RTIC VS. YETI HARD COOLERS

[Gotbeer 🍺🍺]

Found a new cooler who's name I hadn't heard of in any comparisons. It's also the only dual compartment cooler I found. Made in USA, competitive pricing, 20% military discount, built like a tank, bear certified, fits under the Diamond Back. Sorry for the late response on this, found it searching for Kong coolers as suggested by @Alpoba. Funny thing was, I couldn't find the Kong locally to look at it, so I kept looking and found the Wyld. I ordered this on a whim, got it very fast shipping, free shipping, FedEx, and so far, very impressed. This cooler has extra thick walls which makes it slightly bulkier, but the two-section idea is what sold me. Frozen goods in the smaller section, access to drinks etc. in the other. (Exactly what I needed on my last camping trip.)

Wyld Gear

Wyld Gear offers the best coolers of 2024 along with a variety of drinkware and accessories. Designed for durability and performance in every adventure.

wyldgear.us

View attachment 167443

How many quarts?

 

[Alpoba]

Found a new cooler who's name I hadn't heard of in any comparisons. It's also the only dual compartment cooler I found. Made in USA, competitive pricing, 20% military discount, built like a tank, bear certified, fits under the Diamond Back. Sorry for the late response on this, found it searching for Kong coolers as suggested by @Alpoba. Funny thing was, I couldn't find the Kong locally to look at it, so I kept looking and found the Wyld. I ordered this on a whim, got it very fast shipping, free shipping, FedEx, and so far, very impressed. This cooler has extra thick walls which makes it slightly bulkier, but the two-section idea is what sold me. Frozen goods in the smaller section, access to drinks etc. in the other. (Exactly what I needed on my last camping trip.)

Wyld Gear

Wyld Gear offers the best coolers of 2024 along with a variety of drinkware and accessories. Designed for durability and performance in every adventure.

wyldgear.us

View attachment 167443

Great looking box!

As of now i’m learning towards Maluna, just trying to figure out the right size between 50vs70. Maluna’s hold ice the longest and i kinda like that with their integrated molded handles the box looks slightly different from the classic form where 98% of the coolers fall. Kong is with Maluna in this regard with the handles.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

How many quarts?

This one is 65 quarts. It's a deeper, not wider capacity. (Like a deep freezer)

With the same hermetic insulation, ice will tend to melt faster with a wide top than with a narrow top, since that is usually the cold/heat ingress point. (Same with any cup, thermos, etc.) Also, a critical spot for a good sealing gasket.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Great looking box!

As of now i’m learning towards Maluna, just trying to figure out the right size between 50vs70. Maluna’s hold ice the longest and i kinda like that with their integrated molded handles the box looks slightly different from the classic form where 98% of the coolers fall. Kong is with Maluna in this regard with the handles.

I watched the videos, Maluna is unique with that rear hinge strap, cool idea. (Pun intended) Whereby the seal is the main heat/cold escape point, an even seal all the way around is a great idea. Good choice.

 

[runline]

Anyone try the 12V refrigerator coolers? I just bought an Iceco APL55 stainless. Looking forward to testing it out to supplement our 8 cu ft 12v fridge in our Airstream on the next camping trip!

 

[speeddev]

Anyone try the 12V refrigerator coolers? I just bought an Iceco APL55 stainless. Looking forward to testing it out to supplement our 8 cu ft 12v fridge in our Airstream on the next camping trip!

I'm a huge fan of the Iceco brand, especially with their SECOP compressor. I've had a VL65D for years and used it on numerous camping trips, through typhoons in the Pacific, power outages in Texas, and for extra fridge space on extended oceanic cruising. I couldn't be happier with mine. I'm sure you'll love yours.

 

[Modman]

Anyone try the 12V refrigerator coolers? I just bought an Iceco APL55 stainless. Looking forward to testing it out to supplement our 8 cu ft 12v fridge in our Airstream on the next camping trip!

Yep, Dometic 55. We love it!

 

[Apparition]

Anyone try the 12V refrigerator coolers? I just bought an Iceco APL55 stainless. Looking forward to testing it out to supplement our 8 cu ft 12v fridge in our Airstream on the next camping trip!

Been using a Dometic CFX 40 for several years, bought it on their memorial day sale for about the same price as an equivalent Yeti. The world is a better place when you don't have to screw around with ice.

I keep the Dometic just cold enough some of the waterbottles and mini snickers in the bottom will freeze and everything else stays nice and cold.

 

[Lunch Box]

Been using a Dometic CFX 40 for several years, bought it on their memorial day sale for about the same price as an equivalent Yeti. The world is a better place when you don't have to screw around with ice.

