Can A Kayak Hold A Cooler?

The short answer is…

Yes, it can. But you need more digging if you want your kayaking trip at its best.

You don’t want to simply bring your kayak cooler or ice chests with you and realize that it didn’t keep your fish cold. You don’t want to come back to shore and realize that your cooler has gone overboard without even a goodbye.

No, you want it working, safe and secure. But there are a lot of kayak cooler options that serve different purposes. Different brands even offer additional features like straps and ice packs. Read and find out Can A Kayak Hold A Cooler

So, here’s what we’re here to find out:

• What are the types of cooler available on the market;
• The features, pros and cons of each variety;
• What the best kayak cooler or ice chest is for your boat and your trip; and
• And how best to attach it to your kayak.

I hope your ice is ready…

We’re sailing on!

Kayaking 

There’s a lot of stuff that you should bring with you on your kayak.

Namely:

Your paddle, of course. You can’t go forward in your adventure without one. Then you need your kayak seat to keep you comfortable for long hours. If you’re into fishing, there’s your rod and your hooks and other gear.

You’ll also need your repair kit, emergency flares, and first aid kit. And one of the most important things to bring on outdoor adventures – refreshments.

But then…

You want to keep your ice cold for your drinks or to keep your catch fresh, right? Good news: That can happen! Just bring a kayak cooler with you on the water!

Because yes, a kayak can hold a cooler!

There are a lot of ways to do this and it depends on what type of a kayak cooler you have. As you read on, you’ll find what best kayak coolers you can bring on your kayak and how to attach them.

Best Kayak Coolers

Different kayak coolers or ice chests have their pros and cons. That means they serve different purposes. Choosing the best kayak cooler depends on your kayak trip, the boat you’ll bring and how much stuff you need to keep cool.

These are the most common cooler bags on the market:

• Hard-sided Coolers (or Dry Box)

It can be heavy and a little expensive, but a hard-sided cooler bag is the best kayak cooler in terms of ice retention. They’re usually made of closed cell foam insulation with a rubber seal between the lid and the box to trap cold air.

Your ice can last hours in it. So I recommend this for longer kayaking trips rather than its soft-sided counterparts.

But they’re not always the best.

It’s better to bring them on sit-on-top kayaks rather than a sit-inside because it’s a bulky cooler. But the bulk’s advantage is a larger storage capacity. So it’s really a good cooler for long kayaking trips.

• Soft-sided Coolers

The soft-sided cooler bag has the advantage of being compact and easy to carry. Your sit-in kayak’s dry hatches are the best storage for it. It can also be accommodated in the tankwell of most fishing kayaks. 

They’re lighter as well. So I recommend this for light kayaks too, like those made of blow-molded plastic.

Here’s the thing…

It’s a cheap kayak cooler but it’s not the best in terms of insulation. I suggest you use the soft cooler when you’re not going to be on the water for too long. Or when the heat is a little more forgiving.

It won’t keep your ice frozen but it can prolong its coolness.

By the way…

You can add air into the insulation of this cooler type and just release air when it’s not in use.

• Catch Coolers

A cooler is a must when you go kayak fishing. Even if you’re not going to be out under the sun for long, you don’t want fish blood and gunk clogging your kayak’s drain plug, right? 

Other kayakers recommend ones with rod holders but to me, the right cooler for your catch is the catch cooler.

As the name suggests… 

It’s specifically designed to keep your catch cool. Fish don’t last that long under the heat so these coolers are well-insulated. A kayak fish cooler is shaped to keep even the bigger catch cold, and to fit right on top of your boat’s stern.

• Tow-Behind Coolers

Let’s just take a moment to appreciate this innovation…

As far as coolers go, this may just be the coolest. It has better insulation than soft-sided coolers but usually lighter than hard-sided ones.

But the best thing…

You’re meant to tow it behind your kayak like your boat’s little kid. You have to admit that’s cute!

They come in different designs. Some look like submarines, others like lifesavers. The best ones are those with cup holders. However they look like, this type is made for maximum ice retention.

Since you’re not going to put it on your kayak… 

You can use the tow-behind with whatever type of boat you have. It saves up boat space and has a heavier and larger carrying capacity than the other types.

This type is most recommended for kayak anglers because a kayak angler can only carry so much. It’s best not to add a bulky cold storage to your fishing gear.

This is best for when you go on multi-day trips.