Collection: Hard Coolers & Ice Chests

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Lid Lock?

  The Lid Lock, a patented feature on the cooler body's top back edge, securely holds the lid open until intentionally shut. Our rotomolded lids, heavily insulated, alleviate concerns of accidental slamming, ensuring safety during use.
  
  

• ARE YOUR HARD COOLERS BEAR PROOF?

  Yes, our coolers are bear-proof, built with robust materials and secure locking mechanisms to withstand encounters with curious wildlife. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your food and gear are protected in the wild.
  
  

• Why are the latches upside down?

  Why top-loader latches? Place our cooler in the bed of a pickup truck with the latches facing outward. Then, standing beside the truck, reach in and open the cooler. The reason will be immediately clear.
  
  

• Why rotational molded instead of injection molded?

  Roto molding creates a seamless, joint-free cooler shell, offering superior durability and performance. Though more costly and time-consuming, our Idaho factory produces coolers built to last a lifetime.
  
  

• Can I customize?

  Of course! Customize your hard cooler here.
  
  

• Why aluminum hadles?

  Try to pinch your hand between the handle and the cooler body. Now lift the cooler and see if it feels like you’ve got positive control. That’s why. As a bonus, the design isn’t just pretty, it’s functional – bottle openers are integrated into each side plate (another patented feature of our hard coolers).
  
  

• How can I optimize ice retention?

  There is an art to ice retention. Don’t just toss a bag of ice from the grocery store in your cooler and expect it to last a week. That won’t get it done. Put in the prep work and your Cordova cooler will absolutely perform as advertised. Here’s how to do it:

  • Freeze our Packice units solid ahead of time and use them as the base of your cold-keeping strategy. Yes, it’s like we’re trying to sell you more stuff, but they WORK and extend the life of cubed ice by 30%. A ratio of 10 qts of cooler capacity to 2 lbs of ice pack is decent. So, two two-pounders are good for the 20 qt cooler. Four four-pound Packice's will handle an 88 qt. When in doubt, use more Packice.
  • Unless it’s colder outside, bring your Cordova cooler inside 24 hours before you plan to pack it.
  • Fill the cooler with ice to bring the temperature of your cooler’s insulation down. This ice will melt relatively quickly as the insulation cools.
  • Drain the water and fill your Cordova cooler with Packice, your provisions, block ice if you have it, and then fresh cubed ice.
  • Use COLD ice. (Ice, like water, does vary in temperature. Ice that is dry to the touch, as opposed to wet and slippery, is colder and will last longer.)
  • Packice is the best, and block ice is preferable to cubed ice – it will last longer.
  • An ice to provisions ratio of 3:1 is ideal. Prechill provisions when possible.
  • Air is the enemy of ice retention. Fill the cooler up. If there’s extra space with all the ice and provisions packed and you don’t have any more ice, use towels, foam, anything that will take up space and hold the cold.
  • When in use, keep the lid closed and latched unless retrieving or returning provisions. Ice retention drops by about an hour for every minute the lid is wide open.

• is it ok to use dry ice?

  Absolutely. If possible, isolate the dry ice by wrapping it in a towel or putting it in a box. Dry ice will freeze anything in direct contact with it. You can also use a combination of dry ice (frozen CO2) and regular ice (frozen H2O). We recommend dry ice on the bottom, ice on top of that, then your goods, and a final layer of regular ice on the top.
  
  

• Are Cordova coolers made with food grade plastic?

  Yes. All plastic used in every cooler other than Obsidian is made from virgin material and is indeed food safe. Our Obsidian cooler is made with the same FDA-approved, BPA-free polypropylene as the rest of our Basecamp Class™coolers, the material has simply been reground and remolded.
  
  

• How do i store my Basecamp Class™ cooler while not in use?

  Out of direct sunlight, in a cool dry area, unlatched, with the drain plug removed (if applicable), and placed inside the cooler so it’s easy to find, for ventilation.
  
  

• What coolers hold ice the longest?

  High-performance, hard-sided coolers offer some of the longest ice retention. They are usually able to keep ice for several days or even weeks under optimal conditions. These coolers use advanced insulation and robust construction to create superior thermal barriers.

• How long will ice last in a hard cooler?

  It depends on the quality of your hard cooler. Our hard coolers use ecofoam insulation for maximum ice retention that can last up to several days.

• Can I use a cooler as a freezer?

  No, it is not recommended to use a standard cooler as a freezer. While coolers are designed for temporary refrigeration, their insulation and construction are not enough to maintain the consistent, extreme cold required for effective freezing.

• Which cooler is better, soft or hard?

  The "better" cooler, soft or hard-sided, is really about your individual needs and intended uses. 

  Both types offer distinct advantages:

  • Hard-Sided Coolers: Are superior for durability and ice retention, making them ideal for challenging environments, extended trips, and situations where maximum cooling duration is critical. They offer robust protection and can withstand rough handling.
  • Soft-Sided Coolers: Are great for convenience and portability. They are lightweight, often collapsible, and easier to carry, making them perfect for daily use, shorter outings, picnics, or when ease of transport and storage are primary concerns.

• Who makes the best hard cooler?

  The best hard cooler depends on your specific needs and intended use. So, weigh the pros and cons of each hard cooler to decide what works best for you. We’d recommend a rugged Cordova Hard Cooler.