When you go camping, you are usually foregoing your ability to indulge in your favorite meals and takeout items.

Sometimes, you are even taking yourself so far into the wilderness that you won’t be near a grocery store for the duration of your trip. Packing good food for camping is essential if you want to have an enjoyable adventure.

Camping inspires minimalist packing. However, that doesn't mean you skimp on the necessities like nutritious camp food.

If anything, food and water should be what you pack the most of.

You can survive wearing one shirt for two or three days, but you can’t last without daily sustenance especially with all the calories you will be burning in the wild.

The following camping food list will touch on some basic (and important!) items that you mustn’t forget to bring with you.

Camping Food Checklist | 7 Good Camp Foods

1. Easy-to-Cook Meats

Protein is such an important part of the diet that you would be silly to go without it.

It will fill you up and give you the energy you need as you go hiking. Most proteins can be bought in bulk and in the family size if needed.

Sausage, hot dogs, and beef patties can all be brought along and kept in a cooler until the time is right. They are affordable and can easily be cooked all at once.

Hot dogs are a classic camping food item so make sure you don't go with them.​

They are quite easy to cook and all you need is a fire pits or grille. I have found that most camp grounds come with an easy to operate grille.​

Just don't forget the lighter!​

2. Carbs, Carbs, Carbs

Camping activities, such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming all require a lot of energy.

Be sure to pack some dry cereal, instant oatmeal, and energy bars to have with you as meals or snacks during the day.

Often it’s not a great thing to stack up on carbs if you are trying to keep your waistline in check.

However, if you are out in nature hiking away and burning lots of calories, I think it’s okay to stack up on some carbs. I would still stay away from refined carbs like bread which provide only short term energy bursts.

If you love bread it would be a good idea to get a 100% whole wheat and make yourself some PB&J sandwiches to take with you. The peanut butter provides some excellent protein.

If jelly isn't your thing you can always swap that out with cup up banana.

Carbs are essential to your diet, but just make sure you are getting the right ones!​

3. On-the-Go Snacks

If your moving around from place to place, it’s important to bring along some on-the-go snacks.

Be sure to have something everyone can eat on the move without having to prepare in the moment.

Some good examples are protein bars, granola bars, trail mix, and peanut butter crackers. These are all great foods for everyone should have on hand.

As with the previous selection above, try and stay clear of overly sugary snacks. They will give you a quick sugar rush but then leave you high and dry a few hours later.

That’s one reason why I prefer water over Gatorade. Gatorade might give you some extra electrolytes but it is also heavily saturated with sugar.

A good trail mix that has lots of high fiber nuts like almonds and cashews is usually my go to snack. Make sure you don’t pick up a bag that is pure M&M’s and chocolate chips.

Just because it says "trail mix" doesn't mean it isn't just candy bag disguised in different packaging.​

4. Dried Fruits and Vegetables

If you are looking for healthier options, your local grocery store is sure to have some dried fruits and vegetables for your next trip.

Fruits are natures candy. It is important to note that even if you do get dried fruits without added sugar, it is still going to have quite a bit of natural sugar.

Dried fruit is a heck of a lot better than eating a candy bar, but that still doesn’t mean that you can eat a mountain of it! Keep it in moderation and you will get a nice energy boost.

Vegetables should be a big part of everyone’s diet whether you are going camping or staying at home. World class football quarterback Tom Brady is known for eating vegetables 80% of the time!

Make sure to bring along some carrot sticks or dried vegetables on the trip.

It will be hard to bring along your greens, but if you have a cooler, why not do what I’ve done and pack some spinach and mix them with your morning eggs. Delicious!

5. Nuts

Nuts are another great source of protein and will fill you up rather quickly. Anything from walnuts, to almonds, pistachios, or peanuts can be bought at any gas station or grocery store.

These are all fantastic nuts that provide fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants to keep you healthy and sustained on your journey.

Nuts are my go-to snack in the office so I would be a fool not to bring them along on my next camping trip.

They are easy to eat and you don’t have to prepare anything to consume them. You just pop a few in your mouth on the go and you will get some essential vitamins and minerals.

They also taste great when mixed in with other foods! See the trail mix mentioned above.

They are truly the ultimate hiking snack.​

6. S’mores!

Every now and then you can splurge, right?

I know my list so far has steered towards healthy foods. This one most certainly does not.

