Pros:
- The roll top design is air-tight and easy to use
- It straps in easily to bungee cords on a kayak (and floats if it goes overboard)
- The ice retention and insulation is exceptional—not quite the best, but held its own again the YETI
- Puncture resistant: I threw dozens of hooks and lures into the interior and didn’t have a problem
Cons:
- The rubberized exterior has its pros and cons: it helps the bag stay put on surfaces (great for kayaking or paddleboarding), but it can also catch more easily when scrambling over rocks
You know that feeling in mid-November when you start to get the itch to go camping and kayaking and do all the fun summer stuff?
I know it all too well.
And this summer, I was determined to get my fill of the warm weather.
That included going fishing and getting a kayak. Great investments right there.
But with all that outdoorsy-ness, I also wanted to get a great backpack cooler, so I picked up five of the most popular backpack coolers on the market: the YETI Hopper M20, the RTIC Backpack Cooler, the Igloo MaxCold Voyager, the Tourit Cockatoo, and…
The Icemule Pro XL 33L.
In this Icemule Pro cooler review, I’ve put all these backpack coolers through various tests, and I actually found that the Icemule is in my top two.
Keep reading to find out why.
SKIP AHEAD
Icemule Pro XL Cooler Overview
Icemule carries a large range of coolers, from the 9L Classic to their 40L XXL Pro cooler.
Because I’m testing several coolers, I wanted to get as close to an apples-to-apples comparison as possible, so I got the 33L XL Pro in Icemule Grey.
All backpack coolers are soft sided, but the Icemule Pro is even more flexible than most. It’s built more like a dry-bag than a traditional backpack cooler. That’s why the Icemule is my go-to watersports backpack cooler. I use it on my kayak and when I go fishing, and it’d be great for paddleboarding, too.
The Pro series is made with “MuleSkin” fabric, which has a rubberized texture with a ripstop woven fabric construction. It’s quite tough and it’s certainly puncture resistant: I threw maybe 20 hooks and lures into the inside of the bag on an impromptu fishing trip and the inside was completely puncture resistant.
The Icemule Pro XL is my top pick for backpack coolers. I love the way it looks, the insulation is fantastic, and the price is right. It can hold its own against YETI despite being less than half the price.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Icemule Cooler
There are cheaper cooler backpacks. But in my opinion, after testing lower end models (the Igloo MaxCold and Tourit Cockatoo), the Icemule, YETI, and RTIC are far more worthwhile and offer much better value-for-money, despite being more expensive.
Between the Icemule, RTIC, and YETI, it’s really up to what your primary use is going to be.
It comes down to this: the Icemule is my favorite choice if you plan on doing more water adventures in the future. The YETI Hopper backpack is the best choice if you’re doing more hiking, scrambling, and rock-climbing: land-based stuff. And the RTIC is a worthy contender if you’re sticking with low-impact activities like chilling by the pool.
It doesn’t make sense for me to have five backpack coolers, so I originally planned on giving four away and keeping my favorite. But I’m keeping two: the YETI and the Icemule. And the Icemule costs less than half of what the YETI Hopper M20 costs, so that might be your decision-maker right there.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been testing the Icemule Pro XL 33L against the YETI Hopper M20, the Igloo MaxCold Voyager, the RTIC 20-Can Backpack Cooler, and the Tourit Cockatoo—five of the most popular backpack coolers available today.
I tested each cooler by placing 3.5lbs of ice and measuring the internal temperature over the course of 40 hours.
Each test was done in a temperature controlled room in the dark to try and minimize any outside temperature inconsistencies.
I bought each of these coolers myself—none of them were provided by the brands.
I’ve also taken each of these backpack coolers on a trip and worn them around to get an idea of how they feel and what they’re actually like to use regularly.
My Icemule has been with me on my kayak and on a fishing trip, so I’ve gotten a good chance to really feel out how it performs in real-world situations.
The Icemule Pro XL is my top pick for backpack coolers. I love the way it looks, the insulation is fantastic, and the price is right. It can hold its own against YETI despite being less than half the price.
Icemule Pro XL 33L Cooler Review
Value
I think the Icemule Pro XL 33L is the best value-for-money adventure-ready cooler on the market.
It can keep a food-safe temperature for over 24 hours (more specifics later in the insulation breakdown), and it’s super easy to throw on your back and get going.
If I had to pick a favorite backpack cooler, costs aside, I’d pick the YETI Hopper M20 because it’s the most snug and secure on my back and the high density fabric is a bit stiffer and more durable. But it’s worth noting that the Icemule Pro XL 33L is less than half the cost of the YETI, which is pretty major.
On a cost basis, the Icemule is closer to the RTIC 20-Can Backpack Cooler (the RTIC is a little more expensive). But the RTIC isn’t nearly as nimble and easy to take on adventures as the Icemule, plus it’s a lot harder to open and close. And the RTIC doesn’t have the same insulating power as the Icemule.
