Last Updated on April 8, 2021

Camps and out-of-town field trips will surely be more enjoyable if there are food and drinks prepared. Need a portable cooler in your adventure? Then you might want to consider buying the Yeti Roadie 20 cooler.

But out of all the many products on the market, why do we recommend this one? Let’s have a look at its qualities so you can decide if it’s for you or not.

YETI Roadie 20 Cooler, Iceblue

  • Constructed as ‘rotomolded’ for that armor-like durability
  • Includes all the classic features of a Yeti cooler
  • Very useful AnchorPoint tie-down slots
  • Superior ice retention with PermaFrost insulation and FatWall design
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Equipped with stainless steel handle
  • Easy to drain through the Vortex drain system
  • A full-length aluminum rod supporting two-hinge system
  • Container thickness of 2.5 inches for increased durability and cooling retention
  • Certified bear-proof container
  • Compatible with many accessories and convenient to some replacements

About The Product

When you’re in the market for a great cooler, the first thing you have to do is look into its main features. This is exactly what we’re going to do right now – discuss construction, design, and other important characteristics of this Yeti cooler.

Key Features

Let’s look at some key features of this Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler.

Rotomolded Construction

This is a hard cooler as it’s constructed through the rotomolding ( rotationally molded) process. The said term refers to how the plastic material is processed. The claims of it being one effective way to create a sturdy plastic material seem, so far, true. This also means that there are no weak points or rooms for deformations.

This cooler can last a lifetime with such durability. Regardless of what happens on the trip, you won’t have to worry about how protected the contents are inside. The limited-edition Yeti Roadie 20 Seafoam cooler is the same as far as construction is concerned. It’s even expected to be “bear-resistant”. This means it can withstand the attack of bears if you happen to encounter one outdoors.

Classic Yeti Design

Most Yeti cooler versions have a set of standard features that they are known for. This the Roadie 20 cooler is no different, and any fan of the brand will surely love the product. One such feature is the T-Rex lid latches. Made from heavy-duty rubber, they ensure easy and secure locking.

Another helpful feature of the cooler is the ColdLock gasket which encircles the length of the lid in order to keep heat out and retain cold inside. To handle easily, LipGrip Handles can also be attached to the cooler aside from the existing handle construction.

In order to not slip or slide in any situation, the cooler’s BearFoot feature makes sure that your cooler is firmly attached to the surface, regardless if it’s smooth or uneven. Do take note that the limited Yeti Roadie 20 Seafoam has also these usual Yeti design features.

AnchorPoint Tie-down Slots

The Roadie 20 cooler has been made more convenient with the addition of AnchorPoint tie-down slots. This feature makes the product easy to be mounted on a trailer, a boat, or a truck bed as you go for a trip. The great thing about these tie-down slots is that they can firmly situate the cooler on the surface so as to secure the contents from getting thrown out as you traverse the rough waters or rocky terrain.

The tie-down slots are molded into the  body so that it remains solid as it is attached to the vehicle. Due to this, there are no joints which only means no weak points in the construction.

As the cooler is tied down using the slots, you can still have access since there can be no hindrance in the opening. The straps that are used to connect the tie-down slots, however, are sold separately.

Superior Ice Retention

As a cooler, the most important part is that it serves its primary function which is to keep the temperature inside as steady as possible. The Yeti Roadie 20 cooler has s superior ice retention capability.

This is possible due to the 2-inch PermaFrost polyurethane insulation and the thick FatWall design. In order to help you visualize, if you put ice inside, it can retain its form for about 5 days.

This cooler has also a great interlocking lid system on the lid. It provides extra security against the outside heat. The standard Yeti feature, the ColdLock gasket, is also reinforcing the cooler in order to minimize the air exchange.

The ice retention is so great that even dry ice can be stored without any problems. The Seafoam version also has the same ice retention capability.

Variety Of Color Designs

You can purchase Yeti Roadie 20 coolers in different colors. If you opt for bright colors, you can choose from white, ice blue, LE coral, desert tan, and pink. One of the reasons why the light colors are mostly chosen is because they are effective in absorbing less heat. They redirect most of the sunlight’s influence.

Once the cooler is under a shade, the cooling effect can last longer. There is also a charcoal color variant that suits people who like dark colors.

