re: I don't understand the obsession with the Yeti ice chest.

As far as indestructibleness, it's on par, other than the latches. My buddy who guides had a 65 we put the 65 outside in the camp next to our yeti and our neighbor's k2. Both the yeti and k2 kept ice longer. However the pelican still kept the ice for a long arse fricking time. They're good coolers, I'd just get a yeti/k2 before I got one. Ymmv though.