I keep the Dometic just cold enough some of the waterbottles and mini snickers in the bottom will freeze and everything else stays nice and cold.

This thread still going.......great information!!

 

[Alpoba]

I watched the videos, Maluna is unique with that rear hinge strap, cool idea. (Pun intended) Whereby the seal is the main heat/cold escape point, an even seal all the way around is a great idea. Good choice.

Wanted to close the loop on this now that i’m a proud owner of these two Malunas. These boxes just scream quality.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Wanted to close the loop on this now that i’m a proud owner of these two Malunas. These boxes just scream quality.

Had to watch that video again. Very impressive cooler and company. Good call!

 

[Alpoba]

Had to watch that video again. Very impressive cooler and company. Good call!

Funny story early august i reached out to them and asked if they could sell me a special cooler, combine two colors - mustard base with an orange lid, they said why not, just give them some time and now they are running a limited edition Daybreak collection special. I’m probably the first one to get these delivered. What a company, I love these guys!

Daybreak Collection

Maluna Coolers hold ice 35% longer than the leading competition, are Made in the USA, and are backed by a Lifetime Guarantee.

maluna.com

 

[Optimus🤖]

Would you say it's Grey Poupon or Gulden's?

 

[Alpoba]

Would you say it's Grey Poupon or Gulden's?

They call it the desert tan, with your Vegas background would you say that’s closer to GP or Gulden’s?

 

[Optimus🤖]

They call it the desert tan, with your Vegas background would you say that’s closer to GP or Gulden’s?

I gotta say GP!

 

[Alpoba]

Thank you all for your advice and contributions to this thread. I never realized there was so much to know about coolers and how many of us use them for our everyday and off road activities. This turned out to be an extremely popular and most useful topic. So since I personally don't use a cooler that often but I definitely need one for Big Bend in November I kind of went middle of the pack and today I purchased a 52qt RTIC wheeled cooler. Looks good, I do have other Yeti products but couldn't justify the extra money for equal performance. Thanks to all of you I was able to make a educated decision!! I'll see many of you in November!!

Btw Lunch, this might concern you. I also purchased a 52 RTIC Ultra light cooler; simply, i absolutely loved the color-way (i’m a sucker for this military green orange combo) and it was discontinued to $140 shipped so i just ordered straight from RTIC. It arrived, i loved the way it looked. Soild box. Was going to keep it but then ran a simple water test. And that’s where the disappointment came. The cooler has two drain plugs, not one like most coolers, and it just happens to be its weak point. The larger drain was leaking badly. Like a quart an hour. And it wasn’t the rubber seal either, that’s easy to fix. it was the problem with the mold spec, it was leaking from under the drain insert. I sent it back, to their credit RTIC took care of it no problems, but i opted for a return not an exchange. Had lost my confidence. I might try again, it’s a nice size at 52, and looks gorgeous, would fit nicely between my 22 and 70, but im hesitant now.

Not saying you will have this issue, but if you haven’t already run a water test on yours for a piece of mind.

 

[Alpoba]

Had to watch that video again. Very impressive cooler and company. Good call!

One other reason why i liked it - the bolt on wheel kit on the 70. The cooler itself weights 36lbs, loaded with ice and food i might be able to pick it up but not carry it for distances. I’m not sure if other coolers have this ability to convert from a wheeled to regular in under 5 minutes.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

One other reason why i liked it - the bolt on wheel kit on the 70. The cooler itself weights 36lbs, loaded with ice and food i might be able to pick it up but not carry it for distances. I’m not sure if other coolers have this ability to convert from a wheeled to regular in under 5 minutes.

The Wyld Gear 65 has the option to have wheels or not, but not convertible.

 

[KBTremor]

Here's a question: How many of you guys keep the cooler in the tailgate pretty much 24/7? And if you do, how do you prevent it from being stolen?

I wouldn't mind having my cooler with me most of the time, but worry about spending the $$$ on a good cooler just to have it stolen in a parking lot somewhere.

 

[TX03RUBI]

Here's a question: How many of you guys keep the cooler in the tailgate pretty much 24/7? And if you do, how do you prevent it from being stolen?

I wouldn't mind having my cooler with me most of the time, but worry about spending the $$$ on a good cooler just to have it stolen in a parking lot somewhere.

Been that way unsecured for the better part of 14 years now. Hasn’t been stolen yet. It’s full of ice, drinks, and snacks 24/7. I’d be more upset about replacing the contents than the cooler at this point.