What would a camping trip even be without s’mores?

No kids? No problem! It’s never wrong to have the classic ingredients on hand for those nights around the fire.

If not s’mores, be sure to have something sweet on hand to help you unwind and enjoy your trip.

These are the perfect camp foods when you need a sweet treat on hand.

7. Drinks

Water should be the foundation of what you drink on your camping trip. In fact, if it was the only thing you drink, I would be okay with that.

However, I imagine you want to drink something with a little more flavor at times.

If you have a way of heating up your beverage by the campfire than I highly recommend bringing some tea packs or coffee to give you that nice morning burst that you likely have at home.

Often you can get water additives that aren’t loaded with sugar and can be added to any ordinary water bottles. Stay clear of soda as it is unfortunately just sugar water.

Use cold packs and coolers to keep your beverages cold. Adults should be okay bringing alcohol such as beer and wine if you enjoy a cold one from time to time.

Make sure you are at a campsite that allows for bottles though as it might be best to bring cans as glass tends to break.

Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are generally discouraged, but if you must I would say it’s okay to drink sparingly after working up a full days swat. This is for those doing a lot of daily activity and needing those extra electrolytes.

Any Important Camp Food Items I left Out?

Before you go, plan your big meals and account for each person so you aren’t short on food!

Ramon noodles, canned meats, and eggs have all been solid choices for most camp goers. They are easy to prepare and provide some much-needed nutrition.

If you are staying at popular campgrounds, most will include a fire pit or cooking stove to use. Just make sure to bring the matches and fire starters.

If you are hiking to remote locations for your trip, be very certain of how much food you are packing. Go with the lighter options like the ramon noodles mentioned above.

Pack extra to accommodate for when things go wrong. You really never know! If you are sleeping outside, make sure to bring animal-proof storage that locks the food tight at night.

Hopefully, this camping food list gave you some basics and essentials for having a great camping experience.

Head to your local supermarket and pick up some of the best camp food you can buy.

You probably have already heard of the name Yeti, due to their outstanding reputation for delivering high-end superior coolers and drinkware.

Beautiful Austin, Texas

Yeti’s base of operations is in my home town of Austin, Texas and so likewise I have bought and used much of their products over the years along with testing and reviewing other brands.

I try not to be too biased in our Yeti Coolers review, but the fact of the matter is they make some seriously awesome coolers from top to bottom.

The Coolers they make aren’t just any old thing you can find at the big box department stores.

The whole story began in 2006, when two enterprising brothers were fed up of the traditional, flimsy old coolers that were on the market. They saw a problem and wanted to fix it.

So they started in their dad’s garage in Dripping Springs, Texas.  They slowly worked away to build a "tough as nails" cooler that they would be happy to use everyday.

Over the years, they have built an excellent manufacturing and quality control team to ensure top of the line coolers.

By building out a support team along with a rockstar sales staff they have tripled their sales in the last year alone!

Their Yeti Tundra 65 is the biggest Yeti cooler and is great for those serious fisherman out there as we believe they put out arguably the best marine cooler on the market today.

They have outstanding rotomolded coolers that have been battle tested and have been proved to keep ice for days on end.

What Are the Best Yeti Coolers?

Yeti has excellent coolers for any occasion.

As mentioned earlier, the Yeti Tundra is the best Yeti cooler (in our opinion) on the marketplace and durable enough to use for years on end. It has your typical ice chest look to it, but without the bad news bears quality of big department store brands.

The biggest difference is the fact that it is molded together with world class materials and latches that keep the cooler perfectly compressed. No heat is going to get in this thing.

Its hard shell has been proven to hold up over time and it is perfect for any occasion whether that be a backyard BBQ or a fishing trip with friends.

Also, check out the Yeti Hopper Portable Cooler.

Last year, some friends and I took the Yeti Hopper with us on a camping trip to Big Bend National Park. We bought some ice and groceries before heading out on the almost 7 hour journey and placed all the everything inside the Hopper and zipped it shut.

*Courtesy of Google Maps

Even though we used it throughout the whole weekend, we found all of our food stayed cool the whole trip and most of the ice had not melted when we got home at the end of the weekend.

Talk about a high quality cooler!

Sure beats all the coolers I had growing up that leaked constantly. I just remember lugging around those ugly tanks and I felt like there was almost always something that went wrong on our trips to the beach.

