Which cooler did you use?

[dommett]

OK - We leaving in a little over two weeks and want to take a cooler with us to use in our room. I think we would prefer a collapsible cooler but may not be against a rolling cooler as well (could be used on the flight home for souveniours). Anyway, I was looking for some personal endorsments for any coolers you've used and liked or not liked. Looking to stay under $30 to make it worth it. If I spend $50, I might as well just use the in room fridge.

Also helps if you can tell me where you got your cooler!

Thanks!

 

[bethnburke]

I just picked one up at Target for our trip - we also leave in 2 1/2 weeks. It is a collapsable one that says it will hold 24 cans and it cost $9.99. We just tested it and it will hold 4 half gallons of milk - we need it for DS's milk - and it folds up compactly so it will fit pretty easily in your suitcase. The brand name was something like Frozn.

I havent used it for anything yet so I dont know how great it is but for $10 if it makes it through this trip it will be well worth it.

 

[dimimi]

We found a rolling cooler a few months ago that we love. We use it as our airplane carry on. It holds at least a 12 pack. We purchased it for $15 at Stein Mart and we have seen it at Elder Beerman. I don't think these are national stores. We liked these so much we bought an extra one. Have fun.

 

[drogerstn]

I've seen hard-sided coolers without wheels in the 40 to 48 quart size range for less than $15 at Walmart and Sam's Club. I'd think you could get a cooler with wheels in the 40qt size range for less than $30.

I prefer the hard-sided coolers because they are usually better insulated than the soft-sided and have a drain plug which makes it easier getting rid of melted ice (water). Either way you go, you can use the cooler as "luggage" during your flight. We have done this with a hard-sided cooler without wheels; if its stuffed with clothes, its not very heavy.