For the price of that Cabella's cooler I purchased a $300 ice machine that can easily be hooked up at most campsites and makes all the ice to refill all the $30 coolers. Much better use of $$$
Definitely impressed with the Coleman. One could "trick out" the Coleman by adding Yeti Ice at the bottom and add another day or so to the ice retention. The Coleman is for the guy like me that will keep the cooler in the backyard and throw ice and beer for the backyard BBQ every so often. No worries about lugging it around etc or someone stealing it lol
I have an Ozark Trail (about 2 months old) 73-quart and I love it! I leave it in my truck bed 95% of the time in the Alabama summer and just drain it out every 4or so days and add more ice as needed. It may melt the ice but it's still cold at least. I can put 2-24 packs of michelob, a gallon of sweet tea and a bottle of liquor and cover it with ice and still have some room for a couple pounds of meat or anything to have while I'm out on the lake. It gets heavy yeah but I don't move it from the truck except to put it on the boat which I have someone else that can help me anyway. But overall I love mine. I keep it chained to my truck and a pad lock on it too when I have stuff in it.
Glad it works for you. The Ozark Trail one is definitely more durable than the coleman coolers but that comes with added weight and expense. Everyone has different needs/wants so get what works for you.
Yes, all coolers were latched. I unlatched just prior to filming so I could manage the camera with one hand and not have to worry about unlatching while filming.
Thanks for the great review. I just bought the small Ozark and some arctic ice. I'm looking forward to using it and not getting everything soggy on my trips to the cabin.
I watched two of your test and obviously the cabelas is the shit. I have an ozark trail just because we got it on super sale and it does ok. I have noticed once it gets cold like an “ice box" it stays frosted and will really hold ice. At the end of the day I am buying the cheaper stuff and paying $2 for a bag of ice because most people don’t need ice to stand for 4 or 5 days…it’s a non event.
The real winner is the Ozark 52qt. Because of it's price. You get almost the same amount of days as you would for the 300 plus dollar Cabela's cooler. This guy must be getting a kick back from Cabela's for pushing their product so hard.
For the record I got ZERO kickbacks from Cabelas. I even bought the cooler used prior to the test. I agree dollar for dollar the Ozark is hard to beat but sometimes that little bit of extra time helps. Also don't forget that Cabelas is 8qts bigger. Not a huge difference but again sometimes you need every bit of space.
I paid $140 for the Cabelas as a used cooler prior to the test. I kept it for a year and I never need a cooler for more than 2-3 days. So for MY uses I just kept the Coleman coolers since they are lighter and easier to manage. I since resold the Cabelas. It was a great cooler for holding ice and durability but it is bulky.
Cost. I spent $20 bucks at the discount ice place to fill them half way. I knew I was basically pissing $20 away once the ice melted. I did this test a bit for my own fun and because there wasn't much out there on the Ozark Trailer coolers. I didn't feel like throwing away another $20 to fill them all the way. I guess that is just part of my cheapness.
When you go camping you buy a bag or two of ice at a time. You do not buy to fill up cooler. This is a more real world test IMHO. Basically the bigger cooler the more money you spend on ice. So the whole 5 day thing is irrelevant. The coleman is the real winner here but I was impressed with the 52 quart ozark & of course the Cabelas are the best at ice retention.
BBBYpsi Sure you only buy two bags of ice... but the cooler will be filled with food and drinks. Those items fill up the dead air space, and that's the point. ALL coolers do their best when completely filled. That Coleman did great though!
It's not an apples to apples comparison unless there is equal parts ice/space in each one. I'm thinking that the 2 Ozark coolers would have performed about ad well as each other had they been filled equally given the interior space. Just my 2 cents worth. I will say that I was surprised to see the Coleman last as long as it did, good choice for a variable!
I bought the exact same cooler about a month ago and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is definitely less durable than the roto-molded coolers, but for $50, you wouldn't mind replacing it more often if one has a tendency to beat up coolers. However, in terms of cost per day of ice retention, it's extremely hard to beat the Coleman Marine coolers.
You said it exactly as I would. I kept the coleman for my personal use and resold the other ones. I never need ice retention for more than 2-3 days and it does that great. If I needed maximum ice retention I would look at the Cabelas or Pelican coolers.
Can you tell me where you purchased the coleman or the model number? There seems to be different variations of the coleman extreme the one you tested shows "marine" on the label
awesome test! I'm pretty sure ill be getting the ozark trail 73 for my canoe. the cabelas cooler is awesome but its waaaayyyy to big. also maybe on your next test it may be more consistent if you use an ice weight to cooler size ratio instead of 40 punds in 3 different sizes.
