Paddle boarding is a great way to spend the day outdoors, and having a cooler can make it even better. Not only can you keep your drinks and snacks cold, but you can also keep the fish you catch while paddling.
A good cooler should be big enough to hold all you need, with insulation that keeps ice cold for at least your day out on the water.
If inflatable paddle boards are your jam out on the open water, getting the right cooler for your trip is essential for keeping drinks cold in the heat.
Paddleboard coolers are a great way to keep your lunch cold while out on the water, but which one to choose? There are so many different types of paddleboard coolers, and we’ve just covered the best ones with tons of different features.
Product
Details
Hybrid Softy
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
- Can capacity: 30 cans
- Material: TPE Ripstop
The Versatile Bag
ROCKBROS Soft Cooler Insulated
- Can capacity: 36 Cans//22 Liters
- Material: Nylon and TPU
Super Convenient
iRocker Backpack Cooler
- Can capacity: 24 cans// 30L
- Material: Not specified
Ergonomic Design
Gili Deck Bag Cooler
- Can capacity: 20 cans
- Material: Nylon
Live Bait Cooler
Engel Cooler with Rod Holders
- Can capacity: 30 qt.
- Material: Plastic with polystyrene foam insulation
Classic Board Cooler
NorthShore SUP Cooler
- Can capacity: 24 cans
- Material: Nylon
Big and Tough
YETI Tundra 35
- Can capacity: 20 cans// 28.2 L
- Material: Plastic
Eco Friendly
Grizzly 20 Cooler
- Can capacity: 20 cans// 20 qt.
- Material: LLDPE Plastic
Fishing Favorite
Engel UC19-RH 19qt
- Can capacity: 30 cans
- Material: PP Copolymer
Chillest Soft Cooler
RTIC soft-sided Cooler Bag
- Can capacity: 20 cans // 20 L
- Material: Puncture and tear-resistant Nylon
The Best Paddle Board Coolers
The best paddle board coolers are a great addition even to some of the best inflatable paddle boards, but type matters.
In order to compile this list of the best paddle board coolers, I incorporated a variety of paddle board cooler types.
1. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze cooler looks like a classic soft shell cooler but has a hard-body deep-freeze performance insulation to keep food cold and heat out. It has a flip-open zipperless lid for quick access. Keeps ice for up to 2 days. Holds up to 30 cans.
This paddle board cooler isn’t so heavy and also includes a shoulder strap for easy transport. What I like about this cooler is that it includes a plastic dry food rack to hold items out of ice.
You’ll want to keep this one upright with ice because it will leak if tipped over. But at a moderate price, this is a great choice for a long-lasting cooler so long as you don’t tip it over or drop it in the water.
Features
- Can capacity: 30 cans
- Material: TPE Ripstop
- Style: Softshell with hard body liner and shoulder strap
- Cooling time: 2 days
- Weight: 4.19 lbs
Pros
- Includes dry food rack
- Benefits of hard body longer cooling time and lightweight soft shell
Cons
- Not leak-proof or water-proof
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
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2. ROCKBROS Soft Cooler Insulated
The ROCKBROS Soft Cooler Insulated Leak Proof Cooler looks like a heavy-duty handbag. Its wide body gives you a lot of room to pack 36 cans inside its leak-proof nylon shell. This paddle board cooler bag can hold a lot for a longer duration while still being easy to transport over the shoulder and hand free.
The rubber zippers are leak-proof and even come with a 1-year warranty for a replacement if they break. The straps are constructed well so they won’t rip off while toting heavy loads.
This SUP cooler has a sturdy base so it won’t tip over, plus two lower base handles for so you can strap it to your paddle board for extra security. This is a great versatile cooler for on-water activities and out-of-water errands like transporting tons of ice cream on a hot day.
