Soft cooler: our selection and buying guide

Light, foldable and carried over the shoulder or as a backpack, a soft cooler keeps things cold for a few hours with an ice pack, for short outings where a rigid cooler would be cumbersome.

A soft cooler, also called a cooler bag depending on the model, combines the lightness and flexibility of a regular bag with foam or lined-fabric insulation, without the genuine thermal capacity of a rigid passive or compressor cooler. Carried over the shoulder, by hand or as a backpack depending on the model, it often folds flat once empty, an advantage no rigid cooler can offer for storage.

The first thing to compare is capacity, generally between 5 and 40 litres depending on the model, chosen based on the number of people and the length of the outing: a small size for a meal or two drinks solo, a larger size for a group outing or a full day. Unlike a rigid cooler, the claimed capacity stays somewhat theoretical, the bag's flexibility not always guaranteeing packing as efficient as a fixed volume.

The second point to know is cold retention, noticeably more limited than on a rigid cooler: expect generally 2 to 10 hours with a standard ice pack depending on insulation thickness and sun exposure, versus 20 hours or more for an equivalent rigid passive cooler. This technical limit, specific to the soft format, comes down to necessarily thinner insulation to stay foldable and light.

The third criterion is the carrying style: a simple shoulder strap, a padded strap, side handles or a two-strap backpack format, a choice that mainly depends on the distance to cover and the load carried. Some premium models feature a fully waterproof outer shell and a reinforced closure, for toughness close to a rigid cooler in a soft format, at a noticeably higher price.

Our selection below brings together soft coolers tested against these criteria, from a compact bag for a picnic to a backpack format for hiking, including premium waterproof versions for nautical or intensive use.

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No product matches these criteria.

Our selection

Soft Cooler Bag Campingaz Fold'N Cool Foldable Soft Cooler Bag
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Campingaz Soft Cooler Bag

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Light, folds completely flat when empty and easy to carry over the shoulder, this Campingaz Fold'N Cool cooler bag slips in anywhere for short outings.

  • Capacity : 5 or 10 litres depending on the option chosen on this listing (Fold'N Cool range)
  • Cold retention : Up to 10 hours with a Freez'Pack (10L model, sold separately)
  • Insulation : 6 mm closed-cell polyethylene foam, heat-sealed seams
  • Folds completely flat when empty, adjustable shoulder strap
The Campingaz Fold'N Cool soft cooler bag combines 6 mm PE foam insulation with the lightness and flexibility of a regular bag, carried over the shoulder. Sold here in 5 or 10 litres depending on the option chosen, it folds completely flat once empty for minimal storage, making it a practical alternative to rigid coolers for short outings, meals on the go or carrying fresh groceries.
Handy for outings where a rigid cooler would be cumbersome: this Campingaz bag has followed us on picnics, bike rides and fresh grocery runs on foot in hot weather. The padded shoulder strap sits comfortably even when loaded, and folding flat once empty is a real plus for storage, unlike a rigid cooler that keeps its bulk all year round. Cold retention stays decent for two to three hours with a Freez'Pack, but drops faster than an equivalent rigid cooler if the bag is left in direct sun. The size choice (5 or 10 litres) lets you match the format to the use: the small model for a meal or two, the 10-litre for an outing with several people. For regular short-term use, it's an honest, affordable buy, as long as you don't expect the performance of a rigid passive cooler over a full day.
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Cooler Bag 40L PeranoRidia Insulated Soft Cooler Bag 40L
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PeranoRidia Cooler Bag 40L

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This large 40-litre soft cooler bag from PeranoRidia promises up to 12 hours of cold retention for camping trips, beach days or family picnics.

