Coleman 316 Sequence 70 QT Evaluation

Backside Line

Coleman has been producing coolers for many years, making the identify virtually a synonym for moveable chilly storage. The Coleman 316 Sequence 70 QT continues this legacy as a reliable and budget-friendly high-capacity cooler. 

We crammed the Coleman with ice, meals, and drinks and took it with us to varied spots round California’s East Facet as we fished, climbed, and hiked. Rotating between being saved inside our van and spending heat days within the full solar, we monitored ice retention and temperature, examined how properly the cooler may deal with completely different environments, and examined its ease of use. 

The Coleman 316 has one of many lowest costs among the many coolers we examined, however regardless of its low price, it impresses by protecting ice for almost per week. With a 70-quart capability, it offers probably the most worth, as the biggest quantity cooler we evaluated. 

The Coleman’s design and selection of supplies aren’t as sturdy as different fashions, probably lowering the cooler’s lifespan and making it much less appropriate for rougher out of doors use. Finest utilized in additional informal settings, the Coleman 316 has sufficient house for bigger gatherings and teams, whereas reliably protecting every part you want chilly and your funds in examine. See the way it compares to our different favorites in our full information to the most effective coolers.

How We Examined

For this newest replace, we took a choice of coolers to California’s Japanese Sierra, the place spring days provided countless solar and heat temperatures to completely check ice retention and temperature management. From sitting in sizzling autos in parking heaps to high-elevation days bouldering within the Buttermilks, we tracked ice soften, measured inside temperatures, and used the coolers in environments starting from rocky excessive desert to marshy riverside to guage sturdiness, portability, and ease of use.

Insulation

The Coleman 316 Sequence options blow-molded plastic insulation. Whereas it isn’t as environment friendly as rotomolded or injection-molded coolers, the Coleman nonetheless performs properly by protecting gadgets chilly for almost per week. 

We crammed the cooler with ice and examined it by transferring it between sunny out of doors places and inside our van. We checked ice retention and took the inner temperature a number of instances every day. Our findings confirmed it took six days for all of the ice to soften, eight days for the temperature to succeed in 40 levels Fahrenheit, and 10 days for it to succeed in 50 levels Fahrenheit. 

Our outcomes present that different kinds of insulation have better insulating capabilities, however the 316 Sequence nonetheless provides reliable chilly storage for a number of days. It will not be supreme for lengthy journeys, however Coleman excels at managing shorter outings.

Sturdiness

We examined the sturdiness of the Coleman in numerous environments, dragging and dropping it throughout completely different terrains to see the way it dealt with tough use. Though it survived our abuse with just a few scratches, some elements of its total design point out it doesn’t have the longevity of different sturdier coolers. 

The blow-molded fabrication technique utilized by Coleman provides seams to its construct, which may break up or crack over time, threatening its long-term structural integrity.  

The hinges attaching the lid to the cooler’s physique are made from skinny plastic and really feel fragile. Tough dealing with can simply torque the lid, probably inflicting everlasting harm. When carrying heavier masses, we observed some play within the plastic carry handles. Particularly when hauling a completely loaded cooler, breakage appears potential. 

The Coleman 316 isn’t probably the most sturdy cooler on the market, however it nonetheless has a sturdy construct that’s designed to deal with on a regular basis put on and tear. Whereas it will not be supreme for extra excessive out of doors circumstances, it’s greater than able to dealing with your informal adventures.

Quantity

With a 70-quart capability, the Coleman 316 is the biggest cooler we examined by over 10 quarts. Able to holding as much as 109 cans, it’s a robust cooler that gives ample room for every part it’s worthwhile to hold chilly. We packed the cooler with a mixture of gadgets and located it was spacious sufficient to simply retailer a number of days’ price of provisions. 

Attributable to limitations with insulation and sturdiness, the 316 Sequence wouldn’t be our best choice for longer journeys, however its excessive quantity makes it a wonderful choice for giant group occasions. When it’s worthwhile to serve many individuals, the Coleman provides all of the house you’ll want.

Ergonomics & Portability

Omitting the personal-sized coolers, the Coleman 316 is the lightest cooler we examined. Typically, bigger coolers are heavier, however the Coleman’s plastic development makes it unusually light-weight for its measurement. Even when crammed, we discovered it straightforward to hold on our personal. Its longer size could be a bit awkward to hold alone, however the lightness of the design compensates for any dealing with difficulties. 

The Coleman’s design is straightforward and simple to make use of, however we’d argue it’s virtually to a fault. The cooler doesn’t have any latches to maintain the lid closed. Whereas this makes for a fast and simple grab-and-go, latches assist forestall spills, particularly throughout transport.

We discovered that the lid additionally didn’t seal very tightly, and when the cooler was tipped over, water leaked out the seam between the cooler physique and the lid. Moreover, the dearth of a good seal permits chilly air to flee extra rapidly, rushing up meltage and elevating inside temperatures.

Options

On the subject of options, the 316 Sequence isn’t as customizable as different fashions. It’s obtainable in two colours, however Coleman additionally makes the cooler in 52, 70, 120, and 150 quart sizes, reinforcing its repute as a high-volume choice. There aren’t any equipment made particularly for the cooler, however its lid has cup indents in-built and a ruler engraved on it. 

The Coleman is an easy cooler centered on its important goal of protecting gadgets chilly. If you’d like one thing you possibly can personalize or add equipment to, different coolers are a more sensible choice.

Ought to You Purchase the Coleman 316 Sequence 70 QT?

When your cooler is just wanted for infrequent beachfront picnics or yard barbecues that require loads of house to maintain issues chilly, the Coleman 316 Sequence is a good alternative. 

Its spacious inside makes it able to dealing with the wants of a big group. Of the coolers we examined, it’s the lightest in weight, provides the biggest quantity, and has one of many lowest value tags. With the Coleman, you get lots of cooler for a decrease price. 

The draw back of the 316 Sequence is that its cheaper and lighter development means its insulation isn’t as efficient as different choices, and it lacks the structural power designed to final for years. Design weak factors and lacking parts, like fragile hinges and no lid latches, forestall the Coleman from being a viable alternative to be used in rougher out of doors circumstances. 

Though the 316 Sequence may not be supreme for extra excessive adventures, it’s good for accommodating a big group or bringing a cooler to informal occasions.

What Different Coolers Ought to You Think about?

For a full record of suggestions, try our information to the most effective coolers. 

XSpec 60 QT Evaluation: One of many top-performing coolers we examined, the XSpec 60QT options rotomolded insulation that retains contents chilly for over per week and a half. The XSpec is dearer than the Coleman however is constructed for sturdiness, utilizing high-quality supplies and a sturdy design able to withstanding numerous environments and circumstances. 

YETI Tundra 65 Evaluation: Once you’re looking for a high-capacity cooler that’s sturdy sufficient for out of doors adventures, the YETI Tundra 65 provides spacious chilly storage mixed with a rugged construct that’s IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) licensed. With ample room for prolonged journeys, the rotomolded insulation retains ice for as much as 9 days. Though it prices greater than the Coleman, the YETI’s sturdy development ensures long-lasting use. 

Coleman Metal Belted Cooler Evaluation: Coleman has been making coolers for many years, and the Metal Belted is a nod to their Nineteen Fifties fashions. The charming classic design not solely offers type however can also be a light-weight and inexpensive choice. Though smaller in capability than the 316 Sequence, the Metal Belted provides a spacious inside that simply holds loads of meals and drinks.