Hard coolers keep sand out.

Yes. Get a hard cooler with a rubber gasket and latch—not a zipper, not a roll-top, not a backpack.

Soft coolers look convenient, but every zipper is a sand trap. You’ll spend the whole day picking grit out of your drinks and lunch. A hard cooler with a gasket seals tight. Give it a quick rinse before opening and you’re golden.

You don’t need a Yeti unless you’re keeping ice for three days. Anything from Coleman to Igloo with a good lid seal works fine. The real move is to wipe the lid and edges before you pop it open. That’s the only way to keep sand where it belongs—on the towel, not in your beer.