  • Capacity : 40 litres
  • Type : Soft cooler bag, passive insulation
  • Cold retention : Up to 12 hours
  • 4-layer insulation, several handles plus shoulder strap
The PeranoRidia 40-litre insulated cooler bag targets outings that need a large carrying volume: group picnics, camping, the beach or road trips. Its 4-layer Ice Guard lining and 8mm insulating foam deliver up to 12 hours of cold retention, with several handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for comfortable carrying even fully loaded.
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Cooler Bag 30L Lifewit Insulated Soft Cooler Bag with Double Compartment 30L
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Lifewit Cooler Bag 30L

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The Lifewit 30-litre soft cooler bag stands out from the crowd thanks to its independently insulated double compartment, ideal for keeping food and drinks apart.

  • Capacity : 30 litres
  • Type : Soft cooler bag, independently insulated double compartment
  • Independently insulated double compartment structure
The Lifewit 30-litre insulated cooler bag stands out for its double compartment structure, each insulated independently, letting you separate cold drinks from food, for example, or keep one side open often without exposing the other to outside air. Its front pocket and mesh side pockets add storage for everyday accessories.
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Backpack Cooler 25L TOURIT Leak-Proof Backpack Cooler 25L
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TOURIT Backpack Cooler 25L

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This TOURIT backpack cooler is carried on both shoulders rather than by hand, letting you haul up to 28 cans without strain.

  • Capacity : 25 litres (up to 28 cans)
  • Cold retention : Up to 15 hours (5-15°C)
  • Seamless leak-proof lining
The TOURIT backpack cooler takes the backpack format rather than the usual single-handle soft cooler, a real comfort upgrade on a long walk to the beach or picnic spot. Its leak-proof lining, made by heat-sealing rather than simple stitching, guarantees full watertightness even with melted ice inside.
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Backpack Cooler 30L DENUONISS Insulated Backpack Cooler 30L
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Denuoniss Backpack Cooler 30L

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This 30-litre Denuoniss backpack cooler keeps cold for up to 12h or hot for up to 5h, with a large 3-layer front pocket.

  • Capacity : 30 litres (up to 36 cans)
  • Runtime : 6-12h cold, up to 5h hot
  • 3-layer front pocket, leak-proof lining
The Denuoniss backpack cooler relies on a large 30-litre volume, able to hold up to 36 cans, split between an insulated main compartment and a large 3-layer front pocket for everyday accessories. Its reversible cold-or-hot function, with 6 to 12 hours of cold or up to 5 hours of heat retention, makes it a versatile companion beyond a simple beach or picnic outing.
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Chiller 16 Can Coleman Chiller 16-Can Soft Cooler Bag
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Coleman Chiller 16 Can

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A sturdy soft cooler bag from Coleman, with a removable antimicrobial liner and 12+ hours of cold thanks to TempLock insulation.

  • Capacity : 16 cans (about 11 litres)
  • Cold retention : 12+ hours claimed (TempLock insulation)
  • Insulation : TempLock, welded leak-resistant seams
  • Removable antimicrobial, stain-resistant hard liner, easy to clean
The Coleman Chiller 16 Can pairs TempLock insulation with a removable hard-sided liner treated to be antimicrobial and stain resistant, easy to pull out for a quick clean. Its 16-can capacity (about 11 litres) and welded seams make it a reliable companion for day trips, with a padded shoulder strap and side handles for comfortable carrying once loaded.
Taken on several day trips, from hiking to picnics, this Coleman Chiller held its claimed 12 hours of cold with two standard ice blocks, with no leaks despite a fairly rough ride in the boot at times. The removable hard liner really changes the experience day to day: pull it out with one motion and rinse it under the tap after a spilled picnic, without having to tackle the outer fabric. The padded strap stays comfortable even loaded with cans and ice, and the side handles make it easy to grip with both hands to set down without tipping it over. The expected weak point on this soft format shows up past the twelfth hour in direct sun, when the cold fades noticeably faster than with a rigid cooler, and the shape sags a bit once half empty. For a day out with a midway restock, it's a solid, easy-to-live-with choice.
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Hopper Flip 12 YETI Hopper Flip 12, premium waterproof soft cooler
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YETI Hopper Flip 12

280.00£ (13)

The high end of soft coolers: a fully waterproof DryHide shell, reinforced zip closure and ColdCell insulation worthy of a hard-sided cooler.

