AO Cooler vs Igloo soft side

[RiverDave]

Anyone know if the Igloo is tall enough to hold bottles?

It is tall enough.

RD

 

[boatdoc55]

I will check those out as well.

We have 4 different sizss of the Polar Bear coolers and all perform great. Just used two of them yesterday on the lake. Steanboat was clear all day and as we left, at about 5:30, it was starting to get the green shit.

 

[Meaney77]

It is tall enough.

RD

RD are u sure you are not a salesmen?! Since I posted I was out running an errand and passes by a Sport Chalet....and as luck would have it I ended up buying this cooler! I have 2 AO coolers, the oldest one is about 8 years old and has held up pretty good over the years. After our last buggy outing along the Mojave trail, the tie down that I used to strap my cooler to the roof tore the outer part of my cooler to shreds. It's old and out of warranty and a new one is needed. I checked out and ended up buying the Igloo you mentioned. The family and I are heading to Palm Springs this weekend, it's gonna be hot and I plan on drinking cold beer around the resort pool. Gonna give the cooler a go.

One thing at first glance that I like is the inner liner looks to be very easy to clean. The AOs cooler has lots of material in there with folds etc which of you don't clean or get all of the water out could end up getting kind of grimy where as the Igloo doesn't and looks like it will clean up/dry out real easy.

 

[RiverDave]

Dave I have a AO that's 4 or 5 years old and doesn't leak if you want to use it to compare

If it's a 36 pack bring it on over and let the tests begin!

I use these.............. www.polarbearcoolers.com

Those look very similar to AO coolers. You can even have them logo'd, just like AO. Are they cheaper?

They are about the same price as AO's.. in some cases more, in some cases less.

I was more of a fan in the past when they were all American made, now that they import most of the product, I'm no where near as loyal as I was. I never minded paying the extra few bucks for the American made cooler. Last time I ordered, on a few sizes there was an option for the American vs the Chinese. Not sure how it is now.

http://www.aocoolers.com/coolers/made-in-u-s-a.html The 36 pack being 79.95 (there is a button on the website that you can click for "Made in USA")

http://www.aocoolers.com/coolers/canvas-series.html 36 pack canvas series (not USA made) are 64.95

http://www.aocoolers.com/coolers/vinyl-series.html 36 pack vinyl series (not USA made) are 79.95

 

[RiverDave]

RD are u sure you are not a salesmen?! Since I posted I was out running abs errand and passes by a Sport Chalet....and as luck would have it I ended up buying this cooler! I have 2 AO coolers, the oldest one is about 8 years old and has held up pretty good over the years. After our last buggy outing along the Mojave trail, the tied own that I used to strap my cooler to the roof tore the outer part of my cooler to shreds. It's old and out of warranty and a new one is needed. I checked out and ended up buying the Igloo you mentioned. The family and I are heading to Palm Springs this weekend, it's gonna be hot and I plan on drinking cold beer around the resort pool. Gonna give the cooler a go.

One thing at first glance that I like is the inner liner looks to be very easy to clean. The AOs cooler has lots of material in there with folds etc which of you don't clean or get all of the water out could end up getting kind of grimy where as the Igloo doesn't and looks like it will clean up/dry out real easy.

I'm no salesmen for coolers.. LOL I'm just trying to find a cooler that works and doesn't fail after limited usage.

RD

 

[scouter]

Is mine an AO?

I won this years back at an Advantage Regatta (when they still held them..... )

It had a little white tag on the back, which apparently I removed (although not too well :rolleyes ). I hate tags!

Anyway, I think we've only used this a few times to keep drinks cold. I don't recall it leaking at all. We mostly use it to keep hot food hot when we head out to pot lucks or to friends house for dinner. It works great for that.

 

[RiverDave]

Is mine an AO?

I won this years back at an Advantage Regatta (when they still held them..... )

It had a little white tag on the back, which apparently I removed (although not too well :rolleyes ). I hate tags!

Anyway, I think we've only used this a few times to keep drinks cold. I don't recall it leaking at all. We mostly use it to keep hot food hot when we head out to pot lucks or to friends house for dinner. It works great for that.


