I put off writing this review because I kept reaching for this cooler. That's probably the best thing I can say about it. After a full day of volunteer ranch work — five hours in the sun — and then two days of sitting on my kitchen floor because I was too tired to unload it, I opened it to find a few cubes still floating and my last can of fizzy water legitimately refrigerator-cold. At $99.99, that ice retention story is essentially the same one I get from my YETI Hopper Flip 18 — a cooler that costs $200 more. The RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler is the value answer for anyone who wants serious performance on the water or at the worksite without paying the YETI premium.
Check out the latest price RTIC 20-can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler on RTIC's website.
Check out the latest price on the YETI Flip 18 at REI.
At a glance
RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler
First Impressions
Out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the exterior fabric. It's thick, almost stiff, and has a heavily textured weave that feels like it could handle serious abuse. I own a handful of soft coolers — both tote-style and backpack — and the RTIC's exterior is as burly as anything in that lineup. The build quality is as high as anything else out there in this category.
The RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper is a wide-track design that opens and closes smoothly with a firm, satisfying feel. Waterproof zippers can be finicky when they're new — stiff, hard to grip — but this one was easy to operate from the first use.
The opening itself is wide and square, which I'd argue is the most useful design feature for actually loading and retrieving cans. I've used taller, narrower soft coolers that are a pain to load ice into without making a mess; the RTIC opens flat and stays accessible.
One issue I noticed immediately: the lid snaps closed even when you fold it completely back. There's no latch or mechanism to keep it propped open while you're loading or letting it air out for storage. I'll end up fashioning something to hold it open. It's a small annoyance on an otherwise well-built cooler.
Performance
Ice Retention
I started with a layer of beverages, ice, another layer of cans, and then food on top.
You have to check out RTIC's official cooling tips for maximum ice retention.
The ice retention test I ran wasn't controlled — it was real-world and borderline abusive. I loaded the cooler for a full day of outdoor volunteer work, and it sat on a bench in direct sun for about five hours. Then I brought it home and, through sheer laziness, didn't empty it for 48 hours. It just sat on the kitchen floor.
When I opened it on day two, there were ice cubes floating in the meltwater and the last can inside was still genuinely cold — refrigerator temperature. RTIC claims up to two days of ice retention following their cooling tips, and based on what I saw from an unprepared, sun-exposed load, I believe that number. Properly pre-chilled with a solid ice-to-content ratio, this cooler can absolutely hold through a full weekend.
You can see there is still ice floating in the water after 48 hours.
The 1.5" of closed-cell foam insulation is doing serious work here. That's a meaningful thickness for a soft cooler at this price, and it's clear the welded seams and waterproof zipper are keeping the cold air locked in rather than bleeding out through gaps.
On the Water
Paddle boarding is my most frequent use case for a soft cooler, and the RTIC Ultra-Tough was designed with water in mind. I've lashed it to my board with bungees multiple times — it takes the abrasion and pressure without complaint. After several sessions on the water, there are zero abrasion marks from the bungees on the exterior fabric. That's not something I can say about every cooler I've used.
The cooler floats, which is reassuring for any on-water use. I think most soft coolers float when sealed, but the RTIC's leakproof welded seams and waterproof zipper make it genuinely confident as a water companion — it can take a dunking without soaking your food.
The interior is puncture-resistant and fully waterproof, which means cleaning after a day with loose ice is straightforward. No fabric liner to trap water, no corners where melt accumulates. Rinse and wipe.
At the Ranch and on Work Days
The sun test was unplanned, but it's the kind of real-world use this cooler handles well. If you're spending a full workday outdoors — whether that's trail work, ranching, construction, or a long day at a festival — the RTIC Ultra-Tough holds up in a way that a lighter-duty soft cooler doesn't. The exterior fabric handles rough surfaces without complaint, and the zipper seal doesn't seem to degrade with repeated use.
Portability & Carry
At 3 lbs. empty, the Ultra-Tough is lighter than the YETI Flip 18 (4.5 lbs.) despite being slightly larger. Loaded with 20 cans and ice, you're looking at a meaningful carry, but the shoulder strap and handle make it manageable for the distance from a car to a launch spot or a worksite.
Fully loaded with grapes and Jimmy John's.
The shape is boxy and upright, which I prefer for loading and carrying. It doesn't roll or shift on a flat surface the way a rounded tote-style cooler might, and it sits cleanly upright in a truck bed or on a boat deck.
I'd like to see a more ergonomic shoulder strap for longer hauls, but for the typical use — parking lot to dock — it's not an issue.
Durability & Build Quality
I'll repeat what I said in First Impressions because it bears emphasis: the build quality on this cooler is as high as anything in the soft cooler market. The exterior fabric is heavily textured and thick. The welded seams are clean and consistent. The zipper feels built to last — it doesn't have the cheap plastic feel of some budget soft coolers that start to split after a season.
The waterproof interior adds durability from the inside out. Soft cooler interiors that use fabric liners can crack, delaminate, or develop mildew if they're not fully dried — the RTIC's smooth, waterproof interior surface avoids all of that.
The one design choice I'd flag as a durability-adjacent issue is that lid snap-back problem. If the lid is always snapping shut while the interior is wet, airflow for drying is reduced. A simple clip to hold it open would be a welcome fix.
Value
At $99.99, the RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough is an exceptional value. It's not a budget cooler — it's a premium cooler sold at an honest price. The ice retention, exterior durability, waterproof design, and build quality would be worth $150 or more at a brand with higher marketing spend. RTIC keeps its prices down and passes that directly to the buyer.
