Hard Cooler Features
The Lid Lock is a patented molded-in feature on the top, back edge of the cooler body that holds the lid open until it is shut with a purpose. Our lids are rotomolded and substantially insulated – they are beefy. The Lid Lock eliminates the need to hold the lid open and the worry that it might slam down when hands or heads are within range.
Put our cooler in the bed of a pickup truck, latches facing outboard and then, standing beside the truck, reach in and open the cooler. The reason should be self-evident.
Yes. Click here to see video of the test. Find out more at: IGBC Website
Rotational molding (roto molding) produces a cooler shell that is one seamless hollow piece. There are no glued joints in the body, so durability and performance are objectively superior to injection molded coolers. It is a more expensive, complicated, and time-consuming process, especially when done domestically (our factory is in Idaho), but we employ good people to make great coolers that will last a lifetime, and beyond.
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).
Hard Cooler FAQs
There is an art to ice retention. Don’t just toss a 20 lb bag of ice (about 10 qts of frozen water) 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 will absolutely perform as advertised. Here’s how to do it:
- Freeze our Packice's solid ahead of time and use them. 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 to 1 lb of ice pack is ideal. So, a two-pounder is perfect for the 20 qt cooler. Two four-pound packs will handle an 88 qt. When in doubt, use more ice pack.
- Unless it’s colder outside, bring your Cordova inside 24 hours before you plan to use 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 with your provisions first and then fresh 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.)
- 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.
- When in use, keep the lid closed and latched unless retrieving or returning provisions.
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.
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.
Yes. This is not photoshopped:
No. Listen to the sound your cooler lid makes when it shuts, and you’ll hear that it’s well built. The T-latch design employed on our hard coolers has MANY benefits, but as with any product design, there are tradeoffs. Our flexible latches allow the cooler to absorb massive shocks (like being thrown, fully loaded from 30 feet onto concrete. We aren’t kidding – check out our Instagram page to see that in action) But because the latches DO flex rather than break, under extreme force the cooler is not designed to hold a watertight seal. No rotomolded coolers with flexible lid latches are watertight.
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.
Soft Cooler FAQS
Watertight zippers require lubricant for smooth operation. Every Backcountry Class™ cooler with a watertight zipper comes with a tube of zipper lubricant and instructions for application. Lubricating the zipper well before the first use will keep your Backcountry Class™ zipper gliding as it should for years. More information can be found here.
Out of direct sunlight, in a cool dry area, unzipped for ventilation.
Drinkware FAQS
Although the raw goods are produced in East Asia, our team does all the design and customization work in Idaho. We’ve looked, and continue to search, for commercial producers of consumer-grade stainless steel in the USA that can supply us with the materials necessary to maintain the product line.
At home or abroad, rest assured that we only work with vendors that share our commitment to environmental stewardship and fair labor practices.
It’ll survive but may be discolored. Washing by hand is much preferred.
Mix one part vinegar with two parts baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes. Scrub as needed. Rinse with clean, hot water.
Support
Orders for in-stock products typically ship within two business days. Contact us as soon as possible at support@cordovaoutdoors.com and we will help you address any issues with your order.
Yes. You can purchase gift certificates here.
No. We appreciate your business very much and are continually processing a variety of business and economic factors to set pricing, and so retain the right to adjust pricing at any time at our sole discretion.
Yes. If you purchased an item at full price (i.e., no other discount was applied and the price of the item was not marked down for any sort of special event or sale) through cordovaoutdoors.com, have your order number for reference and verification of service, then we can help. We served; we get it. You took care of us; we’ll take care of you.
No. Cordova does not accept solicitations for in-kind product donations for individuals, events, or organizations. Qualified nonprofit organizations may receive a discount. If you believe your organization may qualify for this, please contact support@cordovaoutdoors.com for details.
Non-customized products typically ship from our facility in Idaho via FedEx Ground within two business days.
Customized products typically ship from our facility in Idaho via FedEx Ground within 10 business days of customer design approval.
Shipping within the continental US typically takes one to four days, however this varies depending on location and volume.
Yes. An email will be sent to the address provided at checkout.
Warranty and Returns
Every Basecamp Class™ cooler includes a five-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects from the original date of purchase. We ask that you register your cooler within 30 days and follow our care and maintenance recommendations.
Coverage is void if cooler is:
- Used for commercial purposes
- Damaged through abuse, misuse, or neglect
- Damaged in an accident or environmental calamity
- Unreasonably used for a purpose for which it wasn’t intended
- Deliberately modified or altered in any way from its original configuration
- Purchased as a blemished/factory second cooler
Normal wear and tear, gouges, and the fading of colors and materials over extended time and use are not defects and so are not covered under this warranty.
To begin a warranty claim, you’ll need to provide a description of the problem and upload a photo of the defect here.
We aim to review and respond within five business days; however, this varies with volume. If your claim is approved, a prepaid shipping label will be sent to return the cooler to Cordova for repair or replacement at our discretion. Shipping, evaluation and repair or replacement typically takes two to three weeks.
