YETI Tundra vs. Roadie vs. Hopper Flip: Comparison and Reviews 2024

• Yeti Tundra Series

Since the company’s launching in 2006, the Tundra series has remained Yeti’s most sought-after product line.Unlike cheaper counterparts, this ice cooler is resistant to all sorts of rough environments, ultraviolet rays and heat.YETI proudly proclaims that this cooler is bear-proof, even against grizzly bears, when properly locked. The Tundra Hard Cooler comes in 12 sizes - varying in width as well as depth - and is designed to meet any adventure's need. Whether you need a hard coolers for a beach day, a small group camping, a day fishing offshore, or extended time on the road.

Yeti Tundra 35 Hard Cooler Review

Price: $275

Color Options: 9

Overall Rating:

While bulkier than your average carry-on luggage, the Yeti Tundra 35 Hard Cooler is relatively compact within the Yeti range, offering ample space for barbecue essentials and cold beverages for a family of four or about 21 cans of brew, with enough room to accommodate two-thirds of its interior with ice packs as recommended.It may be the entry level and so most affordable option in its manufacturer’s Tundra family.

With roto-molded polyethylene construction this cooler has the same construction process and material used in the manufacturing of whitewater kayaks. This ensures that the cooler will stand impact at all time, thereby not compromising its longevity. Performance-wise, the Tundra 35 boasts three inches of insulation,built with PermaFrost insulation. The PermaFrost insulation is injected with pressure, and this ensures that the inside temperature of the Tundra 35 cooler isn't influenced by outside temperature.Its non-slip base prevents unwanted sliding, ensuring stability whether on deck or in the trunk of your car. 

You can choose from a variety of colors, including chartreuse and coral. It comes with all the hallmark YETI features.Add to that all the additional features – the great latches, the carrying handles, the drain system, and you quickly realize that it’s well worth it. 

Who is this cooler for: The Tundra range is for weekend warriors of all disciplines. Described by YETI as being great for hunting, fishing, camping, boating, SUP, barbecuing and beer drinking too.The weight and dimensions of the Tundra 35 mean that it’s more suited to pair or group excursions as it is quite awkward to carry alone. The size of the 35L specifically means that it is an excellent option for chucking in the boot for a mini-break or strapping to the deck of your boat, it’s a great size for families and can easily withstand the bumps and bashes of even the most boisterous of mini-adventurers.

YETI Tundra 35 Pros and Cons

Where to Buy YETI Tundra 35 Coolers?

YETI Official Website(up to 5% super cash back)

Dicks Sporting Goods(up to 2% super cash back) 

Cabela's(up to 2% cash back) 

Academy Sports + Outdoors(up to 1% super cash back)

Amazon

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• YETi Roadie Series

The YETI Roadie is a hard-shell cooler with the same cold-holding power as the YETI Tundra coolers, but the Roadie is designed to be more portable. The Yeti Roadie cooler comes in multiple color and size options. The Roadie 48 and 60 have side handles and a drain plug, as well as a collapsible handle and hard, durable wheels at the back. The smallest Roadie 24 has a shoulder strap instead of wheels—and it’s most comparable to the Oyster Tempo Cooler in terms of size.

The Roadie is big enough to hold cold drinks (including wine bottles, thanks to the added height) for a party, or food for a multi-day camping trip. The wheels make it incredibly easy to move around, even when it’s full. 

YETi Roadie 24 Hard Cooler Review

Price: $250

Color Options: 11

Overall Rating:

The YETI Roadie 24 cooler was launched in early 2020 as an altogether more practical choice for everyday use.The Roadie doesn’t come cheap at $250 and lacks a drain plug for dumping melted ice, but it’s another winner of a design from the brand.  It even serves a dual purpose, transforming into a convenient stool with an optional cushion attachment, perfect for lounging at our chosen spot while enjoying chilled beverages.

Although the Roadie only comes in a single 24-litre size, its interior volume, measuring approximately 40cm square and 30cm in height, provides ample space for transporting various items, including upright bottles of wine or two-litre bottles. Operating with plastic latches instead of rubber, the Roadie’s lid can be easily opened with one hand, while the carry handle can be adjusted for convenient access. A webbing handle adds comfort to over-arm carry, while indented side handles make it easier to port when heavy. Other highlights include non-slip rubber feet to minimize sliding, tie-down slots for securing to a boat or truck bed.The only notable omission is a drain plug for dumping melted ice.I found it difficult to drain the cooler without removing all food, which meant allowing warm air in whenever water began pooling at the bottom.Nonetheless, it’s an ideal companion for camping or road trips, better suited to such excursions than casual picnics.

Who is this cooler for: The Roadie 24 Hard Cooler is perfect for a road trip with an overnight camp with 2-3 people. Its size and format is perfect for throwing behind the front seat. It fits a bottle of wine standing up, and keeps your dinner and the next morning's eggs and bacon nice and fresh.However, the Roadie 24 isn't a cheap purchase.If you infrequently use a cooler and need something to keep things cool only a few times per year, the Roadie 24 might be overkill for your needs.