Most of time you get what you pay for.

And even though you pay a pretty penny for a Yeti cooler, I am completely convinced they are worth the investment (notice how I used the word investment and not cost).

Beyond that, they have other studly coolers for personal use like the Yeti Flip Hopper. One of my friends uses that portable cooler as a lunch box each day for work.

No refrigerator needed.

This awesome Yeti personal cooler makes for the perfect size to carry with you on short trips camping or to the beach. The opening is large and the strap makes it easy to lug with you wherever you are off to.

It even has a bottle opener that you can use to pop open a cool one.

Wondering where to buy Yeti Coolers?  Here’s our list of the top Yeti Coolers on the market, just click the links below to see the latest price on Amazon.

Cooler Type	Model	Image	Check Price
Top Heavy Duty Cooler	YETI TUNDRA 65		CHECK PRICE
Top Soft Sided Cooler	YETI HOPPER 40		CHECK PRICE
Top Personal Cooler	YETI HOPPER FLIP 12		CHECK PRICE

What About Other Coolers Like Yeti?

In recent years, plenty of wannabes have popped up in the market attempting to steal some of Yeti’s pricy consumer marketshare.

Many have downright copied the manufacturing and branding style.

As recent as February 2017, RTIC Coolers settled an ongoing lawsuit where they have been forced to cease and desist on making hard-sided coolers, soft-sided coolers and drinkware and redesign anything in question.

They even had to dish out some cash to Yeti.

They literally just about copied everything that Yeti did well and tried to steal Yeti’s customers and offer practically identical products at a lower price.

For many, who were not brand conscious, they managed to steal consumers away and have even built up a nice brand and business that employs almost 100 employees.

Check out their response to the lawsuit settlement here in case you are interested.

But some take offense to the fact that Yeti does not manufacture all their coolers in the United States.

Pelican is a longstanding brand that also delivers premium coolers at a high-end price point. They have excellent rotomolded designs and come with an outstanding 40 year reputation and warranty.

If you want a 100% American made company, then we suggest you check out our Pelican or Grizzly recommendations in our in depth coolers review article.  

Are Yeti Coolers Worth the Investment?

If you can’t tell by now, we love Yeti Coolers. We love them so much we decided to do this complete Yeti coolers review.

If the last litigation story doesn’t speak enough to you than please know Yeti is trying to build a long term brand that holds up over time.

Sure, you can always go with a cheaper company with a lesser reputation, but as you can see, Yeti is committed to standing out in the cooler and drinkware space and they want to do their best to protect their brand and deliver great value and service to their consumers.

If you are still hesitant, please know that they offer a 3-5 year warranty to protect your investment.

The brothers Roy and Ryan named it after the abominable snowman from the Himalayas.  

Even though Sir Edmund Hillary searched far and wide for it there is still quite a lacking in evidence of its existence.

Like the legendary ice monsters, the company states that their coolers are “tough, hard-wearing, and adapted to harsh environments.”

Although it’s existence is still uncertain, one thing is for sure, Yeti delivers consistently great coolers.

Buying the right cooler can be quite the hassle.

Most all of us have some sort of cooler horror stories.  You probably at some point in your life have went with a cheap cooler that doesn’t last long and starts leaking.

I feel like that was the case when I was growing up where there just weren’t that nice of coolers out there on the market and all the Walmart big box coolers were a piece of junk.

Unfortunately, in my family, we often went the cheap and easy over high quality and long lasting.

Thankfully, in recent years there has been a greater emphasis on quality over price and some new upstart brands have spoken to the consumer need for high-end coolers.

We are here to lay out the best cooler brands to pick from on the market.

We tried to lay out the top three companies in a factual, but fun way, while sprinkling in some videos showing the toughness of the coolers.

Check out our three favorites below...

Top Cooler Brands

Yeti

Looking for the gold standard in the ice chest industry?

After lots of testing and meta-data analysis we have found that the best cooler brand is none other than Yeti.

Founded by a couple of brothers in 2006, they saw a serious pain point for people who needed a high quality cooler. They got sick of the cheap big box brands out there that continually broke down.

So they set out to create a high-end premium brand cooler with only the best materials. Their goal was to create a cooler that they would use every day. 

And that is exactly what they did.

