Titan by Arctic Zone Zipperless Soft Cooler

One of the most dominating traits of a soft cooler is the top zipper. So when I saw that Titan completely got rid of the lid’s zipper on the Titan by Arctic Zone 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler, I was intrigued. 

I’ve tested dozens of coolers, and the primary zipper can heavily influence, make, or break how a chill box works. In my experience, some zippers are pretty hard to open, close, or slide. Others aren’t durable enough for the long haul.

In a progressive design, this lid is zipperless. Instead, a firm interior shell — called the HardBody liner — sits inside the soft exterior. (Imagine a pull-out trash can slide.) When the lid is being closed, the lid’s fixed, firm rim slides into and suctions against that interior shell liner.

In short: The Titan by Arctic Zone 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler ($63) is a soft cooler that offers quick access, innovative organization, and reliable ice retention for up to 3 days in a lightweight, easy-to-carry design. Available in a plethora of other sizes (9, 12, 16, 24, and 48 cans), it’s a solid option for anyone tired of messing with zippers, folks with finger ailments or arthritis, wet or slick hands, and those looking for a cooler that serves everyday adventures.

To see how it lines up among other soft coolers, check out the Best Soft Coolers.

Flip-Top Access: Instant Family Favorite

We took a road trip from our little mountain town in Colorado to Utah’s red rock deserts and down to the Grand Canyon with this cooler in tow. Having quick, easy access to cold drinks without pulling over to lift open the hatch or wrestling with stubborn zippers was wonderful.

This zipper-free design was just as useful when my hands were wet at the river. I could pop it open with one hand, grab what I needed, and slap it shut again. The lid’s slide-in design is simple, fast, and frustration-free. To pull the lid up, you grab the exterior pull-tab, which has a roomy grab loop with enough space for a few fingers.

Unique Zipper-Free Lid

When the lid is shut and the pull-tab is hanging down, it attaches to the outside of the cooler via two strips of Velcro. Throughout testing, I really appreciated this innovative lid design, especially for long drives.

I wasn’t sure if the lid would stay closed if it got knocked over. So I deliberately (and aggressively) knocked the cooler down in all directions — front, back, and to each side — and the lid never came undone. It impressed me more than I expected.

This isn’t bearproof, but for our road trips and fishing trips, it held up great!

SmartShelf: No Soggy Sandwiches

The HardBody liner includes a removable SmartShelf insert that divides the cooler into two sections. The SmartShelf sits toward the top and occupies about a third of the cooler’s volume.

That shelf was perfect for separating cold drinks below from softer grab items like sandwiches, fruit, or anything I didn’t want to get soggy. Previously, I kept our snacks in a plastic bag, so they wouldn’t get wet. But now I can just put them on the tray.

There, the snacks stayed cold and didn’t get soggy. Plus, I didn’t have to search around in a plastic bag to find what I wanted. Everything was nicely organized on the tray.

The only drawback was when I needed to unload my snacks from the SmartShelf, in order to remove it to access the bottom portion of the cooler. If the shelf had a slightly taller raised peripheral edge to keep items from sliding off, it would make the process a lot more convenient. 

Ice Retention Test: Lasts 3 Days

The Deep Freeze insulation and ColdBlock base lived up to the brand’s claims of keeping ice for up to 3 days.

As we do with all of our soft coolers and backpack coolers that are tested at GearJunkie, I performed our standard in-house ice retention test. I filled the cooler two-thirds full of crushed store-bought ice and kept it inside at 67 degrees Fahrenheit. I then checked on it every 12 hours and recorded the ice melt. The last ice cubes melted in just over 3 days, or 75 hours. 

During our road trip, the soft cooler kept drinks cold for nearly two full days, even with frequent openings and being shuffled in and out of the car. On a fishing trip where the lid was opened constantly for snacks and sitting in the direct sunlight, the ice started to melt before one day was done.

But there was still plenty of ice inside to keep things cold. Just don’t expect YETI-level ice retention here. I think that’s an OK tradeoff, because it’s not reaching YETI prices.

I frequently pulled out the removable foam liner to check for water that might’ve gotten trapped between it and the soft cooler wall. The only time I found water under the liner was after intentionally tipping the cooler to test the lid. But the soft cooler exterior is leakproof, so it didn’t create any issues.

Easy to Carry, Built to Haul

The adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with an anti-slip pad did its job well, keeping the cooler securely in place while hiking. However, I found the pad a bit uncomfortable for longer carries. Anything longer than 15 minutes of continuous carry, especially if the cooler was really loaded and heavy. A little bit of cushion — which this strap lacks — would have gone a long way to make it more comfortable. 

I also liked the multiple grab options, specifically the side handles. They made it easy for two people to lift or carry it, especially when the cooler was loaded down with ice. It does get heavy. The starting weight is 3.64 pounds, which isn’t the heaviest soft cooler. But the pounds add up quickly when it’s loaded with ice.

Accessories & Pockets

The expandable mesh side pockets were another win. I used them to stash water bottles and post-lunch trash while on the road or at the river. They stretched easily without sagging, snapping right back into place when they were empty. It’s a small feature that turned out to be surprisingly valuable.

A removable bottle opener is attached to the side of the cooler. The bungee cord system on the top of the cooler was a great place to secure items too big for the pockets, like a cutting board or small dish towels.

We also found the flat top surprisingly useful as a makeshift prep and snack table, which was especially handy on the river when we forgot plates. Our cutting board (nope — it’s not included with this cooler) doubled as an impromptu charcuterie board, making snack time feel a little more put-together.

The insulated front pocket offers extra space for keeping items cool without direct contact with ice, and it’s roomier than it looks. When we weren’t using it for snacks, it easily fit our fly boxes during fishing trips. A secondary zippered pocket (on the front of that insulated pocket) was just the right size for my phone. Though, the fit can get tight if the insulated pocket is fully loaded.

Room for Improvement?

It’s hard to nitpick at this price. But the lid’s Velcro front closure may lose some grip over time with heavy use.

What sticks out most? The adjustable shoulder strap, while practical, can become uncomfortable during longer carries. I would really appreciate it if the strap incorporated some cushion for comfort. That would be a nice addition when the cooler is fully loaded and heavy. I’d also like shoulder padding for longer approach hikes to a fishing hole along the river.

The external material is easy to clean (even if mustard explodes across it, as we experienced during one lunch break). But I have some concerns about the longevity of the removable HardBody liner. Though it’s made from heavy-duty plastic, it’s still plastic. Over time, it may crack.

Final Thoughts

As a functional soft cooler, the Titan by Arctic Zone 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler is very convenient to use thanks to a zipper-free lid design and plenty of spacious pockets. Overall, this design is a reliable option for single-day or weekend-long road trips and outdoor activities, including fishing.

An adjustable shoulder strap and the grab handles make it transportable. The SmartShelf insert is a great addition, ensuring no soggy sandwiches or bites. The expandable mesh side pouches are great for stashing extra plates or storing trash.

There are a few minor downsides, such as the potential for the Velcro closure to wear over time. The shoulder strap could be more comfortable for longer or heavier hauls. I’m also concerned that the HardBody liner could eventually crack — but that could also be managed through good user care. Given this cooler’s price point, these are easy for me to overlook.

Overall, my favorite feature is the Zipperless lid, which makes accessing drinks and snacks a breeze, especially when I’m mid-activity. For anyone tired of struggling with traditional zippers and looking for a functional, everyday soft cooler, the Titan by Arctic Zone 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler is one to check out. It delivers a balance of performance, ease of use, and value, making it one of our top recommendations for road trips or casual outdoor adventure.