YETI Hopper Flip 12 Overview

Backside Line

Completely mixing model with useful design and providing straightforward portability together with rugged sturdiness, the YETI Hopper Flip 12 is one in every of our favourite smooth shell coolers for its all-around top-notch efficiency. 

In our testing, the waterproof Hopper proved to be a wonderful companion for days of fishing on the Owens River in japanese California and a light-weight selection for carrying provisions throughout a day bouldering session. We discovered quite a few causes to like this cooler after testing it in numerous situations. 

A smooth cooler can’t change a conventional large-volume onerous shell cooler, however once you want one thing extra transportable, the Flip presents sufficient house to cater to a few folks or hold a modest collection of perishable objects chilly for an all-day outing. Additionally, its foam insulation layer successfully retains chilly temperatures for a number of days. 

The Hopper contains a trendy design, however past catching the attention, its parts are constructed to face up to every part from on a regular basis put on to more durable out of doors use. A wide range of handles and a detachable strap present choices for carrying the Flip. No matter your selection, the YETI presents comfy transport, even over lengthy distances. 

The most important downside of the Flip is its value, which is considerably increased than most smooth shell coolers and even some bigger coolers. Nonetheless, the Hopper excels in each facet, and its high quality construct is designed for long-lasting sturdiness. It’s a worthwhile funding in a high-performance cooler you’ll be capable of take virtually anyplace. To see the way it compares to our different favourite coolers, try our full information to the very best coolers.

How We Examined

CleverHiker examined coolers for years, now evaluating their ice retention and temperature management in California’s Jap Sierra, with spring solar and heat temps. They noticed efficiency in sizzling parking tons and through high-elevation bouldering within the Buttermilks, monitoring ice soften, inside temps, and testing sturdiness, portability, and usefulness throughout rocky deserts to marshy riversides. 

Insulation

As a smooth shell cooler, the YETI Hopper’s insulation isn’t as efficient because the inflexible rotomolded or injection-molded coolers we reviewed. Nonetheless, its use of closed-cell foam insulation blocks airflow and helps hold chilly temperatures higher. 

In our testing, we discovered it took just below 4 days for ice to fully soften contained in the YETI and for it to achieve an inside temperature of 40 after which 50 levels Fahrenheit. The Flip outperformed a number of different smooth cooler choices in these outcomes and proved its reliability in preserving chilly storage for a complete day or perhaps a weekend.

Sturdiness

The Hopper is visually interesting, however every a part of its building can be designed to spice up its sturdiness and prolong its lifespan. The entire Flip’s carrying factors are secured with double stitching, which strengthens these areas that have a variety of stress. 

The cooler’s exterior cloth is puncture-proof and proof against UV rays, so it gained’t degrade with solar publicity. Each the outside and inside supplies are handled to stop mildew development, serving to hold the cooler clear and usable over time.

In our exams dropping the Flip onto completely different surfaces, the cooler remained undamaged. Sturdy, waterproof, and proof against scrapes and scuffs, the Hopper Flip presents most sturdiness.

Quantity

Among the many personal-sized coolers we examined, the Flip wasn’t the largest, however we discovered it provided sufficient house to hold every part wanted for a day outdoor. It may possibly maintain as much as 24 cans, which is lower than the comparable RTIC Mushy Pack, however nonetheless a sensible capability for short-term use. 

The Hopper’s foam insulation layer does barely cut back the cooler’s general inside cupboard space, however not by a lot. For many who have to pack a bit extra, there are different bigger smooth shell coolers accessible.

Ergonomics & Portability

The Flip is a really transportable grab-and-go cooler you may take practically anyplace. As a personal-sized cooler, it matches simply right into a automotive, even on the ground of the passenger seat, and its smaller construct makes it straightforward to squeeze into tight areas. 

The Hopper additionally presents numerous carrying choices: a high deal with, facet handles, and an included detachable shoulder strap with plush padding. These versatile selections allow you to carry it in the way in which most comfy for you, whether or not by hand or slung over your shoulder. The YETI’s light-weight design additional enhances its portability, making it handy and straightforward to move. 

Just like the RTIC Mushy Pack, essentially the most irritating factor of the Hopper’s design is the zipper. We discovered it troublesome to open, even with an utility of the complementary zipper lubricant. The zipper, although, is watertight and after we tipped the cooler on its facet, there was no leakage. It may be cumbersome to make use of, however the waterproof zipper excels at preserving water each out and in.

Options

YETI merchandise are recognized for his or her vary of customization choices, and even with its smaller dimension, the Hopper 12 is not any completely different. Moreover the 12, the Hopper is available in 8 and 18 fashions, which have 11 and 30 can capacities, respectively. The Hopper can be accessible in a number of distinctive colour selections, with seasonal choices being among the most enjoyable cooler colours we’ve seen. 

Like their different merchandise, YETI presents a spread of equipment suitable with the Hopper, similar to waterproof dry circumstances for small non-edible objects and meals storage containers. 

Except for some nylon loop attachment factors sewn into the cooler’s exterior, the Hopper doesn’t have many built-in options, however YETI’s supplementary equipment make it doable to customise the Hopper to your particular wants.

Ought to You Purchase the YETI Hopper Flip 12?

The YETI Hopper Flip 12 is a flexible soft-shell cooler that mixes straightforward portability with a classy but sturdy design. It’s sufficiently small to pack your lunch for work but in addition presents sufficient house for you and a good friend on a full day journey. 

The YETI Hopper isn’t low-cost. It prices rather more than the common smooth shell cooler and even exceeds among the bigger onerous shell coolers we examined, making it an funding. For some, spending a lot on one thing smaller might sound odd, however the Flip’s use of high quality supplies, robust design, and straightforward carrying make it a high-performance selection that’s constructed to final for years. 

The Hopper is flexible for a lot of conditions: sufficiently small to function an on a regular basis lunch field, waterproof to deal with fishing or seashore outings, and transportable sufficient to take to the crag for a day of climbing. It’s a cooler you may take virtually anyplace and one that may reliably hold issues chilly to your shorter journeys.

What Different Coolers Ought to You Contemplate?

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

RTIC Mushy Pack Overview: Comparable in model to the YETI Hopper Flip, the RTIC Mushy Pack is a soft-shell cooler with much more cupboard space. A thick layer of insulation retains ice frozen for as much as 4 days, and its waterproof exterior is constructed to deal with more durable environments. With built-in handles and a removable shoulder strap, it’s a transportable possibility and the one cooler we examined that floats. Whether or not on or off the water, the RTIC is able to deal with all of your out of doors adventures. 

REI Cool Path Break up Pack Cooler Overview: The backpack-style REI Cool Path has a divided design that’s half pack and half cooler. The underside part features a personal-sized cooler insert, whereas the highest presents rucksack-style storage for all of your different necessities. With ample chilly cupboard space for day journeys, the Break up Pack is a snug possibility for climbing. 

Hydro Flask Carry Out 20L Overview: A budget-friendly smooth shell cooler with nice model, the Hydro Flask Carry Out is an attention-grabbing selection to your subsequent picnic or barbecue. Extra than simply visually interesting, the Carry Out presents performance at a low value. It’s a number of quarts bigger than the Hopper Flip, offering loads of chilly cupboard space and light-weight portability. It’s an reasonably priced, high-quality cooler excellent for informal settings.