Some might bark at the price of their coolers, but to be honest if you are always buying new ice chests every few years or are having problems with the ones you have, it’s worth the money over time when you value the hassle free guarantee Yeti gives.

In recent years, Yeti has blitzed the market and taken a lot of the premium market share from other competitors (listed below). Yeti has built up an excellent reputation with superb product and an outstanding brand focused on two things quality and service.

They don’t sell cheap coolers (just check their prices), but what you will consistently find is people that are more than satisfied for the overall quality and longevity of their products.

Lots of times you get what you pay for.  And in this case, you truly get a great cooler with Yeti.

Something to keep in mind is that although they are an American company, creating jobs in America, they also do import some of their coolers from Vietnam.

For those looking for a strictly American brand, check out Pelican Products below.

Overall, Yeti has done it with superb, unique products, and excellent customer service. I know you will be just as satisfied in their coolers and products as I and thousands of others have been.

They don’t compromise on quality under any circumstances.

Cooler Type	Model	Image	Check Price
Top Heavy Duty Cooler	YETI TUNDRA 65		CHECK PRICE
Top Soft Sided Cooler	YETI HOPPER 40		CHECK PRICE
Top Personal Cooler	YETI HOPPER FLIP 12		CHECK PRICE

Still doubt the toughness of a Yeti?

Checkout how it stacks up against everything Yeti could throw at it:

Pelican

Pelican Coolers is another excellent brand that, like Yeti, serves the high-end quality customer.

In fact, they even have our favorite wheeled cooler, the Pelican ProGear Elite Wheeled Cooler.​

It has been around for over 40 years and is based in the beautiful SoCal city of Torrance. They continue to deliver a great quality product year in and year out.

Customers rave about the quality of their products and many have a hard time deciding between Pelican and Yeti. To be honest, it was tough for us and honestly we love both brands.

Their top cooler, the Pelican Elite Cooler, is outstanding and is known to keep ice insulated for up to 10 days. That’s a whole fishing trip and then some.

Pelican offers a lifetime warranty to show that they 100% backup the quality on all of their coolers.

With that focus on quality, it’s no wonder they are one of the best ice chests brands on the market today.

As mentioned earlier, many people take offense to Yeti.

Although Yeti is an American brand, some of their coolers come from overseas. It is for that reason why many buyers have gone with other top ice chest brands, like Pelican.

Before you skip down to Grizzly Coolers, keep in mind that Pelican makes sure their coolers are 100% bear resistant.

It’s clear they value thick, durable, materials that don’t break down under ANY circumstance.

Cooler Type	Model	Image	Price
Top Heavy Duty Cooler	Pelican ProGear Elite		CHECK PRICE
Top Wheeled Cooler	Pelican ProGear Elite Wheeled		CHECK PRICE
Top Personal Cooler	Pelican ProGear 20QT		CHECK PRICE

Grizzly Coolers

These guys deliver some rock star coolers at a high-end price.

The toughness and durability of their coolers is truly represented in their name: Grizzly Coolers.

They actually test all their coolers with IGBC bear resistant testing to make sure you're safe in the wild with one of their products. Clearly it’s not just a name! Next time you are in mother nature with bears don’t be scared.

These guys go the extra mile to make sure they don’t sell you a product with defects. They have an incredible 90-degree climate controlled test process where they monitor the ice levels on all their coolers. 

Talk about some serious quality control. Oh, and by the way, they truly do stay cool for days.

They seal well with excellent latches with think rotomolded walls to provide a strong layered exterior.

You think I am kidding about that dense exterior? Check this out below...

Cooler Type	Model	Image	Price
Top Heavy Duty Cooler	Grizzly 60 Quart		CHECK PRICE
Top Personal Cooler	Grizzly 15 Quart		CHECK PRICE

Igloo

**Best Affordable Cooler Brand**

We thought about not including Igloo as, to be honest, their coolers don’t really stack up to the best 3 cooler brands listed above.

If we put them to the bear test or the mack truck test, I am most certain they fail.

But they are not as heavily invested in their materials as they want to reach a more mass market.

If you liked the above videos, and the quality above, but can’t afford to pay top dollar, then maybe Igloo is what you need.

We realize that not everyone wants to drop $200+ on a cooler. So we wanted to provide an alternative to the high-end, expensive cooler brands on the market.

