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Ready to ShipSoft-Sided Coolers
Soft-sided coolers are a popular choice because of their lightweight construction and portability, particularly when packing for grandchildren's activities. Unlike hard coolers, these can be folded or flattened for easy storage in the car, making them highly portable for family trips. They often feature multiple compartments to store beverages, snacks, and children's lunch boxes separately. These soft cooler bags can hold an entire packed cooler for beach days or road trips and can be conveniently slung over the shoulder or carried in the hand while managing children. Their flexibility allows them to fit into tight spaces like car trunks, under bus seats, or in overhead compartments on planes.
Backpack Coolers
Designed with adjustable straps, backpack coolers distribute weight evenly across the wearer's back, making them comfortable for long treks. For families who need to carry extra clothing, toys, or sports equipment along with their cooler, a backpack variety can be perfect for keeping everything hands-free. These are ideal for hiking, amusement parks, or any outing requiring a good amount of walking. Some models even incorporate a water reservoir in the pack, allowing kids to sip on water while trekking. A backpack cooler can be a relief when navigating airports, as it allows parents to keep their hands on luggage and the kids on one.") ."
Another consideration is whether the soft cooler will be used for daily purposes or occasional heavy-duty needs. Certain models have tougher exteriors and extra padding for resisting damage in situations like sports games or beach trips. However, if the packed soft cooler will only be used infrequently, a standard soft lunch box or cooler bag should suffice, which tends to come at a lower cost.
Rolling Coolers
It can be strenuous carrying everything, especially when an extra load is thrown in. This is where the rolling soft coolers come into play. These coolers, which have wheels like a suitcase, make transporting them smoother, even on slightly uneven terrains like sandy beaches or picnicking grounds. This type of cooler is useful when the destination doesn't require too much travel time, such as at family gatherings or leisurely days at the beach. While they may be bulkier compared to other kinds of softshell coolers, the rolling feature helps reduce the amount of strain in carrying cooler.
Insulated Lunch Bags
For the everyday lunch pack, insulated lunch bags are compact and cost-friendly options. These lunch boxes are great for when meals need to be carried to gyms, schools, or work, and are small enough to fit within another larger bag, under a car seat, or in a refrigerator. Insulated lunch bags, which include precautionary features like cool gel packs, are also available for packing warm food items. Children's versions are offered in various fun themes and colors, making lunchtime appealing to kids. They also encompass standards for food safety, so parents need not worry about toxins in the containers.
The selection of soft coolers available in stores today is vast, with each variety boasting unique functionality and aesthetic features.
Backpack Coolers
A backpack cooler looks like a regular backpack but is specially designed to keep food and drinks chilled. It has thick walls that act like a thermos to keep things cold for hours. The straps help it sit evenly on the back, making it comfortable to carry on hikes or walks where regular bags can get heavy. They come in different sizes, so one can hold lunch or enough food for a whole day. Many also have extra pockets for small items. Some even have tubes to sip water while on the go. With sturdy materials like heavy fabric or waterproof plastic, backpack coolers last long and keep everything safe inside.
Rolling Soft Coolers
Rolling soft coolers are like suitcases with wheels made from cloth on the outside. This makes them easier to pull along without feeling as heavy. They are perfect for picnics or beach days when not much walking is required but some moving around still happens. The hard bottom and wheels assist making the ride smoother over different grounds than just flat surfaces. Even though they may be a bit tougher to handle, choices like zippers and smooth wheels allow the cooler to stay tidy and hassle-free.
Insulated Lunch Bags
Insulated lunch bags are smaller soft coolers meant for one person. They keep food and drinks nice and cool until it's time to eat. Many have special packs that keep food hot or cold like a mini refrigerator. These bags are very useful for kids bringing lunch to school or adults taking food to work. They are practical and prevent leaks, so water bottles don't spill on anything important.
Diagonal Strap Coolers
Strap coolers are unique because they have a strap that goes across the whole body from one side to the other. This helps them stay put even when moving a lot, which is great for sporting events or hikes. These soft bags are made with thick cooling material that keeps drinks and snacks chill for many hours. Outside pockets store extra things like napkins or sunblock.
Zip-Closures Soft Coolers
Zip-soft coolers are special because they close up tight with strong zippers to keep everything inside chilled. The thick padding on the sides keeps things cold for longer than some other bags. This zip-closure design helps keep out heat when at barbecues or tailgating that may last several hours. Some have two compartments that let foods stay separated.
