Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Air Travel Worthy Soft-Sided Cooler

Probably doesn't exist, but looking for input.

Looking for a soft-sided cooler, large enough to hold a couple of frozen Texas-size whitetail backstraps and some package burger, that could possibly be checked as baggage AND survive an airline trip from TX to WI.

I used the Yeti's to haul back axis deer from both Hawaii and Texas.

I was able to fit two axis deer boned out in three of them.

They are not real cheap but work pretty damn good.

Rtic will serve you well.

RTIC

Check out AO Coolers, I have a couple of the smaller coolers very robust. don’t know if they make the size you’re looking for.

WiFowler: My zippered soft-sided Yeti would do that - and does those type things well!
We transport store bought meats of all kinds LONG distances (several hours) back to home in it.
And... it does NOT leak.
But it was pricey - $235.00 IIRC.
An airline luggage monkey would be prone to stealing it though!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I knew Yeti made a soft-sided cooler, but was shying away from them for a couple of reasons - cost and theft. I know a couple of guys that had Yeti hard-side coolers in the back of their trucks - unsecured - that managed to grow feet a walk-off. Can't imagine the possibilities of the same thing happening when subjected to airline travel. From the looks of it AO and RTIC are a little more 'descreit'.

For those that have the Yeti - which style?

https://yeti-web.imgix.net/6e249cfd...0fff&auto=format&w=846&h=846

or

https://yeti-web.imgix.net/da86e926...0fff&auto=format&w=846&h=846

I have the wedge shaped one, first link you posted.
It was a gift so I didn't choose it.

Works amazingly well but I sure wouldn't buy one just to ship meat.
Moved 100s of pounds of frozen fish from Alaska to Florida maybe 50 different times, used uninsulated wet-lock (waxed) cardboard boxes for that.

Also made boxes for shipping frozen meat by lining a standard cardboard box with rigid styrofoam insulation board, all 6 sides.

That works as well as if not better than the Yeti.

The insulation board and the cardboard box can be easily purchased at homodepo for a few bucks.

stop at Wally World and buy a cooler before you fly out. dry ice , news paper on top. duct tape shut, Ive found it easier than shipping cooler both ways and nice cooler doesn't get beat up

I just had to reseal the seams on my RTIC softie. Not a biggie but they do wear after not a whole lot of use. China, right?

If you put dry ice in a cooler it's best to remove the drain plug..
It's gonna off gas and leak out somewhere or it'll pop..

FedX requires the drain plugs to be permanently removed if dry ice is involved.

Keep in mind, it's colder than a well diggers azz in those airlines cargo holds.

I wouldn't go to a lot of trouble packaging a little frozen meat.

It’s probably below zero in the cargo hold at 30k feet.

That's why my fish gets from Alaska to Florida frozen in a cardboard box.

Depends on the plane.

None of them get THAT cold… it’s still pressurized. Otherwise everything liquid in your luggage would explode.

Also, pets would be killed.

Some have auxiliary heaters in the cargo hold. For example, Alaska airlines will transport pets on their 737’s but not their Airbuses. Their Airbuses that they bought from Virgin don’t have the optional aux heaters installed in their cargo holds.

Typical cargo holds will be around 45 degrees in flight.
Fine enviroment for a box of frozen meat to keep for hours on end.

Pets are only transported in climate controlled (heated) holds on commercial airlines.

We’ve got a bigger and smaller RTIC. They’re fine.

Brought back 130lbs of fish from Alaska in 3 boxes a few years ago. Cardboard lined with a styrofoam cooler, dry ice on top. Was still frozen at home 36 hours after we removed it from the freezer in Alaska.

Appreciate the input.

IF, I purchase one, transporting meat for one trip will not be it's only use, I assure you.

I've contemplated the cardboard box thing, but in the end, my experience with handling them and multiple other bags, including a hard-side rifle case when getting in an out of airports by ones self has been a PITA. The thought with the soft-sided cooler was that it could be carried with a shoulder strap with the wheeled hard-side in tow, with another checked bag strapped to it.

FWIW, I've been looking for one of the 'old' Cabela's Bullet Proof Aluminum rifle case w/wheel and luggage shelf for some time and without much luck. Finally took the time to 'manufacture' the folding shelf and mate it to the Bullet Proof case that I've had for years. Folding the shelf out and strapping other bags to it should be a God-send when moving in an out of airports.

Put the soft side Yeti down into a big, dumb, shît brown suit case and run it as a checked bag.

Andre’3000 will not pay it any extra mind.

That thought crossed my mind too.

I’m suffering w same and just do t want to retire it yet. What did you reseal the radial corner zipper base with? Thank you.

Interesting,

Unsolicited and unexpected reveal for RTIC soft sided coolers..

I'd typically be the first to say a knock-off could easily be as good as a top high dollar name brand.

My Yeti has seen some use over the years and is still in like new condition, seams and zipper.