be a size that you can keep in your car and carry or roll down to the beach.
- Duration. You must also know how long you are planning to hang out beachside. In other words, you have to know how long the cooler needs to keep your snacks safe and at a proper temperature.
- Weight. If you have a larger family or are carrying supplies for more than two people, you’ll likely need a larger cooler. This is where the weight may be too much for you to carry. You’ll need to look into larger models or models that make hauling a load easier.
- Ruggedness. Depending on what the shore is like, you’ll probably need a product that won’t get messed up when it’s in sand or exposed to salty water all day.
- Price. There are many types of coolers out there, which indicates that there are items that will fit pretty much any budget. This guarantees that you can get something great at a reasonable price.
- Other purposes. Although you might be looking for a cooler that you can use a day at the beach, it’s a bonus if you can take it to other places. It’s likely that an item that can go to the beach will also come in handy when camping, picnicking, or at a sporting event.
- Options. It’s a good idea to keep up with the options for different products, as some may have a lot of extras that could come in handy for you. The number of options will differ from model to model, but most should have something that makes them stand out from the crowd. This could be anything from rugged wheels to bungees for extra storage.
Types
Much like luggage that you can take with you on a trip, there are a number of coolers that you can purchase.
Bags
There are cooler bags that look more like large lunch bags or overnight bags. These are perfect if you’re only going to spend a few hours at the beach or if there are only one or two people in your party. Furthermore, this type is efficient because they will weigh less than larger versions, so they are easier to carry and keep up with. They also aren’t hard to store them in your car.
Traditional
At some time in your life, you’ve probably seen or owned a traditional type of cooler, which are the types that are made of hard plastic and are rectangular in shape. These come in many sizes and can hold a lot of cargo. At the same time, all of them are not as well insulated as others, so you will have to pay attention to the features to ensure that you’re getting a good product. Additionally, this type may be harder to carry because they have handles that you must use to carry them. In some cases, it takes two people to carry.
Wheeled
There are also wheeled varieties, which can be large or small. These are very good if you don’t want to carry a cooler; however, it may be hard to get them over the beach sand. Some items are able to move over different types of terrain rather easily, without you doing a lot of work or heavy lifting.
Materials
The interior and exterior of coolers can be made of a variety of different materials. Many options have plastic on the inside to make them easier to clean. Alternatively, they may have a soft cloth and plastic inside, which is waterproof so that water can be poured out.
The exterior is much of the same. Most options have a hard plastic exterior to keep it rugged and resistant to a lot of damage. Others have waterproof material on the outside to limit the sand and water damage and so they can simply be wiped off when it’s time to store it again.
Coleman Soft Cooler with Hard Liner
This soft cooler comes in a number of colors to choose from. It is big enough to take to the beach but you can also use it to take your lunch to work. It’s easy to keep clean and is formulated to limit leaks.
Pros
- Liner can be removed. There is a hard plastic liner inside the cooler that gives the item structure. You can remove this to clean the inside and it can be taken out if you don’t want to use it.
- Adjustable strap. There is an adjustable strap for you to carry this with, so you won’t have to strain your hand. You simply wear it on your shoulder and change the length to meet your needs.
- Extra pockets. Besides the main pocket, there are a couple of mesh pockets on the side and one inside. These can hold important items like smaller snacks, napkins, or silverware.
- Liner resists mold and smells. The liner is specially treated so that there won’t be any mold or mildew growth. It is also resistant to smells, which can lengthen the life of the product.
Cons
- Plastic liner can crack. Because there is a plastic liner inside, it can crack if you use it too often or are using it for heavy items frequently. You need to be a little bit careful with it.
Rubbermaid Ice Chest, 60 Quart Wheeled
This cooler is great for larger groups of people or when you need to have provisions for a number of days. It will keep everything cool for quite a while and has a rugged design.
Pros
- Resistant to stains. The outside and inside of this cooler are resistant to stains, and shouldn’t build up odors either.
- Easy to wheel. There are wheels to get it from place to place, so you shouldn’t have to carry it unless you want to. There are side handles for you to do so.
