Cooler opinions

[jtayclay]

Yeti 160 vs 210.
I need a new cooler for hunting and fishing mostly. Anyone that has experience with these two, please give me your thoughts.

Besides killing a bull every blue moon, I’m mostly putting whitetail, mule, and hogs in my coolers unless on the Gulf.

I guess I should have added this bit of info., but I’m not too worried on price because I’m getting it for 40% off.

 

[smw110136]

 

[jtayclay]

I appreciate the response! I have watched that video a couple times already trying to make my mind up. Haha.

 

[JEL]

I have a 210 (but not a yeti). One thing to consider is lugging the thing around. I didn't think much about it and really don't like it because it is a PIA to move especially full. If I was to do it again I would get a couple smaller ones.

 

[jabber]

I just bought a 165 QT Igloo from the local Igloo Company Store for $100 last week. It might not hold ice as long as a Yeti, but the cost difference will help cover the cost of ice for a while. Carrying it empty is no problem for one person, full you would like a second set of hands for sure.

 

[MThuntr]

You need to decide if a Yeti (or whatever brand) of those giant coolers is even necessary. The big 210 qt coolers require a couple people to move and take up a bunch of space. If you plan to go in and out of them to get drinks, etc then they really don't do that much better than a regular cooler especially for weekend use. A couple of the "extreme" Igloo or similar coolers will likely work just fine and are easier to move around

At $800 retail you can buy multiple smaller coolers and a pile of ice or a deep freeze and a generator.

 

[VOLhunter]

I only pack the 150 and 120 for long trips and they don't come out of the truck. Use 2 65's all the time.

 

[00BUCK]

Plenty of other brands to choose from and save on the brand tax. Most roto molded coolers perform similar. Many ice tests out there along with light test to check the foam distribution.

 

[jtayclay]

I have a 210 (but not a yeti). One thing to consider is lugging the thing around. I didn't think much about it and really don't like it because it is a PIA to move especially full. If I was to do it again I would get a couple smaller ones.

I agree. The weight is definitely an issue! I’m only looking at Yeti because I’m getting 40%

 

[hogcarpy]

I use two 120 qt K2's. They work very well for a week in elk or deer camp. Any larger would seem very difficult to handle. The 120's when full are a two man job to move.

 

[seeth07]

Second the opinion of many small coolers. I have the 65s and love having multiple ones. I can bring as many as I think I'll need and I like being able to separate meat out in multiple coolers rather than packed tightly in one. For reference, 1 deboned deer will fit tightly in a 65 cooler. I prefer to use two. 3 works for an elk. For moose, I bring the freezer and a generator lol

 

[CUElk]

I debated the same a few years back, was deciding between the big yeti or an Rtic. Didn't buy either because of weight. For hunting/fishing and keeping meat cool, a 160 qt igloo has worked just fine. Much cheaper and easy to move around. Bought 2 at wally world on sale for a little over 100 bucks. A yeti full of meat and ice, ain't moving. Use your coupon for some of their other coolers. Like a smaller yeti to keep food at camp.

 

[Borny1]

I own a yeti and a pelican. They are so heavy I never use them. They also don't hold much for there size. I would go with a Coleman extreme. Costco has great deals on them too.

 

[Addicting]

I have a Grizzly 165 and it is a beast. I can fit a processed cow elk and a antelope in it. It has to be partially emptied before I can move it. Otherwise two guys struggle to budge it. With that big of a cooler it is hard to get even cooling If you put 4 quarters in it. Dry ice has to be broken up and set between cardboard in every nook and cranny. It has its a few advantages over a set of smaller ones, but not many. It fits in my hitch carrier about perfect and stays there most of the trip. I chain it down with two pad locks and don’t have to worry about it going missing. We carry plastic bags with us if it’s hot out and use it as a ice water immersion cooler to rapidly cool quarters. Then we will pull the plug and fill it with dry ice for the trip home.

 

[elkhnter]

I’ve got a 65 and a 105. Gives me a little flexibility to take either one or both.

 

[BrentD]

I built my own. Much more efficient on space, insulation, and price.

 

[chuckchili]

I have a 100 quart thick molded cooler (Cabela’s brand) and fit a whole quartered Mule deer along with two frozen gallon jugs in it. It’s about 45 pounds empty so I can move it by myself but when loaded, I’d need help. The whole thing seems very large and bulky, I couldn’t imagine using a larger one of that type. If I buy another for meat, I’ll probably get one of the big Igloo ones.

 

[HONEYBADGER]

I purchased one of the largest Yeti's available a few years ago, the 250. Super nice for putting animals in, not so nice to move....ever. I ended up selling it and getting a few Orion's because I can move those on my own, even when full.

 

[OH->CO]

I have a 210. I can move it by myself empty but never even close if it is even 20% full. I have a cap on my silverado so it fits well and is hidden from the public when driving. I think its a sweet setup for having ice in a cooler stay cold for 10 days. It definitely takes some pre-planning to get things packed how you want so that you dont have to move it after it is full

 

[Jwill]

Another vote for two smaller ones. I have a 123 Engel and it's a beast to move around even empty.