Yeti Decisions Decisions

TEXASBGE2018

Birthday was recently and since I didn't really get myself anything, i'm thinking of getting another Yeti product (Ya, I know). Debating between a Yeti Tundra 45, Tundra 65, Tundra Haul or even one of the M30 Hopper Soft Coolers. I will primarily use it for day trips, camping, family events, and rarely beach trips. But i'm also of the mindset of better to have and not need than need and not have. Which would you choose and why? Winner makes me spend my money.

CigarCityEgger

For day trips, gimme the hopper. That blue is sharp 

shtgunal3

The 45 is my most used. I don’t own the haul. I’m not crazy about the soft sided coolers but that’s just me. I have two of the RTIC soft coolers and they rarely get used. 

Spaightlabs

For a day trip, soft side is king.

I use my soft sides all the time, others sit in the garage or on the deck unless I'm gonna be gone for more than a couple days or need a ton of capacity d/t the number of people.

GrateEggspectations

Your description of what you plan to use it for is quite broad. Personally, I would draw a line between what I would require for a “day trip” or “beach trip” (24 hrs max) and “camping,” which is often a weekend, at a minimum. I would suggest that you might want to start by further refining your needs. 

The Tundra 45 is pretty big for a “day trip” or “beach trip”. It’s something I would take for a weekend of camping. If wanting something for shorter excursions, I would suggest either the Roadie 20 (awesome little rotomolded cooler) or a Hopper, the biggest difference being portability, with the latter being more portable. For maximum versatility, I suggest the Roadie 20. Its light enough to tote to the beach but will hold ice longer for something like a multi-day road trip. I had considered buying a Tundra 65 but instead bought a Tundra 45, Roadie 20 and a Hopper 30 for increased versatility. The Roadie is likely my favourite. 

Good luck in your decision. 

GrateEggspectations

GrateEggspectations said:

Your description of what you plan to use it for is quite broad. Personally, I would draw a line between what I would require for a “day trip” or “beach trip” (24 hrs max) and “camping,” which is often a weekend, at a minimum. I would suggest that you might want to start by further refining your needs. 

The Tundra 45 is pretty big for a “day trip” or “beach trip”. It’s something I would take for a weekend of camping. If wanting something for shorter excursions, I would suggest either the Roadie 20 (awesome little rotomolded cooler) or a Hopper, the biggest difference being portability, with the latter being more portable. For maximum versatility, I suggest the Roadie 20. Its light enough to tote to the beach but will hold ice longer for something like a multi-day road trip. I had considered buying a Tundra 65 but instead bought a Tundra 45, Roadie 20 and a Hopper 30 for increased versatility. The Roadie is likely my favourite. 

Good luck in your decision. 

What’s with the font, Vanilla?!?!

shtgunal3

I use the 20 a lot as well. If I’m going camping or hunting for a few days I take the 110 along. You can get a lot of groceries in that thing. It stays in the back of the truck the entire time though.

DoubleEgger

The Hopper. For day trips where you are in and out of the cooler all day long, a rotomolded cooler isn’t offering any benefit other than it’s sturdier to sit on. It’s just added weight. Also, the Hopper doubles as a carry on bag for airline trips. Fits good behind the seat of your vehicle in the floorboard too. 

TEXASBGE2018

I guess I should break it down a little more 

40% day trips

30% camping

20% family events
5% beach trips
5% other 

I should also clarify that I have 2 other medium sized igloo coolers that don’t have the cool factor but serve the purpose of keeping things iced down just obviously not as efficiently. I also have a small igloo that fits in the floorboard between my kids for quick access during day trips So ultimately what I’m getting at is this purchase is simply  about which is the most versatile while being practical in its application with a little douchbagery thrown in. Hence the undecidedness on my part.

RiverBBQ

Tundra suggested. I own Roadie and Tundra,  larger holds much more ice and is go to for longer timeframes. Roadie nice but don’t hold much. Tundra not much more footprint but way more useable.

TEXASBGE2018

I had a roadie 20 for awhile and sold it for darn close to what I paid. It just felt like an odd size to me. Too small for any meaningful capacity and too large to store in a floorboard

JethroBodeen

Beer. Spend the rest on ice. Your friends will never notice!