Soft coolers are made from special materials that keep food and drinks cool and resist wear and tear.
Insulation Materials
The most important part of any soft cooler is the insulation inside. Insulation keeps things cold for a long time, similar to how a thick jacket keeps out the cold. Most soft coolers use thick foam as insulation because it is very good at stopping heat from getting in. Some coolers use special kinds of foam, like closed-cell foam, which has tiny bubbles that block heat even better. High-end models sometimes have multiple layers of foam insulation for extra cooling power.
Waterproof Liners
To keep everything inside dry and contained, soft coolers have waterproof liners or inner bags. These liners are usually made from thick plastic called polyethylene or PVC. These materials form a flexible, leak-proof barrier that keeps liquids contained inside the cooler. This will prevent any water from escaping and ruin the contents of other bags or the car.
Outer Materials
Soft cooler bags are made from fabric that is wear-and-tear-resistant. This is similar to how regular bags are made. Two fabrics are usually used. These are called nylon and tarpaulin. Nylon is softer but may not be as tough as tarpaulin. Tarpaulin is thick and strong but may feel rough to touch. Nylon has different types like ripstop nylon and ballistic nylon, which are sturdier than normal nylon weaves.
Straps and Handles
Soft coolers have special straps or handles to carry them easily. These are made from fabric that is sewn into the cooler's body, so they don't break easily. Some harder coolers even have metal buckles for more strength. For carrying over longer distances, some coolers have padded straps that sit comfortably on the body and distribute the weight so no one side gets too strained. All these design elements help make the soft cooler very durable and useful.
Parents shouldn't buy any cooler for their kids. They should look for one that matches their children's likes and needs. Here are some things for parents to think about when getting a cooler.
Size
Coolers come in tiny ones or big heavy-duty ones. Small lunchbox coolers are just right for sandwiches and drinks. Bigger ones hold piles of snacks and drinks for family picnics. Choose a size that suits the kind of trips taken often.
Keeping things cold
Some soft coolers are very good at keeping things cold - up to 36 hours in the summer heat! High-end coolers have thick foam walls that trap the cold air. Others have just light padding. If trips last all day in the heat, one that holds the cold well is needed.
How easy is it to carry?
It is most important that the cooler be comfortable to carry. Look for one with padded straps that stay cool on the shoulders. Backpacks balance the load to avoid tipping. Crossbody slinger coolers keep hands free. Get one that feels light but still tough enough to last through outdoor fun with the family.
Keeping things safe
Dangers are thrown around with careless abandon, so it's vital to ensure coolers can take a good beating. Choose those made of tear-resistant nylon or tarpaulin that won't puncture at the seams when piled high with goodies. Coolers with extra protective flaps over zippers and pockets keep contents from spilling out if dropped or overturned.
Easy to clean
To make life easier, find soft coolers with removable inner linings or at least wipeable plastic in case spills happen. Some models even have drain plugs to quickly get rid of stale water. Choose one without too many nooks where dirt could hide, making post-picnic cleaning simpler.
How much does it cost?
Soft coolers can cost a little or a lot, depending on what they're made of and how well they keep things cold. A simple lunch cooler won't break the bank. But, big gear that lasts forever or keeps things icy for days could be worth saving up for if adventures are in mind. No matter the budget, finding a reliable cooler is key.
A1: Soft coolers are packing-friendly insulated bags that keep food and drinks nice and chilled. They have thick padding on the sides like a lunchbox that traps in the cool air to act like a portable fridge.
A2: Hard coolers are heavy boxes with tough tops and bottoms for storage. Soft coolers are much lighter bags that weigh almost nothing and buckle or shimmy so they don't feel as clunky to carry around.
A3: Yes! Soft coolers have special waterproof lining materials inside that won't let any spills or wetness escape out into the car or ruin anything. This lining is sealed tight like a plastic container.
A4: Many high-quality soft lunch bags have thick padding that can keep ice and drinks chilled for a day or sometimes longer, depending on the weather. However, they usually don't hold things as cold as hard coolers do for as long.
A5: Absolutely! Soft coolers are perfect for any outdoor trips like beaches, tailgates, or picnics because they're designed to keep everything cool while being lightweight and waterproof.
