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Yeti/orca/RTIC style coolers worth it?

I work construction and my little igloo just isn’t cutting it. My ice was completely gone in less than 36 hours. This wasn’t even on a hot day(85). I need something new and was looking at RTIC 45 but don’t really care about brand. How do y’all like yours?
Dyersburg, TN
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Comments

  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    How long do you need the ice to stay solid? RTIC coolers are comparable to Yeti (functionally), as are some other brands. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    They all work very well. RTIC price point is optimal. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    caliking said:
    How long do you need the ice to stay solid? RTIC coolers are comparable to Yeti (functionally), as are some other brands. 
    As long as possible $2-3 a bag gets expensive 3-4 times a week
    Dyersburg, TN
  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    I have one of the original style RTIC 45s. I like it.  Only issue with any of the ones you are looking at is weight.  These coolers are heavy.  
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    I have one of the original style RTIC 45s. I like it.  Only issue with any of the ones you are looking at is weight.  These coolers are heavy.  
    This is true but the 45 is still manageable. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    leemschu said:
    I work construction and my little igloo just isn’t cutting it. My ice was completely gone in less than 36 hours. This wasn’t even on a hot day(85). I need something new and was looking at RTIC 45 but don’t really care about brand. How do y’all like yours?
    I have all 3 brands that you mentioned, and a couple that you didn’t. With that said, I like them all. For the money, you simply can’t beat RTIC. 

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    SGH said:
    leemschu said:
    I work construction and my little igloo just isn’t cutting it. My ice was completely gone in less than 36 hours. This wasn’t even on a hot day(85). I need something new and was looking at RTIC 45 but don’t really care about brand. How do y’all like yours?
    I have all 3 brands that you mentioned, and a couple that you didn’t. With that said, I like them all. For the money, you simply can’t beat RTIC. 

    That’s kind of what I figured about price.
    Dyersburg, TN
  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    Both my RTIC and Pelican are rock solid.

    Threw 1 bag in the Pelican 20qt elite and 3 bags in the RTIC 65 on a Wednesday, road tripped to NC for Butt Blast for a few days and still had ice in both that Monday 
    ~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan  - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, Ardore Pizza Oven
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    ColtsFan said:
    Both my RTIC and Pelican are rock solid.

    Threw 1 bag in the Pelican 20qt elite and 3 bags in the RTIC 65 on a Wednesday, road tripped to NC for Butt Blast for a few days and still had ice in both that Monday 
    Nice I had looked at the pelican coolers
    Dyersburg, TN
  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    @leemschu
    They have the 65 on sale right now. You can’t beat the price with a stick. 

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,153
    Fill up some old Tide bottles to use as reusable ice blocks. It’ll make your ice last a lot longer. The Tide bottles have heavier plastic and a handle. 
  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    Fill up some old Tide bottles to use as reusable ice blocks. It’ll make your ice last a lot longer. The Tide bottles have heavier plastic and a handle. 
    This. Always have some block ice vs cubes. I typically fill water bottles and freeze them to line the bottom of my cooler for long trips.
  • Markarm4119
    Markarm4119 Posts: 526
    Better make sure you can lock it up working construction, things have a tendency to "walk off " the jobsite. A high end cooler is just like a nice power tool.
    LBGE, and just enough knowledge and gadgets to be dangerous .
    Buford,Ga.
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Gatorade quarts are perfect for this purpose and easier fits. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • littlerascal56
    littlerascal56 Posts: 2,110
    edited May 2019
    We had some large Yeti Tundra 125’s that we used for bottled water on construction sites.  Kept ice for 4 days in 90+ temps. 
  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    SGH said:
    @leemschu
    They have the 65 on sale right now. You can’t beat the price with a stick. 

    Pulled the trigger when I saw this. Excited to not be drinking Luke warm water anymore!
    Dyersburg, TN
  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    leemschu said:
    SGH said:
    @leemschu
    They have the 65 on sale right now. You can’t beat the price with a stick. 
    Pulled the trigger when I saw this. 
    What color did you get?

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    Fill up some old Tide bottles to use as reusable ice blocks. It’ll make your ice last a lot longer. The Tide bottles have heavier plastic and a handle. 
    I will definitely try this. Do you do this in combo with ice cubes or just by itself?
    Dyersburg, TN
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,153
    edited May 2019
    leemschu said:
    Fill up some old Tide bottles to use as reusable ice blocks. It’ll make your ice last a lot longer. The Tide bottles have heavier plastic and a handle. 
    I will definitely try this. Do you do this in combo with ice cubes or just by itself?
    Mix with cubes when using the cooler.  Use the plastic bottles solo to prechill. Of course you can change sizes as you see fit. It doesn’t have to be a Tide bottle. I just like heavier plastic for longevity. I have a built in 150qt and 100qt coolers on the boat so I like the bigger ice blocks. Ice does indeed cost a lot of money. Luckily there’s a “twice the ice” kiosk near me. 
  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    SGH said:
    leemschu said:
    SGH said:
    @leemschu
    They have the 65 on sale right now. You can’t beat the price with a stick. 
    Pulled the trigger when I saw this. 
    What color did you get?
    Tan. I wasn’t sure about what would be better but didn’t really care.
    Dyersburg, TN
  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    leemschu said:
    Tan. I wasn’t sure about what would be better but didn’t really care.
    I have both tan and white in RTIC and Yeti. I don’t think one color is better than the other. However the tan is easier to keep clean👍

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    In theory, the white should reflect a bit more energy from the sun than a darker one.  So for those who leave their cooler in direct sunlight, white might be better.  But the colored ones hide dirt a lot better. I normally keep mine in the shade and the tan one I have looks a lot cleaner than the white ones I have. 
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
  • leemschu
    leemschu Posts: 615
    SGH said:
    leemschu said:
    Tan. I wasn’t sure about what would be better but didn’t really care.
    I have both tan and white in RTIC and Yeti. I don’t think one color is better than the other. However the tan is easier to keep clean👍
    Kind of what I figured and my reasoning.
    Dyersburg, TN
  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    to theu not offer the green any longer? 
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • Hub
    Hub Posts: 927
    I spent several weeks researching and researching the high performance coolers.  I was surprised to see how many different companies make them.  After a very picky process of elimination, I ended up picking Otter Box.  Yep.  Otter Box.  I got both the 45 and the 65.  Love them.


    Beautiful and lovely Villa Rica, Georgia
  • booksw
    booksw Posts: 500
    They work best if you keep them completely packed with as little air as possible.  We pack our (Yeti) with towels as we use the contents, and the ice stays ice for a week.
    Johns Is, SC

    L/MiniMax Eggs
  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    ryantt said:
    to theu not offer the green any longer? 
    The green is still offered in some sizes. 

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    @SGH this is Norah Grace’s 
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    ryantt said:
    @SGH this is Norah Grace’s 
    That young lady has great taste. She has quickly became one of my forum favorites👍

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

  • BGEChicago
    BGEChicago Posts: 575
    Went with a Yeti... 

    Chicago, IL BGE XL BGE Mini Webber Charcoal / Elmhurst, IL