For context: my YETI Hopper Flip 18 (which is an excellent cooler that I love using) costs $300. That's a $200 premium for performance that is comparable in real-world day-trip and overnight use. If you're buying your first serious soft cooler and don't have brand loyalty, I'd have a hard time telling you to spend the extra $200.
RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough vs. YETI Hopper Flip 18
| | RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough | YETI Flip 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $300 |
| Weight | 3 lbs. | 4.5 lbs. |
| Capacity | 20 cans | 18 cans |
| Insulation | Up to 1.5" closed-cell foam | ColdCell Insulation |
| Ice Retention | Up to 2 days | 36 Hours (2 days in practice) |
| Zipper | RTIC EZ Waterproof | HydroLok™ |
I own both of these coolers, and I think they both work exceedingly well.
Ice retention: In honest side-by-side day-trip use, I don't notice a meaningful difference. Both coolers kept drinks cold through a full day and into the following morning. RTIC claims two days; YETI claims 36 hours. My ranch test suggests the RTIC can hit that two-day mark in real conditions.
Exterior fabric: This is the clearest difference. The YETI's DryHide™ shell has a softer, more premium feel — it's more pleasant to handle and carry. The RTIC's fabric is stiffer and has the waterproof look, but has still proven very abrasion resistance. In the long run the DryHide™ feels like it will last longer before wearing.
Zipper: Both zippers are waterproof and function well. The YETI HydroLok™ has a slightly smoother, more refined feel. The RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper is solid — no complaints — but the YETI edges it out on tactile quality.
Capacity: The RTIC holds 20 cans to the YETI's 18. The RTIC is also slightly more compact in exterior dimensions, which surprised me. It's a better use of space for the size.
Bottom line: Buy the RTIC if performance is the priority and the $200 savings matter to you. Buy the YETI if the feel of the exterior fabric and that extra refinement in the build are worth a price that's triple the RTIC's.
Who Should Buy It / Who Should Skip It
Buy the RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough if:
You paddle board, kayak, or spend time on the water and need a tough, abrasion-resistant cooler that can take abuse from bungees and rough decks
You want genuine two-day ice retention for day trips, overnight car camps, or full workdays in the sun
You're looking for a premium soft cooler without paying a premium brand markup — $100 for this build quality is a strong deal
- You want the cleanest, easiest interior to maintain — the waterproof liner rinses out in seconds
Skip it if:
You want the softer, more premium hand-feel of the YETI DryHide™ exterior and are willing to pay $200 more for that tactile difference
You need a backpack-style carry for longer hauls — this is a tote-style cooler only
The lid snap-back issue would genuinely bother you — it's minor, but it's real
Verdict
The RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler is the cooler I'd buy if I was starting from scratch. The ice retention held through 48 hours of real-world abuse — sun exposure, followed by two days on my kitchen floor — and came out the other side with floating ice and a cold can. The exterior fabric is as durable as anything in this category, and the waterproof design makes it genuinely confidence-inspiring on the water. The only thing I'd change is adding a way to keep the lid open.
At $99.99, this is the answer to the question of whether you have to spend YETI money to get YETI-level performance in a soft cooler. You don't. I love every YETI cooler I own, and I am happy to advocate for you buying one, but the RTIC gets you there for a third of the price.
RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler FAQ
Is the RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler worth it?
Yes — unambiguously. At $99.99, you're getting waterproof construction, welded seams, up to 1.5" of closed-cell foam insulation, and a durable exterior fabric that competes with coolers at two or three times the price. For a day-trip or light overnight cooler, there's nothing in this price range that comes close to this build quality.
How long does the RTIC Ultra-Tough actually keep ice?
RTIC claims up to two days following their cooling tips, and in my testing — including a 48-hour real-world sit after a day in the sun — I had floating ice cubes and a legitimately cold beverage at the two-day mark. Pre-chill the cooler, use a proper ice-to-content ratio, and keep it out of sustained direct sun if possible for the best results.
Is the RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler actually waterproof?
Yes. The cooler uses welded seams (no stitching to leak through), an RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper, and a puncture-resistant waterproof interior. It can hold ice and water inside without leaking, and keeps external water from getting in. I've used it on the water without issue. Note that the exterior pocket is not waterproof.
How does the RTIC 20-Can compare to the YETI Hopper Flip 18?
Ice retention and core performance are comparable in real-world day-trip use. The YETI has a softer, more premium exterior fabric and a slightly more refined zipper feel. The RTIC holds two more cans, weighs 1.5 lbs. less, and costs $200 less. If the premium feel matters to you, buy the YETI. If you want the same cold-keeping performance for a third of the price, buy the RTIC.
Can I use the RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler for paddle boarding?
It's one of the best uses for it. The exterior fabric handles bungee abrasion without marking up, the cooler floats when sealed, and the waterproof interior and zipper mean a splash or partial submersion won't ruin your food. I've lashed mine to a board multiple times with no exterior wear.
Does the RTIC 20-Can Soft Cooler lid stay open?
This is my one complaint: the lid snaps closed even when folded completely back, so there's no built-in way to keep it propped open for loading or drying. It's probably intentional for cooling efficiency, but it's annoying. I plan to rig a simple latch or clip to hold it open. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you buy.
How do I clean the RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler?
The waterproof interior is the easiest to clean of any soft cooler I've owned. Drain it, rinse with water, and wipe it down. No fabric liner to trap smell or harbor mildew. For deeper cleaning, a mild soap and water solution and a rinse works fine. Leave the zipper open and let it air dry fully before storing.
What size is the RTIC 20-Can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler?
Exterior dimensions are 13.5" × 13.75" × 9.5". It holds 20 standard cans with room for ice. It's a compact, boxy shape that packs efficiently — no wasted interior space from a tapered design.