- Has cup holders on lid. There are cup holders on top of the lid for you to place your drink in, so it won’t fall into the sand or get lost.
- Long handle. The main handle is long enough that you won’t have to lean over to steer it and pull it. It is also on the same side as the wheels, so they can work in conjunction with each other.
Cons
- May not fit through doorways. If you need to take this one inside, you may have a hard time getting it through the door. Make sure you measure the doorway beforehand or turn the product sideways.
Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler
This sophisticated product is designed to be taken anywhere you need to go. It can be used for many years and can even be mounted to your boat or truck. It is great for a couple of people to use for a quick beach day.
Pros
- Has special latches. There are special latches that ensure that there won’t be any accidental openings with this item. It is designed to stay closed, and it stays true to that reputation.
- Special insulation. Keeping your items icy isn’t a problem for this cooler because there are 3 inches of solid insulation for maximum effectiveness. It’s located on all the walls so each side has a proper amount of insulation.
- Won’t slide around. The bottom has special feet to keep it from sliding around too much, no matter where you place it. In essence, this means it will stay put at all times.
- Won’t leak. The entire product is designed to be leak proof, so the seals should keep water in no matter what.
Cons
- Very heavy. Even when there isn’t anything in this cooler, it weighs nearly 10 pounds. That means it will be even heavier when you put drinks in it.
CleverMade SnapBasket Collapsible Cooler
This unique product comes in a few color choices and looks like a little piece of luggage. It won’t take up a bunch of space in your car and it’s large enough for a small family to use for a day at the beach, where everyone can have what they like.
Pros
- Comes with bottle opener. You won’t have to carry a separate bottle opener because there is one built into the straps on top of this one.
- Holds up to 50 pounds. It can hold up to 50 pounds of supplies, or 30 liters, so it should be big enough for many different purposes.
- Can fold up flat. When you need to put it up, this one folds up very flat, where it is less than 3 inches in height.
- Many handles. You have a choice when it comes to handles. It has handles on the sides, more like a traditional cooler, and there are handles on top, so you can carry it like a gym bag.
Cons
- Have to be careful with zippers. The zipper pulls may come off if you use this one a lot. Be careful with them or carry something like a rubber band or safety pin that you can put on the zippers if the pulls come off for some reason.
Igloo 30 Quart Contour Cooler
This is a traditional type of cooler that is perfect for one person or a few people if they only need a few drinks. It has a sturdy lid and is able to keep everything cool for quite a while.
Pros
- Comes with a warranty. The product features a 1-year warranty, which is something many other items don’t offer.
- Has an ergonomic back. The back of the item is designed to sit against the body while you’re carrying it. This means it has a shape that is easy to hold on to, and it won’t flop hard against your side while you’re walking.
- Has air flow around bottom. The base stands up higher than other products in order to let air circulate around the bottom of it. This should help your drinks stay colder for longer.
- Easy for one person to carry. One person can easily carry this one. There is a large handle that goes across the top of it and two molded handles on the sides, in case you don’t trust the top handle.
Cons
- Handle may pop off. If the cooler is full, the top handle may come off. It is able to be reattached, but you don’t want to accidentally drop the cooler if this happens.
Conclusion
There are so many coolers to choose from when you need one to enjoy your time at the beach. For a small family, the CleverMade SnapBasket Collapsible Cooler can’t be beat because it is easy to clean and can hold a lot of stuff. It also folds up flat, allowing you to keep it in your car and have it whenever you need it. This is something you can’t do with larger plastic models because they take up much more space.
If you want something you won’t have to replace for many years, you should purchase the Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler. It is designed to be virtually indestructible and will keep things cold for a very long time. It is pricier than other options, but it has a lot of features that you can’t get anywhere else, like the special closures and the slide-proof bottom.
Both of these are perfect for day trips to the beach or for a few people to enjoy a range of snacks and beverages. They can be useful at other locations too, but you’ll have to try them for yourself to see where they work the best. They both also come in a number of different colors, so you can take your pick.