Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Soft Cooler Bags

AO Coolers Carbon 24-Pack vs RTIC Soft Pack 30

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

RTIC Soft Pack 30 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about value buyers wanting Yeti-class leakproof — read the strengths below before deciding.

AO Coolers Carbon 24-Pack
Ranked #5 in Best Soft Cooler Bags
AO Coolers Carbon 24-Pack
$80

The AO Coolers Carbon 24 is the USA-made pick — AO's domestically built soft cooler.

Strengths
  • Made in USA
  • High-density closed-cell foam
  • Reflective barrier
Watch-outs
  • Less premium build than Yeti
  • Smaller brand awareness
  • Older design
RTIC Soft Pack 30
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Soft Cooler Bags
RTIC Soft Pack 30
$150

The Soft Pack 30 is the value pick — RTIC's leakproof cooler at half the Yeti price.

Strengths
  • Only cooler that didn't leak in CNN testing
  • Half the price of Yeti
  • 30-can capacity
Watch-outs
  • Slightly less ice retention than Yeti
  • Heavier
  • Bulkier

How they stack up

AO Coolers Carbon 24-Pack

USA-made. Smaller brand. Carbon series.

RTIC Soft Pack 30

Best value. Leakproof. Half the Yeti price.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAO Coolers Carbon 24-PackRTIC Soft Pack 30
OriginUSA
Capacity24 cans30 cans
FoamClosed-cell
BrandAO CoolersRTIC
LeakproofYes
Price$150
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