Yeti Tundra

Yetiʼs Tundra is solid, made to take abuse, and insulated to the max to keep things cold, and there are a wide range of sizes, colours, and even wheeled versions to suit your needs. Our favourite options include an internal basket, divider, cushion seat, and, obviously, a fishing-rod holder. Rope handles may seem insignificant, but having a flexible handle makes it much easier to carry and manipulate. Its robust build does come at the cost of being heavier for its size.

The test

Yeti Tundra 45
MSRP: $400, various colour options, www.yeti.ca

We packed a large 26.4-pound bag of ice into a Yeti Tundra 45 and a similar-size Coleman cooler and left them outdoors in direct sunlight for several days to see how they compare. Daytime high temperatures ranged from 19 to 26˚C and we opened and closed both coolers a few times a day to simulate use. The results speak for themselves below.

Verdict

The Tundra kept ice solid for nearly three times longer. We got eight and a half days of a bag of ice in the Yeti when stored outdoors in June. If you're away from a fridge for any amount of time, you can trust that your fish or game meat won't spoil.

Cooler tips

• Preload your cooler a few hours prior to use with cold water or a sacrificial bag of ice.
• Smaller, cubed ice will chill a cooler and the contents more quickly. Block ice melts at a much slower rate. Use a mix of both for best results.
• Air inside your cooler will accelerate ice-melt. Fill space with extra ice or towels.
  Don’t empty the melted cold water. It helps to insulate the remaining ice.
• Keep your cooler out of direct sunlight. Use tarps or towels to cover when you can’t find shade.

Originally published in the August 2024 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS

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