We researched and tested dozens of ice packs, judging them on effectiveness, longevity, and value. Our top choice, Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs, do the job of 18 pounds of ice to provide long-lasting cold with minimal sweating. Here are the best ice packs for coolers. The ultimate summer entertaining requires cold drinks on constant standby–all throughout the day. If you are packing up a large cooler for a day in the woods or a night of car camping, our top pick is a set of the extra-large Cooler Shock Freeze Packs. These reusable packs are affordable and ridiculously effective at keeping cold items cold. These packs can replace about 18 pounds of sweaty, dirty ice and they are incredibly easy to use. They are shipped flat with a powder inside that transforms into a gel when mixed with water. Simply fill the bag via the screw cap with water, place it in your freezer for about 24 hours and the non-hazardous packs will be frozen and ready to go. The packs are 10 x 14 inches so they are perfectly sized for high-capacity coolers, but our tester was surprised at how much space the three packs took up in her home freezer while prepping for the next day’s outdoor activities. However, she found that the ice packs did get extremely cold (more so than any other pack she’d used before), and they kept her frozen fruit, seltzers, and beer cold for 22 hours while the cooler sat outside. If you’ve got a large cooler and are planning on a long day of summer activities, this set of ice packs is your best choice. Price at time of publish: $30 Weight: 7.05 ounces | Dimensions: 10 x 14 x 1.5 inches | Type: Ice pack | Reusable: Yes Price at time of publish: $10 Weight: 1 pound | Dimensions: 8.15 x 6.93 x 3.23 inches | Type: Gel pack | Reusable: Yes Price at time of publish: $10 Weight: 1 pound | Dimensions: 5.25 x 3 x 5.5 inches | Type: Ice pack | Reusable: Yes Price at time of publish: $20 Weight: 1.65 pounds | Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 1.7 inches | Type: Plastic ice | Reusable: Yes Price at time of publish: $22 Weight: 4.89 pounds | Dimensions: 11.89 x 7.91 x 3.58 inches | Type: Ice sheet | Reusable: No The medium-sized packs use a gel substance for long-lasting cold temperatures in a leak-proof, heavy duty plastic pouch that won’t get your cooler soaking wet by the end of the day. The packs are 6 x 6 x 1 inches. Price at time of publish: $19 Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: 12.4 x 8 x 4 inches | Type: Cold pack | Reusable: Yes Price at time of publish: $17 Weight: 1.5 pounds | Dimensions: 6.75 x 1.25 x 7.75 inches | Type: Ice pack | Reusable: Yes
Size
Size is also something you should consider. Do you want big ice packs to cool a large cooler of food or smaller versions you can use for lunch boxes and other containers? Also, think about how much freezer space you have and how much of it you’re willing to give up to hold your ice packs.
Flexibility
While an ice pack’s primary job is to keep the items in your cooler cool, the amount of flexibility may determine how you use the packs. Hard sided packs are good for keeping the temperature down, but may not fit if you have awkwardly shaped items in your cooler or need lots of direct contact with items like drinks. Soft sided packs won’t be as durable as those with hard plastic casing and could be punctured or burst as they melt.
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This article was written by Mattie Schuler, an adventure journalist who specializes in the outdoor industry. Her work has appeared in several publications, including Gear Patrol, Men’s Journal, and Men’s Fitness. To make this list, she considered each pick’s freeze time, size, and flexibility.
