Head-to-head · Best Soft Cooler Bags

RTIC Soft Pack 30 vs YETI Hopper M30 2.0

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

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The short answer

YETI Hopper M30 2.0 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 3.8). YETI Hopper M30 2.0 is best for: Groups and families who want a wide-mouth tote with effortless loading and YETI cold-hold, and don't mind the weight or the price. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Soft Cooler Bags

RTIC Soft Pack 30

3.8

2 sources$129as of Oct 11

The RTIC Soft Pack 30 keeps showing up in head-to-head tests against YETI as the value pick. CleverHiker measured about four days before the ice fully melted. The zipper is stiff and it does not quite match the Flip 12, but at roughly a third of the price it is the best bang-for-buck technical soft cooler on the market.

Strengths

— EZ waterproof zipper and welded seams kept the bag leakproof and floating in CleverHiker's testing
— Wide opening and 30-can capacity swallow a full cooler of drinks for road trips
— Up to 1.5 inches of closed-cell foam keeps the structured shape without a hard frame

Watch-outs

— Tight-sealing zipper is stiff and tricky to open and close, especially when new
— Ice retention trails the YETI Hopper Flip 12 by a day or more in head-to-head tests

$129 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Soft Cooler Bags

YETI Hopper M30 2.0

4.2

1 source$350as of Jul 19

The Hopper M30 2.0 is the group-haul tote in YETI's soft lineup, trading the zipper for a magnetic MagShield mouth that loads like an open bag and snaps shut on its own. GearJunkie awarded it best magnetic-closure tote, and Treeline logged strong ice retention in direct sun. It is heavy, very expensive, and the closure is leak-resistant rather than leakproof. Even so, nothing else here carries 42 cans this easily.

Strengths

— MagShield magnetic opening stays open for loading then seals with a gentle push, with no zipper to fight
— Held ice in 90F direct sun for more than 10 hours with about half remaining frozen near 24 hours in Treeline's test
— Huge 42-can / 32-lb-ice tote capacity for groups and weekend trips

Watch-outs

— At $350 it is the most expensive cooler on this list by a wide margin
— Magnetic closure is leak-resistant, not fully leakproof if the bag tips over
— Earlier M30 generations were recalled, so buy only the current 2.0 version

$350 · Buy at rei.com Full review →

How they stack up

RTIC Soft Pack 30

Far cheaper than the YETI Hopper Flip 12 with similar ice life, holds more than the RTIC Soft Pack 20, and is more weatherproof than the canvas AO Coolers Canvas 24 Pack, though it lacks the tote capacity of the YETI Hopper M30 2.0.

YETI Hopper M30 2.0

Carries far more than the YETI Hopper Flip 12 or either RTIC Soft Pack, but is the heaviest and priciest here; the magnetic mouth is easier to load than the RTIC Soft Pack 30's stiff zipper but is leak-resistant rather than fully leakproof.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	RTIC Soft Pack 30	YETI Hopper M30 2.0
Capacity	30 cans	42 cans / 32 lb ice
Empty Weight	4 lb	6.8 lb
Insulation	Up to 1.5 in closed-cell foam	ColdCell closed-cell foam
Closure	EZ waterproof zipper	MagShield magnetic with quick-release buckles
Construction	Welded leakproof seams	Welded leakproof seams
Cold Hold	Up to 2 days	~55 hours food-safe (tested)
Carry	Removable shoulder strap	Double-stitched carry
Floats	Yes	Yes
Outside Dimensions	15.5 x 12.75 x 11.5 in	25.2 x 11.9 x 17.3 in
Shell	heavy-duty coated fabric	DryHide high-density fabric
Inside Dimensions	15.5 x 12.8 x 11.5 in	—
Liner	puncture-resistant, waterproof	Welded TPU, abrasion-resistant
Material	Vinyl	Closed-cell foam
Volume	—	30 L (13 wine bottles)
Ice Retention	—	48+ hours (tested)

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