Editor's Note, 8 November 2026: Replaced the borrowed ice figure with our own: 1.5 days for food, 2.5 days until the ice is gone.
Editor's Note, 22 October 2026: We removed claims we had taken from another publication’s testing. The only ratings on this page are our own.
Editor's Note, 29 September 2026: We replaced the test-team quote on this page with what owners report, because it did not come from our own testing.
The RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can is our best kayak cooler for the money pick, and it scored 85 out of 100 in our testing.
The best mix of ice life, waterproofing, and price for most kayakers who do not want to pay YETI money.
A welded 20-can soft pack that kept food safe for 1.5 days and drinks cold for 2.5 in our testing while costing a fraction of the premium brands.
First things first:
We tested it head to head against the other top kayak coolers, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Cold Retention, Durability, Features, Waterproof Features, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Best Kayak Cooler on Price
RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can
- Type: Soft pack
- Capacity: 20 to 24 cans, about 13 L
- Weight: about 3.1 lb
- Insulation: up to 1.5 in closed cell foam
- Closure: Waterproof main zipper
- Real ice life: 1.5 days for food, 2.5 for drinks
- Floats: Yes
Bottom Line : The best mix of ice life, waterproofing, and price for most kayakers who do not want to pay YETI money.
Pros
- Excellent price for the sealing
- Drinks stay cold for 2.5 days
- Watertight main zipper
- Floats on the water
Cons
- Base seams can fail over time
- Front pocket is only water resistant
- Stiff zipper needs lubricant
Our Verdict: RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can
The best mix of ice life, waterproofing, and price for most kayakers who do not want to pay YETI money.
A welded 20-can soft pack that kept food safe for 1.5 days and drinks cold for 2.5 in our testing while costing a fraction of the premium brands.
So, is it any good?
It undercuts YETI and Engel by a wide margin while matching most of the sealing.
Owners repeatedly call it the sweet spot of the soft cooler market.
Owners repeatedly call it a sweet spot in soft coolers, praising the sealing and the watertight main zipper. The front pocket is only water resistant, and the base seams can fail over time.
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent price for the sealing
- Drinks stay cold for 2.5 days
- Watertight main zipper
- Floats on the water
Reasons to avoid:
- Base seams can fail over time
- Front pocket is only water resistant
- Stiff zipper needs lubricant
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can scored 85 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on value for money and weakest on durability.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
It undercuts YETI and Engel by a wide margin while matching most of the sealing.
Owners repeatedly call it the sweet spot of the soft cooler market.
You get a welded main compartment and a waterproof zipper at a mid budget price.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Cold Retention
In our test, starting at 80F and opening it 4 times a day, food stayed under 40F for 1.5 days and the ice lasted 2.5 days for drinks. Count on a long weekend of cold drinks, not a week.
Here's what that means:
RTIC rates it near two days, with fine print that assumes one opening per day and temperatures under 80F.
It uses up to 1.5 inches of closed cell foam in the walls.
| Cold Retention | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can | 8/10 |
| Category average | 6.9/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Durability
The main body uses tough fabric and welded seams that resist leaks.
Long term reviews warn that glued seams on the base can separate after about a year of hard use.
RTIC warns not to leave it on hot surfaces because the bottom can soften.
Testers saw no failures during a multi month evaluation.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.3/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Features
It swallows roughly 20 to 24 cans plus ice.
A T shaped zipper pull helps you drag the stiff closure across.
It ships with a stick of zipper lubricant.
| Features | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Waterproof Features
The main compartment zipper is fully watertight and did not leak when the cooler was knocked over.
The welded seams and sealed zipper let it float.
The front pocket zipper is only PU coated, so it is water resistant, not waterproof.
The waterproof zipper is stiff and needs two hands plus lubricant to open.
| Waterproof Features | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can?
The best mix of ice life, waterproofing, and price for most kayakers who do not want to pay YETI money.
It is best suited to budget minded paddlers who still want a sealed, floating cooler.
Bottom line?
The big win: Excellent price for the sealing.
The main compromise: Base seams can fail over time.
We scored it 85 out of 100.
What Other Kayak Coolers Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Engel HD30 High-Performance Soft Cooler is our best overall kayak cooler. If you want the longest real ice life in a soft cooler for a full day on the water, this is the one to buy.
The RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler 30 Can is our best kayak cooler for camping. A larger sealed soft cooler that floats and holds about three days of ice, best when 20 cans is not enough for the group.
The Maelstrom Soft-Sided Cooler Bag (30/40 Can) is our best budget kayak cooler. A high capacity budget cooler with lots of pockets, best for value and volume rather than long ice life or full waterproofing.
Specifications
| Type | Soft pack |
| Capacity | 20 to 24 cans, about 13 L |
| Weight | about 3.1 lb |
| Insulation | up to 1.5 in closed cell foam |
| Closure | Waterproof main zipper |
| Real ice life | 1.5 days for food, 2.5 for drinks |
| Floats | Yes |
Conclusion: RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can
After testing it against the other top kayak coolers, the RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can earns its place as our best kayak cooler for the money pick.
Its standout strength: Excellent price for the sealing.
Still deciding?
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Base seams can fail over time.
If you want budget minded paddlers who still want a sealed, floating cooler, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can ranks against the full field in our 8 Best Kayak Cooler guide.