YETI Roadie 24 Pros and Cons

Where to Buy YETI Roadie 24 Coolers?

YETI Official Website(up to 5% super cash back)

Dicks Sporting Goods(up to 2% super cash back) 

Academy Sports + Outdoors(up to 1% super cash back)

Amazon

REI

• YETI Hopper Flip

The YETI Hopper coolers are engineered for portability.It is soft sided, yet nearly the same price that typically comes with the Yeti name on hard sided cooler.One of the biggest selling points of any soft sided cooler is the storage size. When not in use, the cooler can be collapsed down and takes up a fraction of the size of comparable sized roto molded coolers.

The Hopper is a waterproof cooler, available in a few different sizes and styles. There’s even an option with a backpanel and shoulder straps, allowing you to wear it like a backpack. This is a great feature for people who usually carry the cooler on hikes, since it allows for better load distribution, ultimately making the cooler lighter.

YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler Review

Price: $250

Color Options: 8

Overall Rating:

YETI moves ahead in the soft-cooler category with its Hopper Flip 12, a zip-shut cube that’s airtight, leak-proof, and can purportedly keep ice for days.The level of quality in the Hopper Flip 12 completely exceeds anything that you come to expect from a soft sided cooler.

This particular model can hold 12 cans plus ice, features the HydroLok Zipper, and is more of a personal cooler size. The cooler, when empty, only weighs 3.1 pounds which is considerably lighter than a hard sided cooler of this same size. It's extremely durable, has handles just about everywhere, and features a leakproof zipper. The Dryhide exterior is a high-density fabric that is waterproof and is resistant to mildew, punctures, and UV rays.The back of the pack has a Velcro square so you can personalize your cooler with a name or patch.  The HitchPoint™ Grid is made to easily fasten bottle openers, Sidekick storage pouch, carabiners, and other items.

Who is this cooler for: If your goal is to get a cooler that you can take with you to the beach, golf course, or lake, the YETI Hopper Flip12 is your best bet.These personal-sized coolers are easy to pack, load, and carry.Feed a friend or stay out longer with the 16 pound ice capacity of the YETI Hopper Flip 12.

Where to Buy YETI Hopper Flip 12 Coolers?

YETI Official Website(up to 5% super cash back)

Dicks Sporting Goods(up to 2% super cash back) 

Academy Sports + Outdoors(up to 1% super cash back)

Amazon

YETI Tundra 35 vs. Roadie 24 vs. Hopper Flip 12: Comparison Side by Side

1. Capacity

YETI Tundra 35 - The Tundra 35 can fit 39 cans of beer or 29 lbs of ice. 

YETI Roadie 24 - The Roadie 24 is also the better cooler for people who usually carry a lot of food and drinks. It can fit 33 cans of beer or 26 lbs of ice.

YETI Hopper Flip 12 - The Hopper is available in a few different sizes, but they’re generally smaller – the versions of Hopper Flip 12 can fit 24 cans of beer or 16 lbs of ice.

In case you have ever bought a Yeti cooler, then you know that the package comes with an owner's manual. The owner's manual contains a list of almost all of their models with the exact capacities in gallons and cans. 

2. Insulation

YETI Tundra 35 - Tundra 35 has thick walls walls built with PermaFrost insulation. The PermaFrost insulation is injected with pressure, and this ensures that the inside temperature of the Tundra 35 cooler isn’t influenced by outside temperature.Oh, and it’s also worth mentioning that it’s certified Bear-Resistant, which should give you a bit of peace of mind when you’re outdoors. 

YETI Roadie 24 - When it comes to insulation, the Yeti Roadie 24 does a pretty solid job for a small cooler with a lot of surface area.The Roadie 24, which is the newest version of the popular hardshell cooler, features Permafrost insulation. This type of insulation is capable of keeping ice frozen for days, so it’s definitely superior to the insulation found in their soft coolers. The lid creates a good seal when the cooler is closed, and the Neverfail hinge system makes it almost impossible that the latches will break or snap.

With similar rugged construction used across the line of YETI coolers, the Roadie 24 is rotomolded with thick walls filled with insulation and an interlocking hinge. It has a freezer-style rubber gasket to seal the contents.

YETI Hopper Flip 12 - The Hopper coolers feature ColdCell insulation in the form of closed-cell rubber foam. This is superior to insulation seen in standard softshell coolers since it performs better in high heat.Also, the exterior of the cooler is resistant to punctures, UV rays, and weather, making it suitable for use all year round. The HydroLok zipper is the final feature that seals in the cold inside the Hopper coolers – it is waterproof from the outside and leakproof from the inside.

