GoKawiilWhy I like it: The Igloo Trailmate Journey All-Terrain is a cooler that feels like it can go with you anywhere. Between the sturdy construction, the rugged build and the wheels that feel like they can take on anything, you've got a cooler that can carry its weight to the tailgate or the campground. Speaking of carrying its weight, this cooler also comes with a ton of accessories that enhance its overall usability.
Most importantly, this cooler handily led the pack in ice longevity, retaining its ice well after 36 hours and maintaining a consistent 44-degree Fahrenheit temperature, keeping the inside of the cooler cold for the longest time. Add all that together and you get a cooler designed to go off the grid, help you carry your gear and stay off-grid for a long time.
As for capacity, at 70 quarts, this is the largest cooler I tested, holding an astonishing 96 cans of soda that weren't even packed in tightly. This is also the only cooler whose handles extend out from the front rather than pivoting up and down. The handle serves double duty because tucked into the lid is a tray with two cup holders that can be fitted onto the extended handle.
Who is this for: Campers who want a truly durable cooler ready for anything that happens outdoors -- while keeping goods cold longer than any other option.
Who shouldn’t buy it: This cooler is a lot -- not in terms of price, which is a reasonable $250, but in terms of capacity and capability. I would imagine many people don't actually need to carry 96 cans of soda or beer, but this may be more cooler than most people need. It also gets heavy when it's weighed down by all that capacity. I didn't weigh it on a scale, but it took two people to lift it, so bear that in mind. This is more of a "put it in the car and then load it up" kind of cooler.
The only other real downside to this cooler is the feet, which are more like ruggedized runners at the bottom. They are single points of contact on the ground, so it's easy to get this cooler off-balance on uneven ground or even putting it up on a bench.
So, if you're a solo adventurer, you may want to pass on this one, but aside from capacity and weight, this is by far my favorite nonelectric cooler I tested.
-Adam Doud