Analyzing the Igloo Yukon Cooler

Recent Changes Made by Brandon F. the 13th of July, 2022

The Igloo Yukon Cooler is the company's first real effort to rival the established premium cooler brands. They adopted numerous manufacturing processes, features, and design elements familiar to you from brands like Yeti, RTIC, Orca, and more. The end result is a rugged cooler with exceptional ice retention. As might be expected, this results in a much pricier asking price compared to standard Igloo products.

The following are some of our favorite Igloo Yukon Coolers: Jump down to read the rest of our evaluation.

Lineup of Igloo Yukon Coolers

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There have been some shifts in the Igloo Yukon Series in recent years. The series was formerly known as the "Igloo Yukon Cold Locker" Series, but Igloo has apparently decided to shorten the name to "Igloo Yukon."  

Nonetheless, the words "Cold Locker" remain prominently featured in the labeling. Additionally, they have reduced the number of available models. A 120-quart model and a wheeled 50-quart model were previously available. However, at this time, your choices are limited to a 50-quart or a 70-quart (non-wheeled) container.

These are useful dimensions, though the absence of a 120-quart option may disappoint those seeking a cooler large enough to store an entire family's worth of perishables or those in search of a massive cooler to bring to a party or tailgate.

Advantages of the Igloo Yukon Cooler

Don't be fooled by the Igloo brand name; this cooler has many of the same convenient features offered by other well-known premium cooler manufacturers. This Igloo cooler was made to take on the best coolers on the market. As a result, you can expect to see many of the same characteristics as in Mammoth and K2.

The Igloo Yukon Coolers' thick insulation is one of their most distinguishing features (and will play a significant role in the ice retention numbers discussed below). The body is insulated to a minimum of 2 inches and the lid to a minimum of 3 inches. Among the thickest in the business, this is truly remarkable. In addition, Roto-molded Construction allows for the delivery of this insulation in a single unit.

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We also like the integrated handles, which are Igloo Stable Grips. The Stable Grip Handles are a great alternative to the rope handles used by most other brands because of their larger size, which is especially helpful for those who wear gloves or have particularly large hands. It can also serve as a tie-down anchor.

The large, attached drain plug is a nice touch as well. The water in the cooler can be quickly and easily drained because it is both simple to screw and unscrew. Similarly oversized is the rubber gasket that serves as a tight seal between the lid and the base. This is crucial for achieving optimal cooling results.

The latches are meant to exert some pressure, which helps to keep the lid and the body together. Igloo opted for a style that was a little bit different. These latches have a hole in the center that hooks onto the attached steel pin on the body of the cooler, unlike most brands which rely on the "T" part of the latch to do the holding.

Steel is used extensively in the construction of this cooler. All of the hardware, from pins to rods, is made of steel. This guarantees durability and protection from rust and corrosion.

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Several other features are worth mentioning, but the integrated fish ruler and built-in bottle opener are two of our personal favorites, so we'll focus on those. There have probably been times when you needed to measure something outside but didn't have a tape measure on hand, just like we have.  

Don't be afraid There's a ruler imprinted on the top of every Igloo Yukon Cooler. Not that it needs to be said, but a bottle opener is always a welcome addition. In today's competitive market, these qualities are must-haves.

Yukon Ice Igloo: A Cooler Way of Life

To truly compete with other premium cooler brands, the Igloo Yukon Cooler must excel at arguably the most important metric: ice life.

Igloo claims that the Yukon Coolers they sell can keep ice for up to a week. These are extremely high standards that are met by many of the market's most popular premium cooler brands.

However, how reliable are they

It's clear that Igloo has figured out the secret to keeping ice for a long time: rotomolded construction, thick insulation, a thick gasket, and high-quality parts. However, manufacturers tend to exaggerate the amount of time ice will last in a cooler by assuming a series of ideal conditions that almost never occur in real life. ) A cooler isn't used in this way in the real world.

Therefore, we subjected our coolers to rigorous field testing. We do not completely fill them with ice and leave them out in the heat, opening them only on occasion.

The following were the findings:

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Those raw ice totals are staggering, as you can see. When half full, the 70-quart model can keep ice for nearly a week (similar to Igloo's numbers).

It stands to reason that a larger cooler can effectively store more ice than a smaller one can. More than the cooler's specific features, ice capacity and heat transfer elements are at play here.

It Looks Cooler in an Igloo in the Yukon

The design of Igloo Yukon Coolers is extremely failsafe but tried and true. There aren't a lot of flashy colors or unique designs, but you will find a sturdy looking ice chest. The molded-in side handles are the design's crowning glory. The Igloo Yukon's top-mounted carry handles and wheels set it apart from other coolers, which typically have rope handles on the sides.

In addition, the "T-latch" style latch is replaced by a unique design. The combination of this with the handles and the "bling" of the stainless steel hardware results in an upscale appearance that is sure to win you compliments wherever you go.

