![]() The YETI Hopper M30 uses more closed-cell foam than in previous similar offerings, and the instant-close magnetic opening seems to help ice retention in real-world usage, too.Īll that said, most people will use the YETI Hopper M30 as a day-tripper and overnight soft cooler. I had no problem enjoying cold beer and Gatorade well into day three. I took the Hopper M30 out on several different trips in September - granted, not the hottest part of the year. If you’re smart with your items and use a reasonable ratio of ice or cooler packs, the YETI Hopper M30 is capable of keeping food and drink cold for up to 3 days. Then complain when their cooler is full of water the next day. Inexperienced cooler users will toss warm drinks into their coolers, throw some ice on top and call it good. Ice retention is always a factor of insulation, the amount of ice you use, and outside temperatures and direct sunlight. Or you can wipe any moisture out with a paper towel, which I rarely do. Aside from the entry/exit benefits, you’ll need a prop stick to prop the M30 open to let it air dry after use. In fact, I’ve considered rounding the edges on a short dowel to leave in the M30 all the time just for this purpose. Sometimes, though, I’ll prop the Hopper M30 open with a can or bottle - this technique works surprisingly well, too. This keeps the mouth open, letting you organize and retrieve food with your other hand. Most often you’ll push one side open with your hand from the inside, then drop your forearm across the top of the other side. Still, how do you work with this design in the real world? We like to use cans and bottles to prop open the Hopper M30 for improved access. ![]() The advantage is that it’s faster to open and faster to close. ![]() When you first get the Hopper M30, the system is pretty stiff, but it softens up a bit over time. The Hopper M30, on the other hand, automatically closes the instant you let go. How so? Zippered flip-top lids like the excellent YETI Hopper Flip series open completely and stay open, letting you organize your food, drinks and ice. What you gain in vertical capacity and portability you lose through the opening. There is one con to this style of soft cooler, and that’s accessibility. Most waterproof zippers require a bit of lube every now and then to keep them working well. So cool.īetter yet, the closure is waterproof. If you have kids, this system will help save your ice. The shape and position of the HydroShield magnets automatically snaps it shut. The new magnetic closure system on the YETI Hopper M30 fixes both problems.įirst, the opening of the Hopper M30 is sealed with two strips of magnetics. That lets warm air in and cold air out and reduces the effectiveness of a soft cooler. They are always somewhat difficult to open and close - so people have a tendency to leave them open during use. Part of the problem with waterproof zippers on soft coolers is usability. I’m happy to report that the new YETI Hopper M30 is far better than the previous version - it’s pretty awesome, in fact. Why? The waterproof zipper tended to scrape arms, wasn’t the easiest to use, and there were better alternatives. However, we never recommended the previous version of YETI’s satchel-style soft cooler. The YETI Hopper M30 soft-sided cooler ditches a waterproof zipper in favor of a new waterproof magnetic closure system. It’s all high-end gear, but it all tends to perform very well and lasts for years, resulting in solid price-to-value ratios. If you’re not familiar with YETI, here is the quick hit: YETI makes ultra-rugged, super high quality hard-sided coolers, soft-sided coolers, and a variety of outdoor-focused accessories and gear, including waterproof bags, waterproof backpacks, gear boxes and drinkware. This is what we learned: YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler Review To get us a closer look, YETI sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. The result is a 50 percent wider opening, easier access, and a new level of durability. ![]() The new YETI Hopper M30 soft cooler ditches the typical burly zipper design and replaces it with a waterproof magnetic seal.
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