A portable cooler that’s tough as nails
Yeti’s Roadie Coolers are high quality, portable, and come in a variety of size and color choices. Some of the larger products have fixed handles and wheels, others have carry straps.
Features
In addition to the models shown in the photo, Yeti offers two larger 48 and 60 sizes. I reviewed the Yeti Roadie 24. It comes with a carrying handle/strap that can be worn over the shoulder or hand-held. Four non-slip feet on the bottom and a removable drain plug facilitate emptying the cooler. Tie-down slots on the left and right sides can be used with bungee cords or straps to keep the cooler from shifting while traveling. The lid still opens with the straps or bungees attached. Two heavy-duty latches also keep the cooler tightly sealed. An optional pair of brackets can be installed on either the left or right side to accommodate a padlock that discourages beer pilferage. The cooler is tall enough to fit most wine bottles or two liter soda bottles.
Build quality
I’ve owned a number of coolers during my camping and RVing days. They ranged from the flimsy, easily broken Styrofoam items purchased at the grocery store to solid boxes from outdoor stores. On the best of them, I’ve had hinges and latches break and drain plugs fall out. And I usually paid less than $30 for them.
Yeti is in another class altogether: it’s built like the proverbial brick s___ house! The walls are thicker; the hinges more substantial, and the latches more rugged. There is a soft seal around the perimeter of the cover with two small notches. These notches prevent a vacuum forming from temperature and/or atmospheric pressure changes that would render the cooler unopenable. The drain plug does not have to be fully removed to let out the melted ice and it seals well when hand-tightened.
Quibbles
I do have a few minor concerns about the Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler. The handle/strap is a bit awkward if you’re trying to move the cooler. If it is heavily loaded, it could be a handful for one person and difficult for two people. A handle on each side would be appreciated. The drain plug works well but I could foresee circumstances where, if it were left loose, it could get lost. Some sort of retaining device would be a nice touch.
And then there is the price. At $250, this is a substantial investment in your outdoor kit. If you can afford to spend this kind of money on a cooler, you will be rewarded with a nicely made and well performing product. Is it worth five times what you’d pay for a Coleman? That depends on how much you value quality. It should last a lifetime. And you can leave it to your kids.
Warranty
Five Years
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