The 6 Best Ice Packs for Cooler Options of Any Kind

Ice packs are a necessity when packing up your cooler for your next adventure! We have compiled a list of the best ice packs for custom coolers to help you easily decide what the best choice is for your needs. Whether you are packing up for a day on the beach or a weekend camping trip, you’ll want an ice pack that will work best with the type of cooler you are bringing along with you. Here are the best ice packs, tried and tested, keep scrolling to find the right one for you!

Shape

Ice packs come in all shapes and sizes, it is best to take into account the size of your cooler and the amount of food you will be packing before deciding what shape will work best for you. Ice packs that have a large, flat shape are best for lining the walls and floor of larger coolers, while smaller packs that have a soft exterior are best for fitting in-between the items that are inside your cooler.

Size

It is important to consider the size of the ice pack as well as the size of the cooler you will be using. The bigger the ice pack, the less space you will have in your cooler to store your food and drinks. Larger ice packs do tend to last longer and offer more cooling power, but if you are on a tight budget or using a cooler on the smaller side, a smaller ice pack should get you the most bang for your buck.

Ice Pack to Food Ratio

A basic rule of thumb for storing ice packs inside a cooler is that you’ll want twice the amount of ice packs as the amount of food or drinks. By measuring the food and ice packs by weight and adding them into your cooler with the 2:1 ratio, you’ll ensure that your food stays nice and cold and ready to serve! 

Freezing Point

Every ice pack has a certain freezing temperature which directly affects its performance. Most packs have a freezing point of 32ºF (0ºF) while some have a freezing point below 20ºF (-6.7ºC). Ice packs with a lower freezing temperature will last longer because they need to absorb more heat before they reach a melting point. Ice packs with a lower freezing point are best to use for longer trips where you will need food to stay cold for days on end.

Hard vs Soft Exterior

Soft ice packs don’t keep food cold as long as hard packs will but soft packs tend to be lighter and more affordable. The main downside of soft packs is the durability, because of the flexible, soft exterior, they are prone to being punctured. Ice packs with a hard exterior on the other hand are very durable and will last a lot longer than soft packs. Hard shell packs are usually more expensive because they tend to be larger and more bulky, but they are more sought after because of how long they keep food and beverages cold.

Safety Precautions

Petroleum based ice packs were a common ice pack back in the day until it was found that this type of gel could cause illness if ingested, and this type of ice pack is not durable so can easily be punctured which is never a good thing. These specific ice packs aren’t as common nowadays, but it is still better to be safe than sorry and double check before making your ice pack purchase. Most ice packs are non-toxic and free from poisons nowadays, and if they are, they will be labeled as such. Some packs are labeled as non-hazardous which just means it does not contain chemicals or gasses that are a danger to you or the environment, which is always a good thing. If the ice pack you are looking into buying isn’t clearly labeled as one of those options it is best to check the product label or the manufacturer’s website.