Created in 1947 in a modest metalworking shop. Now, they have expanded into a 1.8 million square foot building in Katy, Texas a suburban town outside of Houston.

Over the years, they have innovated and expanded into many different markets and product lines.  But as whole, they are known for their many styles and types of coolers ranging from tough heavy duty coolers that work great for boating and fishing trips all the way to portable electric coolers.  

Igloo serves a great market and does a great job with their coolers while providing a bigtime appeal for discount retailers like Walmart and Costco. For the most part, their coolers hold up and they provide a good variety of types and styles to choose from.

Again, if you are looking for affordable and simple, these coolers are you go tos.

Cooler Type	Model	Image	Price
Top Heavy Duty Cooler	Igloo Cold Locker		CHECK PRICE
Top Soft Sided Cooler	Igloo Marine Ultra		CHECK PRICE
Top Personal Cooler	​Igloo Daytripper		CHECK PRICE

What’s the Best Cooler Brand For You?

We hope you liked our in depth analysis and study of the best cooler brands on the market today.

From old timers like Pelican and Igloo, to newer upstarts like Grizzly and Yeti, you should have no problem picking out a style that you like.

But are you still having a hard time deciding?

Let me hit you with a quick breakdown of the facts above and help you come to a better conclusion.

If you want a tough American manufactured cooler that is guaranteed to last go with Pelican. The Pelican ProGear Elite cooler is fantastic and they even have a wheeled option which is fantastic.

Grizzly has the coolest name and has an IGBC bear resistant, extreme temperature quality tested process that guarantees a perfect cooler to every buyer. So if you don’t like bears eating your food and you like the design, go with Grizzly.

Don’t want to shell out $200+ for a new cooler and want a great low cost cooler, than go with the Igloo models outlined above. They don’t have the same guarantees to quality, but as a whole they do a good job serving the mass market audience.

Finally, if you want to go with our favorite, and also a local American company, go with Yeti. They manufacturer top of the line coolers and truly work extremely hard with their suppliers to ensure serious quality control.

However, watch out for all the Yeti copycats out there.

The Yeti Tundra is a beast to say the least and can withstand any task.

Still don’t believe me? Still don’t think Yeti is tough enough to withstand anything that comes its way?

I have one more video for you as a 500-pound man takes on a Yeti Tundra. Haha enjoy! 🙂

Getting away from it all can be hard enough.

"the boat show" flickr photo by egarc2 https://flickr.com/photos/egarc2/473893888 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Add on all those extra provisions and somewhere to store them, a peaceful trip away can soon become an arduous task.

One of the best ways to ease your burden is to invest in a wheeled cooler.

That way you can save your back muscles but can still enjoy a cold beer or a fresh sandwich at your getaway destination.

I'm going to look at some of the best wheeled coolers online, all the while considering the cost, design, and other crucial quality features.

There's no reason a heavy ice chest should keep you from a cool beverage when you in the great outdoors.

After all, where there's a wheel there's a way.

Top 5 ​Rolling Coolers On The Market

1. Pelican 
Products 
ProGear Elite

First on my list is the Pelican Products ProGear Elite Wheeled Cooler.

Pelican is one of the most reputable cooler manufacturers in the world and one of our top 2 coolers brands and has over forty years of experience. 

The ProGear Elite does not buck their trend of rolling out yet another great ice chest.

Tough and UV resistant, this cooler will definitely be a great outdoor companion for a long time.

The chunky press and pull latches are excellent for use with gloves, while the non-skid feet will make sure the cooler doesn't go anywhere you don't want it to.

Want your food and drinks to stay cool for days without buying more ice? This cooler boast ten days of ice retention.

Lastly, the heavy duty wheels round out a great design.  At a premium price, the ProGear Elite is on the expensive side.

But with Pelican offering a guarantee for life, this is a sound investment and a winner of our “Top Choice” in the search for the best cooler with wheels.

Still not sure Pelican can withstand whatever you throw at it?  Check out there quick 30 second video below...​

2. Dometic White
 Avalanche Ultimate Cooler

The Dometic Avalanche Ultimate Wheeled Cooler is an absolute beast of a cooler and yet still has enough design finesse to be placed second on our wheeled coolers review list.

All-weather “T” latches, heavy duty all-terrain wheels, and a rugged construction makes this one of the best rolling coolers when it comes to durability.

