The Ultimate Guide For Every Adventure
Choosing the right cooler isn’t just about picking the biggest one you can find; it’s about finding the perfect size for your adventures, lifestyle, and storage needs. Whether you’re planning a weekend camping trip, hosting a tailgate party, or heading out for a long fishing expedition, the right cooler makes all the difference in keeping your food fresh and your drinks cold.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the perfect cooler size, from small, portable options for day trips to large, heavy-duty coolers built for multi-day excursions.
Quick Answer: What Size Cooler Do You Need?
| Activity | YETI® Cooler Option |
|---|---|
| Day Trip/Solo Use | YETI® Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler, YETI® Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler, YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler, YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag, YETI® Hopper M20 Soft Cooler |
| Picnic/Beach Day | YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler, YETI® Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler, YETI® Hopper M20 Soft Cooler, YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag |
| Weekend Camping | YETI® Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler, YETI® Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler, YETI® Roadie® 32 Wheeled Cooler, YETI® Roadie® 48 Wheeled Cooler, YETI® Hopper M30 Soft Cooler |
| Extended Camping | YETI® Tundra® 75 Hard Cooler, YETI® Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler, YETI® Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler, YETI® Roadie® 60 Wheeled Cooler |
| Fishing/Offshore | YETI® Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler, YETI® Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler, YETI® Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler, YETI® Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler |
| Tailgating/Parties | YETI® Tundra Haul® (Wheeled) Hard Cooler, YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler, YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag |
How to Choose the Right Cooler Size
When picking the right cooler, it’s important to consider three key factors:
1. Duration of Your Trip
- Day-Trips: A smaller-capacity cooler, such as the YETI® Roadie® 24 or YETI® Daytrip® 14L Tote Bag, is perfect for a single day’s worth of food and drinks.
- Weekend Adventures: For trips lasting 2–3 days, you’ll need something in the 45–65 quart range, like the YETI® Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler. You could also consider the Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler, depending on your carrying preference.
- Extended Journeys: Going off-grid for a week? You’ll want a large cooler, like the YETI® Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler, to ensure you have enough space and ice retention.
2. Number of People
The more people you’re packing for, the bigger the cooler you’ll need.
| Group Size | Cooler Size Needed |
|---|---|
| 1 person (day trip) | Roadie® 15 Hard CoolerRoadie® 24 Hard CoolerHopper Flip® 12 Soft CoolerHopper® M12 Backpack Soft CoolerYETI® Daytrip® 14L Tote Bag |
| 2-4 people (1-2 days) | Hopper Flip® 18 Soft CoolerHopper® M20 Soft CoolerTundra® 35 Hard Cooler |
| 4-6 people (2-3 days) | Tundra® 65 Hard CoolerTundra® 75 Hard CoolerTundra® 105 Hard CoolerHopper® M30 Soft CoolerHopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler |
| 6+ people (3+ days) | Tundra® 110 Hard CoolerTundra® 125 Hard CoolerTundra® 160 Hard CoolerTundra® 210 Hard CoolerTundra® 250 Hard Cooler |
Pro Tip: For larger groups, consider using two coolers: one for food and one for drinks. This prevents frequent opening and helps maintain colder temperatures.
3. How many cans will fit in my YETI® Cooler?
Using 12 oz. cans as the measurement, you can see how each of the YETI® Coolers stack up in terms of carrying capacity. We recommended using a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio by volume.
If you’re wondering how many cans will fit in your YETI® Cooler:
| Cooler Model | Cans with Ice (12 oz.) – 2:1 Ice to cans ratio | Cans Only (12 oz.) | Ice Only (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra® 35 Hard Cooler | 20 | 39 | 28 |
| Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler | 26 | 54 | 35 |
| Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler | 39 | 77 | 56 |
| Tundra Haul® Hard Cooler | 46 | 82 | 64 |
| Tundra® 75 Hard Cooler | 50 | 131 | 66 |
| Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler | 59 | 139 | 92 |
| Tundra® 110 Hard Cooler | 65 | 150 | 101 |
| Tundra® 125 Hard Cooler | 81 | 193 | 129 |
| Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler | 100 | 229 | 159 |
| Tundra® 210 Hard Cooler | 140 | 322 | 208 |
| Tundra® 250 Hard Cooler | 155 | 362 | 232 |
| Tundra® 350 Hard Cooler | 222 | 549 | 329 |
| Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler | 12 | 22 | 16 |
| Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler | 20 | 34 | 27 |
| Roadie® 32 Wheeled Hard Cooler | 28 | 50 | 40 |
| Roadie® 48 Wheeled Hard Cooler | 41 | 76 | 54 |
| Roadie® 60 Wheeled Hard Cooler | 51 | 98 | 68 |
| Hopper Flip® 8 Soft Cooler | 8 | 11 | 10 |
| Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler | 13 | 24 | 16 |
| Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler | 20 | 30 | 28 |
| Hopper® M12 Backpack Soft Cooler | N/A | 20 | 12 |
| Hopper® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler | 18 | 36 | 22 |
| Hopper® M30 Tote Soft Cooler | 26 | 42 | 32 |
| YETI Tank® 45 Ice Bucket | 36 | 55 | 51 |
| YETI Tank® 85 Ice Bucket | 70 | 111 | 100 |
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to keep items frozen (like game meat or fish), you’ll need more ice and, therefore, a larger cooler.
YETI® Cooler Size Guide for Every Adventure
1. Day Trips & Solo Adventures
Best Coolers:
- Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler
- Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
- Hopper® M12 Backpack Soft Cooler (photo)
- YETI® Daytrip® 14L Tote Bag
Compact and lightweight, fits in car trunks and small spaces.
Perfect for:
Hiking, solo road trips, or a day on the lake
2. Picnics, Beach Days, & Short Outings
Best Coolers:
- Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
- Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler (photo)
- Hopper® M20 Soft Cooler
- YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag
- Tundra® 35 Hard Cooler
Ideal for:
Beach trips, picnics, or quick getaways
3. Weekend Camping & Tailgating
Best Coolers:
- Roadie® 48 Wheeled Hard Cooler
- YETI® Tundra® 45 (photo)
- Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler
- Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler
Perfect for:
2–4 people on a weekend trip or game-day parties
4. Extended Camping, Hunting, & Fishing Trips
Best Coolers:
- YETI® Tundra® 75 (photo)
- Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler
- Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler
The Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler has a smaller footprint but is deeper, helping increase volume while saving precious real estate in the truck for other cargo.
Built for:
Long trips where maximum ice retention is crucial, like bringing home hard-earned game
Ideal for:
Hunting trips, offshore fishing, or multi-day camping adventures.
FAQs about Cooler Sizes
What’s the Best Cooler Size for a Weekend Camping Trip?
Can I Use a Smaller Cooler with More Ice?
What’s the Best Cooler Size for Road Trips?
Final Thoughts: Find the Perfect Cooler for Your Adventure
- Choose the right size based on trip duration, group size, and storage needs.
- Use a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
- YETI® Coolers offer superior size options, ice retention, and durability for every adventure.
Ready to find the perfect cooler? Explore YETI®’s full range of coolers and get adventure-ready today.
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