Two durable handles and cupholders around the outside provide easy ways to pull it alongside you and quickly grab an open beverage. Best Budget: Intex Mega Chill Best for Pools: Vickea Inflatable Pineapple Best Floating Beer Pong Table: Pool Pong Party Barge Best Cooler Raft: Solstice Floating Cooler Raft Best Insulated: CreekKooler 1/6 Best Overall Floating Cooler Intex Mega Chill II We love both the flexibility and durability of this floating cooler. And if youre worried about dropping your shades, a sunglass strap will keep them more secure. The included removable ice chest holds an impressive 72 cans (plus ice), and the three plus-sized air chambers ensure floating longevity long after youve keeled over. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South, Best Thermoelectric Coolers for Ice-Free Cooling on a Budget, 8 Best Coolers for Cars To Keep Your Beverages Cool, The 6 Best Luxury Coolers to Elevate Your Beverage Game. Mesh laundry bag : I use a mesh laundry bag and fill it with drinks and tie it to our raft. The seats have supported backs and mesh undersides so you can keep cool as you float down the river. It contains a zippered compartment on the top to hold ice. They also offer 4-person rafts at $75 and 2-person inflatable kayaks for $50. It's a safe, round trip ride that includes your tubes, coolers, ice, and the coolest guides in town to make sure you have a great time. This cooler sleeve is one of the most affordable youll find anywhere. Others have extra pockets to store snacks, sunblock, sunglasses, and even your phone and keys. Have you ever been lounging in the middle of a pool and wished you could grab a drink without getting out of the water? Since most are made of nothing more than rubber and a few gaskets, they dont have the significant premium charges that higher-end coolers made of plastic and metal demand. With four seats, four cup holders, two separate coolers, and two storage spaces, this is a cooler tube like no other. Two people can sit together in this oversized float with the cooler in the middle. First off, look at the size and holding capacity of the cooler tube. Intex. Iwanted something in-between. A stainless steel bottle will keep water cold for hours, and often comes with a handle that makes it easy to attach to your tube with a carabiner. But youll want to pack towels and a change of dry clothes for when you finish the trip -- especially if you plan on popping into town for a bite afterwards. Know the rules. When you decide what cooler tube to buy, there are a few features you should seek. Always have at least one other person in case of an accident. Best Floating Ice Chests and Coolers (Buyers Guide! Keep those pesky mosquitos and bugs away with a quality bug spray. An all day trip consisting of 9 river miles from Pin Oak access to The Landing. The IceMule Pro, in particular, is available in a variety of sizes and coolers. How To Make Floating Cooler | Kitchn For my first revision/build I turned to my personal Playmate cooler from Igloo. Some cooler tubes are built right into your flotation device. Recommended by customers as the perfect cooler for towing behind a kayak or canoe, the Big Bobber has your next day of tubing covered. For this reason, some people prefer coolers that arent inflatable. In addition to the built-in cooler, the Intex River Run Sport Lounge also has two cup holders so you can keep your drink right at hand. That means it can take all the conditions out on the water, no matter what the river throws at you. For our money, CreekKoolers PuP Floating Cooler is the best floating cooler on the market. There also arent a lot of drawbacks to using cooler tubes. The cooler can hold 18 cans or bottles, making it perfect for a party. I took a rolling cooler and put some speakers (2-6X9's, 2-3"), a car battery, an amp, and also a solar panel w/ a charge controller. It also has a built-in grommet so you can easily tie it to your tube or boat. We dont boss you around; were simply here to bring authenticity and understanding to all that enriches our lives as men on a daily basis. The AIRHEAD also comes with an adjustable strap. These reasons alone might be enough to warrant you purchasing one as their purpose is unique. For casual road trips, this is our pick for the best travel cooler for cars. Take the two noodles and cut a 2 1/2 inch through the noodle. Byers 1700 Big Bobber Floating Cooler, 12. TOWABLE - Tow the CreekKooler behind small watercrafts, float in the water or drag across dry ground. Because of this, only plan to use this floating ice chest on shorter outings. Others need to be inflated with a mouthpiece. Here are eight options for the lake, river, or pool. Going the BYOT (bring your own tube) route means you can choose your own adventure; youre not limited to the sections of the river where tour companies operate (again, just make sure its safe to do so). These are the best cooler tubes weve found for river floats. Not subscribed