Review: Icemule Pro Cooler

High-end coolers may be all the rage, but they come at a cost—in both price and portability. The IceMule Pro soft cooler, on the other hand, is lightweight, roomy (the 20-liter model accommodates 18 cans plus ice), and eminently mobile—just slip your arms through the backpack straps and off you go. Ideal for day-hikes (imagine your friends’ faces when you whip out ice-cold beer after a long, hot hike), the IceMule is also a great for canoe-portages, paddleboard floats, and dirtbike trips in the mountains. The roll-top closure combines a watertight seal with quick access, and the 1,000-denier fabric means this thing can handle the invariable beatings it will suffer on the river, on the trail, and around camp. Elastic webbing on the outside gives you a spot to stash a raincoat, first-aid kit, or other small essentials. Available at Bob Ward's. $100-$140, depending on size; icemulecooler.com.