re: 20 +/- QT Cooler Recs

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Hard or soft cooler?

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In these smaller sizes the hardsides just don’t make sense to me, because the wall thickness to interior volume is bordering on silly. They’re heavy as hell and awkward to carry.

I had a Wally World (Ozark?) soft side that lasted a couple of years before the zipper ripped out. Was given an Engel soft side for Father’s Day as a replacement and it’s a world of difference. Better zippers, better straps, better insulation, easier to carry because it tapers near the top unless you’ve got it slam full.

Whether all that is worth the price is up to the individual. The Ozark did work, it just wasn’t nearly as easy to use, mainly due to the crappy zippers.