As part of a video project I was working on recently, I got the chance to get my hands on a new cooler in the YETI line: the Tundra 65.
I’d been hearing about YETI coolers for years and was always curious as to what the big deal was with them. After all, isn’t a cooler just a plastic box you keep your beer in? What was so different about a YETI compared to the cheap version I could buy at the local drug store or gas station? Obviously, I had my reservations about the YETI line. Not because I hadn’t heard good things, but because I couldn’t imagine them being any different than the thousands of coolers already on the market.
Here’s what I found. The Tundra 65 is crazy durable. YETI boasts that the cooler is certified bear resistant—a claim that I wouldn’t question after inspecting its construction. It offers a storage area capable of holding 39 cans of beer and the ice necessary to keep it cool (or 57.6 liters of storage space).
At first glance, the Tundra looks a lot like other coolers. However, it does have a very nice latching system with two rubber, tensioning clips to secure the lid, as well as some incredibly durable handles for hauling. Additionally, it can take padlocks should you need to ship your cooler or if you’re really protective of your food in camp.
While testing the Tundra, I found it held ice for an incredible amount of time. Checking on it the morning after an outing, it appeared that almost all of the ice was still intact and very little had melted. So, I gave it another day, and 36 hours after initially filling it, there was still ice to be found. (I stopped checking after that, so I can’t tell you how much longer it could have lasted). Additionally, the Tundra is borderline over-engineered. I have coolers from other trips that are cracked and dented. I can’t imagine doing much more than putting in a few scratches to the Tundra. Its plastic is incredibly thick and doesn’t feel nearly as “hollow” as most other competing brands.
There are some downsides to the Tundra, though. In order to provide such an amazing amount of insulation, you do sacrifice interior storage. But that’s just a balance you’ll have to determine: how much you want to carry versus how cold you need things to stay. Additionally, the Tundra is heavy! It’s not a cooler you want to have to carry for a long way, unless you’re looking for a new fitness routine—in which case, this might be perfect. But if you’re car camping or on a boat, the weight is not really much of a problem.
All in all, I was very impressed with the YETI Tundra 65. Its durability and refrigeration are second to none. On top of that, YETI has spent a lot of time making all its coolers well designed and pretty cool looking.
Check out the gear review on the YETI Hopper 30 or shop YETI products at REI.com.