RTIC’s Latest Hard-Sided Cooler Isn’t The Cooler You Think It Is

Cooler enthusiasts, take note: there’s a new, hard-sided cooler on the market that looks just like every other best-selling cooler you’ve seen before—it’s brawny, bulky and overbuilt—but it isn’t. RTIC, known for its extensive roster of cooling equipment, has launched the 32 Quart Ultra-Light Cooler: a smaller, savvier hard-sided cooler that weighs pounds less than its hefty peers.

As RTIC’s second venture into the lightweight cooler space (the Texas label launched the 52 Quart Ultra-Light Cooler not long ago), the compact model appeals to day trippers, beachgoers and those looking to save space.

So how light is the new Ultra-Light Cooler? Well, according to RTIC it weighs only 13.4 pounds when empty, which makes it over 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers of the same capacity. (By comparison, Yeti’s 24-quart Roadie cooler weighs 12.8 pounds when empty—only 0.6 pounds less—but it offers far less interior space). While the Ultra-Light Cooler is still a suitable option for traditional cooler-worthy endeavors, like tailgates and backyard barbecues, it’s also a preferred option whether you’re hauling your cooler over longer distances or moving it from one place to the next throughout the day.

Fortunately, lightening the load doesn’t come at the cost of capability or convenience. Layers of closed-cell foam still retain up to 30 pounds of ice for over five days to keep your drinks cold and foods fresh. The latest design also features a built-in bottle opener, marine-grade hand grips and rubber T-latches, and it ships with a removable divider and upper basket (at no extra cost). Like all RTIC hard-sided coolers, it’s also designed to be used as a cutting board, bench seat, tabletop or step stool when such amenities can’t be found away from home.

Perhaps the final feature worth noting here isn’t a feature, but a figure: at just $160, this cooler is lighter on your wallet, too. Find it available in five colorways, one of which should suit your style.