Like many of the most innovative brands, Yeti was born out of necessity. In 2006, two brothers teamed up to design a new type of cooler. They wanted a cooler that could withstand their adventures: no snapped handles, no bent lids, no melted ice in a cooler that just wasn’t up to the job. They were determined to invent a cooler that lived up to its marketing and could accompany them on fishing trips, hiking adventures, and all-day tailgates. They named the company Yeti.
Since their origins, Yeti has grown to become a high-end producer of coolers, drinkware, outdoor gear, and apparel. They have a reputation for gear that is technologically advanced and virtually indestructible. The internet is full of videos of people trying and failing to put a dent in Yeti cooler by dropping them off cliffs, bashing them against the ground, and handing them over to hungry grizzly bears.
Yeti’s advanced technology not only produces a durable cooler, but an efficient one. They are known to keep ice cold for days rather than hours and to retain chill to an unparalleled degree. Many outdoor enthusiasts never leave home without them.
In many circles, the high price tag of a Yeti cooler is not just a reflection of the cooler’s efficacy — it’s also a status symbol. This luxury image is one the company is determined to cultivate; they spent more than $51 million on marketing in 2017. Technology coupled with marketing has produced a superior, high-end cooler that’s a sign of serious dedication to your outdoor adventures.
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Which Yeti Coolers Are Made in the USA?
According to their Frequently Asked Questions page, all Yeti products are labeled with their country of origin, but not all of them are made in the USA. Some products — select Tundra coolers and their LoadOuts — are made in America, and customized products are produced either in Texas or Mexico.
In their early days, the first cooler was made in Thailand. Shortly after, the company pursued a manufacturer in the Philippines. It would appear that Yeti did the opposite of what most companies do: they started out exclusively manufacturing overseas, then moved some of their production to American manufacturers when demand grew. It now appears that their coolers are produced in a mix of countries, the USA included.
If you want a Yeti cooler made exclusively in the USA, you can call their support team and request one.
Are Yeti Coolers Bear Proof?
Hunters, campers, and fishing enthusiasts must be vigilant about protecting their gear from bears and wildlife. Particularly if you’re using your cooler as an ice chest for food or catch, it’s vital that it does not present an easy meal for a dangerous animal. Yeti coolers have a reputation for being so durable and secure that not even a bear can break in.
But is this true? By themselves, Yeti coolers are not bear-proof. However, they sell an additional bear-proof lock that, when used with their Tundra or Roadie lines, ensure that even a determined grizzly can’t get into your cooler. When the Tundra or Roadie coolers are used in conjunction with these locks, they meet the standards for bear-resistant containers as set by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. According to Yeti, they have been tested in both bear simulations and with wild grizzlies.
It’s important to remember that it’s not just the lock that makes the cooler bear proof. If a bear is interested in your cooler, the body of the cooler will take a beating as the bear tries to get inside. You could put a Yeti bear lock on a cheaper, less durable cooler, and you run the risk of the entire cooler falling apart from the impact. The intense durability of the hard Yeti coolers, when paired with a bear lock, will ensure that it survives a hungry grizzly.
Do Yeti Coolers Ever Go on Sale?
Because of the high price of Yeti coolers, buyers often wonder if they ever go on sale. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Yeti tightly controls who can and cannot sell their coolers. Yeti does not sell their products through Costco, Walmart, or other high volume discount stores. You must go through an authorized Yeti dealer or the company themselves in order to purchase one new, and these dealers rarely discount Yeti products.
It’s likely that this is a way of ensuring that the price of their products reflects their high-end reputation. For the consumer, it also means that purchasing your product through an authorized dealer ensures the quality of your cooler. Most coolers also come with a 3- or 5- year warranty.
It’s possible to get a Yeti cooler from an individual seller at a lower price; Craigslist and Ebay often have listings from individual sellers. There are also reports that Costco has, at times, managed to procure and sell Yeti coolers essentially at cost. This is the type of deal that you’d have to stumble upon in-store, because they wouldn’t advertise it online.
When purchasing through these routes, there is no way to guarantee the authenticity or condition of your Yeti, so buyers should exercise caution. Buyers should also be aware that if they purchase a Yeti cooler from a non-authorized seller, there is no recourse to Yeti’s customer service.