So between the RTIC and the Icemule, the Icemule is a clear winner for me.
This insulated cooler backpack is perfect for a day hiking, camping, picnic, fishing, a day on the beach, or at the pool. A hands-free carry cooler bag that straps comfortably to your back, leaving both arms free for what your adventure calls for. It will keep your food and drinks cool wherever needed.
Capacity
One thing I learned when I tested a bunch of 20 quart hard sided coolers is that not all liquid quart measurements are created equal. Depending on the internal shape and dimensions of the cooler, some fit more practical goods in them, despite having the same liquid capacity.
So I measured what I call the “space efficiency ratio,” which is just the liter capacity divided by the number of cans the cooler can hold with ice.
Icemule’s space efficiency ratio rating is 0.72, which is below the average of the five coolers I tested. This is because there’s a lot of extra fabric at the top that you need to make the roll top closure work.
The Igloo MaxCold Voyager was the big winner in this category because it has two pockets. It can technically hold more cans, though I have to note that the insulation on the outer pocket is probably not nearly as good as its main compartment—and even that wasn’t great comparatively.
The Igloo MaxCold Voyager offers solid value for money, and if you need a cooler backpack for an upcoming trip, it's not a bad choice. I don't see this lasting more than 5 years though, and I personally would rather get something that I know will last a decade or longer.
Still, the Igloo’s ugly design is great for holding a lot of cans.
With the Icemule, you could pack a picnic for 6, including 12 cans, sandwiches, and some fruit to go along with as well as a few pounds of ice. The only other cooler that was on par with that was the YETI Hopper M20.
It’s an excellent size for an overnight camping excursion for two, or for a day hike for a bigger group.
Here are the actual capacities for all the coolers tested:
The Icemule has the most liquid capacity, but it’s not as efficient with the space as the YETI, RTIC, or Igloo. The Icemule is large enough that you should also take into consideration the weight—these things can get over 50 lbs when fully loaded with ice and drinks.
Because it’s a backpack, I don’t think that’s too much for a healthy dude to hike with all day, but it might be a little heavy for other folks.
Insulation
The Icemule Pro came in second (of five) in my insulation tests.
I ran my test for 40 hours, at which point all the other coolers had been sitting at room temperature. Only the YETI was still below room temperature at 40 hours, but not by enough that it was worth continuing the test.
The Icemule held its contents below 40 degrees (the food-safe temperature limit) for 27 hours. The RTIC held that temperature for 24 hours, and the YETI held that temp for 28 hours.
How long does the Icemule cooler hold ice for?
My Icemule Pro XL 33L held ice for 24 hours, and it held below 40 degrees for 27 hours.
The Igloo and Tourit held at or below 40 degrees for 19 hours.
The Tourit Cockatoo isn't great with insulation. It's better to think of it as a backpack with insulation rather than a cooler. If you need a lot of compartments and only need to keep a chill for six hours or so, the Tourit Cockatoo is great. But for all-day frostiness, you'll want something more robust.
And if it’s frosty beers you’re after, the Icemule kept cans at or below 50 degrees for 32 hours, compared to the YETI’s 33-hour performance.
So while the YETI Hopper M20 was the king of insulation in my tests, you can see that the Icemule wasn’t far behind at all, which really surprised me.
Durability
Durability is harder to test, but I can say with confidence that the Icemule Pro is durable enough for just about any adventure.
The Icemule Pro XL is my top pick for backpack coolers. I love the way it looks, the insulation is fantastic, and the price is right. It can hold its own against YETI despite being less than half the price.
I’d say the most durable of the backpack coolers is the YETI Hopper M20 because of its high density fabric shell, which is very abrasion resistant.
The Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler allows you to put the day on your back — literally. This hands-free soft cooler keeps you mobile, while an ultra-strong magnet strip keeps the cold locked in and the hot air out.
The Icemule Pro is made with a mix of a rubberized exterior and a ripstop fabric, so something major would have to happen to it to destroy the outside.
I’m really impressed with the interior of the Icemule. I went on a fishing trip and threw about 20 hooks and lures into the inside of the bag without a tackle box. I half-expected to see some hooks sticking into the inside, but when I opened it up, it was completely puncture-free.
The straps and buckles are well-attached on the Icemule and I don’t foresee running into any issues with the construction at all.
Portability
Backpack coolers are inherently portable. Especially when you compare them to their hard-sided cousins.
The Icemule Pro is easy to throw on your back and get into a comfortable adjustment with the straps so that the weight sits evenly.
Where the Icemule excels is in its ability to strap down to a kayak or paddle board. The only other cooler I would consider this with is the YETI, but it’s almost as if the Icemule was built for taking along on a kayak trip.