The colors of the coolers can have a more substantial impact depending on the usual destination. The lighter the colors are, the more impactful they get, especially if you wish to go to the beaches. Meanwhile, the less light colors can be great within mountainous trails or forests.

Stainless Steel Handle

The cooler won’t be enjoyable if it is not portable and for that reason, a handle is a must-have feature. The ease of transport either by one or two persons can also be a deciding factor if the cooler is effective for outdoors or not.

The good thing is, both the standard Yeti Roadie 20 cooler and the limited Seafoam edition are installed with stainless steel handles. Due to the handle’s construction, it means there’s less chance for corrosion and rust. Aside from that, it will be easier to clean.

Easy Draining

The ice will eventually melt, no matter how great a cooler can be. Since it lacks contraption designed for refrigeration, coolers are as good as their insulation allows them to be. For the Roadie 20, it is said that the ice can retain its form until 5 days. This is if the lid within that period will never be opened.

But realistically, coolers will be constantly accessed and the ice will melt even faster, forming water inside. If you wish to drain water in this cooler, it is very easy due to the Vortex drain system. It is a leak-proof, rugged system wherein you can drain the water by unplugging the drain plug located at the bottom part.

What makes it a great feature compared to other coolers is that the screwing mechanism does not allow any leakage of cold air. Also, a hose can be attached to aim the draining water accordingly. The Yeti Roadie 20 Seafoam has this draining system also.

Durable Hinge System

This cooler has an aluminum rod connecting the main body and the lid. The advantage of having an aluminum rod is that it’s resistant to rust and corrosion. In order to make the access to the cooler smooth and long-lasting, the hinges need to be very durable.

Fortunately, the cooler has 2 hinge pins that complement well with the lid’s interlocking system. They are so well-coordinated that there is a very small chance for performance issues. To reinforce the hinges more, there are hinge stops molded as well.

Extra 2.5-Inch Thickness

The Yeti Roadie 20 cooler measures 19 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 15 inches high, more or less. With that volume, you can fit more than a dozen cans of beverage inside easily. However, with that size, you might be expecting that it can fit more, but this is not possible since the cooler has a thickness also which measures around 2.5 inches.

That said, it is very beneficial to its cooling retention capability. Having an extra thickness on your Yeti cooler means that you are not only guaranteed durability but also the effectiveness of its insulation.

With that thickness though, it contributes to the cooler’s empty weight of 15 pounds. It will definitely get heavier once there are contents, but the weight can also be advantageous during rough travels as it cannot be toppled easily.

Bear-Proof

Users say that the bear-proof feature is one of the most appealing features of the Yeti Roadie 20 coolers to frequent travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Bear-proof means that the cooler is safe from any attack or attempt from a bear, specifically the Grizzly.

The certification can only come from an authorized body which is the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee or IGBC. In order to test if a cooler is resistant to the actions of the bear, a series of simulations are done such as having the cooler exposed to 2 real adult Grizzly bears.

If the cooler manages to remain intact, then certification is definitely awarded. One aspect that contributes to this feature is the slot for a long-shank lock to attach to.

So, if you wish to travel to places where the appearance of bears can be a possibility, purchase a cooler lock and attach it to your cooler and run for your life. Once the bears are gone, you won’t have to worry about your food resource inside the cooler getting compromised.

Accessory-Friendly

As previously mentioned, some items are not included upon purchasing this Yeti cooler, such as the mounting straps, drain hose, and the long-shank lock. But overall, according to most reviews, this cooler is accessory-friendly which simply means that more compatible cooler accessories can be attached to make your trip better.

If you are extra cautious for safety, the cooler can be attached with the Yeti Security Cable Lock & Bracket. You can have it connected to your truck bed. For further non-slipping capability, the Corner Chocks can be added from all 4 sides of the bottom and connected to the side handles through marine-grade bungees.

If you are worried about the integrated attachments such as the BearFoot and the AnchorPoint Tie-Down Slots, don’t worry for they can be readily replaced if worn out or damaged.

