When most people think about picking up a little soft cooler, they think about buying a cheap Styrofoam container from a gas station for somewhere around 10 bucks.
While the price might scare some people away from the Yeti Hopper, you should know that it is a seriously incredibly soft-shell cooler that is a true competitor for even some of the best hard-shell coolers on the market.
More...
We’re going to dive in deep with our Yeti Hopper Two 30 review and hopefully help to reveal to you why we believe this cooler is so great for all kinds of expeditions.
Whether you’re backpacking through the forests or Northern California or chillin’ on the beach with a few brews, the Yeti Hopper Two 30 might just be your new best cooling friend.
The Review
Specifications
Pro's
Con's
Features and Benefits
The ice retention on the Yeti Hopper Two 30 is surprisingly good for a soft-shell cooler. Thanks to the cold cell insulation, you can easily retain most of your ice inside for up to two days if kept out of sunlight. The actual temperature will remain cool for even longer than that. Compared to other soft-shell coolers on the market like those from Ozark Trail or Coleman, the ice retention on the Hopper Two 30 is far superior.
The HydroLok Zipper on the Hopper Two 30 is advertised as 100% leak-proof and absolutely lives up to the standards they have set. Not only does the zipper keep water from getting in and out of the cooler, it’s incredibly tough and snag-resistant. If you’re anything like us, there’s nothing more annoying than a backpack or jacket zipper than constantly gets stuck, so not having to worry about that is excellent. If you’re familiar with high-end surf wetsuits, the zipper is pretty much similar to that.
As for the durability of the Hopper Two 30, it’s far tougher than other soft-shell coolers on the market. The built-on D-Rings, while made of plastic, are tough as nails and stay nice and secure, even when latched down in rugged situations. The actual dry hide shell is even tougher. It’s totally resistant to mildew, punctures, UV rays, etc. You won’t have to worry about tossing this thing around in the gravel or leaving it out in the sun for longer periods of time.
The large open mouth design is what makes this cooler so unique to other soft-shell coolers. Right away when you open it, you notice that you can see pretty much everything inside. Not only does this make finding your food and drinks much easier, but also makes loading and unloading all of your contents much easier as well.
The Hitchpoint Grid, as Yeti refers to it, are the two stitched handles that run down the sides of the cooler. It’s basically a MOLLE system that lets you hook, clip, or attach, a wide variety of accessories or tools to your cooler. We’ve seen people use them to hook on things like bottle openers, carabiners, fishing tools, and more. It gives the outside of the cooler some versatility that otherwise would provide nothing but food and drink protection.
Lastly, the portability of the Hopper Two 30 is what makes it so desirable for so many. What’s the point of getting a soft-shell cooler if it’s going to be a pain to move around with? At just over 5lbs, you can easily toss this thing over your shoulder with the soft shoulder strap and hike miles to your camping destination. This is nearly impossible when you consider other coolers in the same dimensional range. When not in use, you can easily squeeze it in compact spaces to save yourself some room.
Yeti Hopper 30 vs. Hopper 40
The only difference between the Yeti Hopper 30 and 40 is that the Hopper 40 can hold more inside. It is rated to hold up to 36 standard cans of beer or 40lbs of ice vs. the 23 cans of beer that the Hopper 30 can hold. Other than that, they both come with the same puncture-proof dry hide shell, Hydrolok Zipper, and cold cell insulation.
Yeti Hopper 30 vs. Hopper 20
The first difference that you’ll notice when you look at these coolers is the size. The Hopper 30 is about a pound heavier than the Hopper, pretty great for the difference in size. Obviously if weight is an issue when it comes to carrying your cooler, you might want to consider the Hopper 20.
The Hopper 30 is a bit larger than the Hopper 20 when it comes to the outside dimensions, as the Hopper 30 is about an inch and a half longer than the 20, two inches taller, and two inches wider. These same dimensions are reflected on the inside, though the Hopper 30 actually gives you 3 inches more room on the inside when it comes to width.
Besides those things, they both have solid ice retention, are both extremely tough and durable, and can both be decked out with the same accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Hopper Two 30 best suited for?
Right off the bat, we think that it is best suited for those who are taking smaller trips in more rugged situations. Anyone from fishermen to hikers to campers and beyond will really enjoy the Hopper Two 30. If you’re someone who is just getting a cooler to take to the beach every month or so, the price might not be totally worth it for you. However, if you are someone who will be taking your Hopper Two 30 in the wild with you, know that it will last you for years to come.
What are some cool accessories I should get for my Hopper Two 30?
MOLLE Zinger
The MOLLE Zinger is an excellent little accessory for keeping different tools attached to your cooler. It snaps onto the Hitchpoint Grid on the Hopper Two 30 and can be used to hold a wide variety of tools from bottle openers to flashlights to split rings and beyond. The cord on the Zinger is long and retractable and is incredibly durable for long-lasting use. It even comes with the Yeti Bottle Key, as Yeti knows that you’ll probably be poppin’ a few brews while you’re out there conquering the wild.
MOLLE Bottle Opener
The MOLLE Bottle Opener is another solid little addition to your Yeti Hopper Two 30 and easily attaches to your Hitchpoint Grid as well. If you’re looking for a way to easily pop open a cold brew, this is the way to go. The low-profile design makes it so it doesn’t snag on other material and also creates a tight fit for solid, bottle-opening leverage. The opener is made from a stainless steel that is completely corrosion resistant and will probably outlast your Hopper. It can easily be attached to any kind of backpack or MOLLE rig as well if you decide you want to take it elsewhere.
Sidekick Dry
The Sidekick Dry is a solid little addition to your Hopper Two 30 if you need a way to store dry items like your keys, wallet, phone, etc., away from your cold items. It attaches to the Hitchpoint Grid on the Hopper and is completely waterproof. This is thanks to the patented HydroShield Closure and RF-welded seams that keep all kinds of liquids and humidity out. It’s made of the same Dry Hide shell as the Hopper, meaning it is just as tough and puncture-resistant, and comes in the same color to fit within the same aesthetic.
Does the Hopper Two 30 have a warranty?
The Hopper 30, along with all of Yeti’s soft items, comes with a three-year limited warranty period. If you’ve used your Hopper Two 30 as it was intended and noticed a defect in the design, Yeti will replace it within the first three years, totally free of charge.
How can I clean my Hopper?
You can easily keep your Hopper nice and clean with a simple mixture of soap and water. Make sure to rinse the inside of your cooler after each use and then wipe the inside of it using a paper towel or dry cloth. We recommend leaving the cooler open for a bit after cleaning it to make sure that all of the unwanted moisture gets out. The Hopper also comes with a tube of lubricant that is for the zipper. This is to make sure that the zipper remains free from nasty bits of dirt, grime, etc.
Final Thoughts
For a soft-shell cooler, the Hopper Two 30 is a tough competitor for some of our favorite hard-shell coolers on the market here at FinBin.
The ice retention is incredible and it is far superior in terms of durability to other similar coolers out there. Some people might get scared away by the hefty price tag, though we believe it’s a solid investment if you’re looking for a cooler that will last you a long time.
We have to give the Hopper 30 an A+ for it’s durable construction, easy-to-pack open-mouth design, and compact size. There’s truly no other soft-shell cooler that can match it out on the market.
YETI Hopper Two 30
-
Price - 9/109/10
-
Insulation - 10/1010/10
-
Mobility - 8.5/108.5/10
-
Durability - 10/1010/10