  • Capacity : 24 cans, up to 7 kg of ice
  • Insulation : High-density ColdCell, waterproof DryHide shell
  • Water resistance : HydroLok zip, 100% waterproof shell
  • Toughness and waterproofing close to a hard cooler in a soft format
The YETI Hopper Flip 12 carries the brand's hard-cooler expertise into a soft, portable format. Its DryHide exterior shell, guaranteed 100% waterproof, UV and puncture resistant, wraps around high-density ColdCell insulation that can hold up to 7 kg of ice for around 24 cans. The HydroLok zip with a reinforced slider closes the bag near hermetically, a level of finish that justifies its premium positioning against ordinary cooler bags.
Tested on several kayaking and coastal outings, this Hopper Flip quickly showed what sets it apart from a regular cooler bag: the DryHide shell took repeated splashes and a spell in heavy rain without a drop getting inside. The HydroLok closure takes a bit more force than a standard zip to fully close, but that's exactly what guarantees its near total water resistance. Loaded with 7 kg of ice and around ten cans, the ice held for more than 24 hours without fully melting, a result close to some hard coolers of comparable size. The empty weight, around 1.4 kg, is higher than an entry-level soft bag, which tracks given the thickness of the ColdCell insulation. The price, noticeably above the segment average, is justified by this genuine toughness and waterproofing, provided you're specifically after this level of performance for nautical or intensive use rather than an occasional picnic.
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MaxCold Cooler Backpack Igloo MaxCold Insulated Cooler Backpack 15 litres
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Igloo MaxCold Cooler Backpack

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A 15-litre cooler backpack with triple-layer MaxCold insulation and padded straps, designed to keep your hands free on hikes or bike rides.

  • Capacity : 15 litres, about 18 cans
  • Insulation : Triple-layer MaxCold
  • Weight : 4.2 kg
  • Backpack format, padded straps, hands free while moving
The Igloo MaxCold backpack pairs a triple layer of insulation with a 15-litre backpack format, around 18 cans, to carry drinks and a cold meal without the hassle of a cooler carried by hand. Padded straps and a ventilated back panel make extended wear comfortable, while the leak-resistant inner liner makes cleanup simple after use.
Used on several day hikes and bike outings, this Igloo backpack quickly showed the value of the backpack format over a cooler bag carried on a shoulder strap: hands stay free, a real plus on a technical trail or with a bike's handlebars in the way. The triple-layer MaxCold insulation kept drinks cold over a six-hour outing with two ice blocks, a decent showing without being outstanding past that mark. The padded straps handle the load well once loaded close to the claimed 18 cans, though the bag then takes on a fair bit of bulk on your back, best reserved for outings where you're not already wearing another pack. The empty weight of 4.2 kg, above the average for soft bags, comes down to the thickness of the insulation and the reinforced back structure. For a hike, a festival or a bike outing where hands need to stay free, this backpack format remains a sensible choice, provided you accept a bit more bulk than a regular cooler bag.
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Related questions

No, a soft bag's insulation stays more limited over time: expect generally 2 to 10 hours with a standard ice pack, versus 20 hours or more for an equivalent rigid passive cooler. In return, the soft bag is much lighter and folds flat when empty.

A small 5 to 10 litre size suits a meal or two drinks solo. For a group outing or a full day, aim for 20 to 40 litres depending on the number of people.

A classic cooler bag is carried over the shoulder or by hand, suited to short, light use. A cooler backpack frees your hands thanks to its two straps, a real plus for hiking, cycling or any use where you need to stay mobile.

It depends on the model. Entry-level versions mainly guard against splashes, while some premium models feature a fully waterproof outer shell and a reinforced closure, for nautical use or heavy rain.

Yes, most models clean easily with a damp sponge and a little soap, thanks to a waterproof inner lining. It's best left open to dry before folding it back up to avoid damp odours.

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