Last Updated on February 12, 2022

It is no secret that Yeti is the most popular cooler brand. Ask any outdoor lover their top coolers and Yeti will likely make it to their top three.

In this review, we’ll review two portable sized Yeti coolers for users on the go. Yeti Hopper Vs Yeti Roadie.

Yeti hopper and Yeti roadie are distant cousins that share many traits. The most important being the mobility, portability, and ease they offer for carrying food and drinks.

Unlike other tundra chests, the roadie having a small body size makes it the best buddy as it can fit into small spaces, easy to carry and it’s cheap compared to other ice chests in the Tundra line.

Just like the roadie, the hopper is a hard shell yeti model that is compared to some of the top conventional coolers. It is created with the high quality materials that make it as tough as hard-sided chests.

If you are in a dilemma on which cooler to choose, then you are just right where you are supposed to be.

Our work here at Coolersjunkie is to make insightful reviews that breaks down everything you need to know about coolers. And as always, allow you to choose the ideal option for your needs.

Without further ado;

Yeti Hopper Vs. Yeti Roadie

YETI Hopper Flip 8 Portable Cooler, Fog Gray/Tahoe Blue
YETI Hopper Flip 12 Can Portable Cooler, Field Tan / Blaze Orange
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable Cooler, Field Tan/Blaze Orange
YETI Hopper Two 20 Portable Cooler, Field Tan / Blaze Orange
YETI Hopper Backflip 24 Soft Sided Cooler/Backpack, Fog Gray/Tahoe Blue
YETI Roadie 20 Cooler, White
Model
Yeti Hopper Flip 8
Yeti Hopper Flip 12
Yeti Hopper Flip 18
Yeti Hopper Two 30
Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 Backback
Yeti Roadie 20
Construction
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Rotomolded
Capacity
8 cans of beer / 10 pounds of ice
13 can capacity / 16 pounds of ice
20 can capacity / 24 pounds of ice
23 can capacity / 28 pounds of ice
20 can capacity / 25 pounds of ice
14 cans of beer and 20 pounds of ice
Dimensions
8 x 10 ½ x 11 ½
10 x 11 ½ x 12 x 5/8
15.6 x 10.2 x 12.6 inches
22 x 10 x 16.5 inches
13 ¾ x 19 x 8 ½
19 x 14 x 15 inches
Ice Retention
2-3 Days
2-3 Days
2-3 Days
2-3 Days
2-3 Days
3-5 Days
YETI Hopper Flip 8 Portable Cooler, Fog Gray/Tahoe Blue
Model
Yeti Hopper Flip 8
Construction
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Capacity
8 cans of beer / 10 pounds of ice
Dimensions
8 x 10 ½ x 11 ½
Ice Retention
2-3 Days
YETI Hopper Flip 12 Can Portable Cooler, Field Tan / Blaze Orange
Model
Yeti Hopper Flip 12
Construction
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Capacity
13 can capacity / 16 pounds of ice
Dimensions
10 x 11 ½ x 12 x 5/8
Ice Retention
2-3 Days
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable Cooler, Field Tan/Blaze Orange
Model
Yeti Hopper Flip 18
Construction
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Capacity
20 can capacity / 24 pounds of ice
Dimensions
15.6 x 10.2 x 12.6 inches
Ice Retention
2-3 Days
YETI Hopper Two 20 Portable Cooler, Field Tan / Blaze Orange
Model
Yeti Hopper Two 30
Construction
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Capacity
23 can capacity / 28 pounds of ice
Dimensions
22 x 10 x 16.5 inches
Ice Retention
2-3 Days
YETI Hopper Backflip 24 Soft Sided Cooler/Backpack, Fog Gray/Tahoe Blue
Model
Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 Backback
Construction
Dry-Hide Hard Shell
Capacity
20 can capacity / 25 pounds of ice
Dimensions
13 ¾ x 19 x 8 ½
Ice Retention
2-3 Days
YETI Roadie 20 Cooler, White
Model
Yeti Roadie 20
Construction
Rotomolded
Capacity
14 cans of beer and 20 pounds of ice
Dimensions
19 x 14 x 15 inches
Ice Retention
3-5 Days

Design

The Hopper series share a similar design in terms of appearance. Most especially the Hopper flip 8, flip 12 and flip 18 which are cubed shaped with zipper opening that allows access into the cooler. The Flip Two 30 is curvy at the bottom but slims right up to the top just like a purse.