View attachment 398270

View attachment 398271

View attachment 398272

That is an AO cooler.

RD

 

[RiverDave]

I think some are missing the point of this thread.. So I'll be pretty clear about it.

I AM IN ZERO WAY BANGING ON AO COOLERS. I have had quite a few AO coolers over the years. If you read what I wrote above in the first SXS posts, to me it reads the AO cooler is the nicer of the two. You can get them in materials that match your boat, embroidered if you want etc.. The Igloo has plastic things on the bottom, the stitching isn't as nice as an A/O, and it's slightly smaller.

On the flipside though the igloo has some advantages over the AO, it holds a square shape, the handles are nicer, the shoulder strap is nicer, and it's got a flip top door. Someone else pointed out that it is easier to clean as well (something I didn't think of, but they are right), setting aside the fact that it costs half as much as the AO.

Now that we've opened up some options here I'm all for trying some different stuff and seeing how it stacks up. I realize that some people might think that I started this thread because it's zero secret that I think the owner of AO coolers is a prick. That isn't why I started this thread.. However I will fully admit that is why I went out and bought an Igloo, and am now exploring options other then AO.

So now lets get to brass tacks and put the kool aid down for a second.. We are talking about COOLERS here. A cooler being the thing you throw beers in right?

But you can't put bottles.. Definitely can't have bottle caps.. Can't put empties back in it.. Probably gonna leak first time out. Definitely going to leak 2nd or 3rd time out. At some point (if you put the kool aid down for a second) you gotta look at this and say "there's a problem."

I'm betting that somewhere out there somebody makes a softsided cooler that you can in fact put empties in, and it isn't going to leak. I don't know if the Igloo is it or not, but if it isn't, then I'll go buy a coleman, then I'll go buy a Polarbear, then I'll go buy XYZ.. and when I find it, then I'll let ya know, "Hey we found a cooler that can actually be used as a cooler!" (I realize this is a novel concept) That is the point of this thread..

RD

 

[bryzmon]

Walmart has the Igloo Marine soft side, 36 can in white without the plastic on the bottom for $29. it's a great cooler, full soft side.

 

[RiverDave]

Walmart has the Igloo Marine soft side, 36 can in white without the plastic on the bottom for $29. it's a great cooler, full soft side.

No shit.. I'll have to check that one out as well. Thanks for the tip!

RD

 

[bryzmon]

I think they just started carrying them, I'm in San Clemente today and there was one left.

 

[throttle]

for you guys that like the top opening cooler... check out AO's "Stow-N-Go" , I can get a 30 pack in it plus 20lbs of ice. Its low profile so it fits into some pretty cool places (under the back seat of your boat, ski lockers, under the bed line in SxS and more...).

Hey RD, just curious... when I was at the LA Boat show, the AO staff spoke about a new inner liner that was stronger and more durable, are you testing/comparing a new AO cooler or an old one?

 

[throttle]

 

[Heylam]

Ignoring the personal vendettas in this thread, I really like the look of that new AO cooler.

 

[RiverDave]

Ignoring the personal vendettas in this thread, I really like the look of that new AO cooler.

That's hardly a fair statement at all. The reality is I have owned quite a few AO coolers. I am now down to 2 36 AO's, and they both leak. The rest have gone off to cooler heaven because they leaked and I was too lazy to send them back.

I had planned on sending these 2 back and hopefully getting them fixed or just buying new ones, which is what I usually do (all of this has been said several times in this thread). I just kinda put it into part of my pre season routine like buying 4-5 round to flat connectors for my trailers because they get jacked.

Brian finally pushed me over the edge where I'm just not gonna buy AO's anymore. That's fine, that doesn't mean this thread is some vendatta though.. That means I'm exploring some options outside of AO, and just putting up what I found. I haven't banged on AO coolers once. I haven't said anything bad about them, except for the fact that they leak, and I don't care how gentle you are with them. I have pointed out several times that I think they are nicer then my 1/2 price guy I bought, especially if you like the custom look and matching the boat deal. I'm not even sure how you could remotely claim I somehow made this "personal" other then being honest about the reason that I chose to move on to other brands.

