Coleman ‘Snap N Go’ Folding Cooler Review

Few things are as handy and useful as a fully loaded hard cooler — whether on a hot day at the beach, at a crowded tailgate party, or as your trusty camp pantry. It’s part of the reason a standard-size, high-end cooler can command a price upward of $500.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing less useful than a cooler that’s not in use. It’s unwieldy, takes up a lot of space, and serves as little more than an overpriced step stool. And that’s where Coleman saw an opportunity to take a swing at the biggest cooler innovation since YETI’s rotomolded revolution.

The Snap ‘N Go hard cooler is designed to be a standard hard cooler when you want it, and an unobtrusive, easily stored closet item when you don’t. So I took one for a spin to see how exactly a collapsible hard cooler operates.

In short: The Coleman Snap ‘N Go ($200-240) is not a replacement for professional rotomolded coolers designed for maximum ice retention. But for the vast majority of weekend warriors, tailgaters, and backyard cookout fans, it does what a cooler should. And it stays out of the way when you’re not using it. It’s extremely simple to use and low on unnecessary frills. If you want a basic hard cooler, this easily beats the basic alternatives.

Find more recommendations at GearJunkie’s roundup of Best Hard Coolers.

Coleman Snap ‘N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler Review

Unboxing

The first thing to note is that the Coleman Snap ‘N Go ships in its collapsed configuration, so you might not immediately recognize it.

When you first see it, the cooler looks something like a briefcase. The handles on either end also serve as clasps to keep the cooler collapsed. Pull the handles and, as you start to lift the cooler, the walls will automatically fold and lock into place.

Aside from foldable sidewalls, this cooler differs from others in that it has a soft-sided, waterproof liner. Think of this like a pliable, removable sleeve. This is where drinks and ice sit when the cooler is in use. And it keeps the cooler from leaking or melting ice through hard-side pivot points.

The Magic Box: How It Works

When you first set it up, the Coleman Snap ‘N Go really does seem like a magic trick. Lift the handles, pull up, and snap-snap, the flat case is a cooler in about 5 seconds. But when you collapse the cooler, you start to see how the magic really works.

First, you need to lift out the liner. Once you remove it and set it down, it will naturally fold down flat into a nice rectangle. Inside the liner-less cooler, you can now see a black strap running the length of the cooler, connected to the opposing sidewalls. This attaches to the very bottom of each wall, and when you lift the strap, it pulls the bottom of those opposing walls inward.

Hinged at the top, the two walls fold up flat. Meanwhile, the front and back faces of the cooler are hinged in the middle and accordion shut. It’s a very clever design. When done properly, all you do is pull up on the strap, and the cooler collapses down — again, in about 5 seconds.

Put the flattened liner on the top inside the flattened cooler, close the lid, and you’re done!

Cooler Test

I conducted a very modest ice-and-beverage test. I bought two 10-pound bags of ice and a 12-pack of Pacificos (for science).

Realistically, I could have dumped four bags in there and fit even more beer — but this was a quick overnight test. I filled the cooler in the afternoon with temps about 70 degrees, and then left it outside down to the low 40s overnight. I checked it again around noon the following day and saw that probably half the ice had melted.

Even without the nifty folding trick, the Coleman Snap ‘N Go is not designed to go toe-to-toe with a premium rotomolded cooler on ice retention. The walls and insulation aren’t as thick, and it has more seams.

All that really mattered, though, was whether my beer was cold — and I was happy to find that it was.

Again, this wasn’t a true stress test — for that, I would have loaded the cooler with ice, and it would have stayed colder. This was just a test to prove the cooler offered passable insulation and didn’t leak. By those measures, it passed with flying colors.

Nitpicks

I don’t have any serious issues with the Snap ‘N Go. It’s clever and well designed. And it definitely addresses the problem of how to store a cooler. The only things I’d note are the liner and the lack of a drain plug.

The liner appears well-made. I could lift it out of the cooler with ice, water, and several cans in it, and it did not tear. But I encourage users to treat this component with extra care. The cooler comes with a 3-year warranty, but if this part breaks, it could cause your cooler to leak melted ice.

Also, there is no drain plug. It’s a nice feature, but not necessary. When you’re done with the cooler, you will have to dump the water from the liner and let it dry. Folding wet things flat and leaving them locked up in the dark is never a good idea.

And one note on operation: Remember that the handles snap down to lock the cooler in its folded configuration. Don’t pick it up by both handles, or the cooler will deploy. Use one hand to carry the cooler by the handle to prevent this.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

The Coleman Snap ‘N Go is a fun innovation in a space that takes itself pretty seriously. For all the prestige an expensive rotomolded cooler brings with it, it carries a hefty space tax. This cooler isn’t for turning heads when you’re using it; it’s for keeping your sanity when you’re not.

Its price range from $200 to $240 for 35-, 45-, and 55-quart sizes is a solid deal compared to name-brand competitors. For that, you get a simple and convenient cooler that’s great for daylong and overnight outings.