Drain plugs on coolers are worth it.

Yes, absolutely. A drain plug transforms a cooler from a heavy ice-filled box you have to tip over into something actually pleasant to empty.

The main reason: draining melted ice water without dumping your food or lifting a soggy, heavy cooler. Without a drain, you either tilt the whole thing (and risk everything sliding out) or scoop water out by hand. With a drain, you just open the plug and let gravity do the work.

Using it correctly is simple: When you’re done with the trip or the ice melts, tilt the cooler toward the drain (some coolers have a built-in slope or a corner you can prop up). Open the plug and let water run out into a sink, drain, or grass. Keep the plug closed while the cooler is in use to avoid leaks and to keep cold air in. Most plugs screw or snap shut tightly.

A couple tips: Don’t open the drain mid-trip unless you want to lose cold air. And if you’re storing the cooler for a while, leave the plug open so it dries out fully – otherwise you get that musty smell.

One caveat: Cheaper coolers sometimes have flimsy plugs that leak or break. Spend a few extra bucks on a brand that’s known for good seals (Yeti, RTIC, Pelican, or even a solid Coleman with a twist drain). But the feature itself? Don’t skip it.

Future you after a long camping trip will thank present you.