Features
- Can capacity: 36 Cans//22 Liters
- Material: Nylon and TPU
- Style: Softshell with shoulder strap
- Cooling time: 2 days
- Weight: 4.5 lbs
Pros
- Heavy-duty handles and shoulder strap
- Waterproof and leak-proof guarantee
Cons
- The shape is not as efficiently packable as a square or rectangle construction
ROCKBROS Soft Cooler Insulated
The price of “ROCKBROS Soft Cooler Insulated” varies, so check the latest price at
3. iRocker Backpack Cooler
If you like to keep things secure on your back, you can’t go wrong rocking the iRocker Backpack Cooler. The style of a backpack cooler is gaining more popularity because, well, it’s super convenient to carry.
The most desirable feature of this paddle board cooler is that it fits snugly on your back so you have your hands free, while the weight is distributed evenly behind you and not over your shoulder. A waterproof roll-top construction with a buckle makes it a great paddleboard dry bag in addition to insulating your ice-cold drink.
It has two large mesh pockets for storage on the side, padded shoulder straps, and a waist clip for stability. I like utilizing it as a cooler but also that I could fit a towel in there with no problem. If you use it for other items, then you won’t want to use ice in it.
The downside is that if you don’t use ice, also because it can be quite heavy on your back with ice, then it won’t last 72 hours and you are probably looking more at a day long.
I liked that I could use the D hooks on shoulder straps to hook to my paddle board with my own S hooks when I didn’t want to carry it or go for a swim. Great dual use that fuses backpack and cooler in one.
Features
- Can capacity: 24 cans// 30L
- Material: Not specified
- Style: Softshell backpack with roll top
- Cooling time: 12-72 hours
- Weight: 3.4 lbs
Pros
- Roll top dry bag backpack
- Really reasonable price
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Not ideal to carry around lots of ice and gel packs don’t keep items cool as long
iRocker Backpack Cooler
The price of “iRocker Backpack Cooler” varies, so check the latest price at
4. Gili Deck Bag Cooler
The Gili Deck Bag Cooler sports a design that’s as cool as it keeps your lunch. This deck cooler bag has a wider base than height so it won’t tip over sitting flat on your paddle board.
It’s a great shape for staying in position, but for transporting, it shifts in a vertical position like a laptop case so it is more convenient to carry over your shoulder, albeit with straps included.
This deck cooler bag is made of water-resistant material with 3-layer construction and zipper to keep warm water out. It includes a water-resistant pocket on the top of the bag so you can stash the items you don’t want wet.
As for duration, I took this bag out on the water for four hours in the baking sun on my paddle board. All in all, this cooler was packed for a total of eight hours.
When I unpacked it, I had a can of beer that was still cool to the touch, not ice cold, but certainly drinkable and not warm. So, I’d declare, this bag could stay cool for at least twice that with more ice packs and fewer cans.
With your purchase, the bag includes a bunch of S-hooks to easily secure the deck bag to your paddle board by its D rings. The manufacturer boasts 100% satisfaction guaranteed so you can rest assured with your purchase, making this bag a pretty great buy.
Features
- Can capacity: 20 cans
- Material: Nylon
- Style: Softshell deck bag and shoulder strap
- Cooling time: Not specified,but probably 20 hours
- Weight: around 3 lbs
Pros
- S hooks included
- Waterproof pocket
- Flat design
Cons
- Zipper is only water resistant rather than waterproof
Gili Deck Bag Cooler
The price of “Gili Deck Bag Cooler” varies, so check the latest price at
5. Engel Cooler with Rod Holders
For all you fishing enthusiasts out there, a live bait cooler is a must-have on the equipment list, especially if you’re like me and like to fish on a stand-up paddle board. This paddle board cooler is the Engel Cooler with Rod Holders which sports a hard body shell and has two snap latches fitted with stainless steel screws.
It’s heavy because it’s equipped with a battery and a 2-speed aerator pump with water-resistant housing to protect the motor and prevent lots of noise. Inside, the cooler has a removable netting liner that remains in its shape rather than collapsing.
This is a great feature to drain the water from the content inside by just lifting it up, then grabbing the bait.
What I think is cool about this paddle board cooler are the four attachments on the sides. These removable plastic tubes are perfect for holding your fishing rods so you can continue to paddle with a line (or four) moving behind you. It comes with a shoulder strap to easily transport.
