RTIC vs Yeti

Hunter · January 18, 2019, 07:06:20 PM

I have both and can say unequivocally that for bang for the buck that the RTIC performs every bit as good as the higher branded YETI. Check out the Google comparison reviews.. Sheri and I did a 7 day houseboat trip to Shushwap Lake in BC this past fall and used the 110. We kept it on the bow of the houseboat and used it only for storing ice..... and the ice stayed intact for the entire seven days. Anyway, we now have an assortment of RTIC coolers and believe they are every bit as good as the overpriced YETI's.

https://www.rticcoolers.com/shop/coolers/roto-molded/RTIC-145-Blue

Chief of the Boat · January 18, 2019, 07:12:03 PM

I just bought one of these online for $69.00 they are $59.00 at the store. https://www.costco.com/Coho-24-Can-Cooler.product.100469090.html

Dbobby23 · January 18, 2019, 07:49:23 PM

I to own a assortment of rtic coolers. I believe the old design rtic coolers are the exact same as a yeti. Yeti sued rtic so they tweaked the design a bit. The old design and new design both kick butt for a price point way cheaper than a yeti.

Fisherdv · January 18, 2019, 09:06:00 PM

The thing that bothers me about the Yeti's is the weight, even empty. Fill it with ice and you better put on a back belt. My wife hates when I bring it because of that. Those RTIC coolers look exactly like a Yeti, but looks like they have some weight to them as well

Other than that I like the Yeti. I have a smaller sized one that I put a cushion top on and I use it as a 3rd seat if needed

Ko Ho · January 19, 2019, 09:06:08 AM

Quote from: Fisherdv on January 18, 2019, 09:06:00 PM
The thing that bothers me about the Yeti's is the weight, even empty. Fill it with ice and you better put on a back belt. My wife hates when I bring it because of that. Those RTIC coolers look exactly like a Yeti, but looks like they have some weight to them as well Other than that I like the Yeti. I have a smaller sized one that I put a cushion top on and I use it as a 3rd seat if needed

Those chests are beauties. I especially like the colors. But I have to lift my big Igloo (which doubles as a seat) out of the boat after every trip and it's a chore, especially if it's full of fish :smile1: I think a Yeti/RTIC would break my back.

Hunter · January 19, 2019, 05:34:22 PM

Yeah...... the large RTIC's or YETI's are definitely not made for hauling around for sure.. They are made for holding ice for 8 to 10 days... great for elk camp, fish camp or extended overnights on the boat. My only point is that for 1/2 the price of the heavily branded YETI you can get pretty much the same performance from the RTIC...

First Cabin · January 19, 2019, 06:38:37 PM

https://www.kongcoolers.com

These are made just a few miles from me. Thinking I will buy one for the boat someday. I've decided that I leave the cooler in the boat 90% of the time so the weight isn't as critical as I thought. Upside is that the heavy coolers are super stable as a seat.

Anyone have experience with Kong? They look pretty good. And good to support local, right?

Hunter · January 27, 2019, 06:58:54 PM

We use the RTIC for ice...

StreamFixer · January 28, 2019, 08:29:52 AM

I have a tough time justifying much more than $100 for a cooler. Igloo (made in Katie TX) have managed to fill my needs so far... maybe after I win the lottery (but I heard a rumor you have to buy a ticket to do that :nono: )

StreamFixer

croaker stroker · January 28, 2019, 11:59:40 AM

They are too heavy for me.

I use my Reliable kill bag as a cooler. A smaller alternative is my AO Cooler.

Holoholo808 · January 29, 2019, 12:28:36 AM

Regardless of what cooler you use on board I'd suggest some way of strapping it down or blocking it so it can't slide across the deck in heavy seas. Don't trust the "non-slip" feet on the rotomolded coolers to keep them
in place (ask me how I know). My Aussie Box/Icey Tek 270 quart holds 200 lbs of ice and if it were to start sliding it would be very difficult to stop or dodge. Thankfully I leaned my lesson with a smaller cooler in relatively calm water...

ohmytodd · January 29, 2019, 07:55:08 AM

I'm with StreamFixer, I still like my big Igloo. It keeps ice for as long as I ever tend to need it, and for the price I wasn't afraid to drill holes in the top to mount a proper seat.

Now, if one happened to show up in my garage I wouldn't kick it out. From what I've seen, most of the roto molded coolers are cut from similar cloth. Seems to be a market that's correcting itself to a degree as new players emerge.

Markshoreline · January 29, 2019, 06:12:20 PM

I received a Yeti 65 as a gift a couple of years ago. It's small enough to fit in the cuddy so it's not in the fishing space. Filled with ice it will last a week or more. I drain it right onto the floor and never attempt to lift it when full.
I used to use a 100 qt Marine Igloo at the transom but it is nice not having to walk around a cooler when fishing. However, when fishing in Canada we bring both, plus another in the cabin.

SeaRun1 · January 31, 2019, 08:53:20 PM

I have a 65 quart RTIC and a soft 25 cooler. Both are excellent. We have a plethora of their cups, koozies and bottles.

Many times throughout the year you can get large discounts on their items as well. Good stuff.

Would love to get a big 110 someday for hunting camp.

SR1

Ssericz · February 01, 2019, 01:13:37 AM

I have a kysec and it doesn't budge with the giant non skid feet on the bottom. It holds ice longer than any yeti or rtic

I've kept ice close to 2 weeks (12 days full cooler of ice to basket ball size block when I dumped it)

It's seen it's fair share of abuse on the boat and it's holding up great

I love the cooler and wish there was a larger version but this one works. It seriously has never moved even when it was soo rough that you couldn't stand and taking 4-5ft waves over the top of the house, it was like 8-10ft Washing machine weather coming out of every direction

GoodDays · February 01, 2019, 02:05:33 PM

Mark Shoreline ...... You dont need to bring an Igloo to Canada.. We have lots Ha Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha

I use a small commercial Fish tote.. its a real bitch to lift when its full of fish.. but what the heck :-)

GoodDays Greg

Markshoreline · February 03, 2019, 04:42:44 PM

When I go to Canada it is the peak of summer and never seen an igloo up there! August 12-16.

Red 22 · February 03, 2019, 07:04:03 PM

I have a yeti I use for whitewater rafting, for it's toughness and the fact that I often have ice after 2 days of travel with 8 days on a River. Often in heat over 100 degrees. It's been worth every penny.

Hunter · February 04, 2019, 07:58:09 AM

Yeah..... These may not be for everyone due to the weight. Not really made to carry around but more for extended times with no ice. Also a real nice option in power outage if someone want to be prepped to keep their frozen items protected for a week..

I guess my entire point on this was price and the fact that the RTIC (IMHO) is every bit as good if not better than the Yeti brand...

My RTIC 145 QT was $264 with Free Shipping to my door......

YETI doesn't make a 145qt but their 125qt is $550 and their 160qt is $675!

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RTIC vs Yeti