Yeti Roadie 60 Review

Performance Comparison

Lasting nearly a week in our insulation tests, the rotomolded Roadie 60 is a perfect option for a long road trip or camping weekend. It's sturdy, so it can easily double as a table or step stool. Most of all, it has large, durable wheels that make it one of the most portable options in our lineup.

Insulation

Among the most important aspects of a cooler is how long it'll keep its contents cold. Really, a cooler that can't cool sort of defeats the purpose. This is why we dedicated our first and most heavily weighted metric to its insulation performance. We set each cooler in a temperature-controlled room for 10 days without touching them. Inside each unit lived ice and a small device that measures ambient temperature. After a week and a half, we collected the data with two main temperature thresholds in mind. We first looked to see how long it took for the coolers to reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This represents the FDA-recommended food-safe temperature. Then, we checked to see how much longer they lasted below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal beverage temperature. Overall, the Yeti Roadie 60 was one of our top performers.

We were quite impressed with the Roadie 60. It lasted a lengthy 151 hours below 40 degrees and 165 hours below 50 degrees. That's nearly an entire week of chilly, beer-happy temperatures! Of course, you might be able to squeeze in a little extra time if you prechill your cooler, though we didn't bother to do so as most people will likely pack up and go. Thanks to its combined portability with these impressive insulation results, you'll have more than enough cooling power to pack this up for a longer car camping trip.

Durability

The Roadie 60 is equipped with burly wheels that can tackle just about anything. Much like a suitcase, a telescoping handle extends to pull the cooler around. It rests on four rubber, non-slip feet that help keep it from rolling away. We jumped on and off the Yeti to see how well it held up. We are pleased to report that it is very sturdy and can handle a bit of wear and tear. Plus, its wide top doubles as a table or chair. Though we didn't test this, the Roadie is dry-ice compatible thanks to its gasket that allows gas to escape.

Some users noted broken wheels, though we didn't have any trouble during our testing. Nor did we find any weak points to be concerned about. When transporting this around, we noticed some minimal leakage around the lid, though we were never actually splashed. Like many of the other Yeti models, the Roadie 60 can withstand the rigors of camping, road-tripping, or tailgating. Should you run into any trouble, the cooler is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

Ease of Use

Out of our lineup, the Roadie is one of the easiest coolers to use, partly thanks to its portability. Rather than the traditional rubber latches, this model uses Yeti's QuickLatch system. These act as a two-stage clip and are far easier to use than the stubborn T-shaped latches found on other models. We were able to get into the cooler with just one hand, which was relieving when our other hand was full. The lid stays propped open, so you won't need to worry about it shutting on you while you're reaching for your favorite snack.

This was one of the few that actually measured very close to the advertised size. Yeti claims the Roadie is 60 quarts, and we measured it in at 59, pretty darn close! Within that, we were able to fit a whopping 98 cans. The ice chest is on the deeper side, and we needed to reach in and dig around to find the goodies hidden at the bottom. The Roadie 60 drains through a single plug. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a leash to keep it from getting forgotten or lost. However, if you do misplace it, you can always buy a replacement.

Portability

The Roadie stole our hearts when it came to its unbeatable portability. With its two large wheels and expandable handle, it transports much like a nice piece of luggage. The handle is comfortable in hand and expands to a length that works well for testers of various heights. Plus, the handle doesn't stick out when it is retracted. The wheels glide smoothly across various terrain types. We loved how effortless it was to use this; we even used it to lug in our many bags of ice for our insulation tests. Even when it was completely full, it never felt like it was going to tip over when turning sharp corners.

When compared to other rolling models, the Yeti has a few extra bells and whistles that make it easier to get around. It has two handles rotomolded into the body. Though it weighs in at a heavy 30 pounds, these handles make it a bit easier to lift. The cooler isn't advertised as being airtight or leakproof, which we found to be true. We turned the cooler on its side and noticed minor leakage near the hinges. So, you might want to avoid filling it up to the brim with ice. Should you need a cooler that can roll to its destination, you can't go wrong with the Yeti Roadie 60.

Additional Features

The cooler includes a removable basket that sits along the rim to keep specific items off the ice. This dry goods basket is specifically handy when including items packaged in cardboard or when you simply want to separate out easy-to-access goodies. It only includes one basket, but a secondary basket will fit side by side with the other and can be purchased for extra dry item space. The Roadie includes tie-down slots that make it easy to attach to your boat or truck bed.

Yeti offers lots of compatible accessories for an extra price. One of these is a divider that separates the cooler into two compartments. The divider also doubles as a cutting board. The Roadie is also compatible with the cooler cup caddy, which simply adds a couple of cup holders. Yeti also offers a specific lock system for the Roadie, among many other options.

Should You Buy the Yeti Roadie 60?

If you're looking into a portable option and have a limitless budget, you can't go wrong with the Roadie 60. It does well all around and is quite an impressive ice box. Specifically, it shines with its ability to be rolled wherever you need to go, much like a suitcase. Its hefty price isn't an easy pill to swallow, so if you're not specifically interested in a wheeled option, the Roadie 60 might be a bit overkill.

What Other Coolers Should You Consider?

If you're on the hunt for a budget-friendly option that still performs well overall, the Ultralight RTIC 52 is a great option. It doesn't have the wheeled convenience, but its lightweight build makes it fairly easy to transport around. If a cooler on wheels is your preference, the RovR RollR 60 is another option to consider. Though this one is quite a bit heavier than the Roadie, it is compatible with a bike mount.