The beach can be one of the harshest environments for coolers: direct sun, high temperatures, sand, and water. Unfortunately, most beach tote-style coolers are not serious coolers and prioritize aesthetics over function. Thankfully, Sealock Waterproof Insulated Cooler looks sharp and delivers cooling performance in an over-the-shoulder soft cooler tote. The cooler is built like an inflatable paddleboard with welded seams, a rugged rubberized bottom, and a stiff canvas hide. The thick insulation also gives it structure, so while it’s soft and flexible enough to carry, it protects contents and stays rigid.
While we tested during cooler fall temperatures, the Eco-friendly soft sided beach cooler delivered days of ice retention versus the hours we got from flimsier bag-style soft coolers. Those times would be shortened in direct sun and high temps, but the thick walls of the Sealock TPU soft cooler are more than enough for a day at the beach. In our lab, the temperature inside the tote actually dropped 8 degrees between two hours and 24 hours after filling it with ice.
It’s tall enough for wine bottles and can carry about 30 cans with ice, but it’s not so big you hate to carry it, and it only weighs 3.6 pounds empty.