Because of the weight, you have to make sure that your paddle board can accommodate the extra weight without throwing off your balance. This cooler is a specialty item for those big into fishing and technology to keep your bait alive.
Features
- Can capacity: 30 qt.
- Material: Plastic with polystyrene foam insulation
- Style: Hardshell live bait cooler with aerator pump
- Cooling time: 2 days
- Weight: 8 lbs
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Can be charged in the car (12V)
Cons
- Heavy if you’re not planning on using it for bait
Engel Cooler with Rod Holders
The price of “Engel Cooler with Rod Holders ” varies, so check the latest price at
6. NorthShore SUP Cooler
With a name like North Shore, you know this NorthShore SUP Cooler with an Attachment System was made with paddle boarders in mind. This soft-sided cooler is a classic.
This paddle board cooler has a zippered main compartment with an easy-access top flap secured with Velcro. However, I think it would be better if the Velcro completely covered the flap. With gaps, water can get in, especially if it tips over.
The rectangular construction with a longer height makes it easier to tip over so you’ll have to strap this down to the paddle board. It comes with a shoulder strap that attaches to the provided D-rings that you can attach to your board.
The board surface has to be a hard, smooth plastic to attach these D-rings and is not intended for an inflatable paddle board.
Even if you have the best surf paddle board and can attach the D-rings or you don’t need them, you might want to find a way to keep it more secure than just the shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap alone didn’t keep it from flailing around. There are plenty of loops and pockets though, so I easily figured out a secure position. The pockets are handy to keep things separated and dry, again, as long as it doesn’t fall into the water!
Features
- Can capacity: 24 cans
- Material: Nylon
- Style: Classic soft shell with shoulder strap
- Cooling time: Around 12 hours maximum
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Comes with 2 attachable rubber deck D-rings
Cons
- Construction makes it easier to tip over
- Not waterproof
NorthShore SUP Cooler
The price of “NorthShore SUP Cooler” varies, so check the latest price at
7. YETI Tundra 35 Paddle Board Cooler
YETI has become a huge name in the insulating industry and their compact YETI Tundra 35 Paddle Board Cooler is no exception. Like their larger coolers, this one’s made with the same quality and durability. YETIs are extremely good at keeping things cold for a long period of time.
If you use their 2:1 ice-to-contents recommendation, it can last up to 5 days! That’s because it’s made with an extra thick wall, holding two inches of permafrost insulation.
The hard-outer body is nearly indestructible and the T-Rex lid latches are easy to use for humans and not so easy for animals. I love the rubber latch incorporation because they are easier to use but just as secure as a steel clasp latch.
With non-slip feet, your YETI should stay in place so long as you don’t flip your board over for some reason. It comes with molded tie-down slots to be able to mount it to your board if it already has D-hooks.
The drain system is leak-proof and makes it easy to drain off melted ice without needing to take everything out first. Then you just add more ice—so convenient!
With all its outer hardware, this big boy runs at 20 lb! At least you won’t have to worry about how many calories paddle boarding burns because you’re toting quite a bit more weight. But you will have to make sure that you can safely and conveniently tote this cooler on your board. A well-known and sturdy buy at a premium price.
Features
- Can capacity: 20 cans// 28.2 L
- Material: Plastic
- Style: Hard body with permafrost insulation
- Cooling time: 5 days
- Weight: 20 lbs
Pros
- Keeps cool longer than most coolers
- Indestructible
- Heavy-duty rubber latches
Cons
- Heavy and thick hard body
- Side handles mean you need two people or two hands to carry.
YETI Tundra 35
The price of “YETI Tundra 35” varies, so check the latest price at
8. Grizzly 20 Cooler
The Grizzly 20 Cooler has some great cooling features like the YETI but is a little less expensive and a little smaller.
In addition to its lifetime warranty, this paddle board cooler is also eco-conscious. Using insulation called Ecomate, it claims to have no global warming potential, no ozone depletion potential, or no volatile organic compounds.
Rubber latches are similar yet different to YETI and certainly feel secure, or, as they like to put it, secure as a “bear grip.” It also comes with a drain and dry food rack.
