AO Cooler Vs Yeti 2023: What Is The Best For You

Paul Kahan

The AO Cooler Vs Yeti is an age-old debate. Which one is better? This article will compare and contrast these two soft coolers to help you decide which one is the best cooler for your needs.

The AO soft cooler was designed by Australian Outback, the company that created the original wheelie suitcase in 1989. David Stroud originally developed the Yeti soft Cooler in 2006 as an alternative to the roto-molded plastic ice chest that dominated the market. Both of these brands have been around for over ten years and are still going strong today!

AO Cooler Vs Yeti: What Is The Difference?

We all know that at the end of 2018, Yeti and AO soft Coolers were both hit by a lawsuit from a Boston-based company that claimed they had infringed on their patent for rotationally molded soft coolers. You can read more about it here.

Both companies have managed to make a comeback. Today, AO backpack Coolers are manufactured by Star Mark Products in the USA, and Yeti is teaming up with Coleman to create an even more durable soft cooler with the same ice retention properties as their old models.

And of course, both companies have continued selling their products online and retail stores like Academy Sports & Outdoors and Bass Pro Shops.

What to choose?

So, what is the difference between AO coolers and Yeti soft coolers? Not much. They both have a rotationally molded design for ice retention, a strong polyethylene body for durability, similar colors and sizes available, and they’re both easy to carry with two small handles on opposite sides. They’re waterproof, water resistant, and have double zippers.

But that’s not all. There are three main differences between Yeti coolers and AO coolers:

Price

AO Coolers are much cheaper than Yeti coolers. You can get a high-quality 50 quart AO soft cooler for as little as $115, which is almost half the price of a new Yeti Tundra. And it’s not just the size – the most miniature model is 30 quarts which is just $40. And it’s still a full pound heavier than Yeti Hopper lite, which weighs only six pounds!

Capacity

Yeti Hopper coolers are larger than AO coolers, no matter what size you choose. The smallest Yeti soft sided cooler is 20 quarts, while the giant AO cooler has a whopping 130-quart capacity and weighs 113 pounds – that’s as much as two smaller 40-quart Yeti coolers!

However, a larger size has an advantage: if you want to carry more beverages for your friends and relatives or if you have plans to get a lot of fresh fish at the shore, then go for it.

Ice Retention

The larger size of Yeti coolers is compensated with increased ice retention. To be more precise, Yeti coolers are advertised to retain ice for more extended periods: up to 5 days vs. three days for the smallest AO soft sided cooler.

So if you go on a fishing trip or party at the beach, then you might need a larger size. But for the most part, you don’t need 130 quarts – even if you plan on spending the weekend at a cabin in the woods.

Durability

The polyethylene body of Yeti coolers is much more durable than AO coolers, at least on paper. The polypropylene stringers in the walls of AO coolers are easy to clean and bend in case you pack them too heavily, and the lid could break if you accidentally drop it from a high height. After all, there’s no rubber on the edge and lid support.

AO coolers also have a much thinner body than Yeti coolers, so they’re not as strong for heavier loads as Yeti coolers made of ultra-durable polyethylene.

Weight

Yeti Hopper cooler is heavier than AO soft sided Cooler by one pound, at least in the smallest size! That’s because Yeti coolers have a thick, sturdy design with plenty of extra reinforcement on the body for durability and heavy duty loads.

The handles are reinforced with rubber to prevent cuts while moving heavy duty items. And even though AO Cooler has thicker walls, they’re not as comprehensive as Yeti soft sided cooler, which is why AO Cooler is a pound lighter.

Waterproof Zipper

The zipper of Yeti coolers is lockable, while the zippers of AO hard coolers are not.

However, most people don’t need such extra protection – if your best soft cooler was left open by accident or it fell off of the roof of your car, then there might be some leakage, but you’ll notice this right away and close it before the ice melts completely. Otherwise, an unzipped Yeti cooler has better air circulation than AO hard coolers to prevent ice from melting quickly.

Other Important Features

Suppose you want a truly portable yet incredibly durable beverage container that will last for many years without any leakages. In that case, the Yeti coolers or AO model will work great for you. If you want a portable cooler with more capacity and cost less than Yeti coolers – but it is also not as durable – then go for the giant AO Cooler.

Some people prefer Yeti because of its logo because it’s more expensive. After all, it’s local or for a variety of other reasons. Some people don’t like Yeti because it’s more costly than AO, and they want to get value for their money.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to go fishing in remote locations or if your friends are always thirsty, then Yeti Hopper coolers will serve you well. However, if you want to keep drinks cold on a hot day or bring a drink for your friends at the beach, then get AO cooler – it’s much better value for money.

Maybe You Need To Know:

FAQs

Which cooler bag keeps ice the longest?

The AO soft Cooler will retain ice for up to 3 days, while Yeti hard coolers can keep ice for five days.

Why is Yeti cooler so expensive?

Yeti cooler is more durable than AO and other cheaper models – it has thicker walls and a reinforced design that provides additional durability for heavy loads.

Another reason why Yeti soft coolers are more expensive is the reputation – the brand name is very well known among anglers and hunters, so they often pay a premium as Yeti products have high quality.

More information: https://beardedblade.com/why-are-yeti-coolers-so-expensive-are-they-worth-it/

Is RTIC better than YETI?

RTIC vs. Yeti comparison suggests that RTIC shoulder strap coolers are better for camping purposes ( comfortable to carry), while Otterbox Trooper, Yeti shoulder straps coolers are better for long trips. In terms of size, capacity, and insulation, RTIC is more or less the same as a Yeti at one-third of the cost!

Is Ozark Trail cooler as good as Yeti?

Yes – if you’re looking for cheap coolers ideal for camping, tailgating, and other outdoor activities, Otterbox Trooper, Ozark Trail shoulder strap coolers are some of the best options out there (comfortable to carry). They’re more durable than anything else in this price range, at least according to Amazon’s customer ratings.

Conclusion

This blog post has introduced the best soft cooler – ao cooler vs. Yeti shoulder strap. They have many differences to make you have a great choice.

Publican Anker always offers many options for you. If you need more information, please visit our website, and we will provide your help anytime soon! Publican Anker always updates the best soft sided cooler. That’s why they are still on top of the list this year too.