CornfedMA

As others above have said, Hopper. We’ve got the original Hopper 20 and the Hopper Two 40. We constantly take them both to the beach, camping, hunting trips, etc. I’ve put an easy 30 lbs of goose meat in the 40. Since we got the 40, that probably gets the call more than the 20, but they’ve both been great. The tundras are great semi-stationary rigs though. 

YukonRon

The hopper. Use mine all of the time. Great for carry on. Took it to Italy with us and it earned its price on that one trip.
Great for groceries too.
Best money I have spent with Yeti by far.
I have two 65s....love them for longer trips and camping, but the hopper is perfect for trips 2-4 days
I have had mine for a few years, abused the heck out of it. Still in perfect working condition.
Get the add on pouch with it too.

attaboy

If you have children I would stay with the hard sided coolers. My girls killed the zipper on the Hopper we had. Yeti customer service is 2nd to none, I had them send me a Tundra 45 as the replacement. I know that’s an apples to oranges move but they still haven’t hurt that thing. The Tundra Haul or Roadie would be my choice depending on which size you would use more regularly. Either way I love spending other people’s money!

TEXASBGE2018

The hopper appears to be winning but im just wondering if I should hold off on a hopper because this Magnetic open/close is "new" to the Hopper line and i'm wondering if they will transfer it to the smaller sizes which I might like better.

This M30 Hopper is a big soft shell cooler. Its 25" long x 18" tall x 12" wide at the bottom. Doesn't really fit in a back seat with two kids who like their space.

The more I read and look the more i'm leaning towards the Tundra 45 or the Haul. I like the smaller footprint of the 45 because it will apparently fit in the back of a JLU Wrangler which I will be buying this fall. The Haul is slightly larger but holds a lot more and has wheels. 

Oh what a world of excess that we live in when it takes me hours of research to buy a G D Cooler.

KennyCJR

I have the haul and love it.  The design of the handle makes it effortless to move around, even when 100% full.  Once you get it out of the truck, anyone can move it around.  

Foghorn

It sounds like you need one of the big ones to add to your current collection as that expands your operational capacity.

Spaightlabs

Sounds like the problem is that you are imposing an artificial limit on the number of coolers you change...

JohnH12

When considering a Yeti the best option is to get a Pelican.
Made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty.

SonVolt

or Cabela's Polar Cap. Also Made in USA w/Lifetime warranty. 

SonVolt

...so I just impulse-purchased a YETI Roadie 20 b/c it's on sale for $159. 

Eoin

Whatever you buy, get it in orange.

GrateEggspectations

SonVolt said:

...so I just impulse-purchased a YETI Roadie 20 b/c it's on sale for $159. 

Personally, I love mine. 

HeavyG

What's Yeti's 7 year return/refund policy???

Woadie

I have the Tundra 65 the roadie and the small hopper.  I go hunting and fishing a lot so I take the 65 with me on those trips.  On the other day trips out to the hunting property I take either the hopper or the roadie depending on how long I’ll be there.  The hopper in my opinion is more convenient but doesn’t hold ice as long as the roadie.  But the roadie does get heavy carrying it at full capacity. 

WeberWho

Go all in and get a 2nd Yeti bucket! 

Gamecockeggman

I have 6 yeti coolers and numerous drink ware.  I love them.  I know I know they are expensive and all of the clones are better because they are cheaper but I love yeti.  Spare parts are readily available and the company stands by the product.  Oh and if you have an issue you can talk to a live person on the phone that lives in the US.  Just get the one you want and enjoy it.    

TEXASBGE2018

Ended up getting the tundra 45 in river green. It just seems to meet the majority of my requirements. Just big enough to take camping and It’s also just small enough to take on day trips if needed. It will fit in the back of my 4runner and according to measurements will fit in the back of a JLU Wrangler which I plan on getting in the fall. I plan on getting the Hopper in a few months as well.

frazzdaddy

Started with a Rodie, got a hopper and love it. Got a 45 for the big boat. Use the hopper in the Mastercraft. I use the Rodie to rest briskets 

GrateEggspectations

As I may have mentioned earlier, if you want YETIs on the cheap, keep an eye on the classifieds. My Tundra 45, Roadie 20 and Hopper 30 were all purchased second-hand, never used, unregistered and still including hang tags - in some cases, for only 30% of retail.