Both the YETI and Icemule are the most comfortable to carry for longer distances, so I put them at the top of my portability scale. As I’ve mentioned, I like the YETI better for hikes, where the Icemule is the water king.
Features
The Icemule Pro has a convenient bungee system in the front that makes it easy to store a water bottle or use as a backup security if it’s on a board or boat.
The Icemule Pro has an air-valve which is totally unique among the backpack coolers I’ve tested.
This allows you to easily get more air into the cooler if you want it to be more buoyant, or you can deflate it more if you want to maximize the insulating power.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
The Icemule Pro L 23L is the most popular backpack cooler in the Icemule Pro line, but I think the extra space in the XL 33L is the way to go (especially because it’s only about $10 more).
With over 200 reviews, the Icemule Pro XL 33L has a 4.9-star rating on the Icemule site.
In the reviews there are a lot of tubers, kayakers, and lake-goers, many of which are trying the Pro as their second or third Icemule product.
I’ve read great things about Icemule’s customer service, too. I didn’t have any issues, so I didn’t need to get in contact with them myself.
The Icemule Pro XL is my top pick for backpack coolers. I love the way it looks, the insulation is fantastic, and the price is right. It can hold its own against YETI despite being less than half the price.
Icemule Cooler Alternatives
YETI Hopper M20
The YETI Hopper M20 is my top pick of all the backpack coolers because it keeps the weight distributed evenly across your back and makes treacherous hiking conditions a little safer.
I tend to get into treacherous hiking conditions often so that’s pretty important to me.
I also like that the YETI has a high density shell that’s stiffer and more abrasion resistant than the rubberized RTIC and Icemule. I think that’ll contribute to the longevity of the cooler. But it does cost over twice the amount of the Icemule, so that’s a major consideration.
The Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler allows you to put the day on your back — literally. This hands-free soft cooler keeps you mobile, while an ultra-strong magnet strip keeps the cold locked in and the hot air out.
RTIC 20-Can Backpack Cooler
The RTIC 20-Can Backpack Cooler is an excellent cooler if you just plan on chill pool-side days. I like the square shape for that scenario.
But honestly, I most often use my coolers in more action-packed excursions like hikes or river trips, so having something adventure-ready like the Icemule or the YETI works better for me.
Still, if you want something for the pool-side that’s easy to throw in the back of your car and looks more like a traditional cooler for when the hoards of people descend on your beers and snacks, then the RTIC is worth looking into.
This insulated cooler backpack is perfect for a day hiking, camping, picnic, fishing, a day on the beach, or at the pool. A hands-free carry cooler bag that straps comfortably to your back, leaving both arms free for what your adventure calls for. It will keep your food and drinks cool wherever needed.
My Thoughts Overall On the Icemule Pro Cooler
What I Like
- The roll top closure is easy to open and close and it keeps water out.
- It packs really well into a kayak, whether you stuff it in a storage compartment or want to bungee it on to the top. Plus it’ll float if it goes overboard.
- The ice retention and insulation is excellent—it was the second-best performer in my tests.
- The inside seems to be very puncture resistant, even against fish hooks.
What I Don’t Like
- The rubberized exterior is more prone to being damaged from abrasion, though I think the only situation extreme enough for that to make a difference is if you were doing some intense boulder scrambling and really banging up your backpack.
Who is the Icemule Pro for?
The Icemule Pro is the best backpack cooler for water sport enthusiasts, like kayakers, paddle boarders, and lazy river tubers.
The Verdict
The Icemule Pro XL 33L surprised me.
I knew to expect great things from the YETI Hopper M20. And RTIC usually makes a cheaper cousin of YETI that does almost as well.
But the Icemule was the sleeper hit.
It’s my go-to backpack cooler for when I go kayaking and fishing now. I love the roll top design: it’s easy to get to the beers and snacks inside and then to seal it up securely again so that no water can get in.
It fits perfectly onto the front of a kayak, and even if it fell off for some reason, it would just keep on floating.
The insulation was nearly as powerful as the YETI Hopper, which I didn’t expect. And the ergonomic design and loads of padding on the back and shoulders makes this an easy cooler to travel with all day.
The Icemule Pro XL is my top pick for backpack coolers. I love the way it looks, the insulation is fantastic, and the price is right. It can hold its own against YETI despite being less than half the price.
FAQs
Do Icemule coolers work?
Yes, Icemule coolers work extremely well. They’re easy to travel with and the Pro XL 33L cooler I tested held ice for over 24 hours.
Do Icemule coolers leak?
Yes, due to the roll top design, water can leak out of the top of the bag, though when the roll top is securely done, water won’t leak into it.
How many beers does an Icemule cooler hold
The Icemule Pro XL 33L can hold 24 beers with several pounds of ice. You can still securely roll and fasten the top with that amount, too.
