Canyon Cooler Outfitter 75
by: Patrick Freeman
MSRP: $349.99 (Buy Now)
Specs:
- Lifetime Warranty
- IGBC Certified Bear Resistant # 3769
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Neoprene Foam Rubber Seal
- Locking lid
- No-Lose drain plug
- Ice Retention: 7 to 16 Days
- Brutally Tough PE RotoMolded cooler shell
- UV Resistant to prevent warping
Capacity:
- 74 Quarts
- Ideal Can Capacity: 55 cans + Ice
- Max Can Capacity: 64 cans
Insulation:
- Huntsman High Density PU foam, made in the USA
- Front Wall: 2.1″ thick
- Back Wall: 1.75 ” thick
- Side Walls: 1.80” – 2.75″ thick
- Lid: 2.25” thick
- Floor: 1.5” – 2” thick
After many years of experience with cheaply made and constructed coolers from big box stores – I decided that I needed to see what was going on with the newer cooler technology out there utilizing rotationally-molded plastics surrounding very dense foam. There were a few names out there worth considering for this style of cooler, and I had noticed more companies popping up all over the place. The price ALWAYS scared me away. I had the opportunity to chat with the crew of Canyon Coolers at Overland Expo West last year near Flagstaff Arizona, which happens to be where Canyon Coolers is from, and shortly thereafter decided that their Outfitter 75 Model would be the perfect fit for my intended uses. (Most adventurers could probably be well suited with their smaller 35 and 50 size coolers, but occasionally I partake in events where large amounts of beer need to be served…for this purpose I was glad to see they also make great growlers that can be converted to a keg and stored inside the cooler). One of the more enticing aspects of this cooler was that the base prices for Canyon’s roto-molded coolers were noticeably more affordable that most of the more widely distributed models I had always lusted after. So needless to say, I was very excited to pick one of these up and put it through the paces.
(Capacity is 1.5 Small Dogs: Canyon Cooler and the Reviewer recommend keeping your Dogs and Small humans out of the cooler as the seal is very well-made for insulation purposes and does not allow for necessary oxygen to sustain life….Sierra is pictured for scale.)
(Cleaning up Camp at the end of a 4-day trip enduring 90+ temperatures in Northern CA. Notice there is still a mountain of ice in the cooler after draining the water. Cooler includes one dry storage basket but has room for 2)
Over the last year I have been slowly outfitting my own personal Ford camper van for more overland style remote excursions. As the van became more capable, the trips got longer, and some of my more ambitious itineraries would require much more food (and beer) storage than the van could at the time accommodate – So the decision was made to hunt down the best value cooler I could find that would still keep extra food and drinks cold for extended periods of time. The other kicker was that I needed the cooler to fit a very specific dimension within the van, so that it could be easily accessed and opened without being in the way (and at the same time double as extra seating when the van wasn’t moving). The symmetrical rectangle shape, and simple hanging rope handles make this particular cooler a much less bulky and lower profile box than others I have seen.
(Canyon Cooler Outfitter 75 as food storage solution during overland travel)
(With the addition of Cushioned Cooler Cover – The Outfitter will make a great extra seat at camp.)
The Outfitter 75 comes with two options for the base: non-skid corner pads for use on a boat or other surface where you wouldn’t want the cooler to suddenly slide; and also with full length skid pads which allow the cooler to be dragged without damaging the cooler, or the surface that it’s on. I opted for the rubber skid plates, and I am very glad that I did. They make loading and unloading out of my van a breeze by myself. Once placed in my camper, I slide it across the carpet and marine vinyl flooring into an area on the floor in my “Kitchen” that it just so happened to fit into perfectly. I then utilize the molded built-in strap slots and straps to secure the cooler to the floor.
(Did I mention the 55 can capacity?)
(All Canyon Coolers feature 100% recessed latches which keeps the cooler from snagging other gear during transport)
Keeping it Clean:
So Far, I have had two incidents in particular where upon returning from a trip with the cooler, I forgot to unload and empty it – for days on end! Dreading the inevitable I would then muster up the courage to assess the situation, and while sometimes foul odors awaited me, the cooler has actually never retained any odors at all – which I have been very happy about. (Keep in mind I don’t fish, so I can’t speak to how fishy the cooler will get). That being said, with my older coolers – a post trip cleaning of this magnitude would have required bleach to cure, but the Canyon Cooler only needed a light soap and water and the inside was back to like-new condition both times.
Ice Retention:
This is a strange science that really has too many variables to accurately test and prove in the real world. The Outfitter 75 in my experience so far has definitely met my expectations and holds ice longer than any cooler that I have ever owned. Canyon advertises the retention at 7-16 days with this particular cooler, and since my longest trip was only 7 days and there was still ice in the cooler at the end, I would say their specs are certainly accurate enough for my purposes. Obviously the hotter the ambient temperature outside the cooler will have affect on ice retention, as well as how often the cooler has been opened. A lot of this can be controlled and maintained by human factors and not necessarily just by the cooler. The Canyon Cooler Outfitter 75 came with the following great tips on keeping those brewskis chilled, and if you stick to these simple tricks you will add a whole new level of luxury to your next outing!
– PRE-COOL is the single best thing for ice retention. Sacrafice a bag of ice the night before you go out; this will take the insulation temperature way down. Remember, the first thing your ice has to cool is the cooler itself!
– All ice is not created equal. High Quality, hard frozen ice is nearly twice as cold as the stuff from the hotel hallway. Plan ahead and purchase ice wisely. Block ice will last far longer, but cubes will cool your food and drinks more quickly; if possible use a combination of the two.
– To Drain or Not to Drain – It Depends. On shorter trips leave the water in as it will cool items more quickly. On longer trips drain daily ( The Canyon Outfitter 75 is equipped with an easy to use no-lose drain).
– Air is not your friend. Keep air space to a minimum, large areas of air will melt ice faster. The more ice the better. Fill it up as much as you can – ideally you will want twice the amount of ice for the amount of goods.
– And most importantly: Like your parents said, Don’t stand there with the darn refridgerator open! Think ahead before you open your cooler; this is how the Grand Canyon outfitters are able to get nearly three weeks out of their ice in the desert heat!
Pros: Great Value $ , Impressive Ice Retention
Cons: A bit on the heavier side at 30 lbs while empty, luckily I don’t move it much.
(Disclaimer: Canyon Coolers provided this cooler to Exploring Elements for review consideration.)
