Waterproof Soft Cooler Cooling Tips
A waterproof soft cooler is only as good as how you use it. The right setup before you leave and a few habits once you’re out can be the difference between ice that lasts a few hours and ice that holds for up to two days.
These tips apply whether you’re heading to the beach, the sideline, or a weekend campsite. The goal is the same: keep things cold longer, open the cooler less, and get the most out of your gear.
RTIC COOLING TIPS
These are the habits that make the biggest difference. Follow them before you pack, while you’re out, and when you get back — and your cooler will perform closer to its rated ice retention every time.
BRING ON THE ICE
Pre-chill your cooler by filling it with ice overnight, or ideally for a full day. Fill your cooler at least half full with ice, zip it closed, and let the ice work to chill the internal space.
PRE-CHILL YOUR PROVISIONS
Pre-chill any food or drinks you plan on putting in your cooler for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight.
FOLLOW THE 2:1 RULE
Use twice the amount of ice as pre-chilled food and drinks that you’re packing. The more ice you have, the better it will keep the internal temperature of your cooler chilled. This cooler is compatible with both loose ice cubes and gel packs.
LAYER IT UP
Start with a layer of ice at the base, then add layers of pre chilled food and drinks before topping it off with more ice.
LOCK IN THE COLD
Use the RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper to zip the lid closed, avoid draining excess water until necessary, and keep your cooler in a shaded place out of direct sunlight.
Ice retention is your cooler’s ability to keep cold in and heat out, measured in hours and days. Not all soft coolers are built the same — and the difference shows up fast once you’re out in the heat.
RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Coolers are built with heavy-duty closed-cell foam insulation and the RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper, creating an airtight, leakproof seal that locks cold in from every angle. That combination is what makes ice retention of up to two days possible in a soft-sided cooler — significantly longer than standard soft coolers that rely on thinner materials and basic zippers.
Real-world conditions will always vary. You’re not hauling only ice, and you’re probably opening the cooler more than once. But with the right habits, you can get the most out of your cooler’s performance and keep things cold longer than you might expect.