to Fatherlys newsletter yet? The Mountainsmith slings across your chest. Check Price. Some will have a single, inflatable base that you then place the cooler directly on top of while others have an inflated ring built into the side of the cooler and some are even designed to have the top part of the storage area remain open to allow the entire product to float semi-submerged in the water. The air pressure is 14.7 psi. investing in the gear upfront -- you can buy a solid tube for about $20 -- to use again and again could be a more cost-effective option in the long run. The Bestway CoolerZ also comes with four ropes so you can secure it to other crafts and get it in and out of the water. But this isnt a lazy riverla the waterparks of your youth. Its nylon lining is super easy to clean, so you never have to worry about it getting muddy or wet. While lacking in the durability of their hard-backed brethren, theyre inflatable, inexpensive, and equipped to bob (or, in some cases, towed) beside you. With its small, compact shape, its easily portable and ideal for a small river party. Koozies. Buckle (left over from my scuba diving days. 2) The strap can get in the way. Some cooler tubes are outfitted with handles to make them easier to transport. With a 30-quart capacity, the CreekKooler can also hold 20 lbs of ice. Floating coolers take a bit more preparation. Before we get into more details, here is a convenient table of the best floating coolers. That isnt to say that there arent some higher-end floating ice chests on the market but for the most part they will hit right at home with the budget-minded. In other words, it is ideal for a party. Too high, and the current will be moving too fast for tubing to be safe. It has an interior double wall of insulation that will keep your drinks ice-cold for up to 48 hours. These compartments are leak-proof, so you dont have to worry about water getting in. ), Best Floating Ice Chests and Coolers of 2023 (Buyers Guide! River float For a floating cooler to float, it has to have some sort of mechanism that will keep it pushed up above the waters surface, even when it is filled with ice, food, and drinks. Since the cooler is to be used on and off the river the cooler couldnt be damage (i.e., no holes, nothing glued to the sides, etc.) Flow rate guidelines vary depending on the specific river, so do an online search of your destination beforehand (see our more detailed tip below). Place a small washer on the bolt with a rubber washer and push it through the inside to the outside of the cooler. With its hard plastic exterior and unique design, the CreekKooler Floating Cooler looks more like a small kayak than a holder for drinks. She holds a Master of Science in English. There are light-duty coolers that are meant for calm pools with a little wake and that dont need to have super long-term cooling performance. The Float Fridge has a specially reinforced bottom that makes it extra tough and provides an extra layer of insulation for your beverages. Its the perfect way to bring drinks out on the water without breaking the bank. Using a couple of zip ties, tie wrap the rope together. Intex River Run 1 53" Inflatable Floating Water Tube Lake Raft, Red (12 Pack) It is ideal for floating and relaxing on a lake or river with a This especially applies to river floats, where rapids and currents can come up unexpectedly. Reinforced with PVC pipe, this inflatable cooler has everything you need to keep your drinks cool all day long. With two coolers and two storage areas, this raft has everything you need in terms of food, drinks, and supplies. It is usually easier to carry them to the water before inflating. You must be much more careful with one of these products and try to avoid sharp corners, stepping on them, or rubbing them up against abrasive surfaces. Igloo 28-Quart Thermoelectric Cooler. Floating Coolers & Ice Chests For The River If someone in your group owns a waterproof camera, bring that, or throw it back with a couple of disposable waterproof cameras -- then upload the pics to a group folder after your trip so everyone can share. FLOATING COOLER - Save space in your small watercraft and tow the CreekKooler. A multi-hour float trip requires lots of fuel. Tubing in the summer is a relaxing, carefree way to spend an afternoon. Zoe Organics Insect Repellent ($17): Sorry to break it to you, but river = bugs. Depending on how quick the current flows and how much you stop, expect the trip to last anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 hours. What about floating down the river and you are tired of your cooler having to occupy an entire inner tube? Over 6,000 Amazon customers enjoy more time in the water using this durable floating cooler with five built-in cup holders and two large pockets to hold your snacks, flip flops or wine bottles. The Mega Chill also features three built-in trays, which are perfect for seaworthy snacks. Its an excellent choice for a smaller, more affordable cooler that is durable and easy to transport. