I recently bout a Yeti Hopper Flip 12, as that was the better fit (limited space), for my use case, when packing, to go camping and Off-Roading, for a weekend but what I really wanted was the Cordova Backcountry Daypack @$140, which tested very well elsewhere and was both a little bigger and had a small side pocket but it was sold out, I have since found out about the CORE Climakeep 18, @$119, which is about the same size, as those two but with a large Dry Zone, on the outside + 2 stretch pockets, to hold your insulated mug or what ever and maybe best of all, not only does it have a water proof zipper but it has a magnetic lid built into the zippered lid. for quick one handed air tight (when closed) access without having to fight a zipper! Lastly the IceHole H20 Hybrid 2 @$140 has also gotten my attention, with it's snap open and close top and large external Dry Zone. All of these are soft sided and available in both larger and smaller sizes. For longer 3-4 day trips I'm considering the large on the inside / small on the outside, Oyster Tempo but with it's innovative, Aluminum and vacuum insulated design, it makes the Yeti's look cheap. There is a YETI TAX +~100%. If Yeti made that CORE cooler it would cost at least $350.
Try using 4# Yeti blue ice on top and bottom. Did you precook they cooler the night before using it as a cooler? That’s also recommended in Yeti’s instructions.
Thanks, just received my Hopper 18, and debating whether or not to switch it out for the Yeti Roadie 24 hard shell... but for kids at soccer games etc the soft cooler seems more practical for the day... hopefully the zipper is made well!
Sorry if I missed, but did you pre chill the cooler? I love my purple Flip 18, great cooler for a long day out at the pool (it floats even if full). As long as one doesn't expect a full 24 hours of retention (especially in Texas 100 summer weather)though you can if you put a Yeti type ice, they will be pleased. It does not leak.
I didn’t pre chill. I don’t feel like it’s very practical in most cases to pre chill the cooler, at least most people (including myself) wouldn’t do it. Good to know about the floating though! Seems like a great way to use it
I definitely wouldn't recommend this in the Texas heat I've had this a month took it to schlitterbahn tubing and currently at my firework stand in 100 plus degrees the ice melted in 2hrs without even opening it I finally just started dragging my big one around again
2 days in hot temperatures - acceptable. This thing is designed for 1 or 2 days max. Daytrip or overnight trip. If you want multi-day ice, use a hard cooler.
I just got the Hopper 12 as a birthday present for work, and I’ve been disappointment that the ice blocks are pretty much warm by the time I get home in the evening. I have everything placed at 5 AM, and it sits in a unconditioned compartment in an ambulance for up to thirteen hours. So, 5 AM to around 7 PM. What ever wasn’t eaten is warm and presumably bad. Super disappointed for such a well talked about brand.
You are supposed to freeze the cooler… it’s literally a ice block and itself. The inside has a foam that freezes and works like an internal ice block. You didn’t use it as instructed.
You need to redo this review. You didn’t even use the cooler as instructed! The freaking thing is literally an ice block if you freeze it overnight. I use mine with one yeti ice block and it keeps things cold for days!
I've had 2 of these. The zipper broke on both of them after very little use. I hate that because I love the cooler. But I will not be buying another. Too expensive for the zipper to fail that easy.
@@Recruitcreative What would be better soft-sided cooler? Assuming I can get this Yeti 18 20% off. I haven't read reviews of any others that last more than 1-2 days with ice.
@@maxsmirnoff8200 Cordova Backcountry Day Pack, just a little smaller than the Flip18 but bigger than the 12. You might also want to look at the CORE Climakeep 18 or 36, depending on what size you need/want. 18 is a little smaller than the Yeti and the 36 is much taller.
If you want best ice retention: prechill cooler, prechill whatever you’re putting in
Thank you for reviewing this cooler with actually groceries and not just cans of beer.
No problem!
I recently bout a Yeti Hopper Flip 12, as that was the better fit (limited space), for my use case, when packing, to go camping and Off-Roading, for a weekend but what I really wanted was the Cordova Backcountry Daypack @$140, which tested very well elsewhere and was both a little bigger and had a small side pocket but it was sold out, I have since found out about the CORE Climakeep 18, @$119, which is about the same size, as those two but with a large Dry Zone, on the outside + 2 stretch pockets, to hold your insulated mug or what ever and maybe best of all, not only does it have a water proof zipper but it has a magnetic lid built into the zippered lid. for quick one handed air tight (when closed) access without having to fight a zipper! Lastly the IceHole H20 Hybrid 2 @$140 has also gotten my attention, with it's snap open and close top and large external Dry Zone. All of these are soft sided and available in both larger and smaller sizes.
