A hard cooler stays by the RV. A soft cooler goes with you: on the hike, the beach, the boat or the drive into town. For food and drinks, Engel makes three welded soft coolers, the HD20 and HD30 totes and the BP25 roll-top backpack. This guide explains what they share, how they differ, and which one fits the way you camp.
What makes Engel's soft coolers different: welded seams
Most soft coolers are sewn. Engel's point, made on all three product pages, is that the HD20, HD30 and BP25 are entirely welded. Welding the seams keeps warm air out, which Engel says dramatically increases the life of the ice or ice packs inside, and it means no air or water leaks through needle holes. All three share:
- An outer shell of 840 denier fibers for strength and abrasion resistance
- A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) laminate for extra strength and puncture resistance
- 1 inch of closed-cell foam insulation
- An integrated bottle opener and a water-resistant front pocket
- A 1-year Engel warranty
HD20 vs HD30 vs BP25 at a glance
| HD20 | HD30 | BP25 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Tote | Tote, larger | Backpack |
| Closure | Welded waterproof, air-resistant zipper | Welded waterproof, air-resistant zipper | Roll-top, buckles closed |
| Capacity | 22 qt | Larger than the HD20 | 25 qt |
| Carry | Tote handles or one padded strap | Tote handles or one padded strap | Padded back, mesh shoulder straps, chest strap, three grab handles |
| Ice (Engel's rating) | Up to 3–4 days | Up to 3–4 days | Up to 3 days in ideal conditions |
| Colors we stock | Light Gray/Red, Dark Gray/Seafoam, Dark Gray/Orange | ||
Ice ratings are Engel's own "up to" figures; how long ice lasts in practice depends on the weather, how cold the load was when it went in, and how often you open it.
Engel HD20: the everyday tote
The HD20 is a 22-quart tote. It is the size to grab for a day at the lake, a picnic table lunch or groceries on the drive back to the campground. You carry it by the tote handles or over the shoulder on its single padded strap.
Engel HD30: the same tote, bigger
The HD30 uses the same welded construction, closure and carry options as the HD20 in a larger body. Choose it when the HD20 would be full before you have packed everything, for example a family beach day or a full day on the boat.
One thing to know about the zipper
Both HD totes use a welded waterproof, air-resistant zipper. Engel notes that it needs lubrication for the best function. Keep it lubricated and it stays easy to open.
Engel BP25: when you need your hands free
The BP25 is a 25-quart backpack cooler with a roll-top closure, which Engel says makes a watertight seal and doubles as a carry handle when buckled upright. It has a foam-padded back, ventilated mesh padded shoulder straps and a chest strap for long carries, plus three grab handles, a solid base, D-rings and side straps, and a mesh side pocket sized for a tumbler. If the cooler has to walk with you, down a trail to a swimming hole or across the sand, this is the one.
What about the Engel GoBag?
The Engel GoBag is a 20-quart water-resistant day backpack, not a welded cooler. It has a TPU-coated ripstop shell with sealed interior seams, a diagonal cross zipper, a removable padded laptop and tablet sleeve on Fidlock magnetic mounts, and it weighs just 2.2 lb. It is a good bag for the boat or the daily grind; for ice, choose the BP25.
Which should you buy?
- Day trips, one or two people, carried short distances: HD20.
- A bigger group or a full day out: HD30.
- Hiking, beach walks, anything where you want both hands free: BP25.
- Multi-day ice at the campsite: a soft cooler is the wrong tool. See the Engel rotomolded cooler size guide.
FAQ
Are Engel soft coolers leakproof?
Engel says the welded seams mean there will be no air or water leaks. The HD totes close with a welded waterproof zipper and the BP25 with a roll-top.
What warranty do Engel soft coolers have?
Engel lists a 1-year warranty on the HD20, HD30 and BP25.
Can I use ice packs instead of ice?
Yes. Engel refers to keeping "ice or ice packs" cold in all three.
Where do they ship from?
We ship every order from our warehouse in Upland, California.
See the full range on our Engel coolers page, or browse every brand we carry.