Backflip 12 is a backpack Yeti cooler, it comes with straps you can hang on your shoulders and spreads all the weight around your back. It feels exactly like you were in high school, although it’s not for books.

Hoppers are generally sleek and have a sophisticated look. They are made robust exterior materials and leak-proof interior for improved insulation. You’ll be hooked by the aesthetics as it has a chic to it that attracts a lot of compliment.

Roadie 20 is an over-engineered portable hard-side that represents what yeti stand for. As it made with a special rotomolding process, Yeti coolers are strong, bulky and retain ice for extended periods. The Roadie 20 is rigid and features a pair of T-rex latches, vortex drain, non-skid feet, freezer grade gasket and many more.

Size/capacity

Yeti Hopper comes in 5 different sizes; Hopper Flip 8, Hopper Flip 12, Hopper Flip 18, Hopper Two 30, and the Hopper Backflip 12. The size increases from the smallest Hopper Flip 8 to the Hopper backflip 12.

In terms of capacity;

Hopper Flip 8 can hold up to 8 cans and 10 pounds of ice respectively.

Hopper Flip 12 has a 13 can capacity and 16 pounds of ice.

Hopper Flip 18 has a 20 can capacity and 24 pounds of ice.

Hopper Two 30 has a 23 can capacity and 28 pounds of ice.

Hopper Backflip 24 features a 20 can capacity and 25 pounds of ice.

All the models mentioned above utilizes a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio by volume. This means there’s enough space to fit in your items and ice.

Roadie 20 cooler is the smallest tundra cooler. The actual capacity in quarts is 20.8 and 5.2 gallons. It holds 14 cans of beer and 20 pounds of ice.

Portability/Dimensions

Hopper

YETI Hopper Two 20 Portable Cooler, Field Tan / Blaze Orange
  • The YETI Hopper Two 20 is our ice-for-days portable cooler and is tough as nails so it can be hauled anywhere you want to take it
  • The updated design of the Hopper Two means your contents go in (and out) more easily
  • A tapered body makes extended hauling more comfortable
  • Features a waterproof DryHide Shell and nearly indestructible straps will stand up to an abundance of abuse in the field
  • HydroLok Zipper (a design borrowed from HazMat suits) is completely leakproof, eliminating spills and locking in cold

The hopper comes in different sizes, bigger models like the Hopper Two 30 and Backflip 24 are bigger in size.

The Flip 8 has an exterior dimension of 8 x 10 ½ x 11 ½ and an interior dimension of 6 ¼ x 7 ½ x 9 ¾.

Flip 12 has an exterior of 10 x 11 ½ x 12 x 5/8 and the interior is 8 x 9 x 11. Empty weight is 3.1lbs

Hopper Flip 18 exterior 10 ¾ x 13 x 16 x ¼ and interior is 8 ½ x 10 ¼ x 14 1/4. Empty weight is 5.1 lbs.

Hopper Two 30 exterior is 12 x 18 x 25 and interior 9 x 4 x 17. Empty weight is 5.5lbs.

