Hard coolers are easier to manage once you get where you’re going. It’s getting there with those bulky, portable ice boxes that proves the be the real challenge. If you’ve ever packed a car or camper for a camping trip, you know that space is precious. Tents, clothing, snacks and other outdoor essentials take up the bulk of the room in your vehicle before you and your companions even jump in your seats. Now throw your bulky coolers into the mix, and you’re left with even less space.
When it is folded down, the cooler is easy to slide in tight spaces.
Soft coolers have always been better for keeping in your car since most can squish down to the size of a throw pillow, but that notion might be changing. With the release of its first-ever collapsible hard-cover cooler, Coleman is looking to flip the script on hard versus soft coolers. I got my hands on a test unit to see if this foldable hard cooler does what it’s meant to.
How it works
I knew the Snap ‘N Go was a heavy-duty cooler when I picked up the package from my front porch. It wasn’t a large package, but it was decently heavy, as the cooler weighs 20 pounds when empty. While cooler bags have been around for some time, and they’re lighter and easy to fold into a small square, the Snap ‘N Go is the first hard-shell cooler that can collapse to a smaller size, up to a third its size to be specific.
The 55-quart cooler can hold up to 93 cans.
It is available in three colors (light blue, black and dark blue) and in sizes 35-quart, 45-quart and 55-quart, which can hold up to 93 cans without ice. The 55-quart version is less than 5 inches tall when collapsed, making it easy to fit in tight spaces or store away when not in use.
The waterproof liner folds down just as easily.
Using the handles on the outside of the cooler, it takes about a second to pop the cooler into its upright position. When it’s in this position, it’s hard to tell it apart from other hard-shell coolers, and the 55-quart can keep the items inside cool for up to 64 hours, according to the company. The 35-quart keeps them cool for 48 hours, while the 45-quart keeps them cool for 55 hours.
To pop it back down to its more compact size, it takes only a couple of seconds to pull the strap up toward you, and it closes in on itself, accordion-style. The waterproof liner is also removable, making it easy to clean. To ensure the cooler was leakproof, I filled the bottom with water and left it for 30 minutes. It aced the test with not a single drop of water escaping.
I filled the bottom with water and left it for 30 minutes to make sure there was no leaking.
When is the Snap ‘N Go available for purchase?
The Coleman Snap ‘N Go is available for purchase now and is priced between $200 and $240 depending on the size. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.
It is available in three colors and three sizes.
Final thoughts
Name-brand coolers don’t typically come cheap, so I’m not sticker-shocked by this one’s price, especially since it’s a hard-shell option. I was impressed by how quick and easy it is to pop up, and I especially like that it isn’t bulky to store. Although we haven’t put this brand-new Coleman cooler through our rigorous lab testing, my initial experience with the Snap ‘N Go was promising.
If you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or camper, this quality cooler could be a great addition to your summertime activities.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
