JustBuyItForLife.com

Buy It For Life
Coolers

Updated May 24, 2024

Outdoor & Camping

Buy something that will last.
Here's a curated list of the most
durable and high-quality coolers and the best place to get them.
Do you know of an item that should be on this list? Let us know!

Most Loved Badge

YETI Cooler External link

High-end rotomolded cooler known for durability and excellent ice retention.

  • Durable
  • Excellent ice retention
  • Good customer service
Their stuff performs incredibly well and their customer service bowled me over.
– Icy-Guidance-8091 Reddit comment
My yeti 110 was in the bed of my truck full of 90 coors lights and 40 pounds of ice. Fell out of my bed at 45 mph and just got scratched up.
– SnooChickens7845 Reddit comment
I have a yeti tundra 40 that’s been riding on the bed of my truck since 2009. Still in perfectly working order.
– goats_are_tasty Reddit comment

Available at REI

RTIC Cooler External link

Affordable alternative to Yeti, known for its durability and ice retention.

  • Affordable
  • Great ice retention
  • Durable
The ice retention is excellent compared to my old Coleman.
– Icy-Guidance-8091 Reddit comment
Hate to say it but yeti or those RTIC. my yeti 110 was in the bed of my truck full of 90 coors lights and 40 pounds of ice.
– SnooChickens7845 Reddit comment
RTIC Brand Coolers are 98% as good as YETI and cost 1/3 as much.
– unknown Reddit comment

Available at RTIC Outdoors

Most Loved Badge

Coleman Steel Belted Cooler External link

Retro-style metal cooler known for its longevity and aesthetic appeal.

  • Durable
  • Nostalgic design
  • Metal exterior
The originals were insulated with asbestos and were awesome coolers.
– NitroJesus4000 Reddit comment
Now this is an aesthetic.
– KeepinItPiss Reddit comment
Be very careful with that around kids. There's a good reason they don't make them with latches like that anymore.
– teovall Reddit comment
Buy on Amazon

Pelican Cooler External link

Heavy-duty, USA-made rotomolded cooler known for its ruggedness and durability.

  • Rugged
  • Durable
  • Usa-made
Bought a Pelican a few years back...mold was warped and quality wasn't close to Yeti had to return it.
– danschurman Reddit comment
Pelican. Made in USA. Absolute tank.
– purepursuit Reddit comment
I have a Yeti, and that’ll last me forever.
– holy_cal Reddit comment

Available at Pelican

Canyon Coolers External link

Rotomolded cooler that is a more affordable alternative to Yeti with high-quality hardware.

  • Affordable
  • Good hardware
  • Durable
Canyon Coolers are a yeti alternative (rotomolded) that’s much cheaper. Their hardware and latches are top notch.
– Jkf3344 Reddit comment
I’ll check them out! Really good to know about the hardware.
– Current_Variety_9577 Reddit comment
Most rotomolded coolers will last a very long time.
– purepursuit Reddit comment
Buy on Amazon

Igloo Playmate External link

Compact and vintage cooler, often found at thrift stores or estate sales, known for its charming retro design.

  • Affordable
  • Retro design
  • Sturdy
The vintage Igloo Playmate is my favorite.
– strangefaerie Reddit comment
I love the Playmates! I’m looking for something bigger this time around.
– Current_Variety_9577 Reddit comment
Our family’s OG coolers have gotten tons of use and been kicked around a lot and are still solid+sturdy as ever.
– MazzyStar9 Reddit comment
Buy on Amazon

Back to Outdoor & Camping

Sources:
Recommendations for a BuyItForLife Cooler?
Recommendations for a cooler that will last
The Coleman cooler, a BIFL cooler that is still light weight
My Coleman cooler from 1966.
Coleman Lil’ Oscar cooler (built 8/1982)
IGLOO just released a retro line, claiming to manufacture the coolers with the same material/ machining as they did back in the day. Our family’s OG coolers (~30 years old) have gotten tons of use and been kicked around a lot and are still solid+sturdy as ever.
Coleman Cooler 1982. 42Qt. Love the metal exterior. Still going strong after all these years.