2. The Right Ice

• Block Ice: Lasts longer because it melts slower than cubed ice. Great for multi-day trips.
• Cubed Ice: Cools items faster but melts quicker. Perfect for tailgating and beach days.
• Dry Ice: Ideal for keeping items frozen on extended trips (make sure your cooler is dry ice compatible, like the YETI® Tundra®, Roadie®, or YETI Tank® Hard Coolers). Dry ice is typically not recommended for soft coolers due to potential damage to the material.

3. Ice Packs or Frozen Bottles

• YETI® Thin Ice: Flat, freezable ice sheets are excellent for both hard and soft coolers. They lay flat, making them perfect for easy packing in YETI® Soft Coolers like the Hopper® or Daytrip® series. These sheets can be placed along the bottom or sides of the soft cooler, maximizing space efficiency and providing even cooling. 
• Freeze plastic jugs of water of varying sizes to help fill gaps. Plus, frozen bottles double as cold drinking water once they thaw.

Step-by-Step Guide to Packing Your Cooler

Step 1: Pre-Chill Your Cooler

Your cooler starts at room temperature, and if it’s been sitting in a hot garage or car, it will absorb the cold from your ice and cause it to melt faster.

How to Pre-Chill:

• Add a bag of ice or frozen water bottles a few hours before packing. You’ll discard this ice before packing. 
• Store your cooler open in a cool, shaded spot overnight, or inside your house. 

Pro Tip: YETI® Coolers retain cold better thanks to their thick insulation, but pre-chilling gives your ice a head start. It is also recommended to start with pre-chilled drinks from the fridge. 

Step 2: Layering for Maximum Ice Retention

A well-packed cooler uses strategic layering to keep everything cold.

Bottom Layer (The Cold Base):

• Start with a solid base of block ice or YETI® Ice. 
• If using dry ice, wrap it in newspaper and place it at the bottom to prevent freezer burn.

Middle Layer (Perishables):

• Place perishable items like meats or fish and anything you want to stay frozen directly on the ice.
• Use airtight containers to prevent cross-contamination and water damage.

Top Layer (Drinks & Snacks):

• Stack drinks and snacks on separate sides of the cooler on top layer for easy access without disturbing the cold layers below. 
• Use cubed ice or loose ice packs to fill in gaps and keep everything snug.

Pro Tip: If you’re packing for a group, consider using separate coolers for food and drinks. The drink cooler will get opened more often, so this helps keep your food colder longer.

Step 3: Fill Every Gap

Air is the enemy of ice retention. The more empty space in your cooler, the faster the ice will melt.

How to Eliminate Air Gaps:



• Fill empty spaces with ice packs, frozen water bottles, or towels.
• As you use up food and drinks, repack the cooler to keep it full.

Pro Tip: YETI® Coolers are designed to handle heavy loads, so don’t be afraid to pack them tight. The more packed your cooler, the better it holds the cold.

Step 4: Keep It Closed and Cool

Every time you open your cooler, warm air rushes in and cold air escapes. To maximize performance:

• Only open the cooler when necessary and close quickly.
• Store the cooler in a shaded, cool spot out of direct sunlight.
• Elevate the cooler off hot surfaces like sand or pavement to prevent heat transfer.

Pro Tip: YETI® Coolers come with freezer-grade gaskets that create an airtight seal, keeping cold in and heat out.

Cooler Packing Strategies for Specific Adventures

1. Tailgating

Tailgating is all about quick access to drinks and snacks while keeping everything cold until kickoff.

Tailgating Cooler Tips:

• Use cubed ice for quick chilling and easy access to drinks.
• Bring a separate cooler for food to keep it cold and prevent frequent opening.
• Use a YETI® Tundra® Haul or Roadie® Wheeled Cooler for easy transport from your car to the tailgate spot. Alternatively, YETI® Soft Coolers like the Hopper® Series are excellent for tailgating due to their portability and comfortable carrying straps, making them ideal for easy transport in crowded areas."

2. Beach Days

The beach brings sun, sand, and heat, so your cooler needs to work overtime to keep things cold.

Beach Cooler Tips:

• Pre-chill everything—the cooler, your drinks, and your food.
• Keep your cooler in the shade or cover it with a towel to block the sun.
• Elevate the cooler off the hot sand using a towel or beach mat.
• YETI® Soft Coolers, such as the Hopper® Series, are ideal for beach days due to their 100% leakproof HydroLok™ Zipper. This feature ensures that melted ice water stays contained, preventing leaks in your car or on the sand, and keeping your other belongings dry.

Pro Tip: Freeze water bottles ahead of time and use them to keep things cold while doubling as refreshing drinks later in the day. Be sure to fill the bottle or jug only 80% to leave room as ice expands.

3. Camping

When you’re camping, your cooler becomes your primary cold keeper —keeping food fresh and safe for days.

Camping Cooler Tips:

• Use a mix of block ice, cubed ice, and YETI® Ice to keep items cold for longer.
• Store meats and perishables at the bottom of the cooler, on top of the base layer of ice.
• Keep the cooler in the shade and close it tightly after every use.
• Use a YETI® Tundra® Hard Cooler with bear-proof locks to keep food and campsites safe. For shorter camping trips or when portability is a priority, YETI® Soft Coolers like the Hopper® Series offer excellent insulation and are easy to carry to and from your campsite.

Pro Tip: Pack your cooler with frozen meals that can thaw gradually, keeping the cooler colder and simplifying meal prep.

Common Cooler Packing Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the Pre-Chill: Always cool your cooler before packing it.
• Overpacking with Warm Items: Pre-chill food and drinks before adding them.
• Leaving Air Gaps: Fill empty spaces to slow down melting.
• Draining Melted Ice Water Too Soon: The cold water helps keep the remaining ice from melting.

Final Thoughts: Master the Art of Cooler Packing

• Pre-chill your cooler, layer strategically, and pack it full to maximize ice retention.
• Tailor your packing strategy based on the adventure—whether it’s tailgating, camping, or beach days.
• Invest in a high-performance cooler like a YETI® Hard Cooler or YETI® Soft Cooler to get the most out of your packing efforts.

Ready to take your cooler game to the next level? Explore YETI®’s full range of coolers and gear up for your next adventure.