Keep Your Drinks Cool and Your Adventures Hot: Top-Rated Chilly Bins for Paddle Boarders and Beach Days
When you're off to the beach or heading out on your paddle board in New Zealand’s stunning coastal waters, one essential bit of kit is your trusty chilly bin. Keeping your kai and bevvies cold while you soak up the sun or paddle along the coastline is key to having an enjoyable day. But with so many options out there, which chilly bin is the best for your adventure?
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the best chilly bins available in New Zealand, comparing their pros and cons to help you choose the perfect option for your next outdoor mission.
1. YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler
Pros:
- Durability: The YETI Hopper Flip 12 is made from a high-density fabric that resists punctures, abrasions, and UV damage. Its waterproof exterior ensures it can withstand the elements, whether on a beach or paddle board.
- Portability: At just under 1.4 kg, the Flip 12 is easy to carry and features a shoulder strap for hands-free convenience. Its compact size is ideal for paddle boarders who need to minimise gear weight and volume.
- Cold Retention: YETI’s closed-cell foam insulation is legendary, keeping everything inside ice-cold, even on scorching Kiwi summer days. Its also leakproof ensuring and spillages stay contained inside rather than leaking in your car.
Cons:
- Price: The YETI comes with a hefty price tag, which might not sit well with everyone’s wallet.
- Capacity: With a 12-can capacity (with ice), it may not be large enough for bigger groups. However it is available in both a larger and smaller version.
- Multi Use: A hard cooler would allow you to double it up as a seat when strapped to your paddle board.
2. Engel 19 Quart Cooler/Dry Box
Pros:
- Multi-Use: The Engel doubles as a dry box, so if you're taking your phone, camera, or any other valuables on the water, this chilly bin will keep them safe and dry while keeping your food and drinks chilled.
- Rugged Design: Known for being tough as nails, the Engel can handle rough conditions, perfect for paddle boarders or beachgoers who aren’t afraid to get a bit rugged.
- Cold Retention: With quality insulation, it keeps ice solid for up to three days, ideal for extended beach trips or multi-day paddle boarding adventures.
Cons:
- Weight: Weighing in at around 3.6 kg when empty, the Engel is heavier than soft coolers, which can be cumbersome when you’re trying to travel light on a paddle board.
- Bulkiness: Its solid construction, while durable, also means it takes up more space, and its rectangular shape can be awkward to pack alongside other gear.
- Harder to carry: While it features a shoulder strap integration system, it lacks the ergonomic style of the soft chilly bins, making it kinda cumbersome to carry.
3. ICEMULE Classic Large (20L) Soft Cooler
Pros:
- Lightweight: One of the lightest coolers in its class, the ICEMULE Classic weighs only 1.1 kg, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritise portability and weight on their paddle boarding adventures.
- Hands-Free Carrying: The backpack straps make it easy to carry while you navigate your board or trek across the sand.
- Waterproof: The roll-top design ensures it's fully waterproof, perfect for paddlers who need to keep their kit safe from splashes.
- Floating Ability: If you take an unexpected tumble, no worries—the ICEMULE floats, so you can easily grab it from the water.
Cons:
- Ice Retention: The ICEMULE Classic keeps ice for up to 24 hours, which is sufficient for a day trip but may not be enough for overnight outings or longer beach adventures.
- Capacity: The 20-liter size is great for a small crew but might be limiting for larger whānau or groups.
4. Pelican Elite Cooler 20QT
Pros:
- Cold Retention: The Pelican Elite cooler boasts impressive ice retention, keeping contents cold for up to 2-3 days. This is a solid choice for beachgoers and paddle boarders planning longer trips.
- Rugged Build: Built to last, the Pelican cooler features a tough, rotomolded construction that can endure drops, knocks, and even wildlife encounters, including pesky seagulls. Which also means it doubles perfectly as a seat.
- Secure Latches: The secure latches ensure everything inside stays put, even when jostling around in choppy waters.
- Warranty: The Pelican Elite comes with a lifetime warranty, so it’s a chilly bin for life.
Cons:
- Weight: At 5.9 kg when empty, the Pelican Elite is one of the heaviest coolers in its class. While this may be manageable for beachgoers, it could be too much for those who need to transport it on a paddle board, especially when loaded with drinks and kai.
- Extras: The Pelican Elite requires an additional purchase of the Tie Down Kit to make it compatible with securing to a paddle board. With the cooler already being at the higher end of the price scale we would expect such features to be included.
5. RTIC Soft Pack 20
Pros:
- Value for Money: The RTIC Soft Pack 20 offers a great balance of performance and affordability. Its price point is lower than other premium coolers like YETI, making it a good budget-friendly option.
- Size Options: The 20-can capacity is larger than that of the YETI but may not be enough for larger groups or whānau. Luckily there are bigger options available.
- Leak-Proof Design: The Soft Pack 20 has a leak-proof zipper, so you don’t need to worry about ice melt seeping out, and it’s easy to clean.
Cons:
- Availability in New Zealand: RTIC can be hard to find in New Zealand, and shipping costs might bump up the overall price.
- Cold Retention: With a similar insulation design to YETI, the RTIC keeps ice for up to 24 hours, which is sufficient for a day trip but may not be enough for overnight outings or longer beach adventures.
6. Coleman Premium Soft Chilly Bin (30 Can)
Pros:
- Spacious: The Coleman Premium Soft Chilly Bin holds up to 30 cans, making it a great choice for bigger groups or families heading to the beach.
- Lightweight: At just 1.1 kg, it’s one of the lightest chilly bins for its size, perfect for paddle boarders who want to pack plenty without weighing down their gear.
- Durability: Its rip-resistant fabric and heat-welded seams make this a durable option for outdoor use, while its waterproof lining ensures it can withstand splashes or spills.
- Extra Storage: With handy front and side pockets, you can stash your keys, cutlery, or any other small items.
- Affordability: The Coleman offers excellent value for money, giving you plenty of space and features at a budget-friendly price.
Cons:
- Ice Retention: It only keeps ice cold for up to 24 hours, which may not be enough for those heading out on multi-day trips.
- Less Durable than Hard Chilly Bins: While tough for a soft-sided model, it doesn’t offer the same ruggedness as the hard-chilly bins like the Pelican or Engel.
The Takeaway
Whether you're cruising the water on a paddle board or relaxing at one of Aotearoa's beautiful beaches, a solid chilly bin is a must-have to keep your kai and drinks fresh. Lightweight options like the ICEMULE Classic, YETI Hopper Flip 12, or Coleman Premium Soft Chilly Bin 30 Can are ideal for paddle boarders who need to stay mobile while still packing plenty of refreshments. For longer trips or bigger groups, rugged hard-sided options like the Pelican Elite or Engel 19 Quart offer top-notch ice retention and durability to match New Zealand's tough conditions.
In the end, the best chilly bin for you comes down to how long you're out, how much space you need, and your budget. Whether you're after a quick paddle or a full-day adventure, there’s a chilly bin here that’ll keep your kai cold and your trip cruisy.