I agree with ice weight to cooler size maybe being more fair to the different sizes. At the time it would have been too hard for me to weigh the ice to do the comparison that way so I just stuck with the same weight and the viewer could decide how much cooler size came into play for the ice melt
In your video you don’t seem to ever latch the coolers down after checking them? Do you? If not the cooler isn’t creating its seal which would lack performance.
They were unlatched just prior to filming and then relatched just after filming the updates. It was easier to manage the filming one handed with them already unlatched. They stayed latched the whole time in between filming.
The hole in the middle on the bottom is for the cooler cart. There's one on the back side too. The silver looking hole on the right is a stamp for grizzly-proof certification. The black button looking thing is the pressure release valve.
Cost. I spent $20 bucks at the discount ice place to fill them half way. I knew I was basically pissing $20 away once the ice melted. I did this test a bit for my own fun and because there wasn't much out there on the Ozark Trailer coolers. I didn't feel like throwing away another $20 to fill them all the way. I guess that is just part of my cheapness.
I have the money; that isn't the issue. I just refuse to piss even more money away. Crazy fact about me: I don't like throwing money away. Buying ice to watch it melt for the video was basically throwing money away. Also another belief of mine most people do not pack their coolers completely FULL of ice/food. There is usually some air space. This "science experiment" isn't perfect I will give you that but I think it represents real like cooler usage with at the same time trying to keep everything as even as possible.
The Ozark will be more durable than the Coleman but it will come with some weight and bulk. Everyone has different requirements so get what works for you.
got to give it up to ozark 52.. it did came a long way for a cheap cooler I know their work 100 to 150 bucks but I rather spend that much money on a cooler then 300 of five hundred bucks for a cooler that can last 2 days longer no thank you but thanks for the video it was a big help
No, but I would like to get a Lifetime cooler for a test. I am thinking about filming another test with the Lifetime and some others as an update 3 years later.
The latches were unlocked right before I filmed each update to facilitate and make it easier to open each cooler with one hand holding the camera. The latches stayed locked the whole time except for filming and the routine opening.
Lids were latched the whole time except just prior to filming. Easier to manage the camera with one hand and not have to worry about unlatching them. They were relatched just after filming.
Soft coolers are tough to keep ice for any length of time. You just can't insulate a soft side that well. Those types of coolers are best used for a day trip.
This is a ridiculous test. If you actually would read the directions on any of these coolers, you'd realize they need to be 60% ice to work like they say. You can't fill 60 quarts with the same amount of ice as a 73 quart, and get any kind of controlled testing. Lame
Thanks for the feedback. I understand thermodynamics and the difference in air space. These were the coolder sizes I had to work with so you will just have to use your best judgement on how they would compare if given the same ice space. This test was done completely done with $$ out of my own pocket and hopefully helped some people make a slightly informed decision before they buy a cooler.
For the price of that Cabella's cooler I purchased a $300 ice machine that can easily be hooked up at most campsites and makes all the ice to refill all the $30 coolers. Much better use of $$$
Wow that Cabela’s Polar Cap is an incredible cooler!
Definitely impressed with the Coleman. One could "trick out" the Coleman by adding Yeti Ice at the bottom and add another day or so to the ice retention. The Coleman is for the guy like me that will keep the cooler in the backyard and throw ice and beer for the backyard BBQ every so often. No worries about lugging it around etc or someone stealing it lol
I have an Ozark Trail (about 2 months old) 73-quart and I love it! I leave it in my truck bed 95% of the time in the Alabama summer and just drain it out every 4or so days and add more ice as needed. It may melt the ice but it's still cold at least. I can put 2-24 packs of michelob, a gallon of sweet tea and a bottle of liquor and cover it with ice and still have some room for a couple pounds of meat or anything to have while I'm out on the lake. It gets heavy yeah but I don't move it from the truck except to put it on the boat which I have someone else that can help me anyway. But overall I love mine. I keep it chained to my truck and a pad lock on it too when I have stuff in it.
Glad it works for you. The Ozark Trail one is definitely more durable than the coleman coolers but that comes with added weight and expense. Everyone has different needs/wants so get what works for you.
Did you latch the Ozark trail coolers? Might have made a difference. Seems like the Cabela's sealed pretty well without being latched
Yes, all coolers were latched. I unlatched just prior to filming so I could manage the camera with one hand and not have to worry about unlatching while filming.
Thanks for the great review. I just bought the small Ozark and some arctic ice. I'm looking forward to using it and not getting everything soggy on my trips to the cabin.