This paddle board cooler definitely feels sturdy and has a long cooling duration time. The steel handle is great for one-handed carry but doesn’t seem to be removable. I like the overall durability and lifetime warranty, making this a one-time buy for versatile needs if you can bear the extra weight.
Features
- Can capacity: 20 cans// 20 qt.
- Material: LLDPE Plastic
- Style: Softshell with hard body liner and shoulder strap
- Cooling time: 4 days
- Weight: 18lb.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Steel handle isn’t removable
Grizzly 20 Cooler
The price of “Grizzly 20 Cooler” varies, so check the latest price at
9. Engel UC19-RH 19qt
Another option for those who love to fish, the Engel UC 19-RH 19 qt Leak-Proof Air-Tight Drybox will keep things cool while holding your fishing poles with 4 removable rod holders.
This paddle board cooler has a hard, plastic body with a rubber seal on the top and a steel clasp latch system. It holds up to 19 quarts with a small dry storage plastic rack. No netting or aeration system is included with this one, but it simply gets the job done.
One of its best qualities is that it’s a leak-proof dry box for storing valuables and electronics or to keep things cool for a half day on the lake. A great buy for an avid fisher who prioritizes the features advantageous to fishing.
A fishing cooler is typically a hard body and will have the capabilities to hold bait or your catch of the day. It is ideal for these to have a dry rack included as well as fishing rod holders for your convenience.
Features
- Can capacity: 30 cans
- Material: PP Copolymer
- Style: Hard shell with fishing rod holders
- Cooling time: 2 days
- Weight: 7 lb.
Pros
- Rod holders
Cons
- Plastic hinges
Engel UC19-RH 19qt
The price of “Engel UC19-RH 19qt” varies, so check the latest price at
10. RTIC soft-sided Cooler Bag
At more than half the price of a YETI and a quarter of the weight, the RTIC soft-sided cooler bag is a strong competitor. Obviously, there are different benefits when choosing between a hard shell or soft shell paddle board cooler, and one of those is weight.
The other is durability. Nylon may not hold up as indestructibly as the hard body shell, but it certainly has a heavy-duty shell.
The Nylon is puncture and tear-resistant, and the rubber zipper makes it waterproof, meaning you won’t get any water leaking inside even if it falls in the water. Still, it has two inches of closed-cell foam insulation for long cooling times.
I love the feel of the material and that it’s so easy to transport, both because it’s light and also because it is smaller and has a durable shoulder strap. It’s totally waterproof so I can feel confident putting my valuable items in the pockets.
I took this paddle board cooler out for a long hot day in the sun and everything stayed extra cold. It seems to hold up to its 5-day cooling duration claim, and I expect to use this on long road trips. All around, a solid buy with little to compromise on and a decent price for its features.
Features:
- Can capacity: 20 cans // 20 L
- Material: Puncture and tear-resistant Nylon
- Style: Softshell with shoulder strap
- Cooling time: 5 days
- Weight: 4.73lb.
Pros
- It floats!
- 5-day cooling potential
Cons:
- No dry food rack
- Nylon has the potential to rip eventually
RTIC soft-sided Cooler Bag
The price of “RTIC soft-sided Cooler Bag ” varies, so check the latest price at
What to Take Into Account When Selecting a SUP Cooler
Some of the most important features of a paddle board cooler are size, weight, capacity, and cooling duration. Some other special features may include flotation, leak-proof technology, drainage, and special closure systems.
When shopping for the best paddle board cooler, consider your needs and budget. Read on to learn about all the essential features of a paddle board cooler.
Hard-Sided Cooler Vs Soft-Sided Cooler
A hard-body SUP cooler is very durable and usually has longer cooling times. But both of these features come at a cost of weight. Hard-body SUP coolers weigh a lot more than soft-body coolers, and sometimes even up to four times more!
A soft body cooler bag is lightweight but also squishable. This can be convenient when fitting in a tight squeeze area, but not so convenient if it gets crushed by a heavier object.
The advantages of a soft cooler are mobility and price which are definitely good features. Though, most of the time, soft coolers come at the cost of a shorter cooling duration time.
