When going camping, it's convenient to have a cooler box to carry food and drinks.
This article introduces cooler boxes recommended for beginner family camping trips with 3-4 people.
We will also explain how to choose a cooler box suitable for beginners, considering factors such as size, cooling performance, and convenience.
What you will learn from this article
・You'll find out which cooler boxes are recommended for beginners.
Contents of this article
- How to choose a cooler box for family camping
- [Beginner] Recommended cooler boxes for family camping trips with 3-4 people
- Tips for improving the cooling performance of your cooler box.
- summary
How to choose a cooler box for family camping
With such a wide variety of cooler boxes available, you might be wondering which one to buy.
This article explains how to choose a cooler box suitable for a family camping trip with 3-4 people.
Cooler boxes are broadly divided into soft-type and hard-type.
First, let's consider the different types of cooler boxes available.
Cooler boxes can be broadly divided into two types: hard-sided and soft-sided.
Hard-type coolers are durable and can be used as tables or chairs, and they also have excellent cooling capabilities.
On the other hand, soft-sided coolers cannot be used as a stand, and their cooling performance is inferior to that of hard-sided coolers.
However, its appeal lies in its compact size and light weight, which allows it to be folded up when not in use.
For a family, a hard-type mattress as the main one and a soft-type mattress as a backup should be sufficient.
If compactness is your priority, choose the soft type.
For short outings or day trips where you don't need to carry much luggage, a compact, soft-sided suitcase is ideal.
Although I mentioned that soft-type coolers have inferior heat retention compared to hard-type coolers, you can extend the cooling time even with soft-type coolers by freezing drinks such as plastic bottles or cans before putting them inside.
If you prioritize high cooling performance and versatility, choose a hard-shell type.
Box-type cooler boxes have excellent cooling capabilities and can keep contents cool for extended periods.
Cooler boxes made from materials with high cooling capabilities, such as vacuum-insulated panels or polyurethane, are recommended.
Styrofoam cooler boxes are relatively inexpensive, but be aware that their cooling performance is somewhat inferior.
It's important to choose a cooler box with the appropriate cooling capacity based on the duration of your camping trip and the temperature.
If you're just starting out with camping and haven't decided on a specific scenario for using it, a versatile hard-type tent would be a good choice.
A rough guideline for cooler box capacity is the number of adults multiplied by10L~15Lis.
3~4At someone's family camping trip1If you are bringing enough food and drinks for a day,30QT~40QT(28L~38LThis will give you an idea of the appropriate capacity.
However, this will vary depending on the length of your camping trip and the amount of food you bring, so it's best to choose with some leeway.
If convenience is your priority, choose a hard-type bag with wheels.
Ease of carrying
Since cooler boxes become heavy when filled, ease of transport is also an important selection criterion.
A cooler box with wheels is convenient to transport on flat ground.
If you're bringing a lot of drinks like beer and juice, a hard-shell suitcase with wheels is ideal.
It's easy to carry even if the parking lot is far from the campsite.
For a family of 3-4 people, a capacity of 30L or more is a good guideline, so it's best to choose one with a capacity of 30 liters or more.
A 30-liter cooler is too small to hold enough food for the whole family, so if you want to carry more drinks and other items, choose a larger size (40-50 liters) or consider using a soft-sided cooler in conjunction with it.
I also check things like how easy the handles are to grip and whether or not there's a shoulder strap.
Choose a cooler box that is easy to carry, taking into account the campsite environment and your mode of transportation.
Hard-type coolers offer superior cooling performance.
Hard-type coolers are overwhelmingly superior in terms of cooling power.
However, it's pointless if you don't pay attention to the environment in which you use it.
Specifically, please pay attention to the following:
- Put in something that has been chilled beforehand.
- Freeze anything that can be frozen.
- Do not place it in direct sunlight (place it under a tarp, etc.).
- Do not place it directly on the ground (place it on a chair or something similar, even if it's just a temporary surface).
Ease of opening and closing
The method for opening the cooler box lid varies depending on the model.
Choosing a cooler box that is easy to open and close will make it more convenient to use while camping.
A cooler box that can be opened and closed with one hand is convenient and highly recommended.
Also, cooler boxes with a double-opening design are convenient because they can be opened from either side.
Ease of use as a stand
For family camping trips, using a cooler box as a stand is also a convenient option.
Hard-shell cooler boxes, in particular, can be used to store food and prepared meals.
When using it as a stand, having a raised edge on top of the cooler box provides peace of mind because it prevents items placed on it from sliding or falling.
Also, pay attention to the height and weight capacity.
Choosing a cooler box with sufficient strength will ensure comfortable use.
[Beginner] Recommended cooler boxes for family camping trips with 3-4 people
This article introduces recommended cooler boxes for family camping trips with 3-4 people, divided into soft-sided and hard-sided types.
We've selected models suitable for each type, so please use this as a reference.
Soft type
LOGOS Loopadd Multi-Cool Bag L/XL
source:Amazon
The Logos Loopadd Multi Cool Bag is a convenient item that can be folded compactly and has loops that can be freely customized.
Despite being a soft bag, it's durable enough to be used as a makeshift table, making it a versatile and excellent item.
The capacity is 20L for the L size and 40L for the XL size.
If you're mainly bringing drinks, the large size (L) is sufficient, but if you're bringing food and other items as well, the extra-large size (XL) is recommended.
Furthermore, it features a pocket for inserting original sub-zero ice packs, making it an ideal cooler bag for those who prioritize cooling performance.
Thermos Soft Cooler 20L Black REQ-020 BK
source:Amazon
This is a soft-type water bottle from Thermos, a company famous for its excellent heat and cold retention capabilities.
