What's The Average Lifespan Of Your Yeti Cooler?

Whether you're filling it with ginger ale or ginger beer (yes, there's a difference) or even using it as a practical alternative to a sous vide machine, a good cooler is an indispensable part of any consumer household. If you've shopped for a new cooler in recent years, it's nearly impossible to miss all the hype over the Yeti brand of products. From viral tumblers to durable lunchboxes, the colorful, rock-solid offerings by Yeti are widely considered a byword for quality ... and that includes its coolers. Of course, a Yeti cooler is a major investment, with prices clocking in much higher than those of the competition. What can you expect in terms of durability from your Yeti cooler? That depends on who you ask.

On paper, the Yeti company guarantees its coolers for a finite period. Hard-shelled coolers have a five-year warranty, while soft-sided ones are covered for three years. That doesn't necessarily mean that three-to-five years is all you can expect from your purchase, however. Anecdotal reports on the web and social media suggest that Yeti coolers are darn-near indestructible with typical use and may even be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. 

Of course, if you really put your gear through it by exposing a cooler to rough wear or outdoor elements, you will probably shorten its lifespan. So, consider: Is this cooler being used to keep ice cream frozen on your way to a picnic, or are you using it daily in the back of a work truck that's thumping over rutted roads? No matter the answer, it's a safe assumption that your cooler stands to outlast Yeti's warranty period and give you a satisfactorily long period of use.

It's the case with most major purchases that taking good care of your toys will generally promote a longer period of usefulness. A cooler is no exception to that maxim. Your Yeti cooler is an investment, and proper maintenance and storage can help you keep it for longer. A well-maintained cooler is less susceptible to cracking, warping, or other breakage. When tended to, you can also avoid nasty odors that might make your next camping or fishing trip an ordeal. Remember that moisture is the great enemy of both hard and soft coolers and will only promote the three "m's": mildew, mold, and malfunction. 

So, always empty your cooler of all liquid after use and store it with the lid slightly open to promote full drying. Each time you use your cooler, wash it out with a little warm water and a mild detergent. If it has an unpleasant funk to it, you can add vinegar and baking soda to the mix, but never utilize harsh cleaners on your cooler or scrub it too vigorously.

Storing your cooler the right way between adventures is another critical part of its maintenance. No matter how tough your Yeti cooler happens to be, don't stack things on top of it in your attic, basement, or garage. Remember that extremes of heat or cold aren't the best for its gaskets and seals and that leaving it sitting on concrete can promote moisture buildup. Again, your cooler is pretty darn durable, but a little extra care will ensure that its lifespan is a long one.