When it comes to keeping food and drinks cold for picnics, camping trips, and outdoor activities, a high-quality cooler is essential. Two of the top cooler brands on the market are RTIC and Arctic Zone.
But which one is better? Here is an in-depth comparison of RTIC and Arctic Zone coolers, including an overview of their features, performance, durability, and more.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | RTIC | Arctic Zone |
| Insulation | Up to 3” of closed cell foam | Polyurethane foam |
| Ice Retention | Keeps ice up to 10 days | Keeps ice up to 3 days |
| Available Sizes | 20, 45, 65, 110, 145 quarts | Wide variety from 6-150 quarts |
| Warranty | 1-5 years depending on product | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Certifications | Bear Resistant | Bear Resistant Options Available |
| Price | $$ | $ |
| Made In | USA and imported | Imported |
| RoTo-Molded | Yes | No |
| Latching System | Rubber Latches | Zipper Top Closure |
| Accessories | Bottle openers, cutting boards, basket organizers | Removable Hard Liner |
Overview of RTIC Coolers
RTIC coolers are known for their impressive ice retention thanks to their thick, pressure-injected commercial grade polyurethane foam insulation. Their coolers come in a variety of convenient sizes from 20 to 145 quarts, giving you plenty of options for all your outdoor needs.
Some key features and benefits of RTIC coolers include:
- Thick 3 inch insulation keeps ice frozen for up to 10 days
- Durable roto-molded construction
- Easy open latching system with integrated freezer-grade gasket
- Molded-in handles and rope handles for easy transport
- Antimicrobial liner that inhibits bacteria growth
- Lightweight design compared to similar coolers
- Made in the USA using imported materials
- Bear resistant certifications on some models
- Accessory mounts for bottle openers and cutting boards
- Non-slip feet keep the cooler in place
- 5 year warranty on most models
RTIC coolers are affordably priced compared to competing high-end cooler brands, making them a great value. They offer performance on par with the leading brands at a fraction of the cost.
Overview of Arctic Zone Coolers
Arctic Zone has been making soft sided coolers and lunch boxes since 1993. Their focus is on lightweight, portable cooler designs with plenty of extra features.
Some key features and benefits of Arctic Zone coolers include:
- Polyurethane foam insulation keeps ice up to 3 days
- Leak proof, easy-to-clean inner liner
- Removable hard liner on some models provides extra insulation
- Variety of sizes from 6 quarts up to 150 quarts
- Shoulder straps on most models for easy carrying
- Exterior pockets for additional storage
- Zippered, wide mouth openings for easy access
- Some models have antimicrobial Microban protection
- Made from durable fabrics that are stain and water resistant
- Lifetime limited warranty
- Budget-friendly prices, often under $50
- Bear resistant certified options available
- Accessories like bottle holders and shelf organizers
- Made from imported materials
Arctic Zone soft coolers excel at portability and convenience. They have the right mix of insulation, storage, and comfort when you need a cooler for short trips where ice retention of 3+ days is sufficient.
Also Read: Comparison Between Hooked Coolers And YETI
Key Differences Between RTIC and Arctic Zone
So far, we’ve touched upon the basics. Let’s now delve into a comparison of these elements across their essential attributes:
· Ice Retention
One of the biggest differences between RTIC and Arctic Zone is ice retention. RTIC coolers can keep ice frozen for 5-10 days, depending on ambient temperatures and how much you open the lid. Their 3 inch thick insulation does an impressive job preventing heat transfer.
Arctic Zone coolers have about half the insulation thickness of RTIC models. Most Arctic Zone coolers will keep ice for 1-3 days. This performance is decent for shorter trips where you don’t need ice retention beyond a couple of days. But for multi-day camping trips or extended time away from refrigeration, RTIC’s superior insulation has a clear advantage.
If you’ll be off the grid for nearly a week or more, the ice retention of an RTIC cooler means you don’t have to replenish ice as often. This can make it more convenient when you are far from a store that sells ice.
For weekend trips or picnics, Arctic Zone’s 1-3 days of cooling is usually sufficient. But RTIC is the winner when it comes to true long-term ice retention.
· Durability
RTIC coolers are known for their toughness and durability thanks to their roto-molded construction. The polyethylene shell is virtually indestructible and resistant to cracks, dents, and other damage. The lid has a rubber gasket that creates an airtight seal for locked in cold air.
Arctic Zone relies on heavy-duty ballistic nylon or vinyl fabric for the outer shell. These materials are reasonably durable but not as crush and puncture proof as RTIC’s hard plastic build.
Arctic Zone’s flexible materials won’t crack if dropped, but extended abuse can cause fabric tears over time.
For frequent outdoor use and adventures in the backcountry, RTIC’s molded shells are much more durable for the long haul. They can withstand rougher treatment in rugged environments.
For family picnics and weekends at the beach, Arctic Zone’s flexible exteriors may withstand typical use for many years.
So if your cooler takes a lot of wear and tear, RTIC is the clear winner for durability. But Arctic Zone works fine if your needs are more casual.
· Bear Resistance
For campers and hikers in bear country, having a certified bear resistant cooler provides important peace of mind. Both RTIC and Arctic Zone offer coolers designed to deter bears.
RTIC has several rotomolded hard coolers that meet IGBC bear resistant certifications. Locking latches, reinforced lids, and robust construction thwart bears from accessing the contents.