Weighing approximately 0.7 kg, it's lightweight enough to be used for sports days and day trips.
It can hold approximately 20 500ml plastic bottles or 6 2L plastic bottles.
However, perhaps due to the nature of soft-sided coolers, or perhaps because of their high cooling capacity, condensation can sometimes form.
Conversely, the fact that it achieves such cooling power that condensation occurs in a product of this size is a noteworthy point.
YETI Hopper M30
source:Amazon
The YETI Hopper M30 is a tote bag-style soft cooler bag.
Its wide opening and magnetic closure make it easy to put in and take out items like water bottles.
With a capacity of 7.2 gallons (approximately 27 liters), it's large enough for a family of three.
Even when filled with ice, it has enough capacity to hold about 26 cans of beverages.
The product lineup includes items in colors and designs suitable for camping, such as navy, charcoal, and black.
Furthermore, because it uses a dry hide shell material that is resistant to UV rays and tearing, it is a durable product that can be used with peace of mind.
Captain Stag Cooler Bag Square
source:Amazon
The Captain Stag Cooler Bag Square is a convenient soft cooler bag that can be carried on your back like a backpack.
With a capacity of 30L, it's a suitable size for camping trips for a family of 3-4 people.
Despite its lightweight design of approximately 1kg, it is made of durable resin, so you can use it with peace of mind.
The top features a mesh pocket where you can insert ice packs, making it easier to enhance the cooling effect.
Additionally, it has pockets on both sides, so you can carry camping gear that you want to access quickly.
The included inserts are also appealing because they allow you to organize and keep your essentials together.
DOD Babecolo 2
source:Amazon
The DOD Babecolo 2 is a soft cooler box with a side-opening design, reminiscent of a refrigerator.
The shelves are removable, making it easy to organize and access items.
The side pockets are also spacious, allowing you to store all the necessary camping gear, such as dishes, garbage bags, and warm clothing.
It's designed like a carry-on bag, making it easy to transport.
With its large 40L capacity, this is an excellent product that can hold enough food and drinks for a family camping trip with a family of four.
Hard type
Coleman Excursion Cooler/30QT
source:Amazon
The Coleman 28-liter model is the perfect size for a family of three on a one-night camping trip.
Weighing approximately 2.7 kg, it may seem like it doesn't have much storage capacity, holding 20 500ml PET bottles or 8 2L PET bottles, but its cooling performance is excellent, keeping things cold for two days.
What are the standards for cooling performance?The number of days that ice placed in a cooler box at a room temperature of around 20°C remains unmelted.This refers to the fact that there are no standards for "cooling performance" in the JIS standards.
However, this is only a guideline, so for longer stays, it's safer to buy perishable items in advance.
LOGOS Action Cooler 25L
source:Amazon
The Logos Action Cooler 25L is a hard cooler box sized for family camping.
By integrally molding the insulation material with the main body, a high level of cooling performance is achieved.
The removable lid makes it convenient to use, and it's also designed to be washable, ensuring hygienic use over time.
This product offers high versatility in terms of carrying, thanks to its combination of a shoulder strap and a fixed handle.
Coleman Extreme Wheel Cooler 28QT
source:Amazon
The Coleman Extreme Wheel Cooler 28QT is a high-performance model with improved cooling capabilities, providing up to 3 days of cooling performance.
With a capacity of approximately 26 liters, it is suitable for carrying drinks on a 1-night, 2-day or 2-night, 3-day family camping trip.
This cooler box combines convenience with excellent cooling capabilities, allowing you to carry it by pulling the handle like a carry-on bag.
Shinwa Holiday Land Cooler 48H (Made in Japan)
source:Amazon
This is a product from a fishing tackle manufacturer.
"What?! Isn't it an outdoor equipment manufacturer?You might think, "Is that all there is to it?", but since its purpose is to transport caught fish while keeping them fresh, its cooling power is guaranteed, and the thickness of the insulation material is about 30 mm, which is three times that of other manufacturers.
Since it's designed for fishing, the lid buckle is made of stainless steel.
While it may not have a flashy appearance, it boasts a more robust and practical design than outdoor brands, built to withstand heavy use.
It can hold 40 500ml plastic bottles or 12 2L plastic bottles.
It has casters and handles on each of the shorter sides, making it easy for two people to carry.
Tips for improving the cooling performance of your cooler box.
The cooling performance of a cooler box varies greatly depending on how it is used.
By incorporating the following tips, you can improve the cooling performance of your cooler, so be sure to remember them.
- Pre-cool before use.
- Insert an ice pack.
- The stand will prevent geothermal heat
- Place in the shade
- Divide the cooler box into two
Since cold air escapes every time you open and close a cooler box, it's recommended to use two cooler boxes if you're bringing a large amount of food or drinks.
Also, pre-cooling the cooler box with ice packs before taking it with you will help maintain its cooling effect for longer.
Placing the cooler box on a stand is also effective in preventing it from getting warm from the heat of the ground.
Furthermore, placing the cooler box in the shade to avoid direct sunlight will prevent its temperature from rising.
By combining these techniques, you can maximize the cooling power of your cooler box and keep your food and drinks fresh for longer during your camping trip.
summary
For family camping trips with 3-4 people, a cooler box with a capacity of around 28L to 38L is recommended.
Depending on your needs, you might also want to prepare an additional small cooler bag.
Cooler boxes are multi-functional camping items that not only keep food and drinks cool, but can also be used as storage space and a stand.
When heading out on a family camping trip, choose the perfect cooler box to ensure a fun outdoor experience.
