YETI Hopper Flip 12 Cooler Review

Bottom Line

Perfectly blending style with functional design and offering easy portability along with rugged durability, the YETI Hopper Flip 12 is one of our favorite soft shell coolers for its all-around top-notch performance. 

In our testing, the waterproof Hopper proved to be an excellent companion for days of fishing on the Owens River in eastern California and a lightweight choice for carrying provisions during an afternoon bouldering session. We found numerous reasons to love this cooler after testing it in various conditions. 

A soft cooler can’t replace a traditional large-volume hard shell cooler, but when you need something more portable, the Flip offers enough space to cater to a couple of people or keep a modest selection of perishable items cold for an all-day outing. Also, its foam insulation layer effectively retains cold temperatures for several days. 

The Hopper features a stylish design, but beyond catching the eye, its components are built to withstand everything from everyday wear to tougher outdoor use. A variety of handles and a removable strap provide options for carrying the Flip. Whatever your choice, the YETI offers comfortable transport, even over long distances. 

The biggest drawback of the Flip is its price, which is significantly higher than most soft shell coolers and even some larger coolers. However, the Hopper excels in every aspect, and its quality build is designed for long-lasting durability. It’s a worthwhile investment in a high-performance cooler you’ll be able to take almost anywhere. To see how it compares to our other favorite coolers, check out our full guide to the best coolers.

How We Tested

CleverHiker tested coolers for years, now evaluating their ice retention and temperature control in California’s Eastern Sierra, with spring sun and warm temps. They observed performance in hot parking lots and during high-elevation bouldering in the Buttermilks, tracking ice melt, internal temps, and testing durability, portability, and usability across rocky deserts to marshy riversides. 

Insulation

As a soft shell cooler, the YETI Hopper’s insulation isn’t as effective as the rigid rotomolded or injection-molded coolers we reviewed. However, its use of closed-cell foam insulation blocks airflow and helps keep cold temperatures better. 

In our testing, we found it took just under four days for ice to completely melt inside the YETI and for it to reach an internal temperature of 40 and then 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Flip outperformed several other soft cooler options in these results and proved its reliability in keeping cold storage for an entire day or even a weekend.

Durability

The Hopper is visually appealing, but each part of its construction is also designed to boost its durability and extend its lifespan. All of the Flip’s carrying points are secured with double stitching, which strengthens these areas that experience a lot of stress. 

The cooler’s exterior fabric is puncture-proof and resistant to UV rays, so it won’t degrade with sun exposure. Both the exterior and interior materials are treated to prevent mildew growth, helping keep the cooler clean and usable over time.

In our tests dropping the Flip onto different surfaces, the cooler remained undamaged. Sturdy, waterproof, and resistant to scrapes and scuffs, the Hopper Flip offers maximum durability.

Volume

Among the personal-sized coolers we tested, the Flip wasn’t the biggest, but we found it offered enough space to carry everything needed for a day outdoors. It can hold up to 24 cans, which is less than the comparable RTIC Soft Pack, but still a practical capacity for short-term use. 

The Hopper’s foam insulation layer does slightly reduce the cooler’s overall internal storage space, but not by much. For those who need to pack a bit more, there are other larger soft shell coolers available.

Ergonomics & Portability

The Flip is a truly portable grab-and-go cooler you can take nearly anywhere. As a personal-sized cooler, it fits easily into a car, even on the floor of the passenger seat, and its smaller build makes it easy to squeeze into tight spaces. 

The Hopper also offers various carrying options: a top handle, side handles, and an included removable shoulder strap with plush padding. These versatile choices let you carry it in the way most comfortable for you, whether by hand or slung over your shoulder. The YETI’s lightweight design further enhances its portability, making it convenient and easy to transport. 

Similar to the RTIC Soft Pack, the most frustrating element of the Hopper’s design is the zipper. We found it difficult to open, even with an application of the complementary zipper lubricant. The zipper, though, is watertight and when we tipped the cooler on its side, there was no leakage. It might be cumbersome to use, but the waterproof zipper excels at keeping water both in and out.

Features

YETI products are known for their range of customization options, and even with its smaller size, the Hopper 12 is no different. Besides the 12, the Hopper comes in 8 and 18 models, which have 11 and 30 can capacities, respectively. The Hopper is also available in several unique color choices, with seasonal offerings being some of the most fun cooler colors we’ve seen. 

Like their other products, YETI offers a range of accessories compatible with the Hopper, such as waterproof dry cases for small non-edible items and food storage containers. 

Aside from some nylon loop attachment points sewn into the cooler’s exterior, the Hopper doesn’t have many built-in features, but YETI’s supplementary accessories make it possible to customize the Hopper to your specific needs.

Should You Buy the YETI Hopper Flip 12?

The YETI Hopper Flip 12 is a versatile soft-shell cooler that combines easy portability with a stylish yet durable design. It’s small enough to pack your lunch for work but also offers enough space for you and a friend on a full day adventure. 

The YETI Hopper isn’t cheap. It costs much more than the average soft shell cooler and even exceeds some of the larger hard shell coolers we tested, making it an investment. For some, spending so much on something smaller might seem odd, but the Flip’s use of quality materials, tough design, and easy carrying make it a high-performance choice that’s built to last for years. 

The Hopper is versatile for many situations: small enough to serve as an everyday lunch box, waterproof to handle fishing or beach outings, and portable enough to take to the crag for a day of climbing. It’s a cooler you can take almost anywhere and one that will reliably keep things cold for your shorter trips.

What Other Coolers Should You Consider?

For a full list of recommendations, check out our guide to the best coolers. 

RTIC Soft Pack Review: Similar in style to the YETI Hopper Flip, the RTIC Soft Pack is a soft-shell cooler with even more storage space. A thick layer of insulation keeps ice frozen for up to 4 days, and its waterproof exterior is built to handle tougher environments. With built-in handles and a detachable shoulder strap, it’s a portable option and the only cooler we tested that floats. Whether on or off the water, the RTIC is ready to handle all your outdoor adventures. 

REI Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler Review: The backpack-style REI Cool Trail has a divided design that’s half pack and half cooler. The bottom section includes a personal-sized cooler insert, while the top offers rucksack-style storage for all your other essentials. With ample cold storage space for day trips, the Split Pack is a comfortable option for hiking. 

Hydro Flask Carry Out 20L Review: A budget-friendly soft shell cooler with great style, the Hydro Flask Carry Out is an eye-catching choice for your next picnic or barbecue. More than just visually appealing, the Carry Out offers functionality at a low cost. It’s several quarts larger than the Hopper Flip, providing plenty of cold storage space and lightweight portability. It’s an affordable, high-quality cooler perfect for casual settings.