YETI Coolers - Function or Fad?

[Windjammer]

Thinking about getting a YETI TUNDRA 105 as a fathers' day present to myself. Just having a hard time trying to justify this since it's 500 bucks just to hold ice and soft drinks for mostly the grandkids and occasional guests.
Looking for any experiences (good or bad) based on your usage.
Thanks

 

[FootballFan]

I have had Yeti's in the past. They are really great, live up to the hype.

That said I have heard others say there are other coolers that are very good. My only experience has been with the Yeti.

 

[Golfman25]

Do you need the longevity of the yeti? They keep stuff cold for days. If you’re just using for the day might be overkill.

 

[Espos4]

Overkill for a day trip.
Heavier and smaller interior dimensions.

But keep it closed and stuff stays cold for days on those times you need it.

 

[wyrman]

I did a ton of research a few years ago on the Yeti type of coolers.
There are several that are just as good, but cheaper. There are also quite a few that are made in the US, which matters to me.
I ended up with a Pelican brand, one if the things I like about it over several of the others is the latches.
The rubber latches will end up breaking, the Pelican ones shouldn't.
It does hold ice longer, but you do need to keep them out of the sun, and the more you open them, the more the ice melts.
Don't get a dark color as it absorbs the heat more than the lighter colors.

 

[Soulshine]

I did a ton of research a few years ago on the Yeti type of coolers.
There are several that are just as good, but cheaper. There are also quite a few that are made in the US, which matters to me.
I ended up with a Pelican brand, one if the things I like about it over several of the others is the latches.
The rubber latches will end up breaking, the Pelican ones shouldn't.
It does hold ice longer, but you do need to keep them out of the sun, and the more you open them, the more the ice melts.
Don't get a dark color as it absorbs the heat more than the lighter colors.

After much shopping and review reading, I bought a Pelican too...8 years ago I think.

Much better latch and handle design and same ice holding performance for 30% less, at least at that time.

 

[Angus]

Thinking about getting a YETI TUNDRA 105 as a fathers' day present to myself. Just having a hard time trying to justify this since it's 500 bucks just to hold ice and soft drinks for mostly the grandkids and occasional guests.
Looking for any experiences (good or bad) based on your usage.
Thanks

I personally think they’re a total waste of money. Our Coleman does exactly what a Yeti can do.

 

[Stee6043]

I personally think they’re a total waste of money. Our Coleman does exactly what a Yeti can do.

A Bayliner can do everything a Sea Ray can do too

 

[Bugsy22]

I currently own a Yeti Tundra Haul, an RTIC ultralite and a Siberian 40. I just sold my Permachill 75l. All are/were great and hold ice for days. You can't go wrong with any good rotomolded cooler. They'll last forever with a little care and maintenance.

 

[bahamabreisus]

RTIC is the same as Yeti. RTIC 1/2 price.

 

[OllieC]

I have a Kong cooler that has the Bell’s Two Hearted Ale logo on it and it works really well. They also do not use the rubber latches.

 

[Blueone]

I am 100% yeti….. I have everything from bourbon cups to coolers……. And I only have friends with yeti coolers…. Hell yesterday I was on a center console with a friend who had a pink yeti cooler…. I don’t judge as long as it’s a yeti

 

[Jus Cruisin]

That's about all you see on the hardcore center console charter boats down south. Me? I haven't bought a cooler in years still using old Coleman and Oscar coolers from forever ago. But, I do have Yeti Ramblers

 

[Stee6043]

I am 100% yeti….. I have everything from bourbon cups to coolers……. And I only have friends with yeti coolers…. Hell yesterday I was on a center console with a friend who had a pink yeti cooler…. I don’t judge as long as it’s a yeti

If your dogs aren’t eating/drinking out of customized Yeti dog bowls, it’s basically animal abuse.

 

[Blueone]

I

If your dogs aren’t eating/drinking out of customized Yeti dog bowls, it’s basically animal abuse.

have one of those too for Teddy my daughters dog when he visits…… show me a better dog bowl

 

[Soulshine]

I have a can koozie that's amazing. Other than that, they can keep their overpriced stuff.

Not into paying for a sticker.

 

[Windjammer]

I did go ahead and ordered the Yeti and should be delivered next week. it will spend most of its' time in the boat cockpit exposed to sun, and grandkids (11, 9, and 7 year twins), so we shall see....

 

[Chris-380]

I like to buy ice on Friday night and still have it Sunday night. Ice is cheap, but my time and energy is worth buying the expensive cooler. Not sure about now, but when I bought my yeti 45 and 50 Tundra coolers, they were made in USA. Like @wyrman , that is a big deal to me also. I recently won a bison cooler, it’s USA made also, so we will see how she does.

I have had Yeti's in the past. They are really great, live up to the hype.

That said I have heard others say there are other coolers that are very good. My only experience has been with the Yeti.

I did go ahead and ordered the Yeti and should be delivered next week. it will spend most of its' time in the boat cockpit exposed to sun, and grandkids (11, 9, and 7 year twins), so we shall see....

 

[OllieC]

Here’s one for $50

 

[SilentJ20]

The rotomolded coolers like Yeti are everywhere now. And they work well. Problem is, they also cost 2/3 or more of the price of a Yeti. Rtic, Blue, Monoprice, Orca, Amazon... made overseas or in the US the price isn't that different any more. Yeti is still the king as far as I've researched, BUT it only has the lead by a handful of hours over days of use.

Your example, a Yeti 105 for $500, the comparable rtic is $400. They may have been 1/2 the price in the past, but not any more. About the only rotomolded coolers that are a significant reduction in price are the Ozark Trail ones from WalMart, but the quality control and durability is a big drop (but still 95% of yeti performance).

I went a little different for mine this time. The brand Lifetime makes coolers that aren't the same thick, heavy rotomolded plastic, but are still hard plastic and have thick insulation. The Lifetime 115 hard cooler is $259. I recently got a deal for a 65qt and a 48qt combo for $330 and they're made in the USA to boot.