The Brumate MagPack. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
As an avid beachgoer, a reliable cooler is an essential piece of my gear. I live in Oahu, where the sun is always shining, and the weather is warm, which is amazing 99% of the time. Except for when I’m looking forward to an ice-cold drink or sandwich post-surf or hike. That’s when a cooler like the Brumate MagPack ($250) comes in handy.
Before moving to the Aloha State, I would typically brown bag it and had no problems with my food getting toasty. But since moving to Oahu three years ago, I’ve learned that a good cooler is a game changer. I recently got my hands on the Brumate MagPack and packed it along for a few beach days to see how it fared in the hot Hawaiian sun. Read on to learn how it went.
| Pros | Cons |
| Magnetized, easy-to-seal lid design | Internal and external organization is lacking |
| Rugged and durable | Limited carry options |
| Multiple sizes and color options |
First Impressions of the Brumate MagPack
The Brumate MagPack is a compact cooler that sports a sleek design. After unboxing it, I couldn’t help but admire its looks. It looked more like a hard cooler than a soft cooler. After taking a closer look, I saw that the top and bottom are lined with a hard shell but the rest is, indeed, soft — but still harder than most soft coolers.
The MagPack felt well-made and durable, and I was curious to see how the insulation performed in the hot Hawaiian weather. I have a reputation for not being gentle on my gear, and I was eager to see if the MagPack could withstand my rough handling.
Even better, the Brumate MagPack has a unique lid design that doesn’t use a zipper. Because zippers can be sticky and failure-prone, especially when there’s sand around, Brumate’s approach here was exciting.
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The Brumate MagPack has a nice, wide opening and a cleverly designed lid that avoids the zipper pitfalls of most soft coolers. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Notable Features of the Brumate MagPack Soft Cooler
Weight: 6.3 lbs
Size: 13.5” W x 9” L x 14.9” H
Cold Time: 24+ hours
Can Capacity: 18 cans (with ice)
Insulation
The MagPack features proprietary internal insulation and claims to keep beverages cold for upwards of 24 hours. To test this out, I packed some drinks and snacks for a few beach days. Everything stayed cold and icy for the entirety of my day.
Later, I did another test. Before I went to bed, I loaded the cooler with six drinks and dumped the entire tray of ice from my fridge into it. The next night, I opened the cooler. Some of the ice had melted, but about half of it remained, and all of the drinks were nice and cold. The morning after that, all of the ice had melted, but my drinks were still chilly.
Pivot Lid Design
While there’s a lot to love about the Brumate MagPack, the lid design really clinches the deal. Most soft coolers utilize zippers for their closure system. Zippers are fine, but when you are trying to ensure cold air and water doesn’t escape your soft cooler, you have to make them pretty hefty. That means that the zippers on soft coolers can be sticky and tricky to open and close, which I don’t love. And sand is the mortal enemy of zippers. ‘Nuff said.
Instead of utilizing zippers, the MagPack sports a rigid lid design with a handle and powerful magnets. The combination makes for a durable, long-lasting, secure solution that is easy to use — a game changer.
Brumate MagPack Soft Cooler Size and Color Options
Who doesn’t like options? The MagPack comes in three different sizes: 12-can, 18-can, and 24-can. For this review, I tested the 18-can option and thought it was the perfect size for day trips. But it’s nice to have different sizes to choose from to meet different needs. All of the sizes are tall enough to hold wine bottles, though, which is pretty cool. Each option also comes in four different color choices. And they are all head-turners.
The handle makes it easy to open and close the lid. Photo: Rebecca Parsons
Durability
The Brumate MagPack is incredibly durable. In fact, it may be the most durable soft cooler I have ever tried, giving even the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 a run for its money. The external shell of the MagPack is 100% waterproof, puncture-resistant, and has a UPF coating to prevent fading from sun exposure.
As I mentioned before, I have a tendency to be rough on my gear, and the MagPack still looks perfect despite my handling. Additionally, the MagPack has a limited five-year warranty should anything go wrong. We will update this review if further testing reveals any flaws in the long term.
The MagPack has minimal pocket options. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Brumate MagPack Drawbacks
Although the interior of the MagPack is spacious, it doesn’t have extra pockets. There’s a small, zippered compartment on the top that is good for stashing keys and wallets, but that’s about it. There’s also a small flap on the back, but it’s not stretchy and can hold very little. I wish there were either water bottle holders or extra pockets on the sides as well to add a little bit more storage.
The Brumate MagPack includes a removable shoulder strap as well as two side handles, which are great. However, I wish the cooler had a handle on top. It’s useful to hold onto in addition to the shoulder strap, especially when loaded down with drinks and ice. That’s because out of all the soft coolers we tested for our Best Soft Cooler gear guide, the Brumate MagPack was on the heavier end.
The MagPack has a wide opening for easy access. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Brumate MagPack: Final Thoughts
The Brumate MagPack has a sleek design with a bulletproof construction that’s held up well to my uncareful handling. The unique lid utilizes a handle and magnet technology, making it entirely leakproof and easy to open. The lack of a zipper likely extends this soft cooler’s lifespan as well. And while it’s heavy and lacks external or internal organization, the MagPack still has a lot of functionality to offer. Available in multiple colors and sizes, there’s a MagPack for everyone.
Check Price on AmazonEditor’s Note: Don’t miss our review of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12. And for a general survey of surf-friendly coolers, check out our Best Beach Coolers roundup. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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