We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Not every outing is a massive blowout. Sometimes, it’s just a brief trip for two, or maybe even just one. There’s simply no need to bring along a big, cumbersome cooler for those situations. Especially with plenty of opportunities to restock on drinks and snacks at the many gas stations you’ll pass along the way. To me, that’s exactly what RTIC’s new Road Trip personal cooler is good for.
RTIC just launched the personal Road Trip cooler this week. It’s smaller-than-average size gives it a distinct advantage for many situations. If not for a short road trip like I mentioned, it’s great for sporting events, trips to the park, or any other activity where only a few items need to be kept cool.
I had the chance to test this thing out prior to the release. And, while it doesn’t fit in with the usual pieces of equipment I’d call must-haves for a daily loadout, it definitely is something I’d say the mobile-types ought to consider bringing into the fold. The folks behind it are marketing it as “your grab’n go cooler” and I’d say that’s right on the money.
The Rundown on RTIC’s Road Trip Personal Cooler
While the Road Trip personal cooler has a couple nice features that help it stand out from the pack, its small size is the most definitive among them. So we’ll start with those specs. This is an 8-quart, or 12-can cooler. Its physical dimensions measure roughly 11 inches tall by 12 inches wide by 8 inches deep. This is quite a bit smaller than even my soft RTIC cooler. That model measures 14 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 10 inches deep.
Not only is it small, it’s an ultra-lightweight piece that retains decent strength thanks to the injection molding construction. That’s great for longevity of the cooler, and also means that you won’t squish your lunch if you have to wedge this thing into tight spaces. That sleek exterior finish is also great for folks who like to personalize their belongings. Speaking of which, RTIC can even help you with that through its MyRTIC customization program. This allows you to add names, logos, and more, which is a first for any cooler in RTIC’s line.
The Road Trip personal cooler does also have a fully-insulated lid and body. RTIC claims it can keep contents cool for up to 40 hours. It also has an internal cargo net into the lid to help separate some items. That lid is also locks in place when the handle extends above the cooler. Speaking of the handle, it’s simple but does have a nice comfortable grip.
As of writing this, the Road Trip personal cooler is available in six color schemes, with mine having the Patriot pattern. Starting retail is $49.99. Adding two ice packs brings the price up an additional $11.04 (currently on sale), while customization through RTICs custom shop starts at $19.99.
Using RTIC’s Road Trip Personal Cooler
Seeing as it’s the middle of summer, the RTIC Road Trip Personal cooler was immediately thrown into rotation. My testing of it started with a day trip to a fishing spot a few hours from my home. It has been used a few more times for other short stints since, which is exactly what it’s meant for.
What I like most about this cooler is the small size. As someone who drinks mostly room-temperature water, I find the capacity is just right for snacks during the sort of relatively quick trips like I frequently take. Even with an ice pack tossed in, there’s plenty of room to work with. Like the marketing says, it is something you just grab and go. It’s small and lightweight. It doesn’t take up much room in any setting, and it’s easy to lug around.
The advantage of that size that really stands out to me is that it’s not a pain in the neck to work around inside a car. If you want to grab something while you’re motoring along, you just pop the lid open, and you’re in. Even if it’s on the back seat, you’re don’t have to angle it just right to get your hand in there. To me, that really helps it live up to the title of a Road Trip personal cooler.
It’s also nice that it’s not super awkward to tote around when you’re away from the vehicle, like many coolers are. It’s small and light, even when fully stocked. It doesn’t take two hands to carry, nor will it be so heavy that it throws you off balance or rub against your leg when you carry it off to your side—unless you fill it with rocks or something. I’m still partial to a shoulder strap like the one on my soft cooler because the activities I’m into typically load both hands up with other gear, but I definitely get the appeal here.
The small size is as much of a setback as it is a virtue. You’re not going to want to use this thing for long hauls. It just doesn’t have the capacity for it, especially if you’re storing food and drinks for multiple people. That said, it’s not really a gripe considering RTIC clearly isn’t marketing this thing for those situations.
The Road Trip personal cooler really does check all of the boxes for the scenarios it’s designed for. While I didn’t scientifically test it, I think this will absolutely keep items cool for up to 40 hours. I don’t see you needing it for that long, but it’s still nice to know it can do it. It’s also built really well and has a really nice look and feel to it, which is something I’m really appreciative of with so much cheaply-made junk being out there.
The Verdict: Does Exactly What It’s Supposed To
Ultimately, I think this is a good buy for $50 for those on the hunt for a solid, small cooler. I’m a big fan of RTIC coolers, and this is an excellent example of why. The brand’s focus is putting quality gear in your hands that truly rivals top-shelf stuff but isn’t charging you absurd prices for it. Almost all of the tools and gear I favor are in that same vein. The Road Trip personal cooler is no exception. It’s built well, functions perfectly, has a great presentation, and is reasonably priced. There are definitely more affordable options, but this is still a pretty solid combination for the price.
If I were a laborer again, I’d probably use this as a lunch pail. A lot of times, you eat in your car during those jobs, and the size of the Road Trip personal cooler is perfect for that. In fact, I’ll be using this as such for any and all duties I have at this job that take me out of the home base from now on.
| | RTIC Road Trip Personal Cooler |
|---|---|
| Value | 6/10 |
| Quality | 9/10 |
| Capacity | 7/10 |
| Ease of Transportation | 10/10 |
| Overall | 8/10 |