I watched two of your test and obviously the cabelas is the shit. I have an ozark trail just because we got it on super sale and it does ok. I have noticed once it gets cold like an “ice box" it stays frosted and will really hold ice. At the end of the day I am buying the cheaper stuff and paying $2 for a bag of ice because most people don’t need ice to stand for 4 or 5 days…it’s a non event.
The real winner is the Ozark 52qt. Because of it's price. You get almost the same amount of days as you would for the 300 plus dollar Cabela's cooler. This guy must be getting a kick back from Cabela's for pushing their product so hard.
clenzyson yup but I bet he’s trying to justify the cost of buy the Cabela’s when he could of went cheaper. Lol
For the record I got ZERO kickbacks from Cabelas. I even bought the cooler used prior to the test. I agree dollar for dollar the Ozark is hard to beat but sometimes that little bit of extra time helps. Also don't forget that Cabelas is 8qts bigger. Not a huge difference but again sometimes you need every bit of space.
I paid $140 for the Cabelas as a used cooler prior to the test. I kept it for a year and I never need a cooler for more than 2-3 days. So for MY uses I just kept the Coleman coolers since they are lighter and easier to manage. I since resold the Cabelas. It was a great cooler for holding ice and durability but it is bulky.
Hey Billy_, we would love to see you include one of our coolers in an ice challenge! Let us know if you're interested!
Ozark 45 wheeled cooler is my favorite to use the wheels make it great for the beach
why not fill them all to the top with ice, maybe the 73qt would have done as well as the 54 ozark based on your theory on more air?
Cost. I spent $20 bucks at the discount ice place to fill them half way. I knew I was basically pissing $20 away once the ice melted. I did this test a bit for my own fun and because there wasn't much out there on the Ozark Trailer coolers. I didn't feel like throwing away another $20 to fill them all the way. I guess that is just part of my cheapness.
When you go camping you buy a bag or two of ice at a time. You do not buy to fill up cooler. This is a more real world test IMHO. Basically the bigger cooler the more money you spend on ice. So the whole 5 day thing is irrelevant. The coleman is the real winner here but I was impressed with the 52 quart ozark & of course the Cabelas are the best at ice retention.
BBBYpsi Sure you only buy two bags of ice... but the cooler will be filled with food and drinks. Those items fill up the dead air space, and that's the point. ALL coolers do their best when completely filled.
That Coleman did great though!
It's not an apples to apples comparison unless there is equal parts ice/space in each one. I'm thinking that the 2 Ozark coolers would have performed about ad well as each other had they been filled equally given the interior space. Just my 2 cents worth. I will say that I was surprised to see the Coleman last as long as it did, good choice for a variable!
Coleman was most impressive...u pay that much for Cabelas, it needs to retain ice for 2 weeks.
Thanks for the good review!! I was just looking at the Coleman cooler and your review just convinced me to buy it!
I bought the exact same cooler about a month ago and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is definitely less durable than the roto-molded coolers, but for $50, you wouldn't mind replacing it more often if one has a tendency to beat up coolers. However, in terms of cost per day of ice retention, it's extremely hard to beat the Coleman Marine coolers.
You said it exactly as I would. I kept the coleman for my personal use and resold the other ones. I never need ice retention for more than 2-3 days and it does that great. If I needed maximum ice retention I would look at the Cabelas or Pelican coolers.
Can you tell me where you purchased the coleman or the model number? There seems to be different variations of the coleman extreme the one you tested shows "marine" on the label
I bought it at WalMart. Here is a link to the one I bought. www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-70-qt-Xtreme-Marine-Cooler/34105098
awesome test! I'm pretty sure ill be getting the ozark trail 73 for my canoe. the cabelas cooler is awesome but its waaaayyyy to big. also maybe on your next test it may be more consistent if you use an ice weight to cooler size ratio instead of 40 punds in 3 different sizes.
I agree with ice weight to cooler size maybe being more fair to the different sizes. At the time it would have been too hard for me to weigh the ice to do the comparison that way so I just stuck with the same weight and the viewer could decide how much cooler size came into play for the ice melt
great review thanks for your effort...
my Walmart currently selling 60 qt Ozark Trail for less than $100
That is a great deal. I saw some Walmarts near me clearancing out some of the coolers. For $100 it is hard to beat.
In your video you don’t seem to ever latch the coolers down after checking them? Do you? If not the cooler isn’t creating its seal which would lack performance.
