The Coleman Classic Series 70-Quart (sold as the 316 Series) is a large, cheap, blow-molded chest cooler with a seat-rated lid, cup holders and a fish ruler. CleverHiker found it the lightest and largest cooler in its test and measured six days until all the ice melted, but faulted the lid for having no latches and leaking when tipped. Tom's Guide found it kept food and drinks cold for two days, well short of Coleman's five-day claim, and recommends it for weekend and short fishing trips.
Full review
A lot of cooler for the money
CleverHiker took the Coleman 316 Series 70 QT fishing, climbing and hiking around California's East Side and found it the lightest cooler it tested apart from personal-sized models, the largest by over 10 quarts and one of the cheapest. It weighs 11 lb 6.4 oz empty, and CleverHiker found it easy to carry alone even when full, though the long body can be awkward. Tom's Guide tested the same 70-quart Classic and also found the box very light, carried by two people using its handles.
Ice retention: days, not a week
The two outlets measured different results. CleverHiker moved the cooler between full sun and its van and recorded six days for all the ice to melt, eight days to reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 10 days to reach 50 degrees. Tom's Guide found the cooler still cold after two days but practically at room temperature after four, with all its ice melted, and concluded Coleman's five-day claim is generous. It recommends the cooler for one- to two-day trips.
Simple lid with weak points
The lid has no latches or clips. CleverHiker found it did not seal tightly, so water leaked out of the seam when the cooler was tipped over and cold air escaped faster, and it called the hinges fragile. Tom's Guide found the stiff lid hard to open with fingers. On the plus side, Tom's Guide sat and bounced on the lid without it caving in, and the lid carries four cup holders and a fish ruler in inches and centimeters.
Who it suits
CleverHiker recommends it for occasional beach picnics, backyard barbecues and large groups, but not for rough outdoor use, since the cheaper, lighter construction lacks the structural strength to last for years. Tom's Guide found draining and cleaning easy and calls it a very low-maintenance cooler for weekend camping or short fishing trips.
Strengths
- +Lightest and largest-capacity cooler in CleverHiker's test, at 11 lb 6.4 oz empty and 70 quarts
- +Kept ice for six days in CleverHiker's measurements, and items reached 40 degrees F only after eight days
- +Easy to drain and clean; Tom's Guide propped it on its side and emptied it through the drain tap
- +Lid doubles as a seat rated to 250 pounds, with four cup holders and a fish ruler, per Tom's Guide
Watch-outs
- −No latches on the lid, and CleverHiker found water leaked from the lid seam when the cooler was tipped over
- −Tom's Guide found it practically at room temperature after four days, well short of Coleman's five-day claim
- −The 70-quart size has no wheels, and Tom's Guide found the stiff lid hard to open
How it compares
At 70 quarts it matches the capacity of the Coleman Xtreme 5-Day 70 QT and holds far more than the RTIC Ultra-Light 32 QT or the Ninja FrostVault 30 QT. Like the Xtreme 70 its lid has no latch or gasket, while the RTIC Ultra-Light 32 seals with an O-ring gasket. CleverHiker lists its empty weight at 11 lb 6.4 oz, lighter than the RTIC Ultra-Light 32's 13.4 lb.
Rating sources
Counts as 4.00/5 in our score — this publisher's 60 scores on the site average 4.49, so its scores are adjusted down to compare fairly with other publishers.
Counts as 3.52/5 in our score — this publisher's 156 scores on the site average 4.15, so its scores are adjusted up to compare fairly with other publishers.
Our 3.8 score is the average of these published ratings, each adjusted for how strictly its publisher scores. More about methodology.