The retractable handle is a nice touch, as you can easily tow your chilled-goods behind you, while the mold-in side handles are convenient for lifting.

The drain is well placed and very easy to clean, and you don't need to worry about losing the cap out in the wilderness because it's on a chain.

If you are looking for a nice mid-range rolling cooler, we recommend you check out this Dometic Avalanche.

3. Igloo Glide PRO Cooler 

The next best wheeled cooler on my list at a modest price is the Igloo Glide PRO Cooler.

Built with a tough frame, the Igloo Glide is constructed from polyethylene, and has virtually indestructible zinc-plated metal hinges.

This ice chest has a sleeker design than some of the others, but don't let that fool you: it's still as rugged as the terrain you'll be towing it to.

And with the over-sized sport rally wheels, rough ground won't be a problem.

This is a well-sealed, decent piece of kit, with ice retention of up to five days.  The handle is also conveniently placed for pulling.

4. Rubbermaid 60-Quart Ice Chest/Cooler

At a very affordable price, the Rubbermaid Ice Chest 60-quart is the first of my budget options.

This cooler comes in a nice range of sizes from 10 quarts to 60 quarts, with a fresh blue or hard-to-misplace red outer.

The easy to clean liner is also stain and odor resistant, while the thermal retention is good enough to keep food and drink chilled for a short trip.

The walls are thinner than some of the other models I've looked at, which is great for towing and moving, but not so great for longer trips.

So consider your needs when making this budget purchase.

5. Igloo 45069 Island Breeze Cooler

The most affordable of them all is the Igloo Island Breeze Cooler.

As the second Igloo on my list it is priced substantially lower than the rest of the pack.

For some trips, a larger ice chest will be more trouble than it's worth, so it's good to have a smaller cooler with some of the same impressive attributes as the ones listed above.

This little weekender has a telescoping handle, soft ride sport rally wheels and side scoop handles for ease of moving it around off the ground.

Decent ice-retention and plenty of room for provisions for a shorter trip, make this is a great small size choice.

We certainly wouldn’t recommend it for those looking for a long lasting durable option, but for those that are on a budget and don’t require a high quality cooler than we believe this Island Breeze might do the trick.

Conclusion

I've looked a range of wheeled coolers from large to small, suitable for short trips and long excursions.

It's important to think carefully about how long you plan to store your perishables for and what sort of terrain or outings you'll be using your ice chest on.

The usual size of your party will also be reflected in your needs, with solo travellers opting for a smaller, lighter cooler.

There are a lot of coolers to choose from, and this list is a fraction of the products available online.

From my top choice of the Pelican to the cheaper Igloo model, there's something out there for everyone.

As any sailor will tell you, the caprices of the open water are not to be taken lightly.

The saltwater and driving winds can wreak havoc on equipment and goods. As well as that, a bracing sea fishing trip can be ruined by a spoiled catch.

The last thing you want is a boat cooler that doesn’t hold up and keep your catch fresh throughout the trip.

It’s essential to get a marine cooler that keeps ice cold consistently over time and is durable enough to withstand many journeys.

I'm going to give you the rundown of our top five best marine coolers on the market today.

I'll be looking at a range of sizes, attributes, and prices so that you don't have to go overboard when researching your next marine ice chest.

Marine Cooler Reviews| Comparison Chart

Image	Model	Size	Price	Rating	Check Price
	Yeti Tundra 65	65 Quart	$$$$		CHECK PRICE
	Pelican Products ProGear Elite	65 Quart	$$$$		CHECK PRICE
	Grizzly Coolers 60	60 Quart	$$$$		CHECK PRICE
	Coleman  Xtreme 5	120 Quart	$$		CHECK PRICE
	ORCA Cooler	58 Quart	$$$$$		CHECK PRICE

Top 5 Marine Coolers On The Market

1. Yeti Tundra Cooler 65

It's no surprise that YETI has gained first slot on my list of best fishing coolers.

The company is a stalwart of the ice chest manufacturing world and is constantly being praised as a brand for its excellent quality products and durability.

Yeti is a very trustable name brand in the cooler space.  It was started by two brothers that liked to fish and were tired of the flimsy options on the market.

The YETI Tundra therefore is a reliable investment if you're looking for a durable and well-designed cooler, though the great quality comes at a price.

Though the most expensive of the coolers on our list, if you are a frequent fisher, then consider this a smart investment for the long run.