You also have a nice hybrid between hard-body and soft-body paddleboard coolers. You have the advantage of a hard body that provides more cooling insulation and a more durable structure. This is combined with the advantages of being lightweight and transportable.
Paddle Board Cooler Ice Retention
Obviously, you’re getting a cooler to keep your thingies cool during your entire trip. So always look out for the cool retention capabilities of the products you’re considering buying for yourself.
If you don’t need a large capacity cooler, look for one that offers ample insulation and has special features for your needs like dry storage and lots of pockets. A waterproof cooler is also a must for keeping your items dry in the event of unexpected splashes or falling in the water.
A tall paddle board cooler with a longer height than width is more likely to tip over. You will have more room on your paddle board since the construction is more high than wide, but you will also have to securely strap it to your paddle board.
A paddle board cooler with an elongated width, meaning the width is longer than the height, is much more secure on your paddle board. This type is much more accurately called a deck cooler bag.
Unlike the elongated height bag, it takes up more width space but it will virtually never tip over and has a smaller chance of sliding off the board. You may want to secure it just in case, but that probably isn’t necessary.
The Paddle Board’s SUP Cooler Attachment
A paddle board cooler should be easy to transport and have tie-down points like D-rings and hooks to secure it while you paddle. This will make it easy to strap to your board if it isn’t already constructed with non-slip feet. Many coolers also have adjustable straps for easy carrying.
Material
With the right cooler, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of your paddle board while keeping your lunch and drinks cold all day long.
The bag-shaped paddle board cooler is great for having a larger capacity that is still manageable to carry over your shoulder with an adjustable shoulder strap. These have a sturdy oval base and the shape gets smaller towards the top so it is less likely to tip over.
This soft cooler is typically made with three-layer insulation and zipped off with a plastic waterproof zipper so nothing can get in or out of the bag. They are also almost always floatable.
Paddle Board Cooler FAQs
I know that some of you might wonder what is so special about a paddle board cooler if you already have something to keep your drinks cold. Well, below are some FAQs I address to answer your burning questions.
SUP Cooler vs. a Regular Cooler, What’s the Difference?
A SUP cooler is typically much smaller than a regular cooler. SUP coolers are designed to be more lightweight and smaller than regular coolers, allowing easy transport. They are also designed to strap on or stay securely in place when on your board.
Some regular coolers just keep drinks cool for a couple of hours, which is why a SUP cooler should keep items cold for longer periods of time, making them more efficient for extended trips. Additionally, SUP coolers are waterproof or at least water resistant, making them ideal for wet adventures.
How can I Clean my Paddle Board Cooler?
Cleaning a paddle board cooler is pretty simple, yet a very important task to maintain its longevity and performance.
The first step for cleaning a paddleboard cooler is to rinse it with water. Preferably use a hose to rinse the inside and outside of the cooler. Once you’ve rinsed it thoroughly, use a mild soap and a soft sponge to scrub the ins and outs of the cooler.
Once you finish scrubbing, rinse the cooler again with water. Make sure to remove all the soap residue. Then you can let the cooler air dry or use a towel.
To help keep it clean, you can line the inside of the cooler with a fresh piece of wax paper or parchment paper. This will help prevent gunk from getting stuck at least at the bottom of your cooler.
How Do I Attach a SUP Cooler to a SUP?
Attaching a SUP cooler to your SUP is easy. First, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. This usually requires your board to have D-rings or bungee straps. If it doesn’t, you might be able to attach removable D-rings to your board.
You can use S-hooks or a bungee cord to secure the cooler to the D-ring. Then it kind of depends on your cooler and paddleboard gear how to securely attach it, and you might need to try different techniques as well as adjust as you go.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced paddleboarder, the right cooler can make your water experience more enjoyable, not to mention keep your food and drinks colder for longer.
Try to keep in mind what features are the most important to you in a sup cooler, and assess whether they are all offered within your budget. Consider if you need versatility or something that is more easily transportable. Size and weight are also important to note, especially when considering how much weight your paddle board can hold.
All in all, it should be an exciting purchase and one that motivates you to get out more on your paddle board!
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