Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Cooler Unboxing, Review, and Ice Test | Is this soft-sided cooler worth the $300

In this video we are taking a look at the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 soft-sided cooler in the color navy. We reviewed the younger siblings of this cooler, the Yeti 24 Roadie Cooler in Charcoal a couple of years back as well as recently the Yeti Roadie 48 on wheels. This is our first time reviewing a soft sided cooler so if you have any more soft sided coolers you'd like to see a review on, drop it in the comments below and we will get to it.
The pro's of this cooler are the tough exterior shell, the handles, the practical size and the ability for just about anyone to carry it with its light weight in comparison to a hard sided cooler.
The biggest cons of this cooler are the price point ($300 at the time of this video) and the ice retention.
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Our ice test showed the cooler capable of having ice storage for 2 to 2 1/2 days provided ideal conditions with a 70 degree climate. The cooler only lasted a day to a day and a half in the super hot temps (90 degrees plus).
Yeti's Product Description (used for keywords):
The weekend is young, so pack up your new Hopper Flip 18 and head for the hills. The bigger build suits your larger hauls and longer expeditions. Set out with your lunch while you work for your dinner and have a couple cold ones to kick back with after. The Hopper Flip 18 is durable, leakproof and versatile with the HitchPoint™ Grid for tools and accessories. And like all YETI coolers, it’s equipped with superior insulation to keep the cold for days.
SPECS:
Outside Dimensions: 17.7 in. L x 11.5 in. W x 12.8 in. H
Inside Dimensions: 14.6 in. L x 8.7 in. W x 10 in. H
Empty Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Capacity: Holds 30 cans (only) or 28 lbs. of ice (only)
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY:
Durable, leakproof and versatile
HYDROLOCK ZIPPER Wide, flip-top opening with leakproof HydroLok™ zipper allows easy loading and access
COLDCELL™ INSULATION Closed-cell foam offers impressive cold-holding capabilities, helping keep your frosty goods ice cold
DRYHIDE™ SHELL High-density fabric withstands punctures and UV rays. To help extend the life of the Hopper Flip 18 soft cooler, both the interior and exterior materials are treated to be mildew resistant
HITCHPOINT™ GRID Securely attach your Side Kick Dry® Gear Case or load it up with the YETI Molle Bottle Opener, Molle Zinger, or other multitools

[@rwest5386]

I recently bout a Yeti Hopper Flip 12, as that was the better fit (limited space), for my use case, when packing, to go camping and Off-Roading, for a weekend but what I really wanted was the Cordova Backcountry Daypack @$140, which tested very well elsewhere and was both a little bigger and had a small side pocket but it was sold out, I have since found out about the CORE Climakeep 18, @$119, which is about the same size, as those two but with a large Dry Zone, on the outside + 2 stretch pockets, to hold your insulated mug or what ever and maybe best of all, not only does it have a water proof zipper but it has a magnetic lid built into the zippered lid. for quick one handed air tight (when closed) access without having to fight a zipper! Lastly the IceHole H20 Hybrid 2 @$140 has also gotten my attention, with it's snap open and close top and large external Dry Zone. All of these are soft sided and available in both larger and smaller sizes. For longer 3-4 day trips I'm considering the large on the inside / small on the outside, Oyster Tempo but with it's innovative, Aluminum and vacuum insulated design, it makes the Yeti's look cheap. There is a YETI TAX +~100%. If Yeti made that CORE cooler it would cost at least $350.

[@goldenblooms6672]

Thank you for reviewing this cooler with actually groceries and not just cans of beer.

[@Recruitcreative]

No problem!

[@nitrorn1496]

Glad I found your review. Was considering this but definitely better options out there.

[@Recruitcreative]

We would agree. Thanks for watching!

[@djf87]

Thanks, just received my Hopper 18, and debating whether or not to switch it out for the Yeti Roadie 24 hard shell... but for kids at soccer games etc the soft cooler seems more practical for the day... hopefully the zipper is made well!

[@Recruitcreative]

Check out our review on the roadie 24. That’s our favorite cooler!

