Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Inexpensive YETI Alternative??

I used to use the Coleman extremes but could never get much more than a couple of years out of them before the hinge or handle would break. They were around $50 and after 4-5 of them I said Fook it and bought an Rtic when they first came out and you had a 3 month wait. It was a 65qt. I soon bought another 65, a 45 and a couple of 20’s. They are all still in operation without a single failure. I also have 2 yeti coolers, a mammoth, orca and a lifetime. All have done well and see constant use. My brother has the Pelican elites and my next will probably be one of those.

I’m stealing that, except I’m going to call it “Not Yeti”

The pelican coolers are the best for me, hauling meat 2K miles across the country. But they are not a cheap alternative, that's for sure.

Here is a link. We have 5 or 6 for personal use and business and have given away 15-20 to customers.Just bought a pallet of them.

Retail Stores

I have 2 Lifetime 55's that I got from Wally world about 5-6 years ago. $99 bucks each. I like them well enough, but I do not think they are roto molded. Or at least the plastic is different.The plastic is much more pliable.

The top is not rigid like the roto molded coolers are. It will sag a little with weight. A little heavy, but serve the purpose.

As for RTIC soft sided coolers. My oldest got one for Christmas 2-3 years back. The zipper broke a few months ago. Called them up to see what they would or wouldn't do. Sent me a new cooler free of charge.
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Clyde

Getting ready for a raft trip. Stealing this.

I know this doesn't apply to the OP's question but if your looking for a Yeti quality (or better) cooler that is made in America, check out Bison Coolers.

I got the white 25 qt. and 50 qt. coolers for my 25th Anniversary at my old job. I wouldn't pay $600.00 for 2 coolers but free was just the right price! - grin


https://www.bisoncoolers.com/collections/hard-coolers


https://www.bisoncoolers.com/blogs/news/what-we-mean-when-we-say-bison-coolers-are-made-in-america

So simple but so effective. I'm stealing it too.

Might be cheaper at WM.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-115-Quart-High-Performance-Cooler-91108/484797545

Free from the Cat dealer, so what if it's a Yedi?

Been on many a two week moose hunt climbing out of the boat with the motor meter saying 80 some odd hours, always took the cooler that was on its last legs . Took food out of chest freezer and put stuff in one of those marine 150 coolers. Dropped in the trip cooler ,let it freeze then filled with items for the trip...placing the last meal in 1st and topping with the first night's dinner ... lasts the entire trip ! The cooler gets its handles an hinges pulled ...and into the fire for that nice heat and light 🔥

It's not because the ranchers are get'n rich.

I had a 120 quart Igloo from Walmart that I used for my fishing/spearfishing need for over 15 years, paid about $50 for it. I'd fill it with ice and often fish and use it all day in the hot Florida sun, at the end of the day, I'd clean the fish and dump the remaining ice in the yard, it lasted all day and was large enough for the occasional big fish. I finally retired it to the dump and bought another of the same for $75, hard to beat at this price and easy enough to handle. I mainly use coolers these days for hunting game meat for the ride home and the Igloo does just fine. I do like coolers like the RTIC but they are heavy and take up more room. I guess it really matters how long you need to keep the ice solid. I've got a SuperHandy from Amazon and it's been a really good cooler.

That works too. I put a foam bottom in mine. It sees duty by the BBQ mostly.

I have Yeti and Rtic. Cant tell any difference in them. Coleman extreme isn't even close for keeping ice frozen. I take vacation every year for deer season 3 weeks. I fill my Yeti 110 before season and take ice out as we use it top it off when we go to town. The bags of ice on the bottom will still be 1/2 frozen after 3 weeks if not used. With any coleman I had it was all melted after 5 days. I have had the Yeti 8 years and done this with it every year. It is heavy and the number one target of theives but it works. I think they are overpriced but lots of good gear is. From the way it has held up so far I suspect it will last the rest of my life.