Canyon Coolers?

[Tuff Guy 62]

I'm looking at purchasing a quality ice chest for our camper.

Is anyone using Canyon Coolers out there?

They're about $100 less than a comparable Yeti and they're made here in the USA in Flagstaff, AZ

 

[dsrtrat]

I have used Canyon coolers side by side with Yetis on Grand Canyon raft trips, my personal observation is the Yetis are stronger and better designed. We have had latches fail on Canyon coolers, none so far on the Yeti.

These coolers are much better in holding ice than the normal brand name coolers.

These trips last 18 to 21 days and are about the ultimate cooler test. We can have ice up to day 18 with good cooler management. I think they both hold ice equally well, I just like the seals, hinges, and latches on the Yeti better.

Dsrtrat

 

[SunMan]

Check out Bison coolers as well. Made in the U.S.A.

 

[Tuff Guy 62]

I have used Canyon coolers side by side with Yetis on Grand Canyon raft trips, my personal observation is the Yetis are stronger and better designed. We have had latches fail on Canyon coolers, none so far on the Yeti.

These coolers are much better in holding ice than the normal brand name coolers.

These trips last 18 to 21 days and are about the ultimate cooler test. We can have ice up to day 18 with good cooler management. I think they both hold ice equally well, I just like the seals, hinges, and latches on the Yeti better.

Dsrtrat

Hey Dsrtrat,

You say you have had latches fail. Were you able to get replacement parts and make repairs?

 

[Tuff Guy 62]

Check out Bison coolers as well. Made in the U.S.A.

Never heard of Bison. Do you have one? The closest retailer to me is in Bakersfield about 170mi away.

 

[Kolockum]

Here is an interesting side by side comparison of several brands.

 

[dsrtrat]

You can get replacement parts. As I said these coolers are abused. They are dropped when full, used as raft seats, walked on, jumped on, dragged over rocks.

The latches on the Canyon are a stainless hasp type of latch while the Yeti has a rubber latch that is less prone to breakage if hit when open. Either one would work well in normal use.

One thing to keep in mind is that the capacity in quarts is all over the place in coolers. The only real way to make a capacity comparison it to measure the interior volume by filling it with water and metering how much is used.

The video fails to take this into account as the smaller coolers will have less air space to cool for a equal volume of ice. Also set them in the full sun and see which has a better insulated lid.

The Canyon tends to be taller for its volume than the Yeti, The Yeti is heavier, but they are both way heavy compared to the other coolers. My 150 yeti weighs 46# empty. The high end coolers usually have ABS interiors making them sturdier and easier to clean.

If I was buying a smaller cooler I don't think I would spend money on a high end cooler unless it was going to be abused. That said I have a 50 Quart Yeti that I really like just because I sometimes use it on a raft and want something that holds up.

Where high end coolers outperform is in the larger sizes. A 150 qt Yeti works better than a 120 Yeti in the side by side real world conditions I have witnessed, while a 205 Canyon had ice longer than either of the Yeti's in a recent Grand Canyon trip. It's all related to surface area vs ice capacity.

Dsrtrat

 

[Tuff Guy 62]

Thanks for you input Dsrtrat you are a wealth of real world information.

I'm looking for something in the 50 to 75 qt. capacity. From the research that I've done to date, product comparisons indicate the Canyon Coolers have the highest interior volume capacities by water fill method.

This cooler would live in the back of my ATC Panther and will not be exposed to significant abuse. I'll use it for perishable food storage only. A typical "long range" journey would be in the 5 to 10 day range.

We usually do meal prep (pre-cook) beginning a week before of our trip and seal in Food Saver vacuum bags then freeze. Same with any uncooked meat. Fresh produce is pre-chilled then stowed in insulated reflectix type bags (scored these from Blue Apron, very handy). Always pre-cool ice chest, pack meals in order of consumption and minimize air space.

Beverages are stowed in my el cheapo Igloo cooler. Melted ice water keeps my beer cold enough.

I just want something that will hold block ice up to at least 7 days exercising good cooler management.

Retail on a Yeti 75 is $450, a Canyon 75 is $350.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

The 65 Qt Yetis are $400 at REI. With the 20% off (through tomorrow?), that would be almost affordable. I have a 125, and it's way too big for most of my uses.

 

[Tuff Guy 62]

Thanks for the "heads up" Mr. Sagebrush. Grabbing my keys & wallet and heading to REI right now to check'em out.

 

[GroovyDad]

Earlier this year, I watched the same video posted on this thread by Kolockum (above) and I went with their #1 pick and bought an Engel 65. The Engel was over $100 less than a Yeti and, per the video, performed better. I've been extremely happy with it and would buy it again.

Performance coolers are much heavier than standard coolers and that's one of the drawbacks I see. The other is, now you have an expensive cooler that you have to protect from thieves. I lock mine up when left outside unattended and with the Coleman Extreme, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Tuff Guy 62]

Well I pulled the trigger on a Yeti 65 at REI using my 20% membership discount, $320.00.

Thanks Steve for the lead on this, you rarely see Yeti's on sale. Though it's time like this that I lived in Oregon where there's no sales tax.

Fits perfectly in my Panther.

10-4 GroovyDay on the security issue. I'll make sure to bring along a cable lock to discourage camp site ne're-do wells.

On the way home I stopped by Costco and also picked up a couple of 60"X70" down throw blankets for $20.00 ea. Looks like they'll come in handy.

 

[GroovyDad]

Looks great AND it's a nice step stool up to the bed too.

 

[SunMan]

Never heard of Bison. Do you have one? The closest retailer to me is in Bakersfield about 170mi away.

I do have one but it seems you've already made your choice. Congrats.

 

[97grandby]

I have a few pelican coolers and have been nothing but happy with them. Far better over built latches and seals. Holds ice one week no problems for me. Buy it right the first time and you won't have to buy it over again latter. I have 4 other coolers I never use anymore after the Pelicans.


Sent from my iPad using Wander The West

 

[Ace!]

Not for the OP since he already bought one, but for others, you can buy Pelicans through Costco.com. Although, they currently only show two models...used to be more.

$279 with free shipping on the 65 QT
$379 with free shipping on the 95 QT

They sometimes carry them at the local Costco for a few bucks less.