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 6 embedded cup holders and 4 carrying handles are included on the sides for convenience. Glacial Sport Inflatable Cooler, Bass Pro Shops The Big Bobber Floating Cooler, Keep your fingers toasty warm this winter with the 7 best hand warmers, The 10 Best Coolers for Camping and Outdoor Occasion, The Best Hunting and Fishing Coolers for 2022, Up your hydration game with one of the best insulated water bottles, The 7 Best Trekking Poles for Your Upcoming Hike, The 9 Best Backpack Coolers for Spring Hikes, 7 Best Mountain Bike Destinationsto Put On Your Bucket List, The 7 Best Water Bottles to Keep You Hydrated in 2022. First, the cup holders are numbered, so theres almost no chance of swapping backwash with an accidental swig of your kiddos soda. The cooler will float in by itself but will float tilted based on the contents and the weight shifting. Its just not worth the risk to bring your cell phone. IceMules entire line has long been a favorite of ours here at The Manual. Its not uncommon for a cooler tube to get torn or punctured while out on the water. When we updated the article, we noticed, that this product is currently not available. No votes so far! Normally, youd steer clear of gator-infested waters. single square inch of air can push up 14.7 pounds of weight, Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler Review, Rubbermaid DuraChill Wheeled Cooler Review, Yeti Coolers and the NRA: Everything You Need to Know, 6 Signs It Might Be Time For a New Cooler, Pink Yeti Coolers, Red, Blue and Many More, Best Floating Cooler for River, Lake, Ocean, and More. Others are small enough to tuck under your arm. If you are hitting the river with a large party, you may need a larger cooler. You can't hang in the pool without your cold drink! All that tech means they make a great home base -- for sleeping, cooking, and entertaining -- for your next outing. Intex Mega Chill 2 Review The top thing you want in a cooler is, of course, its ability to cool. Searching the net I found either water noodles around a small tub for a pool or tubes for much larger coolers. Alcohol on the River and Floating Coolers | Tube Texas If youre going the DIY route, youll need to figure out how to get from the point you exit the river back to your car. A tube like this with a built-in spot for a cooler makes it a breeze to throw all of your food and That ensures that your drinks stay safe while youre out on the water. Half the fun of a successful river float trip is the cold drinks and snacks! Theres no need to haul it down to the river you can drag it or tow it on the ground just like a boat. When youve prepped the most thirst-quenching cocktails in a flask and made appetizing sandwiches and the perfect charcuterie board, a Styrofoam cooler is honestly a huge insult to your cooler-carrying needs. Thats why weve compiled a list of the best cooler tubes for river floats. While we have established that most floating coolers will take advantage of air to keep things afloat, the way that they accomplish this is quite vast. They allowus to access our chilled food and drinks without having to get out of the water and back onto the boat, shore, picnic area, or wherever else our traditional cooler is stored. Always has and always will be MADE IN THE U.S.A. One of the tradeoffs of going with a lightweight solution is that you give up some of the cooling performance you might be used to seeing. The Intex Mega Chill II is everything you need in a cooler, made to take out on the water. AIRHEAD AHAO-1 Aqua Oasis Insulated Nylon Cooler, 11. So, I started to think what I could come up with. This is where floating coolers come in. It can be tethered to a large inner tube to keep it within easy reach. However, where they stand out is having an additional component that allows them to float on water. Thats where these floating coolers come in handy. WebInstructions Measure your pool noodle and cut them: Measure the sides and use a serrated knife with a serrated blade to cut the noodles at a 45-degree angle. There are many extra features that a cooler tube may have. This insulated, leak-proof nylon cooler can keep a modest 24 cans cool for hours. Store your beverages in one of the six convenient cup holders, or use the Mega Chill IIs base as a floating pedestal for your own cooler of choice, up to 48-quarts. to have some sort of mechanism that will keep it pushed up above the waters surface, even when it is filled with ice, food, and drinks. Choosing A Floating Cooler For The River, Lake, Or Open Water. To help see that, notice how the center of the noodles are about the same height of the white part of the cooler. This is compared to the much tougher hard-sided coolers that you are used to seeing. Once you go over these and other questions, you will be more prepared to shop for your next floating cooler with confidence. Word