[@lescocat1501]

Your suppose to put that cooler in the freezer. Squeeze the air out then ice it. You should have researched that cooler.

[@googoat]

It’s definitely made for a single day where as the hard yetis are for multiple

[@Recruitcreative]

Agreed!

[@paulcarlin5181]

Sorry if I missed, but did you pre chill the cooler? I love my purple Flip 18, great cooler for a long day out at the pool (it floats even if full). As long as one doesn't expect a full 24 hours of retention (especially in Texas 100 summer weather)though you can if you put a Yeti type ice, they will be pleased. It does not leak.

[@Recruitcreative]

I didn’t pre chill. I don’t feel like it’s very practical in most cases to pre chill the cooler, at least most people (including myself) wouldn’t do it. Good to know about the floating though! Seems like a great way to use it

[@theraddadinvestor1000]

@@Recruitcreative I think you'll find most people that have yetis know its crucial to pre chill and its easy to do so and also always use yeti ice.

[@randywarnock2937]

Try using 4# Yeti blue ice on top and bottom. Did you precook they cooler the night before using it as a cooler? That’s also recommended in Yeti’s instructions.

[@paulcarlin5181]

Are you skipping out on regular ice? You have pretty much taken what out the capacity two 4 lb ices.

[@theraddadinvestor1000]

you need the yeti ice to keep it colder for much longer.

[@badkid73]

2 days in hot temperatures - acceptable. This thing is designed for 1 or 2 days max. Daytrip or overnight trip. If you want multi-day ice, use a hard cooler.

[@DIRTYBRIGANTE]

I definitely wouldn't recommend this in the Texas heat I've had this a month took it to schlitterbahn tubing and currently at my firework stand in 100 plus degrees the ice melted in 2hrs without even opening it I finally just started dragging my big one around again

[@Recruitcreative]

I believe it! Definitely not what you would expect from a $300 cooler.

[@bladecollector7]

Does the bottom get wet?

[@Recruitcreative]

Nope!

[@user-ow3bn4hu3y]

You need to redo this review. You didn’t even use the cooler as instructed! The freaking thing is literally an ice block if you freeze it overnight. I use mine with one yeti ice block and it keeps things cold for days!

[@matthewpie28]

I just got the Hopper 12 as a birthday present for work, and I’ve been disappointment that the ice blocks are pretty much warm by the time I get home in the evening. I have everything placed at 5 AM, and it sits in a unconditioned compartment in an ambulance for up to thirteen hours. So, 5 AM to around 7 PM. What ever wasn’t eaten is warm and presumably bad. Super disappointed for such a well talked about brand.

[@christinep9550]

Glad I seen that. Isn’t that the whole point! I seen they said 7 days it could stay with ice.

[@user-ow3bn4hu3y]

You are supposed to freeze the cooler… it’s literally a ice block and itself. The inside has a foam that freezes and works like an internal ice block. You didn’t use it as instructed.

[@preciousmetalsmotorcarsofs2904]

Guy left the tags on it, probably did his review got some views then took it back…

[@bradishee8666]

I've had 2 of these. The zipper broke on both of them after very little use. I hate that because I love the cooler. But I will not be buying another. Too expensive for the zipper to fail that easy.

[@guitaristguy20]

I regret buying my Yeti 18. Its way overpriced. Better options out there for way cheaper. The zipper on it sucks!

[@Recruitcreative]

Definitely overpriced!

[@twotracking]

What are better options?

[@maxsmirnoff8200]

@@Recruitcreative What would be better soft-sided cooler? Assuming I can get this Yeti 18 20% off. I haven't read reviews of any others that last more than 1-2 days with ice.

[@rwest5386]

@@maxsmirnoff8200 Cordova Backcountry Day Pack, just a little smaller than the Flip18 but bigger than the 12. You might also want to look at the CORE Climakeep 18 or 36, depending on what size you need/want. 18 is a little smaller than the Yeti and the 36 is much taller.

[@alfonsorodriguezjr2016]

I have the 12 and 18, you definitely need 🧊 packs to retain any ice in these