Rtic vs Yeti: Is a More Expensive Cooler Actually Worth It?

It’s the battle of the coolers: Rtic vs. Yeti. In a single nook, we’ve fan favourite Yeti, and within the different there’s Rtic, trying simply as beefy and spectacular however at a fraction of the value. Yeti supporters will let you know there isn’t any query: this cooler has the insulation and the sturdiness to make it definitely worth the worth. Rtic boosters will let you know that you’re being gouged for a model title when the Rtic coolers are nearly equivalent. Prepared to put your wager?

Design and Look

Look-wise, these coolers are awfully comparable trying. (And that is even after Yeti sued Rtic for copying their designs.) Apart from the brand, most of the merchandise from every model are practically indistinguishable. Comparable trying rotomolding development, thick partitions, anchor-shaped latches. The Rtic has an additional drainage port, so there’s something no less than. These similarities are partly why some folks declare that you’re simply buying a brand if you spend additional on the Yeti. 

Rtic vs Yeti Value

That is arguably the most important distinction between these two merchandise. Yeti coolers, throughout each measurement and mannequin are considerably dearer than the comparable Rtic mannequin. Right here’s a breakdown of some sizes and fashions. 

When you’re questioning if a few of this worth distinction is because of the location the place the products are manufactured, the reply is … possibly. Rtic coolers are made in China. Yeti coolers, then again, are made in a variety of locations, from the Philippines to Mexico to the USA. To verify whether or not a selected mannequin is made within the USA requires a name to Yeti. 

Rtic vs Yeti Efficiency

In my check of the insulation of the best camping coolers, it was pretty clear that Yeti does make a touch higher cooler than Rtic, though not the very best cooler (that will be the ROVR RollR). To check these coolers, I emptied a bag of ice into every cooler after which checked to see how lengthy it took for every to soften, with the very best of the lot lasting practically 4 days. The ice within the Yeti (the Roadie 48) lasted 35 hours whereas the ice within the Rtic (Unique 65) lasted a bit of underneath 27 hours. 

Whereas the Yeti beat the Rtic, for most folk it’s most likely not sufficient efficiency to account for the additional value. Particularly significantly you could possibly simply purchase just a few additional of the very best ice packs for coolers and nonetheless have saved round 100 {dollars}.

Past Roto-Molded Coolers

Each manufacturers have grown far past the roto-molded cooler world. Each provide traces of sentimental coolers, drinkware, baggage, and merch. Rtic makes SUPs, tubes, and hard cases. Yeti additionally makes onerous circumstances, but in addition dog bowls, chairs, blankets, French presses, and extra. 

Right here too, Yeti merchandise are considerably dearer. For instance, a 20-ounce Yeti tumbler value $30. A 20-ounce Rtic tumbler prices $15. 

Rtic’s 24-can backpack soft cooler prices $160. Yeti’s backpack soft cooler prices $325. 

Now it’s true there are extra options within the Yeti merchandise. However is a “Magslider” lid on a Yeti tumbler price an additional $15 to you? Solely you may determine that one. Nevertheless, it’s clear that if you purchase Yeti merchandise, a part of what you’re paying for can also be the notoriety and cool-factor of the model. For some, that’s price it. For others, not a lot. —Alex Robinson

Sturdiness

With regards to Rtic vs Yeti, they’re not simply competing on worth, ice retention, and product line variety, it’s additionally sturdiness. Let’s check out how they examine. 

Throwing Coolers off of Buildings!

Yeti first received our consideration by throwing their coolers off of issues: constructing, cliffs, and so on. Have been these clearly advertising stunts? Sure. Have been they nonetheless freakin’ superior? Additionally sure. 

As a result of right here’s the factor: the Outside Life employees (and particularly the members of the gear crew) should not good to our gear. I drop and break issues on a regular basis, typically accidentally, which occurred with one other cooler, the Oyster Tempo, throughout my testing of the best camping coolers. However I additionally drop check merchandise on objective, in order that OL readers know that are robust sufficient for the outside, resembling I did with the best power banks for backpacking. 

Nevertheless most of us most likely aren’t going to drop a cooler off a two-story constructing. That’s not likely what you do with coolers. I attempted my hardest to search out some documentation on what occurs to an Rtic cooler if you throw it off a constructing and I couldn’t discover it, most likely as a result of it doesn’t occur. So Yeti’s efficiency, whereas flashy, might be not real looking.

BEARS!

Once I did a deep dive on the testing behind the best bear canisters, I discovered that the easiest way to check if a product is bear-resistant is to use actual bears. The staff on the Wolf and Grizzly Discovery Heart in West Yellowstone, Montana, are the masterminds behind this type of testing, and so they don’t simply check bear canisters. They’re additionally chargeable for testing trash cans and coolers to be used in bear nation. They stuff the merchandise with peanut butter, honey, and fish, after which hand them over to the bears to see what occurs. Generally the bears are in a position to smash the cooler aside in a matter of seconds; typically they wrestle for over an hour earlier than giving up. 

You possibly can view their full record of authorised merchandise here, however that is what you should know: Yeti has 18 coolers that survived this testing protocol on the record, together with their whole Tundra line. Rtic has one. Within the battle of the coolers, that’s some extent for Yeti. 

In fact, you don’t have to go away your cooler outdoors for bears to get at—you may all the time put it in your automobile. When you do plan to let bears play along with your cooler, ensure that to buy locks, which Yeti sells on its web site.

Weeks Adrift at Sea!

Look, Yeti knew what it was doing when it stuffed one in all its coolers with peanut butter and kippers and caught it in a grizzly bear enclosure. They clearly meant to drop it two tales (they wouldn’t have posted the video on their social media if the cooler had burst aside on the hinges). However they didn’t imply to have a complete transport container’s price of Yetis get dumped into the Pacific Ocean throughout a freak storm.

Which is strictly what occurred in 2021 when 1600 Yetis went into drink off the coast of Alaska. For a lesser cooler, battered by waves and inundated by water, which may have been the top of the story, as they sunk to the depths of the ocean flooring. However not the Yetis. As an alternative, these coolers began washing up on shore in all places from Alaska to Seattle to Hawaii. 

The coolers have been in such good condition that individuals even went in search of them, hoping to snag a free best-in-class cooler that was nearly new so long as you didn’t thoughts just a few scratches. I’m not saying that Rtic ought to contrive to have one thing comparable occur to their coolers (the Pacific garbage patches are lots massive already), however I’m saying that is the form of sturdiness check that’s nearly inconceivable to match.  

Guarantee

In fact, we most likely might have simply skipped the above and jumped straight to the guarantee: How lengthy a producer is prepared to ensure their product is an effective indicator of high quality you may count on from the manufacturing course of. Listed here are the stats: 

• Yeti: 5 12 months restricted lifetime guarantee
• Rtic: 1 12 months restricted lifetime guarantee

That’s sport, Yeti. 

Last Ideas on Rtic vs Yeti

Yeti has greater than earned its status for toughness and sturdiness. When you’ve been saving up for a brand new cooler, it is a nice funding that can final you for a few years. However for those who’re considering your cooler gained’t must survive a grizzly bear or a fall from a cliff or being thrown overboard into the Pacific, then you definately’ll seemingly even be pleased with an Rtic. When you may select between two nice coolers, one constructed to outlive each possible torture check and one constructed for worth, the true winner is the buyer.