For longer 3-4 day trips I'm considering the large on the inside / small on the outside, Oyster Tempo but with it's innovative, Aluminum and vacuum insulated design, it makes the Yeti's look cheap.
There is a YETI TAX +~100%. If Yeti made that CORE cooler it would cost at least $350.
Try using 4# Yeti blue ice on top and bottom. Did you precook they cooler the night before using it as a cooler? That’s also recommended in Yeti’s instructions.
Are you skipping out on regular ice? You have pretty much taken what out the capacity two 4 lb ices.
Thanks, just received my Hopper 18, and debating whether or not to switch it out for the Yeti Roadie 24 hard shell... but for kids at soccer games etc the soft cooler seems more practical for the day... hopefully the zipper is made well!
Check out our review on the roadie 24. That’s our favorite cooler!
Sorry if I missed, but did you pre chill the cooler? I love my purple Flip 18, great cooler for a long day out at the pool (it floats even if full). As long as one doesn't expect a full 24 hours of retention (especially in Texas 100 summer weather)though you can if you put a Yeti type ice, they will be pleased. It does not leak.
I didn’t pre chill. I don’t feel like it’s very practical in most cases to pre chill the cooler, at least most people (including myself) wouldn’t do it. Good to know about the floating though! Seems like a great way to use it
@@Recruitcreative I think you'll find most people that have yetis know its crucial to pre chill and its easy to do so and also always use yeti ice.
Excellent review....Thanks!!
@@yukony2k no problem!
It’s definitely made for a single day where as the hard yetis are for multiple
Agreed!
Glad I found your review. Was considering this but definitely better options out there.
We would agree. Thanks for watching!
Does the bottom get wet?
Nope!
I definitely wouldn't recommend this in the Texas heat I've had this a month took it to schlitterbahn tubing and currently at my firework stand in 100 plus degrees the ice melted in 2hrs without even opening it I finally just started dragging my big one around again
I believe it! Definitely not what you would expect from a $300 cooler.
2 days in hot temperatures - acceptable. This thing is designed for 1 or 2 days max. Daytrip or overnight trip. If you want multi-day ice, use a hard cooler.
I just got the Hopper 12 as a birthday present for work, and I’ve been disappointment that the ice blocks are pretty much warm by the time I get home in the evening. I have everything placed at 5 AM, and it sits in a unconditioned compartment in an ambulance for up to thirteen hours. So, 5 AM to around 7 PM. What ever wasn’t eaten is warm and presumably bad. Super disappointed for such a well talked about brand.
Glad I seen that. Isn’t that the whole point! I seen they said 7 days it could stay with ice.
You are supposed to freeze the cooler… it’s literally a ice block and itself. The inside has a foam that freezes and works like an internal ice block. You didn’t use it as instructed.
you need the yeti ice to keep it colder for much longer.
Your suppose to put that cooler in the freezer. Squeeze the air out then ice it. You should have researched that cooler.
You need to redo this review. You didn’t even use the cooler as instructed! The freaking thing is literally an ice block if you freeze it overnight. I use mine with one yeti ice block and it keeps things cold for days!
Guy left the tags on it, probably did his review got some views then took it back…
I've had 2 of these. The zipper broke on both of them after very little use. I hate that because I love the cooler. But I will not be buying another. Too expensive for the zipper to fail that easy.
I regret buying my Yeti 18. Its way overpriced. Better options out there for way cheaper. The zipper on it sucks!
Definitely overpriced!
What are better options?
@@Recruitcreative What would be better soft-sided cooler? Assuming I can get this Yeti 18 20% off. I haven't read reviews of any others that last more than 1-2 days with ice.
@@maxsmirnoff8200 Cordova Backcountry Day Pack, just a little smaller than the Flip18 but bigger than the 12. You might also want to look at the CORE Climakeep 18 or 36, depending on what size you need/want. 18 is a little smaller than the Yeti and the 36 is much taller.
I have the 12 and 18, you definitely need 🧊 packs to retain any ice in these