My favorite ice chests and coolers for sports parents
There’s nothing better than a stocked ice chest with drinks and fresh ice for games and tournaments amiright? Below I have chosen a few that I really like and have listed the features, and also checked out the reviews for them. As sports parents, we have different needs for coolers…sometimes we want a big one for those all-day events in which we need a lot of drinks and snacks. Other days, we may have just one game or are sending our child with a cooler for his game or practice, and a small one will do the trick. These are the ice chests I like.
I have this ice chest and it has lasted me for about eight years. My favorite feature on this cooler is the long handle. I’m tall, so being able to roll it behind me without bending down is a must. The handle retracts for easy storage. The side handles make it very easy to lift into my van, and the wheels are super rugged allowing it to be rolled over multiple surfaces. I’ve rolled this thing out onto beach sand many times. It’s also not so huge that I can’t lift it by myself, which is a huge plus. It holds 130 cans plus ice. You may not need an ice chest with cup holders, but it’s an extra nice feature and we do use them. Overall a great ice chest.
- Tip: spray some WD40 into the telescoping handle occasionally to keep it operating smoothly. As far as large wheeled coolers go, this one is very rugged, and mine still works great.
If you are looking for a high end ice chest to last you a lifetime and you can afford it, consider getting one of these Yeti Tundra coolers. They get fantastic, mostly five-star reviews and are built to withstand a beating. People describe it as “indestructible” (like a tank and bear-proof) and say they are “heavy duty ice chests”. You may have had coolers on which the latches or handles get broken after a while, and with this cooler you don’t have to worry about that. It also keeps ice for three to four days. It’s perfect not only for baseball games, but for camping, boating, tailgaiting, etc. A Yeti 75 quart cooler is also available.
We just got one of these and man is it cool. And cold! The drinks stay ice cold for hours and it’s great if you have to carry it for a distance. We love it!
- The Hopper® Two 30 will withstand the hazards of the wild and keep your contents nice and frosty, thanks to its durable DryHide™ exterior and ColdCell™ Insulation. We also designed its body for easier loading (and unloading) as well as extreme visibility. And all those features make for better days outdoors and off the grid, which is what we’re all about.
For another super-rugged ice chest, check out this Pelican ProGear. Pelican boasts that this cooler can keep ice for up to 10 days. It has wide handles and the latches are easy to open, even with gloves. This is a very manly cooler, but I love it! It gets fantastic reviews and is another cooler that will last forever. Like the Yeti, the Pelican coolers are available in several sizes and are rated as two of the best cooler brands you can buy. The Pelican 50 quart ice chest is another great option from this company.
This ice chest is very similar to the Yeti, but a smaller version. And, like the Pelican, it keeps ice for up to 10 days. This cooler is a compact size making it very easy to transport in your trunk or back seat.
RTIC has a variety of super nice soft coolers in different sizes to fit your needs. They are 100% leakproof, puncture-resistant, and have an antimicrobial liner that resists mildew. They’re tough as nails and keep ice for up to 5 days.
This is a really nice medium size ice chest that is very well-built and gets overall good reviews. The size is nice for those who hate lifting super-heavy coolers into your car. The handle is well-constructed and having wheels is a must for a lot of sporting events. This one is a 38-quart, but it’s also available in two larger sizes. It has an easy-to-clean, stain and odor resistant liner. Igloo wheeled coolers are very popular and this one is a nice little cooler for the price.
And now for the giant, 150-quart cooler that will hold everything you could ever need. This cooler boasts a 7-day cold time at 90 degrees. The handles are reinforced to last and have a tie down loop feature. The top has a quick-access hatch for accessing items so you don’t let the cold air out, and the drain plug is threaded so you can add a hose. For a heavy cooler, this is a must so you don’t have to lift it to drain it. This is a great cooler because bigger is better, right?
Just when I said, “Bigger is better”, I’m putting a small cooler here. Well, sometimes you need something just to hold stuff for one or two people and why carry a giant ice chest if you don’t have to? This cooler gets great reviews. It’s nice and compact, has cupholders in the top. It’s cool looking and comes in like 16 different amazing colors. One review says, “Buy it…don’t second guess yourself!”
I put this cooler in here because it’s just badass. People describe it as “the best cooler we’ve ever had”. It’s made to roll through sand and will hold 112 cold ones. Need I say more?
Sometimes the field and the parking lot are not in the same area code in which case you should consider this super cool backpack cooler.
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Thanks for stopping by my page and please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions you may have.
These are really useful items to have. Until portable refrigerators become lightweight and can endure for extended periods of time on a single battery charge, these insulating ice chests and coolers are definitely the best choice. Baseball is my favorite sport and when I watch, I really hate to miss anything. I particularly enjoy baseball statistics. Having said that, the longer these coolers can preserve my food and drink, the less I have to worry about getting up and missing any part of the action.
Great reviews. Thanks.
Thanks so much for your comment. Baseball is my favorite sport as well and as you know, the games can be pretty long so it makes sense to have a nice selection of beverages and snacks, and a good quality cooler to keep them in. 🙂
I watch soccer and I didn’t see anyone bringing coolers or ice chest into stadiums. But then again, I guess it’s because of the climate season which is winter.
The Coleman Cooler is quite impressive, quite convenient and durable I suppose after so many years used.
Talk about how long it last, I guess most coolers are durable because of the strong, rigid material they use. They’re like an off road vehicle.
Thanks for visiting my site. Stadiums probably wouldn’t be the ideal place for coolers, but most kids’ baseball, softball, and soccer games out here in California are at outdoor fields where ice chests are the perfect compliment to your sporting even, and you want to get on that lasts and won’t break. 🙂
I would check out RTIC. They are they the same cooler as Yeti but half price!
Thanks for the suggestion! I will add that to my collection…it looks like a great cooler. 🙂