Review: Yeti Tundra

The Yeti Tundra is solid, made to take abuse, and insulated to the max to keep things cold, and there are a wide range of sizes, colours, and even wheeled versions to suit your needs. Our favourite options include an internal basket, divider, cushion seat, and, obviously, a fishing-rod holder. Rope handles may seem insignificant, but having a flexible handle makes it much easier to carry and manipulate. Its robust build does come at the cost of being heavier for its size.

The test

We packed a large 26.4-pound bag of ice into a Yeti Tundra 45 and a similar-size Coleman cooler and left them outdoors in direct sunlight for several days to see how they compare. Daytime high temperatures ranged from 19 to 26˚C and we opened and closed both coolers a few times a day to simulate use. The results speak for themselves below.

Verdict

The Tundra kept ice solid for nearly three times longer. We got eight and a half days of a bag of ice in the Yeti when stored outdoors in June. If you’re away from a fridge for any amount of time, you can trust that your fish or game meat won’t spoil.

Cooler tips

Preload your cooler a few hours prior to use with cold water or a sacrificial bag of ice.
Smaller, cubed ice will chill a cooler and the contents more quickly.
Block ice melts at a much slower rate.
Use a mix of both for best results.

Meat shelf deployed

Air inside your cooler will accelerate ice-melt. Fill space with extra ice or towels.
Don’t empty the melted cold water.
It helps to insulate the remaining ice.
Keep your cooler out of direct sunlight. Use tarps or towels to cover when you can’t find shade.