Hopper Backflip 24 exterior 13 ¾ x 19 x 8 ½ and interior 12 5/8 x 6 1/2 x 15. Empty weight is 5.3lbs

Roadie 20

YETI Roadie 20 Cooler, LE Coral
  • The YETI Roadie is BYOB’s new best friend with a capacity of up to 14 cans with recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
  • Ice stays ice thanks to up to 2 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design which is certified bear-resistant
  • The Rotomolded Construction makes the Roadie armored to the core and virtually indestructible so wherever you decide to take it, this portable cooler’s sturdy construction will stand up to the rigors of the journey
  • The Roadie, like the Tundra, features T-Rex Lid Latches constructed of heavy-duty rubber so you’ll never see another busted latch and has patented keeper technology
  • The Roadie dimensions are 19 in long x 13 3/4 in wide x 14 3/8 in high with an empty weight of 15 lbs

pink yeti cooler

Roadie 20 outside 13 5/8 x 14 ¼ x 19 1/8 and interior 8 3/8 x 9 7/8 x 13. The Empty weight is 15lbs which makes the roadie significantly heavier and bulkier than all the Hopper series.

In terms of transport and mobility, any of the Hopper models will be easier to haul, hang or back as they are considerably lighter and the soft shell which feels comfortable against the body compared to the Roadie 20 which is rugged and heavy. However, bigger models like the flip 18 and backflip 24 can be awkward to carry especially over long distances.

Durability

The Yeti sturdiness has never been in doubt. You are rest assured of having one of the toughest coolers on the market regardless of which option you decide to go with.

Hoppers utilize a puncture resistant hard-shell and some videos on YouTube shows it been dragged and slammed to the ground and it didn’t collapse. Same goes for the Roadie which is rotomolded another fancy word for saying sturdy, strong and increased insulation. Another good thing is it features punch holes on the edges which make for locking the cooler from thieves and bears a breeze.

When it comes to durability both models were built robustly but the roadie is our overall winner in this category.

Ice Performance

The hopper is made of a strong exterior shell known as the Dry-hide shell that’s waterproof, UV & mildew resistant, puncture proof while the interior line is FDA approved. This, as a result, provides insulation and extended lifetime. Based on many reviews the hopper retains ice for 2-3 days depending on many factors.

Roadie 20 is rotationally made with plastic thus has thick walls and injected permafrost insulation, freezer grade gasket, and T-rex latches that lock in all the cold. The result is a staggering 4-6 days of ice.

Application

Short trips and long walks will require you carry a cooler that’s light and comfortable.

The hopper offers friendly ease of transport with straps you carry on your shoulders, on the back or in the hands. However, if you are going out for long trips like fishing, hunting or camping especially in rough terrains you will want to carry the Roadie as it offers extended ice life and rugged construction. The only drawback is that you have to haul the cooler with a handle or use the lip grip molded-in handles which may be strenuous in hands when filled.

Is The Yeti Worth The Price?

Many readers have asked this same question. If you want to know an unbiased take on this topic, read it here.

Yeti Hopper Vs Yeti Roadie – Conclusion

The Yeti Hopper has many sizes ranges from portable to large soft-sided chests, thus consumers have a variety of options to choose from.

The Hopper has a hard shell and leak-proof interior liners that can keep your drinks and food for more than a day. It is so much relatively easier to carry depending on the size.

Roadie 20 is a rotomolded cooler than can retain ice for 4 days or more. Although the price of the roadie is steep compared to the Hopper models, the ice retention and sturdiness are two factors that make it stand out. The lid is perfect for relaxing after hauling the cooler and you are Dead beat tired.

Depending on your choice, the roadie is perfect for short trips, nothing more than a day or two. Also, the portable size means it’s not going to pack as many supplies as the Hopper Flip 12, Flip 18, Flip 30 and Backflip 24. However, you won’t get as much ice for days as the Roadie.

Finally, it’s a matter of preference between the Yeti Hopper vs Yeti Roadie. You want a portable and light bag to carry with limited ice retention? The Hopper might be your thing.  If you want a model that’s bulky, and retain ice longer and great for the wild? The Roadie is yours to the taking. Click here for in-depth cooler comparisons. 

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