Cordova Outdoors reserves the right to substitute products or designs without obligation to provide the original designs associated with the defective product. In other words, repaired or replaced coolers will be the closest current product to the defective cooler but may have a new and improved look.
Please note warranty claims on products purchased from non-authorized resellers of Cordova Outdoors products are not accepted. Non-authorized resellers include but are not limited to eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other classified advertisement websites. If, after purchasing form a non-authorized reseller, you do run into a warranty worthy issue, please contact your seller.
Every Backcountry Class™ cooler includes a one-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects from the original date of purchase. We ask that you register your cooler within 30 days and follow our care and maintenance recommendations.
Coverage is void if cooler is:
- Used for commercial purposes
- Damaged through abuse, misuse, or neglect
- Damaged in an accident or environmental calamity
- Unreasonably used for a purpose for which it wasn’t intended
- Deliberately modified or messed with (repaired or altered in any way from its original configuration)
- Purchased as a blemished/factory second cooler
Normal wear and tear, gouges, and the fading of colors and materials over extended time and use are not defects and so are not covered under this warranty.
To begin a warranty claim, you’ll need to provide a description of the problem and upload a photo of the defect here.
We aim to review and respond within five business days; however, this varies with volume. If your claim is approved, a prepaid shipping label will be sent to return the cooler to Cordova for repair or replacement at our discretion. Shipping, evaluation and repair or replacement typically takes two to three weeks.
Cordova Outdoors reserves the right to substitute products or designs without obligation to provide the original designs associated with the defective product. In other words, repaired or replaced coolers will be the closest current product to the defective cooler but may have a new and improved look.
Please note warranty claims on products purchased from non-authorized resellers of Cordova Outdoors products are not accepted. Non-authorized resellers include but are not limited to eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other classified advertisement websites. If, after purchasing form a non-authorized reseller, you do run into a warranty worthy issue, please contact your seller.
Cordova Outdoors Drinkware includes a one-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects from the original date of purchase. We ask that you register your drinkware within 30 days.
We understand these are the most fragile components of drinkware. If your lid gets cracked or warped, we stock plenty of affordable replacements.
Coverage is void if drinkware is:
- Used for commercial purposes
- Damaged through abuse, misuse, or neglect
- Damaged in an accident or environmental calamity
- Unreasonably used for a purpose for which it wasn’t intended
- Deliberately modified or messed with (repaired or altered in any way from its original configuration)
- Purchased as a blemished/factory second product
Normal wear and tear, gouges, and the fading of colors and materials over extended time and use are not defects and so are not covered under this warranty.
To begin a warranty claim, you’ll need to provide a description of the problem and upload a photo of the defect here.
We aim to review and respond within five business days; however, this varies with volume. If your claim is approved, a prepaid shipping label will be sent to return the cooler to Cordova for repair or replacement at our discretion. Shipping, evaluation and repair or replacement typically takes two to three weeks.
Cordova Outdoors reserves the right to substitute products or designs without obligation to provide the original designs associated with the defective product. In other words, repaired or replaced coolers will be the closest current product to the defective cooler but may have a new and improved look.
Please note warranty claims on products purchased from non-authorized resellers of Cordova Outdoors products are not accepted. Non-authorized resellers include but are not limited to eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other classified advertisement websites. If, after purchasing form a non-authorized reseller, you do run into a warranty worthy issue, please contact your seller.
No.
Fill out the form located here: Product Registration
Fill out the form located here: Warranty Claim Page
We aim to review and respond within five business days; however, response time varies with seasonal volume. If your claim is approved, a prepaid shipping label will be sent to return the cooler to Cordova Outdoors for repair or replacement at our discretion. Shipping, evaluation and repair or replacement typically takes two to three weeks.
Please note warranty claims on products purchased from non-authorized resellers of Cordova Outdoors products are not accepted. Non-authorized resellers include but are not limited to eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other classified advertisement websites. If, after purchasing form a non-authorized reseller, you do run into a warranty worthy issue, please refer back to your seller.
Products purchased through cordovaoutdoors.com are returnable to Cordova Outdoors within 30 days of purchase if unused and in original packaging. Please contact us at support@cordovaoutdoors.com to initiate a return. Products purchased through third party retailers should be returned to the seller.
Please note:
- Any shipping costs from the original order are non-refundable, and return shipping is at your expense.
- Cordova does not offer store credit on returns or exchanges.
- Cordova does not offer returns on customized merchandise.
Product Manufacturing
We handcraft every hard cooler at our facility in Idaho, and all our products are designed right here in the USA. At its core, Cordova Outdoors is an American owned and operated company that designs and manufactures great gear for good people.
Each Cordova product is marked with its country of origin. Our suppliers are required to meet Cordova’s strict quality standards and uphold our commitment to minimizing environmental impact and fair labor practices.
We work hard to provide options for people to Buy American. We take every opportunity to procure materials and produce quality gear domestically. Only when the infrastructure for manufacturing the raw materials literally doesn’t exist in America (e.g., steel and textile mills) do we look elsewhere. In those cases, where American manufacturing is not feasible, we ensure that our gear is made well, and responsibly.
