In some places, having a cooler has become more of a necessity than a luxury these days, especially if you are the outdoorsy types. Be it at a campsite, family picnic or a fishing boat, this ubiquitous cooler has many takers. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a chilled drink or fresh food after a few hours full of activity? It is common to see families investing in expensive and large coolers, but what if it’s only about one person, or a short trip that wouldn’t require a bulky cooler or ice chest to be lugged along? If that’s the case, go for a small cooler. Besides being cost effective, it is also compact, which would save you a lot of energy and effort to carry it along. It is not uncommon to see many people opting for smaller coolers in view of these benefits. So let’s take a look at what makes these small coolers effective and great to use.
Cooler Size
The cooling capacity of ice chests vary by size. It is said that bigger sizes have more of that capacity. However, if you are to compare a fully stocked small cooler with a bigger size whose contents make up for only half of its capacity, the smaller one will fare much better. As a rule, coolers need to be fully stocked to provide the best insulation. So if you are not going to utilize the full capacity of a bigger or mid-sized cooler, it is always more effective to carry a fully stocked smaller one. That way, you will be able to enjoy fresh food and drinks for a longer period of time. Nowadays, manufacturers have started making small coolers in different shapes to ensure maximum cooling. Take for example the now common square shaped coolers that have been specially designed to provide optimal cooling.
Practicality
As noted earlier, it is not easy to pull along a heavy cooler during your short outdoor trip. So a day long hiking trip that would only require you to pack some lunch and few drinks would become easier with a small cooler. You can also opt for a cooler with a collapsible fabric that can be easily folded and tucked in your backpack once you are done using it. By the way, you can also opt for backpack coolers that are a hit with hikers and other adventure sport enthusiasts, who are always looking to discard any unnecessary baggage, while planning their trip.
Multiple Varieties
Small coolers come in multiple varieties and are easier on the pocket. So if you want to experiment with colors or shapes, you wouldn’t mind spending on these and add to your collection. This especially holds true if you are someone who goes on regular hiking trips and would prefer to have more than one handy. So be it plastic coolers, Styrofoam coolers or metal coolers, you have a lot of options. Just make sure that you choose something that answers your needs. Also remember to check the reputation and durability of the small cooler you plan to buy. This can easily be done by reading reviews or by visiting a local store.
A part of the “must have” items list for those planning any outdoor activities, coolers or ice chests were first developed and used in the United States of America. However, this useful item has now made it to the homes of people across the world. So if you have still not bought that small cooler you have eyeing for some time, do it today. It is totally worth the investment!
Source: http://www.thecoolerreviews.com