Beach Coolers and Koozies

Beach coolers and koozies keep your food and drinks cold ...for hours. Spending the day at the beach requires planning and the right beach supplies - like a beach cooler that keeps all of your pop, juice, and water nice and cold, and all of your sandwiches and fruits fresh and crisp. 

beach coolers

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Beach Coolers: Features to Look For

Beach coolers are essential for a day at the beach, keeping your beverages and snacks cool and refreshing under the hot sun. Here are some features and considerations when choosing a beach cooler:

  • Capacity: Consider how much you need to store in the cooler. Are you packing drinks for just yourself or for a group? Choose a cooler size that fits your needs.
  • Insulation: Look for coolers with high quality insulation to keep your items col for longer periods of time.  There are several brands known for their ability to maintain cold internal temps despite how hot it is outside. 
  • Portability: Since you'll be likely carrying your cooler across sandy beaches, opt for ones with sturdy comfortable hands, or straps or ones with wheels for easier transport. 
Yeti beach cooler sitting on beach wagon
  • Durability: Beach conditions can be tough on equipment. Look for coolers made from durable materials that can withstand sand, water, and sun exposure without deteriorating.
  • Waterproofing: Consider whether you need a cooler that is entirely waterproof or just water-resistant. This feature can be important for keeping the contents dry, especially if your cooler might get splashed by waves or sits in wet sand.
  • Additional Features: Some coolers come with extra features like built-in bottle openers, cup holders, or external pockets for storing small items like keys or sunscreen.
  • Ease of Cleaning: Beach coolers can get dirty quickly. Look for models that are easy to clean, either with removable liners or materials that wipe down easily.
beach cooler with canned drinks and ice
  • Ice Retention: If you plan to keep items cold for an extended period, consider coolers with better ice retention capabilities. Some premium models can keep ice frozen for days.
  • Price: Beach coolers come in a range of prices, so consider your budget and how frequently you'll use the cooler when making your decision.
  • Brand Reputation: Some brands, such as RTIC, Yeti and Coleman are known for their quality and reliability in producing coolers. Researching brand reputations and customer reviews can help you choose a beach cooler to serve your needs.

Soft Sided Beach Coolers and Cooler Bags

A new design for beach coolers that is becoming very popular is the collapsible type.

soft sided cooler bags

These coolers are basically soft, double insulated, waterproof beach bags. Some are reinforced with light weight aluminum for extra durability.

Dividers inside to separate food and extra pockets on the outside for paper goods are some nice features to look for.  

The majority of soft sided beach coolers are very portable, easy to store and capable of holding plenty of food and drinks.

Soft Sided Coolers and Cooler Bags

Beach Coolers with Wheels

soft sided wheeled coolers

When you have a long trek to the beach, carrying a cooler can be quite bothersome, especially when your cooler is large and heavy, and doesn't have a carrying strap.

This is when you need a beach cooler with wheels. These also come in a wide array of styles and sizes.

You can go for a soft sided one or a large hard, double insulated cooler.  While none of the cooler options have wheels that go through the sand very well, we still like using them for walking from our beach condo or house to the beach.

Once we got into the soft sand we just drag it to our hang out spot. 

If you are walking any distance this beats having to carry your food and easy enough to use for one of the kids to pull it to the beach.

Find out your options here:

Best Beach Cooler with Wheels

Beach Backpack Cooler Bag

A backpack cooler bag frees up your hands for hauling your beach cart, chairs or umbrella.  Wide padded straps are easy on your shoulders.

backpack cooler bag

Two side pockets can carry water bottles, while a top outside pocket can carry valuables or paper goods. Because it's soft sided it's easy to travel with as it can be packed in your suitcase or won't take up much room in your car.

Of course this one is fully insulated and will keep your drinks and food cold for hours with the help of several ice packs. 

Large Padded Backpack Cooler Bag - Fully Insulated, Leak and Water Resistant, Adjustable Shoulder Straps, Extra Storage Pockets

Floating Coolers

This floating cooler can hold up to 72 cans and has 6 beverage holders around the perimeter of the inflatable cooler.

Heavy duty handles on the side make it easy to grab the ice chest and pull it towards you.  You can remove the lid if you prefer and keep it on securely with velcro straps.

Tether cords make it possible to connect to other floating devices so if you are floating in a river or lake everything stays close together.

Two INTEX Mega Chill Inflatable Floating Beverage Coolers

Koozie Coolers

Koozie coolers, like this one staked into the sand, keep your drinks cold once they come out of the ice.  

Koozie coolers

We also like how it keeps the drinks out of the sand and close to the beach chair. 

Insulated sleeves prevent condensation and helps everyone identify their own drink.

Check out this guide for koozies for your cans, nalgene water bottles or other beverages here:

Koozie Coolers

Bringing food and drinks for a family of 6 or for just two people requires different size coolers. This important beach gear is relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider one will probably last for your entire lifetime – except for the styrofoam type.

When looking for a beach cooler, the main things to keep in mind are how often you will use it, how much you plan need to carry, and whether or not you need wheels. With the right beach coolers, you can enjoy chilled beverages and snacks all day long while soaking up the sun by your favorite piece of water.

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