What Makes Yeti Coolers So Good?
Unlike most coolers, the shell of a Yeti is rotomolded. Rotomolding is a manufacturing process that eliminates seams, and it’s the same process used to manufacture many kayaks. In other coolers, seams are the weak spot both for drips and impact resistance. Rotomolding renders the coolers virtually indestructible. Yeti coolers can be dropped, tossed, and dragged, usually without making a dent.
Yeti latches, which, on cheaper coolers, are often the first things to snap, are designed using the same technology used for ATV latches. A rust-proof aluminum rod integrated into the hinge stops ensures that the hinge mechanism remains sturdy.
But these coolers aren’t just durable — they also promise superior temperature retention. To keep your ice cool for longer, up to three inches of commercial-grade polyurethane foam is pressure-injected into the walls of the cooler. In other words, whatever is cold in there will stay cold.
It’s a rare cooler that can be dropped, tossed, and mauled by a hungry animal and still deliver cold ice days later. If you’re ready to take the plunge and purchase a Yeti, check out our roundup of four of their best-selling coolers.
The Best-Selling Yeti Coolers
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler
The Yeti Tundra Haul is the first Yeti cooler with wheels. The wheels allow you to pull your cooler easily, and the wheels are particularly handy if you need to transport your cooler across fairly rough terrain. It’s preferable for outdoor events, or as a remote ice chest inside — situations where there may be a decent amount of paved ground.
The aluminum, durable handle easily tracks left or right. The tires are constructed in one piece, making them impact-resistant and impervious to puncture, so they never go flat. The cooler measure 28.2 x 18.6 x 19.5 and weigh 32 lbs when empty.
Reviewers rave about its durability, longevity, and effectiveness at keeping materials cold. Some claim their cooler kept their ice for as long as eight days. Many people mention that it is heavy even when empty. It also does not come with a dry bin, which must be purchased separately.
To learn more, click here.
Yeti Tank 85 Ice Bucket
This 20.6-gallon ice tub will keep your drinks, food, or keg cold. It’s an ice bucket rather than a cooler, so it’s designed to be kept open at the top. Like all Yeti products, it is rotomolded for durability, and the military-grade nylon handles offer durable portability.
Many buyers used this bucket to keep beverages cool for parties or to chill fish on fishing trips. Another main benefit of this ice bucket is that it can hold an entire keg and keep ice frozen sometimes for days. Some reviewers who purchased the additional lid complained that it was not airtight, and recommended purchasing a cooler for trips or long-term storage.
Like it? Click here to buy.
Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler
This cooler is a little lighter and smaller than the Tundra Wheeled Cooler. The interlock lid system seals it against heat, and it has two inches of PermaFrost insulation. At the recommended 2:1 ice to contents ratio, it holds up to 14 cans of beer for anyone using it for a BYOB trip. It has a leakproof drain plug for easy draining and a sturdy handle for easy transport.
With a five-star rating, this is an excellent choice for a basic high-quality cooler you can take practically anywhere.
To read the latest reviews on the Yeti Roadie, click here.
Yeti Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler
This hydration station can keep water cold for hours. It holds up to six gallons of liquid and features an ergonomic pour spout with a fast flow rate. Like all Yeti products, it’s rotomolded to be impact-resistant, and permafrost insulation keeps the contents cold. It measures 16 in x 15.5 in x 18 in and weighs 16.5 lbs when empty.
Reviewers praise the quick pour spout and the durability of the cooler. Reviewers used it for kids’ parties, camping trips, and even as a water container on an RV. Several reviewers found the spigot to be less durable than they expected, but they also praised Yeti’s customer service and quick replacement procedure.
You can check the latest pricing here.
To Sum It Up…
Yeti coolers appeal to a wide variety of customers because they provide incredible temperature retention for parties, events, and long summer days. It’s outdoor enthusiasts, however, who may truly find them to be a phenomenal investment. With a Yeti cooler, the days of snapped handles, buckled lids, and melting ice are gone.
From ice buckets to water coolers and everything in between, you’re certain to find a cooler that suits your needs, but consider carefully the features you want before making a Yeti investment. In the long run, Yeti products provide superior functionality and durability for dedicated outdoor enthusiasts.