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There are coolers, usually a variety of coolers, in almost every garage. People buy them quickly at Wal Mart with very little forethought, when they’re on their way out with food or drinks. Some cars even come with built-in cooler compartments. If you’re like me, though, you never seem to have the right kind of cooler handy. I have one that’s a perfect size, but it doesn’t keep drinks cool for very long. Another one keeps things cold for a long time, but it’s huge, partially because its insulation is so think. I actually have two different coolers that are just right for a few drinks and a lunch, but they leak water if they tip over.

Companies have designed some really great coolers because people who hike and boat have asked for them. The good news is that you can get them too. Why not take what they’ve learned and put it to use for your own day to day needs? Here are some things you should look for to get a cooler that will work for you in every situation.

First, a cooler should keep your drinks and anything else cold for a long time. This is all about the insulation. In its simplest terms, thicker insulation keeps things cold longer. This is still true to some degree, but fortunately there have been many advancements in insulation. There are now many types of insulation that can be incorporated into a product like a cooler. One of the greatest advancements is better use of space. You can get a lot of insulation effectiveness with less mass than ever before. Some types of insulation are flexible, so some modern coolers can be rolled up or folded. You’re looking for a cooler that is lightweight and takes up as little space as possible, yet still has enough insulation to keep your things cold for a long time.

Next, think about how your items are going to be cooled. There are basically two options: dry cooling and ice. You can get a cooler that uses some kind of power – typically electric or battery – to cool the air inside without using ice. This is a good option for a stationary location with a consistent power supply, like a dorm room. Ice remains the most practical choice for a cooler that can be taken anywhere. There’s no cold like ice-cold, especially for sodas and water. Ice is readily available and inexpensive almost anywhere you go. Snow or even cold water from a river can be used in a pinch. It can be easily disposed of anywhere when it has melted. There is one negative to using ice. If you have food packed in cardboard or a similar material, it can get soggy as the ice melts. Put your food in Ziploc bags to prevent this problem.

One other potential drawback of ice is that your cooler can leak if it tips over. This isn’t an ice problem. It’s a cooler problem. If your cooler leaks when turned upside down, keep looking for a new cooler. A cooler should seal everywhere to prevent water leakage and to prevent warm air from getting in and warming up your food and drinks.

In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of soft-sided coolers. These have the advantage of being able to take up less space when they’re less full. Even better, when they’re not in use, you can roll them up so they take very little storage space.

Last on the list is durability. Choose a well made cooler that can stand up to sitting in the hot car, being dragged in and out of tents and spending many hours on the bottom of a boat.

Ice Mule is a cooler bag that meets all of these criteria. Designed like a dry bag for boating, the Ice Mule keeps ice and water in and warm air out. Read more about the insulated backpack cooler.