3. Ice Retention

The truth is that all YETI coolers come with the same ice retention property. You can enhance the ice retention performance of the cooler by packing it nicely and reducing frequent opening and closing of the lid.Other significant factors that can affect the ice retention performance are the outside temperature and weather conditions. 

YETI Tundra 35 - YETI Tundra 35 can comfortably provide 3-4 days of ice retention,considering the surrounding conditions are optimal.And it can keep food, drinks, and other consumables hot or cold for around 5-7 days. 

YETI Roadie 24 - Smaller YETI roadies can only hold ice 2-4 days.

YETI Hopper Flip 12 - YETI Hopper coolers can hold ice for 3-5 days with regular use (half filled with food/drinks etc) or can hold ice for 7-10 days when full of ice in ideal conditions,and ready to hit the trail, boat, or blind.

4. Durability

All YETI coolers are insanely durable, which is one of the main reasons why they are so popular.But there is a significant difference among the materials used in these coolers and that’s something we have to talk about.

YETI Tundra 35 - The Tundra 35 feels utterly bomb-proof. I really think this is a cooler that will stand the test of time, which is what you’d want for the price tag. There’s a lot goes into making one of these it seems, the rotational, high-temperature, low-pressure plastic molding process has inherent design strengths, such as consistent wall thickness and strong outside corners.

YETI Roadie 24 - The YETI Roadie lands right in the middle when it comes to durability. A new latch style cuts down the amount of effort required to maneuver it without sacrificing how rugged the plastic is or how hardy the rubber seems to be. Not as secure feeling as other coolers in the lineup; its tall, narrow shape feels unstable to use as a chair or stool.

YETI Hopper Flip 12 - The softshell Hopper is resistant to weather, UV rays, punctures, abrasions, and mildew. From the 840D double-sided thermoplastic urethane body down to the welded seams and reinforced stitching on the shoulder straps, everything about the Flip screams hardy. 

5. Portability

YETI Tundra 35 - The YETI Tundra 35 coolers are highly sought after because of their portability. You can carry it for long walking distances without feeling fatigued.Even when loaded the YETI Tundra 35 is light enough without wishing you had the help of a buddy. Tie it down to a tube for a river trip and you’ll find it packs just right.

YETI Roadie 24 - The larger size and capacity of the hardside Roadie coolers mean more weight. The Roadie 24 weighs 12.8 lbs. And that’s when it’s fully empty – put about 24 lbs of ice in the cooler, and you see how there’s no chance you could carry something that heavy in your arm for more than just a few minutes at a time.

YETI Hopper Flip 12 - The softshell Hopper coolers are the more portable option, there’s no doubt about that. Hopper Flip 12 can fit 24cans, weighs just 3 lbs,which is absolutely amazing for people who need a lightweight option.If you’re more worried about the weight of the cooler than its capacity, the Hopper 12 is easily the best option for you.

Comparison Table

Conclusion: Which YETI Cooler Should You Choose?

Whilst it’s certainly not made for moving fast and light, the Tundra 35’s destruction-proof construction makes it an excellent addition to your camping, road trip or festival arsenal.Though this product comes with a steep price tag, the fact remains that getting it is still worthwhile since it will save you money while giving you good service in the long run. The Yeti Tundra 35 is a portable, high-quality cooler that will last a lifetime.

There’s a lot to like in the Yeti Roadie 24 cooler. It fits into cars easily, stays cold, and feels like it is built to last. The new latches allow one-hand opening with ease, a neat bit of design, and it’s a very comfortable seat.If you want a cooler for camping trips, fishing trips, or just general adventures that last a while, I would recommend the Roadie. Especially if you don’t have to spend too much time with the cooler in your hand.

The Hopper is excellent if you’re prioritizing portability and weight overcapacity and insulation strength. Also, the waterproof construction of the Hopper makes it the better option for any adventure including water, whether it’s a fishing trip or a day on the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the YETI Tundra 35 Big Enough?

The YETI Tundra 35 is small enough to be handled by one person but large enough to hold food for up to a week. It is a great substitute fridge for your home’s refrigerator.

How long will a YETI Roadie keep ice?

YETI coolers can hold ice for 3-5 days with regular use (half filled with food/drinks etc) or can hold ice for 7-10 days when full of ice in ideal conditions. Smaller YETI roadies can only hold ice 2-4 days while large Yeti 160 can hold ice over 2 weeks!

How many cans can you fit in a Roadie 24?

33 cans.

What is the Roadie 24 used for?

Made for the road and ready to go – The Roadie 24 Hard Cooler packs more while taking up less space. It's built tall to accommodate critical bottles of wine and slim enough to squeeze behind the driver's or passenger's seat of a car. Now that's what we call a road trip buddy.

Can you put dry ice in YETI Hopper Flip?

Nope, not a good idea. Hopper Coolers are not compatible with dry ice. Using dry ice will cause the airtight vessel to explode.

【Read More】

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