A good thing to remember is if you are buying a new cooler every year or two you end up losing money buying the cheaper model. It’s probably worth it to go quality and durability over price in this case.

Roto-molded in one piece, with T-Rex latches and a NeverFail hinge system, this marine ice cooler is a great catch.

Check it out and you will be sure to be blown away by the quality and attention to detail that Yeti puts in all their high-end marine coolers.

2. Pelican Products ProGear Elite Cooler

Next up is the Pelican Products ProGear Elite Cooler in 65-quart size.

Pelican sits together with YETI in the big league of ice chest manufacturers. Their products have 40 years of experience in them and are guaranteed for life.

The ProGear Elite cooler won't disappoint with it's ten days’ ice-retention and freezer grade gasket. That sure it a lot of mileage on a single pack of ice.

As the ice does start to melt you won’t need to worry about spillage as this cooler is extremely watertight.

Polyethylene plastic and robust handles also mean this ice chest is going to be with you for a long time. A great cooler and well worth the higher price.

3. Grizzly Coolers 60-Quart Cooler

The Grizzly 60-Quart cooler is just as mean and tough as the company's name suggests.

At a high price point like the two previous listings, it’s also selling in the premium quality market.

Again, we only want to recommend the best of the best and the Grizzly 60-Quart easily makes that list with their top of the line materials.

A great feature that many Yeti loyalists often overlook, is that Grizzly coolers are manufactured in the good ole US of A (Yeti has some of its manufacturing, not all, overseas).

It has feel-good built into the purchase, and that lifetime warranty isn't too bad either.

The ice-retention is great–up to ten days, while the seals are well made and will store your precious catch without causing a stink. A smooth surface coupled with an oversized drain also means this cooler is a dream to clean.

The Grizzly has been run over by an 11,000lb tractor in product testing and even has a bear proof certification, making this the rough and tough choice for fishing enthusiasts.

4. Coleman 120 Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Cooler

My budget choice is the Coleman 120 Quart Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Cooler.

Priced considerably lower than the above models mentioned, this ice chest still has some great features, and so I can unashamedly support it as one of our best fishing coolers reviewed.

The Coastal Xtreme has a UV guard that will help protect your cooler and give it a longer lifespan than the price would initially suggest. It has an ice-retention of up to six days, and is rust resistant.

With the lower cost comes some downgrades in a few of the materials and production compared to the high-grade coolers. The lid will leak a little if left at an angle, so be sure to keep this ice chest on flat surfaces for prolonged periods of time.

Overall however, for the price, it'll be hard to find a better cooler. So if you are looking for a cheaper marine cooler model, look no further than our “Best Value” choice.

5. Outdoor Recreational Company of America Cooler

Finishing off my list of best boat coolers is the Outdoor Recreational Company of America Cooler, or ORCA brand.

Also made in the USA, this ice chest is durable and thoughtfully designed and effective.

However, it comes at the highest price point of all the coolers on my list when you include the shipping cost.

It is an excellent product and is sure to not disappoint, but we didn’t see any considerable strengths of this cooler over the others reviewed above when factoring in the price.

The ORCA cooler is roto-molded making it tough, but also sleek and easy to clean.

The company measures the cooler's internal dimensions, which means that you tend to get more room for your buck with their sizes.

The lid gasket ensures you have a tough seal, so you need not worry about finding your catch spoiled on the drive home.  They believe in their product and thus offer a lifetime warranty to go along with your purchase.

Summing It Up: What Is The Best Cooler for Fishing?

Overall, we hope you have liked our marine coolers reviews and have come away with a better grasp of the best boating cooler for your particular budget.

I've looked at how proper seals, good ice-retention and value for your money can affect your choices when looking for the best coolers for boating and fishing.

Personally, we loved both the Yeti Tundra and Pelican Elite Model as they both deliver an excellent product that has the durability to last many outings.

For us, Yeti has slight edge with the detail that they put in manufacturing and eliminating all possible defects.

It's absolutely vital that you consider the type of investment you want to make here, because some of the coolers run to upwards of $300 to $400.

However, if your trips are frequent and you feel your ice chest will be tested by the elements then this can be a very wise investment.

The worst case scenario is compromising on your purchase and coming home, opening your ice chest, only to find you've gotten fresh caught, but spoiled fish!