Meanwhile, if you wish to bring the cooler on a boat, the SeaDek Slip-Resistant Pad can also be added. When you need a chair to sit on, the cooler is capable of accommodating normal weight and for added comfort, the top surface is a perfect fit for the Yeti Seat Cushion.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • The Yeti Roadie 20 cooler is very durable due to its rotomolded construction. This means that the whole product is one durable plastic with no seams and joints.
  • Due to its 2.5-inch thickness, the product has great insulation on top of the PermaFrost polyurethane and the FatWall feature
  • The lid is made to be secured upon locking wherein there can be minimal air exchange and less penetration of heat
  • Knowing that the product is made for the outdoors, there are safety features included that ensure less worry and non-slippage upon traveling via truck or boat.

Cons:

  • Compared to other contemporaries, the Yeti Roadie 20 cooler is expensive. But it seems to be justified with the extra features it comes with.
  • Based on numerous reviews, the handle can be a bother to manipulate. This is especially the case when it comes from its upright locked position.
  • With a capacity of 6 gallons only, if empty, the small cooler weighs 15 pounds and can be difficult to transport.

Yeti Roadie 20 cooler

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the cooler for?

The Yeti Roadie 20 cooler is built from a very durable material. Although it is small in size, the weight and thickness are surely not a joke. With that in mind, it is conducive for many attachments, mostly meant for secure transport purposes.

All of that indicates that the Yeti cooler is meant for those who wish to travel outdoors. You can go to the beach, the mountainside, the forest. You can sit beside the riverbank for fishing, or go on a good old-fashion picnic trip.

How many cans of beers can you fit inside the cooler?

The cooler measures 19 inches in length, 14 inches in width, and 15 inches in height. With such dimensions, it’s capable of handling up to 6 gallons.

With that volume, you can fit around 12 to 18 cans of beer depending on the brand. The recommended ratio of ice to contents is 2:1. If you are planning to store long neck bottles, it is very much possible to have plenty of them as long as they’re positioned upright.

How do you clean the cooler?

Cleaning the Yeti Roadie 20 cooler is quite easy. You can do it manually or with an aid of a powerful tool. For manual cleaning, warm water and soap are enough. In case of strong odors due to spilled beer or raw meat, use a solution with 6 parts water and 1 part bleaching agent alongside a sponge (without a very abrasive scrub) for cleaning.

If the stains are very stubborn to clean manually and the odor still stinks, pressure washers are highly recommended to use. Don’t worry about the water buildup since the cooler has a drain.

Are there any replacement parts available for the cooler?

According to most reviews by users, one of the things they like about the cooler is the availability of replacement parts. No matter how durable a product is, it is still subject to wear and tear.

The handle, rubber attachments, gaskets, latches, and metal attachments have available replacements on accredited Yeti stores or on the official Yeti website. However, if the plastic container receives damage, such as a damaged lid but a functioning body, there seems to be no replacement for that other than another cooler of the same type.

How much difference is there between the Yeti Roadie 20 cooler and other Yeti products?

The Roadie 20 cooler is probably the most standard of all Yeti coolers. This means that the subsequent designs take the said cooler as the starting level. The Yeti Roadie 24 cooler is a much-improved version that is 10% lighter, has 20% more capacity, and is 30% more insulated thermally.

For comparison, if the Roadie 20 can carry 14 cans of beer, then the Roadie 24 can carry 17 cans of beer. If you prefer a cooler with the same quality as the Roadie 20 but with a much larger capacity, then the Yeti Tundra series is just for you.

Is there any method for increasing cooling retention?

If you have observed the ice cream carts of the 80s, there was no electrical machine attached. It is just a plain metallic drum. The key to retaining its coldness is salt, specifically rock salt, surrounding the container on the inside.

That method can be applied to this cooler as well. If you want your beer to be very chilled, you need to fill the container with beer first and ice. Next, sprinkle a decent amount of rock salt on top of the pile and close the lid. After 30 minutes, you can now enjoy your very cold beer.

How long is the warranty of the product?

Even though the Yeti Roadie 20 cooler is such a sturdy product, unexpected situations happen. That is why Yeti puts a 5-year warranty on Roadie 20 coolers. That is how confident the company is with the quality of its product.

If there are anomalies upon purchase, the product can be sent for a replacement. If the product somehow gets damaged during regular usage within the 5-year period starting from the date of purchase, it will be subject to repairs or replacements.

Conclusion

Based on quite a number of Yeti Roadie 20 reviews, the reception of the product is very much positive. If you want to travel and chill, then we highly recommend this cooler to be your cooling companion.