YETI specializes in durable outdoor products from drinkware and coolers to cargo boxes and camp chairs. To see if their line of ice packs lived up to the brand’s high standard of quality and performance, we put a 2-pound ice block to the test. Keep reading for our assessment of the YETI ICE’s durability, freezing time, and ability to stay cold in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Size: A few to choose from
The YETI ICE comes in three different sizes: 1, 2, and 4 pounds. We ordered the 2-pound pack, which measures 8 x 5.375 x 1.6 inches, as it’s meant to fit at the bottom of a lunch box or small cooler. Since the block is about the size of a six-pack, you can use it to keep half a dozen beverages ice-cold while you’re on the go.
Design: Durable and quick to freeze
The YETI ICE packs have some unique design features that make them stand out from the competition. Constructed from thick, durable plastic, these ice packs are break-resistant and can withstand drops and impacts. Due to their custom shape, the YETI ICE also takes less time to freeze compared to other brands. Many ice packs have to be left in the freezer overnight and some have to stay in for 24 to 48 hours but our YETI ICE was almost completely frozen in less than six hours. We weren’t in any rush, though, so we left it in the freezer a bit longer—about nine hours total—just to be sure it reached its full effectiveness. YETI ICE packs are reusable and can be frozen over and over again. We’ve re-freezed and reused our block at least four or five times now and it hasn’t cracked, split or lost its shape.
Performance: Long-lasting and sweat-free cooling power
The first time we used the YETI ICE, we placed it at the bottom of a compact cooler and put a bottle of water, a peach, and a container of yogurt on top. Some users say they throw in loose ice to boost the effectiveness of the pack, but we wanted to see how well the YETI performed on its own. We left the food and water in the cooler from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. After about four and a half hours, the water bottle, fruit and yogurt were still quite cold. At that point, we ate all of the food but we did put a new water bottle in the cooler to see how much longer the ice pack would last. Two hours later, the YETI had begun to thaw about halfway, but our water remained freezing cold. In addition to its ability to stay cold for more than seven hours, we were very impressed by the fact that no water or condensation had accumulated in the bottom of the cooler. Unlike other ice packs we’ve used in the past, the YETI ICE doesn’t sweat at all. And unlike traditional ice, you won’t have a big pool of water at the bottom of your cooler when the pack thaws out. The next day, we wanted to see how well the YETI stood up to warmer temperatures. Placing it in the bottom of the same cooler with six cans of seltzer packed on top, we left it outside (starting at 11:30 a.m.) for a test run. The weather was fairly warm—about 73 degrees—and the cooler was in direct sunlight for the majority of the day. About an hour and a half into our test, we drank two of the seltzers and found they were nice and cold. We had one more seltzer in the middle of the afternoon (around 3 p.m.) and it was just as chilly. After nearly four hours, we checked in on the YETI ICE again and found it was still frozen solid. We brought the cooler inside around 6 p.m.—roughly six and a half hours after we’d placed it outside in the sun—and while the pack was almost completely thawed, our three remaining seltzers were still cold.
Price: Impressive performance that’s worth the investment
Depending on the size you choose, YETI ICE block retail between $15 and $30. The ice packs are pretty expensive compared to competitors, and they’re also sold separately, which can quickly up the cost depending on your needs. That said, based on their performance, we highly recommend these ice packs and think they’re well worth the money.
Competition: There are budget options to consider
Cooler Shock Dry Cooler Gel Pack: Retailing for roughly $20, the Cooler Shock Dry Cooler Gel Packs comes in a set of four. Each pouch measures 9.5 x 10 inches and needs to be manually filled with water. Once filled, you’ll have to use an iron to seal them shut and then give them a day to freeze. Fully frozen and placed in a cooler or lunch box, these packs will stay cold for at least 24 hours. FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet: If you’re looking for an ice pack that’s more versatile, the FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet retails for about $22. It can be cut into pieces to fit in almost any container. Even when frozen, the sheets are flexible enough to bend as you see fit. They come in a pack of three and each sheet measures 1 x 19.25 x 15.5 inches. As a standalone ice pack, the YETI ICE delivered a very impressive performance. It was able to keep our beverages cool for more than seven hours (without any additional ice), which more than justifies its fairly steep price in our opinion.
