With the official start of summer fast approaching, many people are preparing to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Nothing complements a kayaking trip on an open lake better than having a cold drink in your hand. By purchasing the best kayak cooler for your adventures, you can spend countless hours paddling with snacks and drinks by your side. Not to mention that kayak coolers are also very popular with those who want to get into fishing.
With a cooler, you can keep your food and drinks cool for the duration of your outing - depending on how much weight they can support. There is a huge ocean of choices that are available in the aisles leading to the kayak cooler section. Fortunately, kayak coolers can be divided into three main categories; ice chest/hard cooler, floating cooler, and cooler bag/backpack.
Types of Coolers for Kayak
Ice Chest
Ice Chests are not only suitable for drinks, but they can also hold a variety of other wonderful foods. As a rule, they are robust and rugged, have high-quality insulation, and effectively protect the contents from moisture and dirt.
Ice Chest according to the passive principle has the same structure as a cool bag, but its outer walls are made of sturdy plastic. It is also kept at temperature with ice packs or ice. Their robust construction makes them the preferred model for use in the car, boat, or caravan. It is also inexpensive, but often has mounting options for bottles or cans.
Floating Cooler
A floating inflatable cooler does everything a floating cooler should do, the first thing to mention about this type of cooler is that it is a basic float with a large removable ice chest on the top which helps to keep the food and drinks cold. It has hung to tie on your kayak perfectly, so you have your hands free.
The most important feature in a floating cooler is the quality you get if you choose the right materials that are sturdy, waterproof, and able to drift safely and comfortably on the water.
Cooler Bags
Cooler bags/backpacks are great if you want something more portable because they're generally lighter and easier to carry. The cooler bag is the perfect solution to keep perishable food in good condition inexpensively and simply.
They are especially useful for short trips of some hours since they keep the products fresh and at the optimum temperature during the trip. Regardless of whether they are food, drink, or pharmaceutical products, it is enough that they are small and that they need to maintain the cold chain during their transfer.
How to Choose a Kayak Cooler?
Some of the key features to consider when purchasing a cooler for your kayak or canoe include the type of cooler, its capacity, and the material it is made of. You should also make sure that it has all the accessories you need, for example for your fishing rods. The weight and dimensions of the kayak are also important because they determine whether you can fit the cooler on your boat.
- ABILITY
The first thing to decide is how big the cooler should be. Kayak coolers have a capacity of 10 to 30 quarts. Ideal going capacity comes down to how long you want the cooler to hold and how long your kayak trips last. If you are fishing from your kayak and looking for big game fish, you will need an equally large fish cooler bag to accommodate your catch.
- MATERIAL
The best kayak coolers are made from high-density plastic materials. This keeps them light but strong enough to withstand drops and bumps without cracking. To strike the perfect balance of flexibility, insulation, and durability, the best kayak soft cooling bags are made from laminated and insulated fabrics.
- COLD RETENTION
This is one of the most important aspects of a cooler to pay attention to when deciding which cooler for a kayak. After all, what's the use of a cooler if it doesn't keep your things cold for as long as you need them? The best coolers for kayaks should retain the cold for 24 to 72 hours. With this kind of performance, you can be sure that your fridge will retain ice even in direct sunlight.
- WATERPROOF
To retain the cold well, cooler coolers and kayak bags should be airtight and waterproof. This ensures that cold air does not escape to the outside and that hot air does not enter the cooler. Not only must the material the cooler is made of being waterproof, the lids, seams, and closures also be waterproof.
Best Kayak Coolers & Cooler Bags
To help you find the best cooler for your kayaking, we've also rounded up some popular picks from popular brands.
1. Best Kayak cooler bags
Cooler Bag for Sit On Top Kayaks
The AKASO Cooler bag is an isolated soft bag as it holds 24 cans with a capacity of 12L. Although it is a medium-sized cooler, it has plenty of food and drink for the day or cold drinks for long weekend trips - no need to stop at the pits.
A 2-inch NBR foam insulation material with a closed chamber means that your food and drinks stay cold for up to 60 hours. And the durable outer shell of 840D nylon Oxford fabric is strong and completely waterproof, while the antimicrobial substrate keeps liquids from leaking.
The soft outer part holds a removable hard insulating liner, which gives a certain structure and gives you confidence that your food will not be crushed when something collides with the cooler. It also has an outer front zippered pocket, padded shoulder strap, and an attached bottle opener.