For soft coolers, some Arctic Zone models have received the IGBC’s bear resistant designation by utilizing special material layers and lockable zippers.
There are more bear resistant size and style options from Arctic Zone. But RTIC’s hard coolers are typically more robust against bear attacks.
Both brands can provide certified protection from bears while camping or cooking in high risk areas. Check their respective product lines for the models with official certification.
· Ease of Use
When it comes to convenient access to your chilled drinks and snacks, there are some clear distinctions between these brands.
RTIC coolers open with rubber latches on the front corners. You pop these open from the sides and lift the lid. It’s a smooth, easy process once you get the hang of it. The lid has an incorporated gasket that seals in the cold after closing.
Many Arctic Zone models feature zippered tops. This allows access to contents from any direction, rather than just the top.
The zippered opening also allows you to open the cooler partially to grab an item, while keeping the majority closed to contain the cold air. This can be more convenient than opening the entire lid all the time.
For portable soft coolers, Arctic Zone’s zipper system is very convenient. But RTIC’s latch system creates a tighter seal for improved insulation compared to Arctic Zone’s zippers. There are some trade-offs between convenience and performance when it comes to these opening mechanisms.
· Portability
If you’ll be carrying your cooler frequently, portability is key. Arctic Zone excels when it comes to lightweight, easy to transport cooler designs. Even their largest models have shoulder straps and handles that make carrying manageable for one person.
Larger RTIC coolers can weigh as much as 55 pounds unloaded. Moving them takes planning and likely multiple people to lift and carry.
The smallest RTIC models are portable enough for solo use. But as you scale up in size, portability diminishes quickly due to their sheer bulk and weight.
So for things like kids’ lunches, field trips, and hiking, Arctic Zone’s lighter designs make transportation much easier. Just strap it on your shoulder and bring your chilled items anywhere.
But for fixed campsites or when vehicle access is available, RTIC’s bulkier models shine for their superior insulation in a larger package.
· Price
RTIC coolers are very competitively priced compared to similar high end cooler brands like Yeti. In fact, RTIC advertises prices 25-50% lower than the leading competitors for similar size and features. This positions them as a value brand in the premium roto-molded cooler market.
Arctic Zone typically prices most of their soft coolers under $100, with many in the $30-50 range. This affordable pricing is very wallet-friendly for the casual buyer. Larger hard-sided Arctic Zone models approach $200+, but are still lower than RTIC equivalents.
For shoppers on a tight budget, Arctic Zone can deliver good cooling performance at lower price points. If you want maximum ice retention and premium features in a hard cooler, RTIC is a relative bargain compared to the over $300 tags of other brands.
Also Watch This Comparison Video:
· Visual Appeal
RTIC coolers only come in white or tan colors with minimal decoration beyond the brand name. This gives them a sleek, uniform appearance when lined up. The molded shell has a seamless, high-end appearance.
Arctic Zone offers their soft coolers in a huge array of colors, patterns, and graphics. Kids and teens will appreciate the vibrant colors and ability to coordinate with team logos and colors. Adults may prefer more muted solid colors for certain outdoor activities. With the myriad of available prints, finding one that fits your style is easy.
So RTIC wins on premium, seamless looks. But Arctic Zone takes the cake on offering eye-catching color choices for personalization and customization.
· Warranty
The warranty coverage offered by each brand varies across their product selections. In general, Arctic Zone provides a limited lifetime warranty on all soft sided coolers and lunch boxes. This covers defects in materials or workmanship for the life of the product.
For RTIC’s rotomolded hard coolers, the warranty ranges from 1 year up to 5 years depending on the cooler size. Their soft coolers come with a 90 day limited warranty.
So while Arctic Zone wins on a true lifetime warranty, RTIC does back their coolers with strong warranties of 1-5 years. The longer warranties on their hard coolers are indicative of their quality and expected longevity.
Also Read: Comparison Between Moosejaw And YETI
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For maximum ice retention, durability, and performance, RTIC is one of the top cooler brands available. They make high quality hard and soft coolers at prices much lower than competitors.
RTIC and Yeti coolers have nearly identical features and performance at keeping ice frozen for days. But RTIC prices their coolers 25-50% less than the Yeti equivalents. So RTIC delivers all the same great benefits of Yeti at much more wallet friendly prices.
Yes, Arctic Zone makes quality soft coolers ideal for shorter trips of 1-3 days. Their coolers are affordably priced, lightweight, and come in fun colors and patterns. They work great for kids’ lunches and weekend trips.
For maximum ice retention, RTIC and Yeti hard coolers are top choices, keeping ice up to 10 days. Their thick insulation and durable designs excel at keeping contents cold even in hot conditions. For affordable soft coolers, Arctic Zone is a reliable budget-friendly choice.
Final Thoughts
When choosing between RTIC and Arctic Zone coolers, consider your specific needs in terms of ice retention, budget, and portability. RTIC is the powerhouse for ice retention thanks to thick insulation, but comes at a higher price.
Arctic Zone offers the convenience of lightweight, budget-friendly soft coolers with fun colors. For all day or multi-day excursions away from electricity, RTIC’s impressive insulation provides essential and reliable cooling power to keep food safe and drinks frosty no matter the conditions.
But for everyday use or quick trips, Arctic Zone gets the job done without breaking the bank. Hopefully this detailed comparison helps you choose the right cooler brand for your next adventure.