Thread: Yeti coolers

Are they worth it? The brother in law has a Tundra 105.


Does a man need a grizzly proof cooler for dock and pier?

I can buy a sheetload of ice for the price of a Yeti.

Yessir' but that ice don't come with any type of sticker proclaiming brand loyalty. And a yeti sticker is the new status symbol of choice.

My generic ice won't grow legs and walk off when I'm not looking and end up on Ebay!

They are very durable. I was going through a cooler a summer before I got my 146. I still have it and the only thing I've had to replace on it was the drain plug. I've had it for going on 6 years now. It's not the prettiest one, and I think the yeti sticker that was on it has worn off, but it has been a dang good cooler.

Worth every penny if you fish offshore.

There are other coolers, including one built and sold locally, which are built as tough as a yeti and have more inner capacity and pretty much all of them are cheaper--by more than $100 in most cases. Some have better utility, etc.

It all depends on what is most important to you: capacity; weight; price; security; ice life; etc.

Out of the top brands: Yeti, IRP Grizzly, Pelican, Engel, Coleman Extreme, Igloo Yukon, Orca, K2, Moeller, Canyon, Bayou Ice Box (made local in BLB/Irvington Mobile AL) and Brute Box to name most, there are some notable differences.

My opinion? Yeti is too heavy, overpriced, too small of grips on side, single drain valve, small interior, over hyped, well known to thieves, only 5 yr warranty, not customizable and keeps ice for shorter periods than some leading competitors.

Plus side to Yeti? Seal works best if you use dry ice with vapor release; claims to keep bears from getting drunk; more profit per sale.

IRP keeps ice longer than any cooler; other than paying extra to get portable freezer/fridge chest--almost same price as yeti. But has other mechanic flaws and is less economical in portability and use. It does have a neat brass faucet hose attachment on the drain.

Pelican looks the coolest.

Coleman Extreme is the cheapest cooler to keep ice as long as the top brand coolers if value is most important.

Engel beats the Yeti in all tests and is cheaper. By far the most preferred cooler of all.

However, sitting in the shadows are two noteworthy brands. Bayou Ice Box is almost identical to Yeti, and almost the same quality but nearly $150 cheaper.

The second generation Brute Box series, however, takes the cake. With all of the new improvements, including customization, space divider, dual drainage, thicker and lighter insulation, hollow hard side grips, easier to transport, less porous exterior and cheaper price, it is now the rising competitor. In addition, Brute is listening to their consumers and making improvements to what customers want and need. Huge plus.

The other brands are close to or equivalent to Yeti performance--with features making them more or less desirable, but nothing worthy of exception.

My opinion? Go with the second generation Brute Box first or an Engel second. Yeti is a thing of the past until they choose to make some improvements and keep up with their rising competitors.

I know some of you diehards don't want to hear this (especially those of you selling them), but I certainly won't be wasting money on another Yeti.

Hope that helps you decide.

Originally Posted by the original pier pest

They are very durable. I was going through a cooler a summer before I got my 146. I still have it and the only thing I've had to replace on it was the drain plug. I've had it for going on 6 years now. It's not the prettiest one, and I think the yeti sticker that was on it has worn off, but it has been a dang good cooler.

I opened his cooler one time and it was like a small chest freezer with smoke rolling out. I don't own one but they have to be great for keeping stuff cold for a long time.