RD

 

[RiverDave]

Hey RD, just curious... when I was at the LA Boat show, the AO staff spoke about a new inner liner that was stronger and more durable, are you testing/comparing a new AO cooler or an old one?

The one in the beginning of this thread is about 4 years old and it is just a standard old AO 36 pack that Paul gave me. I haven't been able to run a side by side test yet Cameron because I haven't gotten a hold of a 36 AO that doesn't leak yet.

If someone has one, I'd be happy to do it here, or they can take this little Igloo over to their place and throw some ice in it and see how they stack up.

RD

 

[RCDave]

Just throw a small piece of dry ice in one side of the cooler with ice . Perfect 32.1 degree beer

 

[Wheeler]

Does anyone have a 36 pack AO cooler in lake Havasu that doesn't leak so that I can run an ice test between the AO and the igloo?

I have a new, never used AO cooler that I won at a Nick Rose customer appreciation day party. You can use it if you like.

I don't know the capacity, it measures 18'' by 12'' by 12''.

 

[BHC Vic]

The one in the beginning of this thread is about 4 years old and it is just a standard old AO 36 pack that Paul gave me. I haven't been able to run a side by side test yet Cameron because I haven't gotten a hold of a 36 AO that doesn't leak yet.

If someone has one, I'd be happy to do it here, or they can take this little Igloo over to their place and throw some ice in it and see how they stack up.

RD

I've got a 36 that doesn't leak [emoji4]

 

[Dettom]

Does anyone have a 36 pack AO cooler in lake Havasu that doesn't leak so that I can run an ice test between the AO and the igloo?

I have a brand new AO you can use for your test. I'll bring it over tonight if you want.

 

[2Driver]

I'm no salesmen for coolers.. LOL I'm just trying to find a cooler that works and doesn't fail after limited usage.

RD

That was CoolerDave, Rush Chairman

 

[RiverDave]

Dettom dropped off his AO cooler this am.. This is waaayyy nicer then my old AO coolers. The innerliner appears to be way stronger then the old ones as well.


Now we are gonna load em up with bottles and ice and take them to 4x4 Friday tonight. (just joking Dettom)

 

[Ziggy]

That's hardly a fair statement at all. The reality is I have owned quite a few AO coolers. I am now down to 2 36 AO's, and they both leak. The rest have gone off to cooler heaven because they leaked and I was too lazy to send them back.

I had planned on sending these 2 back and hopefully getting them fixed or just buying new ones, which is what I usually do (all of this has been said several times in this thread). I just kinda put it into part of my pre season routine like buying 4-5 round to flat connectors for my trailers because they get jacked.

Brian finally pushed me over the edge where I'm just not gonna buy AO's anymore. That's fine, that doesn't mean this thread is some vendatta though.. That means I'm exploring some options outside of AO, and just putting up what I found. I haven't banged on AO coolers once. I haven't said anything bad about them, except for the fact that they leak, and I don't care how gentle you are with them. I have pointed out several times that I think they are nicer then my 1/2 price guy I bought, especially if you like the custom look and matching the boat deal. I'm not even sure how you could remotely claim I somehow made this "personal" other then being honest about the reason that I chose to move on to other brands.

RD

The timing of this thread after your not so happy posts about Brian is suspect....... outside of that IDGAF.
.
.
.

I mainly use our onboard cooler and dry foods are kept in softsides, whether AO or otherwise. Hell, I use these coolers I get from ABCstores.com(hawaii).

Not even slightly leak proof but works awesome for dry foods with some of our Techni-ice. ~$10=6pack, $13=12pack and $17=24pack sizes.
Drinks work fine of you keep ice in bag or simply use a couple frozen bottles of water or in your case frozen Juice packs drinks.
Trust me, my wife is the biggest cheapskate when it comes to purchasing frozen water at a store

 

[Heylam]

The fact that it's a AO vs Igloo thread makes it look targeted.
If you were only trying to get feedback on the Igloo cooler, the thread would have been titled as such.

