GoKawiilThe Igloo Trailmate Journey All-Terrain was the last cooler to melt all of its ice cubes and was among the leaders in the cold retention test. Second, it comes with several accessories and add-ons that make taking it on your outing a bit easier. Finally, it has among the largest capacities, which lends to its temperature retention but also allows you to pack more food and drinks.
Best for:
The Igloo Trailmate Journey All-Terrain is a cooler that feels like it can go with you anywhere. With sturdy construction, a rugged build and 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 had passed and maintaining a consistent 44-degree Fahrenheit temperature, keeping 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.
Why we recommend it:
As far as capacity is concerned, this is the largest cooler I tested, holding an astonishing 96 cans of soda, which weren't even packed in all that 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.
There are also hooks around the periphery of the cooler for tie-downs and removable umbrella holders on the back for holding more accessories. On the front, you have a basket for carrying yet more stuff and a watertight, removable cubby for keeping things dry. Finally, there’s a removable tray on the inside for keeping food dry, and there's even a bottle opener on the outside.
Who shouldn't get it:
This cooler is a lot -- not in terms of price, which is a reasonable $260, but in terms of capacity and capability. I would imagine many people don't actually need to carry 96 cans of soda or beer, making this 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, 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 on the bottom of the cooler. They are the 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.
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