TEXT AND IMAGES BY JOHN PANGILINAN
Looking for a flexible solution to keep your beverages cold after a long day out on the trails, the soft-sided cooler may be the answer you’ve been searching for. Technology, innovation, and environmental conservation have made the disposable styrofoam cooler a thing of the past. Today’s soft-sided cooler rivals that of its hard case sibling when it comes to function and purpose.
Soft-sided coolers are the more versatile option due to their lightweight construction and portable design—many of which come with backpack straps, handles, or an over-the-shoulder strap for hands-free carry. Many offer a waterproof zipper or an entire waterproof design and can double as a dry pack. They are also a little cheaper than their rotomolded counterparts.