 

[Stainless]

I present you the Ultra....in stock for Ultra owners. Special order for DCB and Eliminator. [emoji2]



Has all the features everyone desires, it's square, has opening on top, no plastic feat to damage your gel coat. [emoji14]

 

[plaster dave]

I present you the Ultra....in stock for Ultra owners. Special order for DCB and Eliminator. [emoji2]
View attachment 398683
View attachment 398684
View attachment 398685
Has all the features everyone desires, it's square, has opening on top, no plastic feat to damage your gel coat. [emoji14]

I used one all last summer. Works great. They have a Velcro liner you can remove and clean then put right back in. Got to love Costco.

 

[Stainless]

I used one all last summer. Works great. They have a Velcro liner you can remove and clean then put right back in. Got to love Costco.

Hell yea....if it gets dirty take it back and tell them it leaks. [emoji13]

J/k....couldn't resist.

For the record I'm an AO fan, own 4 of them. One each size in carbon fiber, and one canvas embroidered with Mercury Racing. The canvas one looks bitchin with MR embroidery.

 

[RiverDave]

The fact that it's a AO vs Igloo thread makes it look targeted.
If you were only trying to get feedback on the Igloo cooler, the thread would have been titled as such.

It's the two brand of cooler that I have. As well most boaters I know run AO's. It's information, if it was a smear campaign I would have taken a different approach..

 

[Dettom]

Dettom dropped off his AO cooler this am.. This is waaayyy nicer then my old AO coolers. The innerliner appears to be way stronger then the old ones as well.


Now we are gonna load em up with bottles and ice and take them to 4x4 Friday tonight. (just joking Dettom)

Knock yourself out..

 

[RiverDave]

Just got back from 4x Friday. Will load em in the am.

 

[SHEP]

What was the result of ice test? Or did I miss it?

Thanks,

SHEP

 

[Wheeler]

What was the result of ice test? Or did I miss it?

Thanks,

SHEP

I did my own test. New never used AO cooler that's been sitting in the closet.

Filled it with ice and let it sit for a couple days, leaked like a sieve.

I think I'll mail it to Dave.

 

[OutCole'd]

What was the result of ice test? Or did I miss it?

Thanks,

SHEP

Two weeks

 

[Meaney77]

Here is my feedback- take it for what it's worth.

I purchased a new igloo cooler last weekend after reading this thread. I took the cooler to Palm Springs last weekend and snuck it in to the resort pool for my cold beer. Overall it seemed to work pretty well. I had it stocked with about 30 Coors lights and Quite a bit of ice. The weather was in the upper 90's and for the most part the cooler was in the shade. The beers were nice and cold with blue mountains but most of the ice melted. It worked great, cleaned up easy, and easy to transport kept the beers cold but I had quite a bit of melted ice- I would say no more or less melted ice than what I would typically see out of my AO cooler. We are heading out to the desert this evening to take the off road cars out 1 last time before boating season, I will report back after the weekend to see how the cooler held up for me.

 

[RiverDave]

What was the result of ice test? Or did I miss it?

Thanks,

SHEP

I'm sorry man I've been so busy I haven't even done it yet. I'll fill them up with ice at Dinner tonight and put them in the back yard and check on them tomorrow afternoon.

RD

 

[RiverDave]

Here is my feedback- take it for what it's worth.

I purchased a new igloo cooler last weekend after reading this thread. I took the cooler to Palm Springs last weekend and snuck it in to the resort pool for my cold beer. Overall it seemed to work pretty well. I had it stocked with about 30 Coors lights and Quite a bit of ice. The weather was in the upper 90's and for the most part the cooler was in the shade. The beers were nice and cold with blue mountains but most of the ice melted. It worked great, cleaned up easy, and easy to transport kept the beers cold but I had quite a bit of melted ice- I would say no more or less melted ice than what I would typically see out of my AO cooler. We are heading out to the desert this evening to take the off road cars out 1 last time before boating season, I will report back after the weekend to see how the cooler held up for me.

Where are you going offroading? Maybe I'll join ya if it's in havi.

RD

 

[Meaney77]

We are out in Dove Springs this weekend. One of these times I need to check out the trails in Havasu and Parker maybe you can be my guide!