of caution: Flip flops dont work here because they wont stay on your feet in the river. Parker now serves as a marketing specialist at one of the largest mobile app developers in the world. Most of the day, youll be relaxing on the river with your cooler tube within easy reach. Check out our guide to the best float tube options in every category. However, there are also advantages to having a smaller cooler tube for example, theyre more portable and easy to pack. WebSome of these floating drink holders are made for the river or lake, and some work better in a swimming pool. For the size, it has an impressive 6 cup holders built into the sides along with side clips that make it easy to tether to a boat or dock. Repeat the knots with the opposite handle on the cooler and the opposite side of the raft. Easy-to-use connectors are included, so you can fasten it to other Intex product and, at an impressive diameter of 35 inches, the Mega Chill is taller than your average toddler, and much better at not spilling your beer. WebYou can make your own floating cooler for a couple bucks and a quick trip to the dollar store. The cool water on hot summer days not only cools the body but pulls the stress of the week out of you. In addition to these river float cooler tubes, weve also put together some tips to know about using them safely. It combines relaxing on the water and kicking back with a cold beverage. Bring bungee cords or some scraps of rope; they're useful to hold flotillas of tubes together (hold you to your buddy/partner/girlfriend/etc.) Tubing is one of the greatest American summer pastimes, right up there with backyard cookouts, pool parties, and leaving work early on Fridays. The cooler has a 24-can capacity, so you will be sure to have a never-ending supply of refreshments for your day on the water. In addition to all the speaker accouterments, the main cooler is outfitted with heavy-duty PVC pipe to make it extra durable. The Intex Mega Chill keeps your drinks chilled for under $20. You would be amazed at how a huge 50+ quart capacity floating cooler can be deflated and folded to take up about as much room as a softball! You can also use these to store trash until you get back to the shore. Your cooler will get its own tube and youll tie it to at least one persons tube in your group. Floating generally takes anywhere from 1-4 hours depending on which river and which outfitter you go with. With three air chambers supporting its circular, five-cup payload, you wont have to worry about your beers capsizing if you spring a leak. $112.99 reg $274.99. If you like your watersports with a side of kitsch, The Big Bobber Floating Cooler delivers. Others are only suited for a few water bottles or a six-pack. Because of its tough exterior, its also easy to transport. Just be sure some giant Carp doesnt mistake it for a lure and drag you under. Attach the far end of the rope to a person's inner tube or inner-tube handle. The better solution? This reduces the risk of tears and punctures. Nobody likes hot beer! At nearly three feet wide by 27 inches deep, it offers a generous 49-liter capacity. The overall length should be between 19 and 20. And yes, the count of hardware is different in my picture but yall get the idea.). Who said that there was only one kind of cooler tube? Ideal for white water rafting and floating on rivers, lakes or other bodies of water. It also has a secure grommet so that you can tie the cooler to your tube or boat. It comes in the shape of a fishing bobber and you put the drinks inside and close it in the middle. To assist, we have laid out a few common considerations in a checklist below: What type of water conditions will I be on? If you are bringing a floating cooler out into a river during a tubing or canoe trip, into the lake while you swim, or out into the surf of the ocean or sea, you need to make sure your cooler can stand up to the waves and the current. Wipe it clean of any mud, leaves, or sand. Holds 18 cans with ice inside bucket and 6 cans outside that are numbered. All you really need is an extra tube and a standard cooler. When not stated otherwise, all pictures are from CanvaPro, The 15 Best Floating Cooler Tubes for River Floats, Best Floating Cooler Tubes for River Floats, Cooler Tubes Buyers Guide What to Look For in Cooler Tubes, Best Double and Multiperson River Float Tubes 2023 (Reviews + Buyers Guide), 11 Best River Float Tubes of 2023 (Reviewed! $35/Person. When you are ready to get it in the water, just grab one of the four ultra-durable handles. In addition to an insulated cooler, the Kelsyus Floating Cooler also has six cup holders. The typical float trip is approximately 3.5 miles and goes from Potters Dam to the initial meeting point. This cooler comes with five cup holders and a zippered lid to keep your beverages safe. The type of cooler tube you use depends mostly on your personal preference. ), 9 Best Bean Bag Pool Floats of 2023 (Buyers Guide!).