Any recommendations on a decent cooler.

B

Brett83

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, anyone have a good recommendation on a good large size fishing cooler. My buddy has a Calcutta, probably 75 lbs empty, with a few fish it's too heavy. Otherwise it's really good. I have a Coleman that's only 1.5 years old a the lids warped, it's a flat lid so maybe the dome shape prevents warp. Yeti seems just as heavy as the Calcutta. My dad has a Coleman from the ninety's that's still in it original shape. Any thoughts or recommendations?
 
I have a Coleman Marine that I bought a few years ago and it’s seen a lot of abuse and is still keeping fish cold on multi day trips. Also have an Iglo 150 QT that I can recommend. A bit on the heavier side but definitely has better insulation than the Coleman. I’ve heard good things about the Yeti ones but I’ve never used one myself before.
 
X3 Igloo Polar. Get one without the hatch on the lid as hatches allow water in and heat in. I have the 120qt. Also have a 150 qt Igloo. Firm believer in multiple smaller coolers. Once load with ice & fish, a 150qt gets too heavy fast. My 120qt is usually my white fish cooler while I have a 90 or 100qt which is usually my salmon cooler. Holds ice for 4 day
Trip no problem. Fish gets home in great shape. Proper ice, storage & draining of the cooler is key.
 
The best are those Calcutta ones or Yeti. But as you say they are heavy/pricey. If you can find those Igloo coolers they always have for sale at Costco they are OK. Usually the Comox store on island has them this time of year.
 
I have an igloo marine, a cheap coleman and a yeti tundra.

The yeti 100% outperforms the others every single time.

But it’s only necessary when you need ice to last long periods of time (3+ days).

The main reason I love the yeti is its cooling ability. Putting ice in all coolers at the same time then inserting warm beer.. the yeti cools the beer twice as fast.
 
I bought a Woods cooler from Canadian Tire. Is a cheaper version of a Yeti.
A few years ago they had on for half price so was around $200. Ice lasts 3 to 5 days in it.
I also have the larger Igloo Coolers for use on longer trips. Usually fill with salt ice if I can get it.
For both I made covers out of silver insulation bubble wrap. It slips over the cooler and just adds another layer of insulation.

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca www.canadiantire.ca
 
Doug said:
While living in AZ, I learned a trick from the locals.

Most cheaper coolers are insulated on the bottom and sides, but the lids have no insulation and are hollow. Check yours.
Friends would drill a hole (s) in the lid and then fill the lid with insulation foam spray.
It will improve the cooler’s performance.
Click to expand...

I found that the removeable top versions have air tightness problems, so on a recent 4 day trip I put a thin towel over the open cooler, and then pushed the top on. It was a bit snug but the performance improved markedly.
 
For max cool storage I use a large Calcutta bag inside a 162 Igloo. I have 2 of these, one in front of my center console and one behind my leaning post style seat. Easily good for 5 day trips

Both have padded cushions for seating
 
My buddy has an ice machine so I fill to capacity a couple days before hand and pull the plug. It will melt down 1/3 or so first couple of days but then the cooler itself is cold and starts to hold the ice well. We can top up if necessary and it keeps ice for at least 5 days. I just use an Igloo from Costco. Also chill the beers in fridge before adding to cooler.
 
This forum is extremely helpful for stuff like this. I'm going for the igloo, but I never considered Costco. Thanks for all the help. I tried to warranty the Coleman at bass pro and they laughed in my face.
 
sven said:
Fill cooler with ice, then add a scoop of dry Ice on top, that will make any cooler last a couple extra days

In Campbell river can get dry ice at the old praxair store. I think it’s linde now
Click to expand...
Nanaimo too
 
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