They were unlatched just prior to filming and then relatched just after filming the updates. It was easier to manage the filming one handed with them already unlatched. They stayed latched the whole time in between filming.
I have the 100 polar, and an ice maker to top off with, but was wondering whats your temp there?
In the video the temp was in the low 90s. 90-93 was the high during filming. Late August/Early September in central Texas.
The ice looks more appealing with cold beer on top!
Agreed but probably needs a few more beers!
Did you not lock the latches?
Another great test. Thanks very much.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the comment.
Great
I see two small holes on the Cabela's cooler. Are those from a previous 'torture test'? 😆 What are those from?
The hole in the middle on the bottom is for the cooler cart. There's one on the back side too. The silver looking hole on the right is a stamp for grizzly-proof certification. The black button looking thing is the pressure release valve.
The pressure release is really nice, I had to use it coming down from elevation
The holes are for a wheeled trolly you can purchase from Cabela’s
Umk, who puts 40lbs of ice in w 3 cokes? Really?
ME! I just put the drinks there to give some color contrast in the ice to see how food/drinks would sink in the melting ice.
The amount of air inside the cooler has an effect on the ice.
So more air volume will reduce the ice faster.
Yes, you are correct and I pointed that out in the video as well.
Why not test all of them full with little to no air space??
Cost. I spent $20 bucks at the discount ice place to fill them half way. I knew I was basically pissing $20 away once the ice melted. I did this test a bit for my own fun and because there wasn't much out there on the Ozark Trailer coolers. I didn't feel like throwing away another $20 to fill them all the way. I guess that is just part of my cheapness.
if u don't have the money, why bother with the test.
I have the money; that isn't the issue. I just refuse to piss even more money away. Crazy fact about me: I don't like throwing money away. Buying ice to watch it melt for the video was basically throwing money away. Also another belief of mine most people do not pack their coolers completely FULL of ice/food. There is usually some air space. This "science experiment" isn't perfect I will give you that but I think it represents real like cooler usage with at the same time trying to keep everything as even as possible.
Doesn’t really compare much, they are diff sizes with same ice. I would think it meaningful if they were all filled to the top with ice.
I got the Ozark Trail 73 for $45 so I don't care how it performs for that price.
Why? The Coleman Xtreme out performed the Ozark!
Great price. I would absolutely buy it at that price.
The Ozark will be more durable than the Coleman but it will come with some weight and bulk. Everyone has different requirements so get what works for you.
@@dodgedabullet670 I like that it seals and is more rugged.
Who made the cooler for Cabelas?
I am not sure. I haven't seen another cooler quite like it. Either way it is made very well and holds ice a long time.
got to give it up to ozark 52.. it did came a long way for a cheap cooler I know their work 100 to 150 bucks but I rather spend that much money on a cooler then 300 of five hundred bucks for a cooler that can last 2 days longer no thank you but thanks for the video it was a big help
The ozark coolers have their place and the price point isn't too bad. Thanks for the comment.
I have a ozark 52 and filled to the top pre chilled last 7 days
Send em over here to Az ill do a summer test 115+
Eeeeek! glad it doesn't get that hot here. Stay cool my friend.
Have you ever tested the Lifetime 73 quart?
No, but I would like to get a Lifetime cooler for a test. I am thinking about filming another test with the Lifetime and some others as an update 3 years later.
5:07 behold, the coldest cokes ever.
need to lock latches
The latches were unlocked right before I filmed each update to facilitate and make it easier to open each cooler with one hand holding the camera. The latches stayed locked the whole time except for filming and the routine opening.
This guy really should fill each to capacity and latch the lids..
Lids were latched the whole time except just prior to filming. Easier to manage the camera with one hand and not have to worry about unlatching them. They were relatched just after filming.
5 days is 3 days longer than I need.
Me too! So I kept the Coleman for my personal use and resold the others.
Purchased an ozark soft cooler and the ice melted less than 24 hours
Soft coolers are tough to keep ice for any length of time. You just can't insulate a soft side that well. Those types of coolers are best used for a day trip.
This is a ridiculous test. If you actually would read the directions on any of these coolers, you'd realize they need to be 60% ice to work like they say. You can't fill 60 quarts with the same amount of ice as a 73 quart, and get any kind of controlled testing. Lame
Thanks for the feedback. I understand thermodynamics and the difference in air space. These were the coolder sizes I had to work with so you will just have to use your best judgement on how they would compare if given the same ice space. This test was done completely done with $$ out of my own pocket and hopefully helped some people make a slightly informed decision before they buy a cooler.
ozark sucks. the tops dont even shut right