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The best coolers for camping in 2024
Camping season is officially here, and to make the most of your outdoor adventures, you’re going to need a reliable cooler to keep your food and drinks at optimal temperatures. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay in the wilderness, much like camping tents and outdoor chairs, having the right cooler is essential.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best coolers for camping to help you stay prepared and enjoy your time in nature. From top brands like Yeti and RTIC to budget-friendly choices like Coleman and Igloo, there’s a cooler to fit every need and budget.
What are the best coolers for camping?
We rounded up the best coolers for camping in 2024 below. Our choices include both large and small options, soft sided and hard sided options, and coolers with wheels that are easy to transport.
Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler
The Yeti Tundra 45 is a top choice due to its versatility and durability. With a capacity to hold up to 26 cans, it features thick insulation to keep ice frozen longer. Its sturdy construction makes it nearly indestructible, and it comes with heavy-duty latches that ensure it stays closed during your outing. Available in various sizes and colors, it is the ideal cooler for keeping your food and drinks cool and safe during your camping trips.
Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler, $300
RTIC 52-quart ultra-light wheeled cooler
The 52-quart RTIC cooler offers premium ice retention to keep contents cold for multiple days, holding up to 78 cans or 53 pounds of ice. Designed to be up to 30% lighter than similar wheeled coolers, it features puncture-resistant tires with reinforced suspension, allowing you to easily tow it through mud, dry sand, rugged trails and more during your outdoor excursions. The ergonomic silicone handle ensures comfortable use, making it perfect for camping or a day at the beach.
RTIC 52-quart ultra-light wheel cooler, $249
Herschel Pop Quiz cooler
This soft cooler from Herschel fits 30 cans and is available in a variety of colors and prints. Made from 100% recycled materials, it features a leakproof liner, foam padded insulation to keep contents cold all day and a removable padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. Additional features include a front pocket with a waterproof zipper, reinforced handles and a key clip bottle opener.
The Herschel Pop Quiz cooler retails for $100, though we found a couple of colorways at the retailer that have been discounted by 30%.
Herschel Pop Quiz cooler, $70 and up (reduced from $100)
Coleman 316 Series hard ice chest cooler with wheels
Coleman’s 100-quart cooler features TempLock FX insulation for multi-day ice retention and holds up to 80 cans and 50 pounds of ice making it ideal for camping. It is the ideal companion for outdoor activities thanks to its heavy-duty wheels and an easy-tow handle that makes it a breeze to transport. This design additionally comes with a leak-proof drain plug, four cup holders and a durable lid that supports up to 250 lbs.
Coleman 316 Series 100-quart hard ice chest cooler, $110, (reduced from $116)
Corkcicle Eola bucket cooler bag
Strap this personal-sized Corkcicle cooler on your back and go. It comes in seven color options and features an exterior made of either vegan leather or neoprene material depending on the color you pick.
This cooler features padded adjustable backpack straps for easy carrying and can hold 12 cans or eight cans and two wine bottles. It also includes a rear accessory pocket with a zippered closure, a food-safe interior liner and a full zip closure.
The Corkcicle Eola bucket cooler bag is currently 25% off when you buy direct.
Corkcicle Eola bucket cooler bag, $112 and up (reduced from $150)
Coleman retro cooler
Go for the retro look with this Coleman cooler that holds up to 85 cans and boasts four-day ice retention, even in temperatures up to 90 degrees. With a 54-quart capacity and a Have-a-Seat lid supporting up to 250 pounds, it’s perfect for camping and beyond.
The cooler, available in four colors (green, red, silver, stainless steel), features rust-resistant hardware, and comfort-grip handles. Price varies by color; you’ll get the best deal on the green Coleman cooler shown.
Coleman 54-quart retro cooler, $164 and up (reduced from $200)
Igloo Overland ice chest cooler
The Igloo Overland 50-quart chest cooler is built for outdoor adventure. With a capacity to hold up to 81 cans, it features foam-insulated walls and an insulated lid for superior ice retention. The durable rubberized latches and built-in locking plate keep things secure while comfort-grip handles make it easy to carry.
Other convenient features include a bottle opener, UV inhibitors to prevent sun damage and a leak-resistant drain plug.
Igloo Overland 50-quart ice chest cooler, $89
Business & Pleasure Co. premium cooler
You’d never know this 1970s-inspired bag is actually a cooler. Made of poly-cotton-canvas material treated with mold, water, and UV coatings, it’s a stylish option for overnight camping or glamping.
Measuring 12.5″ W x 8″ H x 8.5″ D, the Business & Pleasure Co. premium cooler holds approximately 3.68 gallons and features genuine leather trim handles and exterior slip pockets.
Business & Pleasure Co. 15-quart premium cooler, $79
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Montana 2024 Senate race has Jon Tester facing reelection challenge from Tim Sheehy
Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Tim Sheehy are facing off in Montana as the Democratic incumbent fights to hold onto his seat in the Senate in a race that’s key to determining which party controls the upper chamber.
Considered the most endangered Democrat seeking reelection in the Senate this cycle, Tester, a moderate in deep-red Montana, has been under the political microscope for months as he campaigns to keep the seat he’s held for nearly two decades. Although the 68-year-old has fended off previous challenges, shifting demographics and political dynamics in the state appeared to enhance the pickup opportunity for Republicans in the 2024 election.
Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and founder of an aerial firefighting company, received his party’s backing as the candidate to take on Tester. The 38-year-old worked to draw a contrast with Tester, portraying himself as an outsider during the campaign while painting the Democrat as an establishment candidate with deep ties to Washington. He also touted bringing jobs to Montana with his business, which made him wealthy enough to help fund his campaign.
Sheehy, who grew up in Minnesota, has faced criticism for lacking the deep roots that Tester has in the state. He has also faced questions about discrepancies in his story of how he sustained a gunshot wound. Meanwhile, Tester sought to portray his opponent as an out-of-touch carpetbagger, likening the GOP candidate to rich out-of-staters who have flocked to Montana in recent years.
Tester is a third-generation Montana farmer. First elected to the Senate in 2006, his brand is well known in the state, and despite its more conservative politics, he’s won reelection twice as a moderate Democrat.
But Montana’s political landscape has changed. In 2020, Donald Trump won Montana by more than 16 points, and trends suggest that an influx of new residents in the state is made up largely of Republicans. The state’s changing dynamics posed a serious hurdle for Tester — the sole Democrat serving in statewide office in Montana.
The Montana Senate seat is a key target for Republicans looking to build a GOP majority in the upper chamber. And it marks among the final Democratic holdouts in the Great Plains, and in red states more broadly.
With a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, Democrats have little room for error. After Sen. Joe Manchin opted not to seek reelection, all but guaranteeing a GOP flip of his seat in West Virginia, Republicans looked to Tester’s seat as the next best opportunity to gain ground.
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Polls open, Election Day underway after Harris, Trump make final campaign pitches
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