YETI Tundra 65 Cooler Review

Bottom Line

If you want to get off the grid for longer than just a weekend, the YETI Tundra 65 is the ideal cooler that not only provides enough space for all your essentials but also offers top-tier insulation to keep everything cold for over a week. 

We put the YETI to the test in various settings across California’s Eastern Sierra. From drop tests on trails in the Sierra Nevada foothills to full days in the sun along the Owens River, we gained firsthand experience with the durability and excellent temperature control offered by the Tundra. 

The rotomolded design of the cooler improves its durability and allows it to keep ice for nine days. The sturdy construction of the Tundra is designed to handle the toughest use. When paired with a suitable padlock, it’s the only cooler we tested that’s certified bear resistant by the IGBC – Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.  

Sheer size and weight make the Tundra less portable, but it is built with longevity in mind. Its use of high-quality materials allows it to endure the toughest conditions and roughest usage. The Tundra comes with a higher price tag, but its lasting durability and excellent insulation make it a cooler perfectly suited for extended travel and outdoor adventures. See how it stacks up against our other favorites in our complete guide to the best coolers.

How We Tested

CleverHiker has tested coolers for years. We evaluated many in California’s Eastern Sierra, where spring sunshine and warm weather provided ideal conditions to determine how well the coolers keep ice and maintain temperature. We tracked ice melt, monitored internal temps, and used the coolers across terrains—from deserts to riversides—to assess durability, portability, and usability.

Insulation

The YETI brand has become synonymous with top-tier insulation, and the Tundra stays on trend. Using rotomolded construction, it features two inches of insulation and a freezer-style gasket around the lid, all designed to trap in the cold as effectively as possible. 

To test the cooler, we filled it with ice, food, and drinks and monitored how long it took for the ice to melt, along with measuring the internal temperature of the cooler. Overall, the ice completely melted after nine days, and it took 11 and 13 days to reach 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. 

The Tundra proves to be a powerhouse at keeping things cold. Its ability to maintain temperature control for over a week makes it a great option for cold storage during longer trips, especially when your travels take you off the beaten path and far from convenient ice refills.

Durability

As a rotomolded cooler, the Tundra is made as a single piece, built without seams. This construction method removes parts that could crack or weaken over time and helps ensure the cooler’s overall strength and durability. 

The Tundra uses high-quality materials in its design, including UV-resistant polyethylene for the cooler’s body and polyester rope for the handles. We dragged and dropped the Tundra over different terrains, from concrete to rocky trails, and it remained completely unscathed. Importantly, it’s the only cooler we tested that is certified bear resistant by the IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee), a true sign of the Tundra’s durability. 

The cooler also features a hinge system built with two hinge pins and an interlocking design to prevent breakage. From hinges to manufacturing, each part of the Tundra is chosen and crafted to endure the toughest use and most rugged conditions, making it a perfect choice for trips into wild environments.

Volume

YETI advertises the Tundra as 65 quarts, but its thick insulation reduces its interior space and capacity, making it closer to a 56-quart volume. Still, the Tundra can hold up to 77 cans and is more than capable of storing a large supply of food and drinks. 

As a higher-volume cooler, the Tundra is large enough to meet the needs of a group or to support a multi-day trip. We experimented with filling the Tundra with different combinations of items, and its long rectangular shape made it easy to fit everything we thought we’d need for several days. 

With the Tundra, high-quality insulation reduces true-to-name capacity, but the cooler still provides enough space to be useful at large gatherings. Coupled with its enhanced insulating ability, the Tundra is especially good for longer trips, with enough room to keep you satisfied for several days.

Ergonomics & Portability

In designing a cooler sturdy enough to survive a grizzly bear, the Tundra ends up being on the bulkier side. As one of the heaviest coolers we tested, we found the fully loaded cooler difficult to carry alone. Having a second person’s help made it much easier to manage. 

The longer length of the cooler also makes it somewhat difficult for a single person to carry. However, polyester rope handles on the cooler’s sides offer a more convenient carrying option, and the plastic hand grips attached to the woven handles add extra comfort. 

We appreciated several small design details of the Tundra, including non-slip feet on the bottom of the cooler to prevent sliding and the sloping drainage that efficiently directs water out. Although we wished the drain plug had an attachment chain, these design features contributed to its overall ease of use. 

Ultimately, the Tundra prioritizes durability over portability, and its shape and weight make it a cooler best suited for shorter walks. However, features of the cooler’s design make using the Tundra straightforward and efficient.

Features

Aside from excellent insulation, YETI is known for the customization of their products. The Tundra comes in a variety of colors, both bright and neutral. It also offers a wide range of sizes: 35, 45, 65, 75, 105, 110, 125, 160, 210, 250, and 350 quarts. 

YETI includes an interior basket with the Tundra, which fits into the top of the cooler body as a convenient storage and organization option. It also offers a variety of accessories compatible with the Tundra, including dividers, bear-proof locks, a tie-down kit, and a seat cushion. For those traveling with their cooler, there are tie-down slots built into the Tundra for mounting it to a truck bed, trailer, or boat.

Should You Buy the YETI Tundra 65?

With unmatched durability and some of the best insulation on the market, the YETI Tundra 65 combines quality materials with high-performance temperature control. It offers enough storage to meet the needs of a group or to carry supplies for your next big camping trip. If you need a cooler that can keep contents cold for over a week, the Tundra is a reliable choice. 

Portability is definitely compromised by the Tundra’s design. Its weight is easier to handle with a friend’s help and is not ideal for hikes to your destination. It also comes at a high price, but the Tundra is literally tough enough to withstand bears, and its lasting durability means you won’t need to buy another cooler for many years.

It’s a cooler tough enough for your most intense adventures and built for the roughest outdoor use.

What Other Coolers Should You Consider?

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

XSpec 60 QT Review:  Although slightly less in volume, the XSpec 60QT is a large-capacity cooler with enough space for multi-day road trips or large gatherings. Its rotomolded insulation keeps contents cold for up to a week and a half. The XSpec isn’t IGBC certified, but it boasts rugged construction and a durable design built to withstand tough outdoor conditions. Additionally, the lower cost of the XSpec makes it a more affordable alternative to the Tundra. 

YETI Roadie 48 Review: Another high-performance option from YETI, the Roadie 48 is one of the top coolers on the market. Heavy-duty and puncture-resistant wheels provide this cooler with exceptional portability and make it easy to carry a fully loaded cooler over longer distances. Although smaller in volume than the Tundra, the Roadie offers ample storage and delivers similar temperature control.  

Coleman 316 Series 70 QT Review: Whether you’re gearing up for your next big gathering or just need to keep a lot of items cold, the large capacity of the Coleman 316 is ready to meet your needs. Able to hold over 100 cans, the Coleman was the highest volume cooler we tested. Though it’s not fancy, it’s a lightweight option that reliably retains ice for up to a week—all at a fraction of the weight and cost of other coolers. Best suited for casual outings, the Coleman is perfect when you need as much cooler space as possible..