{"id":1742,"date":"2023-10-31T23:39:33","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T23:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=1742"},"modified":"2023-10-31T23:39:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T23:39:33","slug":"rtic-vs-yeti-is-a-more-expensive-cooler-actually-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=1742","title":{"rendered":"Rtic vs Yeti: Is a More Expensive Cooler Actually Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It\u2019s the battle of the coolers: Rtic vs. Yeti. In one corner, we have fan favorite Yeti<\/a>, and in the other there is Rtic<\/a>, looking just as beefy and impressive but at a fraction of the price. Yeti supporters will tell you there is no question: this cooler has the insulation and the durability to make it worth the price. Rtic boosters will tell you that you are being gouged for a brand name when the Rtic coolers are virtually identical. Ready to place your bet?<\/p>\n

Design and Appearance<\/h2>\n

Appearance-wise, these coolers are awfully similar looking. (And this is even after Yeti sued Rtic <\/a>for copying their designs.) Except for the logo, many of the products from each brand are nearly indistinguishable. Similar looking rotomolding construction, thick walls, anchor-shaped latches. The Rtic has an extra drainage port, so there is something at least. These similarities are partly why some people claim that you are just purchasing a logo when you spend extra on the Yeti.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Price<\/h2>\n

This is arguably the biggest difference between these two products. Yeti coolers, across every size and model are significantly more expensive than the comparable Rtic model. Here\u2019s a breakdown of a few sizes and models.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Size<\/td>\nYeti Tundra series<\/td>\nRtic Original series<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45-quart<\/td>\n$325<\/td>\n$220<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
65-quart<\/td>\n$375<\/td>\n$250<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
110-quart<\/td>\n$550<\/td>\n$400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re wondering if some of this price difference is due to the location where the goods are manufactured, the answer is \u2026 maybe. Rtic coolers are made in China<\/a>. Yeti coolers, on the other hand, are made in a variety of locations<\/a>, from the Philippines to Mexico to the USA. To confirm whether a particular model is made in the USA requires a call to Yeti.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Performance<\/h2>\n
RTIC coolers are more affordable than the top dog, Yeti. rticoutdoors<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In my test of the insulation of the best camping coolers<\/a>, it was fairly clear that Yeti does make a marginally better cooler than Rtic, although not the best cooler (that would be the ROVR RollR<\/a>). To test these coolers, I emptied a bag of ice into each cooler and then checked to see how long it took for each to melt, with the best of the lot lasting nearly four days. The ice in the Yeti (the Roadie 48) lasted 35 hours while the ice in the Rtic (Original 65) lasted a little under 27 hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the Yeti beat the Rtic, for most folks it\u2019s probably not enough performance to account for the extra cost. Especially considerably you could just buy a few extra of the best ice packs for coolers<\/a> and still have saved around a hundred dollars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Durability<\/h2>\n

But it\u2019s not just price and ice retention that Yeti and Rtic are competing on, it\u2019s also durability. Let\u2019s take a look at how they compare.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Throwing Coolers off of Buildings!<\/h3>\n

Yeti first got our attention by throwing their coolers off of things: building, cliffs, etc. Were these obviously marketing stunts? Yes. Were they still freakin\u2019 awesome? Also yes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
@yeti<\/a> <\/p>\n

Before we dropped the new Roadie\u00ae Wheeled Cooler, we literally dropped the Roadie Wheeled Cooler \u2014 a lot. #YETI<\/a> #BuiltForTheWild<\/a> The YETI Roadie is not intended to be used as depicted. Do not attempt to recreate any of the activities or conditions in this ad as they could lead to serious injury.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 YETI<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Because here\u2019s the thing: the Outdoor Life<\/em> staff (and especially the members of the gear team) are not nice to our gear. I drop and break things all the time, sometimes by accident, which happened with another cooler, the Oyster Tempo, during my testing of the best camping coolers<\/a>. But I also drop test products on purpose, so that OL <\/em>readers know which are tough enough for the outdoors, such as I did with the best power banks for backpacking<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n