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However, you're not exactly spoiled for color options. White and tan are available for both the 50-quart and the 70-quart sizes. As a minor criticism, we wouldn't mind if Igloo offered a wider range of colors to choose from.

The Cost of an Igloo Yukon Cooler

One of the first words that comes to mind when most people think of Igloo is "affordable." Igloo is well-known because of the high quality of its coolers and the low cost at which it sells them.

But the Yukon is a little different.

There's no getting around the fact that the price tag is rather steep. Consistent with what you've seen from similar high-end cooler manufacturers, it will look about the same. This isn't your average Igloo Cooler, though. In terms of durability, ice retention, and features, this cooler can match or even OUTPERFORM many high-end alternatives.

The Igloo Yukon Cooler, therefore, will be more expensive than other similar products. In light of what you receive, the price is still reasonable.

Yukon Igloo vs. Yeti

Comparing an Igloo Cooler to a Yeti Cooler may not make sense in most situations, but it does here.

A Yeti cooler will typically have a longer ice life, be more durable, and bring more to the party than an Igloo cooler. As an added bonus, the price of a Yeti is significantly higher.

However, in this case, the Igloo has many of the same features as the Yeti and can compete favorably with its top offerings.

Size, color, and accessory options are all areas where Yeti continues to excel over the Igloo Yukon. It's also widely believed to be some kind of Yeti. While Igloo is a fantastic company, their standard coolers don't exactly project that image.

However, in terms of ice life, the Igloo Yukon just about beats out a Yeti of comparable size. They are also comparably sturdy and well-made. The Igloo Yukon, while still pricey, is significantly less so than the wallet-busting Yeti.

It's a toss-up between the Yukon and the Igloo, but if you're not set on a particular size or color that Igloo doesn't offer, the Yukon's lower price tag is compelling.

We hoped this summary of Igloo Yukon Coolers was informative. Check out our final rankings for each criterion below!

Sizes Available: 50 and 70 Quarts

Plastic and steel are used in the construction.

Price: High-end

Features: Cool Riser technology, Dual lid locks, integrated fish scale, roto-molded construction, raised lid surface, over-sized drain plug, self-stopping hinge.

Pros:  Outstanding cooling capacity; Superior strength and durability; Bold appearance; Reputable track record

Cons: Extremely costly, cumbersome, and heavy

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Let's take a look at the Igloo Yukon Cooler. With an advertised 7-day ice retention period, the Igloo Yukon Cooler is one of the company's toughest coolers. It's made from durable rotomolded plastic and loaded with features like reversible ski pads, a wider grip, cool riser technology, protection from the sun, corrosion-resistant fittings, and more. It comes in two sizes, both without wheels: 50 quarts and 70 quarts. White and tan are the available hues. The primary materials in this item are plastic and steel.

Capability of Isolation -

The cooler's ability to keep ice frozen is its best feature. It has an exceptionally high degree of insulation thanks to its nearly inch-thick lid and two-inch-thick body. Additionally, there is virtually no loss of cool air because the lid seals tightly. This is because of the sturdy latch and the substantial rubber gasket. This, in addition to the riser technology, allows the cooler to be placed directly on a hot surface without causing much of an issue with heat exchange.

This product is quite good, with the 70-quart model keeping ice frozen for 6 to 7 days even in the summer. Even though it's smaller, the 50-quart container should last for several days.

Ability to Move and Last -

The Igloo Yukon Cooler can withstand any kind of treatment you dish out. Look at the International Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) sticker on the back window if you don't believe me. There is no need to worry about the handles or hinges breaking like you might find in cheaper Igloo coolers because the metal hardware is exceptionally sturdy. There are some neat extras, like a fish scale and bottle openers in the corners, that are a nice touch as well.

However, this has a drawback in that these coolers are very large and fairly heavy. Even the smallest sizes will likely require two people to transport. There are only two sizes available.

Appearance -

These coolers have some visual appeal. It has the look of a formidable opponent thanks to its sturdy build and high-quality hardware and hinges. The locks on the lid and the threaded drain plug are also sturdy and add to the quality impression.   This is one of the toughest-looking and most attractive Igloo coolers we have come across and does a good job of representing the build quality throughout it

Cost – 

These high-quality ice chests are priced accordingly. Although you get a lot of cooler for your money, you will still likely spend more than you would on more premium brands like Yeti or Pelican.

General Opinion -

This review of the Igloo Yukon Cold Locker Cooler is worthy of four ice chests out of five. The Yukon Series is a perfect insulator because it is extremely efficient and comes in a sturdy, bulletproof casing. It has enough bells and whistles to please most people looking for a high-end large ice chest, but it costs as much as other premium brands. We think it's worth the cost of admission if you can swing it.