The YETI Hopper Flip 12 soft cooler. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
When you’re in the market for a new cooler, YETI is likely a name that pops into your head. And for good reason. YETI coolers have a reputation for durability and long-lasting insulation. So how does the YETI Hopper Flip 12 soft cooler match up to that legacy?
While hard coolers undeniably keep your items colder for longer, they are expensive, heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport. Soft coolers come at a more reasonable price point and are much easier to store and pack for all of your adventures. And despite not being as heavy-duty as a hard cooler, the Hopper Flip Soft Cooler does an incredible job at keeping drinks and snacks cold for over 24 hours.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lots of straps/handles | Pricey |
| Rugged and durable | Zipper is tough to open |
| Keeps items cold for over 24 hours | Padding on shoulder strap isn’t super cushy |
First Impressions of the YETI Hopper Flip 12
Before this cooler even arrived, I liked a few things about it. First, it’s available in three different size options: 8 L, 12 L, and 18 L. Second, there are color choices. Although the color of your cooler doesn’t affect performance, it’s nice to have options and pick a style you like. On YETI’s website, this cooler comes in three colors (black, charcoal, and navy) and periodic limited edition colors. The charcoal model I chose looked effortlessly cool.
When it arrived, the Hopper Flip appeared well-made, durable, and user-friendly. With two side handles, a shoulder strap, and multiple daisy-chain attachment points, the sleek design seemed well thought-out and functional. At $250, it’s pricy for sure (hello, YETI), so I was eager to see if the cooler’s performance lived up to YETI’s reputation.
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The Hopper Flip 12 can hold up to 24 cans (without ice). Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Notable Features
Exterior Dimensions: 14.3” W x 10.7” D x 12.0” H
Interior Dimensions: 11.4” W x 8.5” D x 9.5” H
Weight: 3 lbs
Capacity: 24 cans (only) or 7 kg ice (only)
Cold Time: Days
I live in Oahu, Hawaii, where average summer daytime temperatures hover between the high 70s and low 80s. Before moving here, I would either throw my drinks and lunch into a cheap Costco cooler or into my backpack, but that is not the play in Hawaii. With cheap coolers or uninsulated storage options, drinks warmed, ice melted, and lunch meat — well, let’s not speak of it. So I knew I needed to up my game. The Hopper Flip caught my eye for its transportability and extended cold time.
But YETI doesn’t specify how long this cooler keeps its contents cold, just that it’s a long time. So I ran an experiment. I put six cans and some sandwiches in the cooler then dumped ice overtop and made sure the ice was interspersed in and around the cans. I also tossed in a reusable YETI icepack. The cooler sat in sunlight at the beach all day, and then in my garage overnight.
When I checked in after 24 hours, there was still ice in the cooler and my drinks were still chilly. The Hopper boasts closed-cell rubber foam that provides generous insulation, allowing for extended insulation time. In my two years of experience with this cooler, I’ve never had a problem with food or drinks warming up in a 24-hour period — even when using the Yeti icepacks instead of real ice.
The Hopper has lots of attachment points and handles. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
As mentioned in my first impressions of the cooler, I love the handy straps and attachment points. The Hopper Flip comes with a detachable, padded shoulder strap, but also includes two side handles and a center handle on top. You may think that one handle is enough, but ice is heavy. I usually wear the shoulder strap while simultaneously holding the center handle to take some of the weight off. The side handles are nice to grab when loading the cooler into a car or wagon.
Although I don’t use the daisy-chain attachment points often, they are nice for hooking on a water bottle or any extra gear. I found that the combination of handles and straps was perfect and well-considered without being excessive. YETI also offers a variety of accessories that attach to the daisy-chains such as the Sidekick Dry 3L Gear Case.
The flip-top lid offers a wide opening, making loading and unloading the cooler easy. Additionally, the large opening makes the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 a snap to clean, which can’t be said for some soft coolers. Most of the time, I simply hose out my cooler and let it dry before putting it away. But when it needs a good clean I’ll rub it down with some dish soap — easy!
The zippers can be a little tricky at times. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Drawbacks of the YETI Hopper Flip 12
Although the Hopper Flip is a functional and burly soft cooler, it isn’t perfect. For starters, it’s pricey ($250 for the 12L size). But it is well made, durable, and keeps cold things cold in challenging environments, so we feel that it’s worth the steep price.
The other issue I found with the Hopper was the zippers. They were a bit challenging to open. Nothing crazy, but you definitely have to give them a good pull to open and close them. As I mentioned, I’ve had this cooler for about two years now, and the zippers have gotten a little bit more challenging to open with time.
YETI includes a zipper lubricant (it looks like a tube of ChapStick) with a purchase of the Hopper, and that’s been helpful in keeping the zippers working well. I fear there will come a day when I won’t be able to open them and will have to trash the cooler, but so far, so good. If an issue does arise, the cooler is backed by a three-year warranty.
The Hopper is perfect for a beach day, a park picnic, or a camping trip. But the zippers can be a bit sticky. Photo: Rebecca Parsons/The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Since acquiring the YETI Hopper Flip 12, it has quickly become my go-to cooler. It’s well-made and durable, which is huge for me as I am not always gentle on my gear. And while the zippers can be sticky, regular cleaning and lubrication should keep them operational.
The Hopper Flip keeps food and drinks cold for over 24 hours, and the wide opening makes it easy to load, unload, and clean. It comes complete with multiple handles, straps, and attachment points, making transportation a breeze. And the size options mean the Hopper Flip is perfect for beach days, park picnics, overnight camping trips, and everything in between. All told, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is a perfectly-sized workhorse of a soft cooler capable of keeping up with you no matter what your adventure.
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Check Price on AmazonEditor’s Note: Coolers are an essential component of the beach experience. The Inertia has you covered. Start with a roundup of soft coolers, then peep our Best Backpack Coolers of 2024 story. Need more space or some beach-specific features? Give the Best Beach Coolers of 2024 a read. And for more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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