Coleman Metal Belted Cooler Assessment

Backside Line

In a nod to their Nineteen Fifties-era coolers, Coleman’s Metal Belted affords the appeal of classic type whereas offering a contemporary cooler expertise. Encased in metallic, the cooler’s chrome steel accents are impressed by Coleman’s unique designs. The metallic elements not solely add visible attraction but in addition reinforce the cooler’s construct, offering further safety for the inside plastic physique. 

With a 54-quart capability, the cooler is without doubt one of the bigger choices we reviewed, whereas nonetheless weighing lower than equally sized coolers. The slimmer insulation profile permits for extra inside storage whereas holding weight down. The cooler supplies loads of house for a gaggle or to pack every little thing wanted for an extended weekend, all with out changing into too heavy to hold alone. 

We examined the Coleman in sunny jap California throughout heat spring days, doing actions like bouldering, fishing, and driving round city. The cooler saved ice frozen for 5 days, a shorter interval in comparison with comparable fashions, however with its reasonably priced worth, distinctive design, and high-volume portability, the Coleman Metal Belted affords dependable and spacious chilly storage that displays your type. Try the opposite coolers we examined in our full information to the perfect coolers.

How We Examined

For this replace, we introduced coolers to California’s Japanese Sierra to check ice retention and temperature management in varied situations, from sizzling parking tons to high-elevation bouldering within the Buttermilks, assessing sturdiness, portability, and ease of use. 

Insulation

Sandwiched between a plastic body, a layer of froth provides the Metal Belted its insulating energy. Stuffed with perishable snacks and drinks, we used the cooler within the California excessive desert, exposing it to heat temperatures and full solar to check its insulation. 

It took 5 days for the ice to utterly soften, six days to succeed in 40 levels Fahrenheit, and 7 days to succeed in 50 levels. Monitoring the ice’s situation, we noticed that it deteriorated sooner than in different coolers, and total, the Coleman didn’t hold the low tempretures so long as the opposite examined coolers. 

Nonetheless, the Metal Belted nonetheless affords a number of days of dependable chilly storage. Attributable to some design options and the sooner melting, it wouldn’t be our best choice for lengthy journeys, however the Coleman is well-equipped to deal with weekend adventures and full-day occasions.

Sturdiness

Most trendy coolers are produced from heavy-duty plastic, however to take care of its classic look, the Metal Belted encompasses a metallic exterior that additionally boosts its sturdiness. 

We carried out a number of fall exams on the cooler, dropping it from standing top and dragging it throughout totally different surfaces. The metallic and plastic backside obtained some dents and scratches from more durable falls, however we discovered the metallic shell useful as a protecting layer. The mix of metallic and plastic building enhances the Coleman’s structural stability and helps guarantee its longevity. 

The underside of the cooler doesn’t have non-slip toes, which grew to become troublesome when transporting it on the ground of our van. The cooler slid round within the transferring automobile, with this bumping creating extra potential for the cooler to maintain harm. 

The cooler’s physique is sturdy sufficient to function a seat, and its {hardware}—latches and handles—are crafted from rust-resistant chrome steel. The Coleman Metal Belted might have a retro look, however its classic design parts additionally enhance its sturdiness and allow it to function a dependable cooler for a few years to return.

Quantity

At first look, the Coleman Metal Belted doesn’t appear spectacular in measurement. Nonetheless, the slim profile of the insulation permits the cooler to carry ample inside storage. 

In a position to maintain as much as 85 cans, the Coleman is without doubt one of the larger-volume coolers we examined. We crammed it with meals and drinks, and located it simple to load. The 54-quart capability is right for mid-sized teams and supplies loads of house for every little thing you want to accommodate a couple of individuals. Due to its insulation limits, we don’t advocate it for multi-day journeys, however the cooler is large enough to carry days’ value of perishable gadgets.

Ergonomics & Portability

The Metal Belted cooler has a extra boxy rectangular form. Not like some coolers which can be longer, the compact design of the Coleman makes it simple to hold by yourself. Additionally, the skinny insulation helps hold the burden down, and the cooler is light-weight for its measurement, which provides to its portability. 

The steel-plated exterior provides the Coleman its classic look, however a draw back of the design is how sizzling the metallic will get. Particularly when the cooler is positioned in direct daylight, the physique turns into heat, making it uncomfortable to sit down on or contact. 

The first situation we confronted was with the lid. The lid just isn’t watertight, and the latch doesn’t guarantee a safe seal. If the cooler is tipped over or jostled on bumpy roads throughout transport, leaks occur. We additionally discovered that it was nonetheless potential to open the cooler even when the latch was locked. The shortage of a decent seal not solely causes spills but in addition permits chilly air to flee.

Options

Following the classic type, Coleman solely affords the cooler within the conventional coloration choices of inexperienced and pink, and no different sizes can be found. With out the customization choices supplied by different manufacturers, the Metal Belted cooler is a dedication to the retro aesthetic. 

Some coolers include enjoyable built-in equipment, like bottle openers or tie-down factors, however the Coleman is solely a cooler. When you’re searching for further options, you’ll discover higher choices elsewhere. The Coleman Metal Belted is right for events when a cooler’s look is simply as essential as its capability to maintain issues chilly.

Ought to You Purchase the Coleman Metal Belted Cooler?

The Coleman Metal Belted Cooler stands out for its steadiness of portability and bigger capability. Its compact design and light-weight construct make it simple to hold, even when totally loaded. 

Though it is without doubt one of the extra reasonably priced coolers we examined, the leakage issues with the lid and the much less efficient insulation forestall it from being a perfect alternative for highway journeys or long-term use. Different coolers at comparable costs saved gadgets chilly longer and have been constructed to resist harsher out of doors situations. 

The Coleman is well-equipped to retailer every little thing you want for day journeys and short-term occasions, and it’ll reliably hold gadgets chilly all through these outings. Its stylish retro type units the Coleman aside from different coolers, and whether or not it’s a picnic or a barbecue, the Metal Belted cooler combines aesthetic attraction with spacious performance.

What Different Coolers Ought to You Think about?

For a full checklist of suggestions, try our information to the perfect coolers. 

Coleman 316 Collection 70QT Assessment: One other member of the Coleman household, the 316 Collection 70QT is much more reasonably priced than the Metal Belted and bigger. With a capability of over 100 cans, the 316 Collection is appropriate on your subsequent seashore get together or yard bash. With few further options, the 316 Collection is easy, but it surely retains contents chilly for greater than every week and maintains a low value. 

RTIC Ultralight 52 Assessment: Comparable in worth, the RTIC Ultralight is an injection-molded cooler that retains chilly temperatures longer than the Coleman Metal Belted. Designed with a compact form and considerably lighter than comparable rotomolded choices, the RTIC is straightforward to hold whereas nonetheless being sturdy.  

YETI Roadie 48 Assessment: One of many prime coolers available on the market, the YETI Roadie 48 is a wheeled cooler with distinctive portability. Heavy-duty and puncture-resistant wheels enable this cooler to maneuver simply throughout all forms of terrain and distances. Though barely smaller in quantity than the Metal Belted cooler, the Roadie affords loads of house and supplies high-performance insulation.