Hard coolers win for staying cold.

Not even close. A soft cooler will keep your drinks cool for a few hours on a beach day, but that’s about it. A hard cooler will keep ice solid all afternoon.

The problem is physics. Soft coolers rely on insulation that’s maybe an inch thick and flexible. They let heat in fast, especially when you leave them in the sun. Hard coolers have thick foam walls and a sealed lid. They keep the cold inside, and ice lasts way longer.

If you’re just bringing sandwiches and a few cans for a couple hours, a soft cooler is fine. It’s lighter, easier to carry, and fits in a bag. But if you want cold beer at hour six or need to keep raw chicken safe, get the hard cooler.

Also, soft coolers leak when they sweat. Hard coolers stay dry on the outside. So your towel doesn’t end up in a puddle.

If you’re packing for a real beach day—like, sun-up to sunset—don’t compromise. Get a rotomolded hard cooler. Your lukewarm beer will thank you.