Backpack Cooler for Sit-In Kayaks
The AKASO brand offers products made from quality materials, but at a reasonable price, and this innovative soft cooler/backpack combination is no exception. The sturdy 840D Nylon Oxford fabric top keeps things dry for a day, while the NBR foam insulated bottom keeps food and drinks cool during the hike. Most backpack coolers are completely insulated, which creates the problem of where to hide extra layers and essentials that you don't want to scatter with ice. This backpack also has soft shoulder straps and eyelash straps so you can carry heavy things comfortably.
For a light but roomy cooler-backpack, opt for the AKASO Isolated Cooler backpack, which can hold 36 cans. The backpack with waterproof leak and water has a large insulated main compartment with a leakproof zipper On the outside of the package there are two mesh pockets and a front bungee for extra storage. The insulated compartment provides 72 hours of cold.
2. Best Kayak Coolers(Hard-sided)
Yeti Roadie
YETI has revolutionized the obsolete cooler industry with its solid coolers, and now their YETI Roadie 24 Cooler are popular on beaches and parks across the country for their long-lasting cooling capabilities. The Roadie 24 Cooler boasts advanced features such as a wider opening and a magnetic shutter for easy loading and unloading and uses 2-inch insulation to ensure nothing leaks from the top. This cooler also has a cold cell insulating foam and a UV-resistant substrate to keep its contents cold for as long as possible.
The insulated Roadie 24 Cooler is equipped with rotomolded construction technology, a built-in g interlocking system with two hinges, and adjustable straps with soft padding. It holds 18 cans in a mostly isolated storage room. The size of the cooler is 16 1/2” L × 14 1/2” W × 17 1/2” H.
Kayak Cooler With Rod Holders
If you're looking for a hard cooler that can handle any adventure or whether you've been in, look no further than the Engel Cooler/Dry Box. This cooler with the dimension of 23.25 x 12.5 x 14.5 inches has a strong design with a heavy-duty solution that will withstand the elements. The outer layer is rugged and durable, the middle - of high-density foam, and the inner has a sealed insulated substrate. Its strong shell is also resistant to ultraviolet rays, which means that your ice, food, and drinks will be colder longer.
Reviewers noted that this cooler was easy to carry thanks to a soft handle and to your surprise it had 4-rod holders in the corners. The Engel Cooler even has built-in interlocking hinges, so you will never lose the coolness and weights only 7.3 Pounds when empty.
K2 Coolers Summit 20 Cooler
If you're going on a day trip, consider a hard cooler from K2 Coolers. This cooler with the main compartment holds 24 cans and has enough space to hold everything you need. It has an insulated base where you can carry an ice pack to keep food cold for up to 3 days. At the top of the cooler, this cooler has a hinge system and lid latches for your easy grip.
This hard-sided cooler is made of roto-molded polyethylene, which is durable, so it is strong enough for all your outdoor travel. It also has extra thick insulation which keeps the drinks cool for longer.
Stanley Adventure Easy Carry
The Stanley Adventure hard cooler has all the amenities needed for perfect kayaking: one large rectangular insulated interior space, a heavy-duty rugged top handle for easy grip, top strings for holding a water bottle, and a front sturdy latches with a silicone gasket on the lid.
It has double-wall foam insulation that can keep 21 cans cold for up to 36 hours. Both the inner and outer layers are heavy-duty with high-density polyethylene outer shell for leakproof resistance. Stanley Adventure hard cooler supplies a cooler that works just as well as other isolated beverage holders. Weighing only 6.6lbs(when empty), the 16.9 x 16.2 x 12.7 inches cooler is extremely light in size.
3. Kayak Floating Cooler
CreekKooler Floating Cooler
This floating cooler from CreekKooler is a great option especially if you are looking for a cooler for a kayak. It looks similar to a kayak and it was built in keeping watersports in mind. With durable materials and 2-inches foam insulation, the CreekKooler can withstand different surfaces, connecting to your kayak and floating with ease. It can hold about 30 quarts of capacity, as well as ice, so you can keep your drinks chilled until you reach your destination.
With integrated cup holders for stops, to keep your drinks safe on the water. The waterproof cover and blow-molded construction ensure that it is properly locked, keeping your belongings safe throughout the trip. The molded handles also facilitate transport and can double as a dry storage container. This is a neat little watercraft that not only looks great but also does a great job.
