The YETI Hopper Flip 18 has the best carry handle, a proven build quality, great ice retention, a superior waterproof zipper, and the coolest color options season after season. But is it worth the hefty price?
I’ve personally used, tested, and reviewed dozens of soft coolers over the last nine years, alongside dozens of hard coolers. All year long, I pack coolers for day trips to the beach, for camping trips in the mountains, for white water rafting trips, and for tailgating. I personally used the YETI Hopper Flip 18 during hot summer trips to the lake and it was my go-to day and weekend cooler while elk hunting in Idaho this season. I learned what’s good, great, and not so great.
Excellent ice retention
I’m a huge fan of the top handle placement on the lid because it makes the YETI Hopper Flip 18 easy to grab, move, and carry. The reason YETI can use a handle sewn into the lid is because the waterproof HydroLock Zipper is strong enough to support heavy loads without risk of failure. Coolers with lesser zippers usually have two straps that wrap around the top, avoiding stress on the zipper. If you’re the person who is carrying a cooler, you’ll appreciate YETI’s top-lid handle.
Not So Great: The zipper is hard to pull
Other than the premium price point, the only drawback to the YETI Hopper Flip series of soft coolers is that the ultra-rugged, waterproof zipper can be hard to pull open and shut. YETI provides a stout zipper pull so it’s easy to get a good grip, but you’ll have to stabilize the cooler with one hand and use the other to open and close it.
The important thing to remember is that all strong waterproof zippers require more force to zip and unzip than typical non-waterproof zippers. The YETI zipper is not harder to use than any other similar zipper I’ve used on other gear like dry suits, waterproof backpacks, or ultra-rugged expedition duffle bags.
Hate zippers? Check out the Hopper M30 Tote Soft Cooler with a magnetic opening. Alternately, if you want something you can open with one hand, you might need to go with a hard cooler like the Roadie 24.
YETI Hopper Flip Review: Is it worth the price?
The biggest question you probably have is if the YETI Hopper Flip Soft Cooler is worth the price? As long as you can afford it, the short answer is yes. YETI’s DryHide shell is puncture and UV-resistant. It can take a serious beating, barely shows scratches after years of use, and the RF-welded seams stay together.
The waterproof zipper is also long-lasting, but you should use a zipper lubricant a minimum of 1-2 times a year to keep it functioning well. It’s hard to find any YETI-branded extras, so go with the Gear Aid Zipper Lubricant two-pack.
That said, the ice retention is very good and seems to be a bit better than most other premium soft coolers I’ve used — but ice retention is not radically better. I use soft coolers primarily for day trips and overnighters. In these situations, many competing soft coolers can keep my food and drink cold enough during short time periods, too.
I recommend that you choose the YETI Hopper Flip 18 because you like the size, the shape, and the color, followed by appreciating the fact you likely won’t have to deal with a failed seam or zipper in many years.
When it comes to soft coolers, if you can afford the best, just pick your favorite color and proceed to enjoying the YETI Hopper Flip outside.
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Key Specifications
Exterior: 17.7″ W × 12.8″ H × 11.5″ D
Interior: 14.6″ L × 10″ W × 8.7″ D
Capacity: 30 cans
Weight: 4.5 lbs
The smaller YETI Hopper Flip 12 can hold a maximum of 24 cans while the lunch-ready Hooper Flip 8 can hold up to 11 cans. These are great options for 1-2 people, but I tend to prefer a cooler that’s slightly larger than I think I’ll need because it’s more flexible and gives me more room for ice or ice packs.
I’ve Moved to Reusable Ice Packs
For all my day trips and overnight camping, I’ve pretty much skipped cubed ice in favor of reusable ice packs. The freezer in my garage freezes down to near zero degrees, and ice packs can be pretty efficient. I’ve had frozen ice packs drop temperatures so low inside the Hopper Flip 18 that ice crystals formed inside soda cans and my greek yogurt froze completely through.
YETI’s own ice packs feature shapes with holes in the middle to help them freeze faster. I recommend that you grab a few to have on hand and stop buying ice or dealing with melting cubes, but you can also use more affordable Igloo ice blocks if you prefer.
Competitive Alternatives and Options:
There are many soft coolers available these days, and I’ve seen multiple brands enter and exit the market over the years. Here are several competitive alternative options to the 17-liter Hopper Flip 18 that might also work well for you:
YETI Hopper M30 Tote — My first-generation M30 Tote soft cooler is still going strong and I often lash it into my whitewater raft. The key difference from other coolers is that it has a unique magnetically sealing top. The latest version has an ingenious stay-open design that makes it easier to load and unload.
Engel HD30 — I used this cooler for multiple years and it works well. Some other brands have produced similar models, so it’s not as unique as it used to be. However, Engel stands by its gear. Choose this cooler if you like the taller, narrower shape.
REI Co-op Trailgate 20 L Weekend Cooler — This REI option is not nearly as rugged, but for light-duty use it should last far longer than most cheap department store options. The leak-resistant zipper isn’t truly waterproof, but I don’t knock coolers over that often (and I’ve moved to ice packs that don’t leak). I do appreciate the front storage pocket and the side stash pockets. They’re handy for keys, phones, or utensils.
RUX Soft Cooler Bag — This unique soft cooler uses a tried-and-true dry bag twist closure system. It’s waterproof and I’ve used it on my SUP without having any leaks. It’s ultra-rugged and ultra-light. For people unfamiliar with the fold-and-twist closure system — particularly kids and teenagers — it can be cumbersome or left open unintentionally. On the plus side, sand won’t clog the zipper because it doesn’t have one!
RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler — The cheaper nemesis of YETI is RTIC, which is known for producing quality gear at lower price points. The YETI Hopper series is more refined, has better colors, has a better lid handle, and has a tougher zipper. If you want ultimate quality, choose YETI. If you want a hard-to-beat value on a budget, choose RTIC.
The Bottom Line: Premium Quality
The YETI Hopper Flip Soft Cooler blends ultra-rugged materials with superior construction quality, resulting in a long-lasting cooler with plenty of insulation to keep your food and drink cold. The premium price is worth the cost if your budget can afford it, especially if you think you’ll be using this cooler for more than 5 years. In addition, it’s an outstanding upgrade gift for a hunter or outdoor lover because it’s a splurge idea some people will hesitate to buy for themselves. Either way, for yourself or an outdoor gift for a family member, it has a legitimate claim to being the best soft cooler ever made. Very highly recommended.
The YETI X-Factor: Best Color Options
The X-factor for me personally, with YETI gear, is the company’s stellar color options. Personally, I appreciate a pop of color or a cool pattern like Wetlands Camo. YETI’s King Crab Orange and Rescue Red consistently evoke a vibe that I appreciate. I’ve purchased value-priced gear with ugly color options and I’ve usually ended up regretting it. Most outdoor gear reviews shy away from the style factor. We are humans, and if a color or design speaks to you, sometimes it’s worth paying extra for. For me, I would not buy a YETI Seafoam cooler even if it was half off. But Woodlands Camo? Heck yes. Love it. In fact, I’m seriously considering buying a new Rambler Tumbler I don’t need because I like the pattern.
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