RTIC Soft Cooler Review (2026): Premium Ice Retention at a Lower Price

RTIC built its reputation largely by offering premium cooler performance at prices noticeably below the category's biggest brand names, and the soft cooler line follows that same approach. After using it for beach trips and long work days needing all day ice retention, it held up well against the performance of pricier soft coolers.

Who it's for

This suits anyone wanting genuinely strong ice retention in a portable, soft sided format for day trips, lunches, or beach outings, without paying premium brand prices. Anyone needing multi day ice retention for extended camping trips will still want a hard sided rotomolded cooler instead.

What we liked

• Ice retention held up for most of a full day, comparable to pricier soft cooler competitors in casual testing.
• The leak proof zipper kept melted ice water contained rather than leaking through seams the way cheaper coolers often do.
• The exterior material resisted tearing well through regular outdoor use and being tossed around in a car trunk.

What could be better

• It's bulkier when fully packed than some slimmer soft cooler designs, which matters for tight storage spaces.
• The shoulder strap, while functional, isn't as comfortable as some competitors' padded strap designs for longer carries.

Key specs, explained

The leak proof zipper uses a specific sealed design that prevents water from seeping through the zipper teeth themselves, which is a common failure point on cheaper soft coolers where melted ice eventually leaks out during transport. Tear resistant exterior material matters for a soft sided cooler specifically because, unlike a hard shell, its structural integrity depends entirely on the fabric holding up to scrapes, punctures, and general rough outdoor handling.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How does it compare to hard sided coolers for ice retention? It doesn't quite match a premium rotomolded hard cooler's multi day retention, but for single day use it performs impressively close to that category.

Q: Can it be used as a backpack instead of a shoulder bag? This specific model uses a shoulder strap design rather than backpack straps, though RTIC does offer separate backpack cooler models for that preference.

Should you buy it?

For strong single day ice retention without a premium brand price tag, this cooler delivers real value.

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