Cool boxes and hiking cool bags

Ready for your hike? Don't forget an insulated cool box to keep your food and drinks close at hand throughout your adventure. Snowleader helps you choose the right one.

Functional and practical insulated accessories

The cool bag is an essential accessory for any camper! Choose between hard or soft models depending on your activity and needs. They can be electric or non-electric, carried over the shoulder or as a backpack. Cool boxes and cool bags come in a wide range of sizes, from small to large, and in a variety of colours to suit your taste!

Soft or hard cool box: which to choose?

Your choice depends on your outing and how much weight you're willing to carry. Lightweight, compact and foldable, a soft cool box can be rolled up when empty to fit inside a backpack-ideal for a day hike, a climbing session or a packed lunch, keeping contents cool for a few hours with ice packs. Soft models, like those from Hydro Flask, are perfect for on-the-go versatility.

A hard cool box is a different story. With thick walls, insulating foam and a watertight lid, it keeps ice for 24 to 72 hours, or even several days for rotomoulded versions like Yeti cool boxes with their 5 cm insulation. Heavier when empty, it's ideal for camping, road trips or bivouacs, where keeping things cold for longer is more important than weight.

What size cool box for how many people?

Capacity depends on the number of people and the length of your trip, as ice packs also take up space. Allow about 2 to 3 litres of drinks per person, plus food, to avoid a box that's too small or too large. Some guidelines:

• 1 to 2 people, day trip or picnic: 5 to 20 litres
• Family of 3 to 4 for a day: 20 to 35 litres
• Camping weekend or group outing: 40 to 60 litres
• Extended trip, road trip or van: 60 litres and above

A well-filled cool box keeps things cold better than one that's half empty.

Backpack or shoulder cool bag: the hiking solution

When walking is involved, a cool bag makes all the difference. Worn on your back or over the shoulder, it frees your hands and distributes weight, while a hard cool box is best for the boot or base camp. Compact, this cool bag fits inside your main pack or can be carried alone, keeping drinks and snacks cool for the stage. A backpack cooler like the Cooler Bag from Petromax is a great compromise between lightness and freshness; for everything else, see our trekking and camping equipment.

Passive, electric or compressor cool box?

The cooling method divides cool boxes into three types. Passive cool boxes rely solely on insulation: simple, portable and maintenance-free, they're ideal for most day trips. Thermoelectric cool boxes, plugged into a 12V car socket or 230V mains, cool continuously without needing to replace ice, like the affordable models from Mestic. For long journeys and hot climates, compressor cool boxes work like real fridges, such as those from Dometic; for van life, our van life equipment includes cool boxes designed for maximum autonomy.

Cool box brands that move with the times

The cool bag may have one or more compartments, front and side pockets, a quick-access lid, and more. It's easy to clean thanks to its stain-resistant outer fabric, but what really sets it apart is its perfect waterproofing. Dometic, Yeti and Mestic make it easy to invest in quality gear that's practical and easy to transport. Discover cool bags that don't take up space, roll or fold away in seconds, right here on Snowleader!

How to keep your cool box cold for longer

Even the best cool box works better with a few simple tips to keep your food fresh for longer. Before heading to the mountains or hitting the road:

• Pre-chill the cool box and its contents several hours before departure.
• Use ice packs or freezer blocks instead of ice cubes, which melt and soak the contents.
• Fill it as much as possible: empty space warms up faster.
• Limit how often you open it and keep it in the shade, away from hot car boots.
• Drain melted water and check the lid's seal.

How to care for your cool box and prevent odours

Regular cleaning extends your cool box's lifespan and keeps the inside fresh. After each trip, empty it, wash with warm soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly before storing: trapped moisture encourages mould and odours. Store it in a dry place with the lid slightly open, and avoid sharp objects that could damage the insulation. After mountain trips or transporting fish, baking soda or white vinegar will neutralise odours without harming the materials.

FAQ: all about insulated cool boxes

Which accessories improve the use of a cool box?

A few accessories help keep things cold and organised:

• Freezer packs to chill overnight for longer-lasting coolness.
• Trays and dividers to keep delicate food away from melted water.
• Carrying straps or wheels for hard cool boxes.
• Thermometer to monitor temperature on long trips.

For individual drinks, our insulated bottles and flasks are the perfect addition to your cool box.

Can a cool box also keep food warm?

The insulated principle slows temperature changes both ways: a good cool box keeps a salad fresh or a hot dish warm for your journey. Passive models only keep things warm for a few hours, while some electric cool boxes have a dedicated warming function-ideal for mountain huts.

Can you transport medicines or vaccines in a cool box?

For short journeys, a cool box with freezer blocks keeps medicines or vaccines at 2 to 8°C for a few hours. However, it doesn't regulate temperature like a medical device: for strict needs, use a medical pouch or cool box with a temperature indicator. Avoid direct contact with frozen blocks, which can freeze the product (insulin should never be frozen), and always follow the instructions and your pharmacist's advice.

From soft bags for day trips to hard cool boxes for big adventures, find a complete selection of cool boxes and cool bags at Snowleader.