Icemule Cooler Review
Updated by Brandon F. on August 23, 2022
Icemule is a relatively new cooler company based out of Florida that is attempting to turn the cooler industry on its head with its unique lineup of products. The name of the game with Icemule is soft coolers. And while they have a few different models to choose from, all of them are designed around a very similar design premise (we will get into more details about that in the sections below).
They promise a simple and effective soft cooler that is not only very portable but also extremely tough and capable of up to 24 hours of ice life. Asking prices for all of this do creep up, however.
Before we jump into our giant test and review of Icemule Coolers, check out the table below that shows some of what we feel are the best Icemule Coolers. Once you are ready, scroll on down to see our full review.
Icemule Cooler Lineup
At the time of this writing, Icemule has 5 different types of coolers to choose from. They also have some accessories and gear but we won’t be getting into much detail about those in this review.
The 5 cooler series include Class, Pro, BOSS, Tote, and Pro Catch. We will introduce each briefly in the next few paragraphs.
Icemule Classic Cooler
The Icemule Classic Coolers are the simplest (and most cost-effective) models that Icemule offers. They utilize the proprietary Icemule cooling technology and storied build quality but without all of the additional features that drive up the price of some of their other soft coolers.
You can choose between three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. It is worth noting that Icemule rates its products in liters. Here at TheCoolerZone, we traditionally work in quarts. The conversion between quarts to liters is pretty close, however (about 1.05 quarts equals 1 liter) so whether you prefer thinking in quarts or instead liters, the result is about the same.
The Icemule Classic Small Cooler has around 10 liters of capacity, the Medium model bumps it up to 15 liters, and the Large tops things off with 20 liters. This is large enough to hold approximately 6 cans, 12 cans, and 18 cans, respectively. All models utilize a very similar shape, features, and carrying method (which will discuss in the feature section).
Icemule Pro Cooler
Next up are the Icemule Pro Coolers. These models take the implementation that we saw on the Classic Models and supersize them. Specifically, these models will come with 23 liters, 33 liters, and 40 liters on the Large, X-Large, and XX-Large, respectively. This is big enough to hold an impressive 18, 24, or 36 cans.
Being a large cooler, they also need a more robust way to be carried. You will find a more capable double padded strap with sternum strap along with some other nifty additional features.
Icemule Boss Cooler Backpack
The Icemule Boss is, according to Icemule, “the best backpack cooler ever made”. Those are some pretty lofty words but the Icemule, on paper, certainly does present a strong argument. It is available in one size (30 liters) and comes with a host of additional features that aren’t present in any other models (but at a very high asking price). We wouldn’t mind a few extra size choices but this is still a clever model in its own right.
Icemule Tote
We aren’t testing this model in this review (since it isn’t really a cooler) but we still figure that we would mention it. The Icemule Tote is exactly as it sounds: an extra tough tote that comes with its own miniature 9L Classic Cooler inside. This small cooler is large enough to store around 6 cans plus the additional non-insulated volume that the tote has.
Icemule Pro Catch Cooler
Lastly, there is the Icemule Pro Catch Cooler series. This is another lineup that we won’t be testing in this review as it is more designed for holding caught fish than chilled items (although it does have a removable liner so that it could technically do both). It comes in 3 sizes: Small, Medium, and Large and has corresponding length designations for each: 22”, 32”, and 42”.
As for storage volume, you will find around 27L, 36L, and 54L, respectively. This gives you plenty of room to store all the big fish you will be catching (or for the made-up fishing stories you will tell everybody when you get back home!).
Icemule Cooler Features
At first glance, Icemule products are much different than typical soft coolers that you are likely used to seeing. And with this unique approach comes some very unique features that we will go over in this section.
The foundation of all Icemule products is in their host of proprietary technologies that are the backbone of their impressive performance.
Starting, you will find what they call Muleskin. More specifically, you will find MuleSkinET on the exterior of the cooler and MuleSkinEV on the interior. These two layers help to provide great protection against outdoor elements such as heat, water, rocks, sand, and more. They also provide a boost to ice performance.
In between these two rugged layers is PolarLayer Insulation. This is the backbone of the ice retention numbers (24+ hours according to Icemule). And unlike most traditional closed-cell insulation that we are used to seeing on soft coolers, PolarLayer Insulation allows you to add air inside of it to provide an extra boost to the insulation capabilities. It also makes the cooler very buoyant and capable of floating even on rougher waters such as on a river or lake.
The final piece of the puzzle is in the IM AirValve. This is the entryway to put in (and take out) the air that is in the insulation layer. The reason that you would want to remove this air is to allow you to roll up your Icemule Cooler (which is another one of the very unique features that these products offer).
The image above shows how easy it is to roll up your Icemule Cooler when not in use. This makes it easy to store while taking up only the most minimal amount of space. And when you are ready to use it again, simply unroll it, fill it with air (for added ice performance), and get to enjoy your next outdoor adventure!
So while the three features discussed above form the groundwork for these soft coolers, each model comes with various other features to make it more user-friendly. We’ll break those down further in the following sections.
In the Classic models, the overall feature list is kept short to help keep the price down. But worth noting is the removable padded shoulder strap. This strap allows you to easily throw the cooler around your shoulder, allowing your hands to be free to do other things.
At the top of the Classic Series Coolers, you will find an easy-snap buckle. This is how you keep the cooler closed and air-tight while in use.
The Icemule Pro Coolers follow a very similar design but on a larger scale. You will find the same insulation, materials, and snapping feature as on the Classic model.
However, replacing the shoulder strap is a double padded strap in addition to a balancing sternum strap. This is quite helpful as these coolers, when full, can be quite bulky, and hiking over rough terrain could be challenging.
On the front of the cooler, you will also get to enjoy a built-in elastic bungee. This bungee is great for hanging and/or securing additional items that you don’t want or need to store inside. These outside items will also allow for quick and easy access. We have found that these bungees are great for things such as keys, maps, GPS, etc.
The last model that we will discuss is the Icemule Boss Backpack Cooler. In our opinion, this model takes the best features of the other models and combines them with features found in more traditional backpack coolers that you are used to seeing.
The most obvious thing that you will likely notice is that the Boss comes with additional storage pockets. These pockets don’t utilize the same level of insulation as the largest main pocket but they come in handy for storing items that you don’t need or want to keep cold.
In addition to these pockets will be the other features that we discussed above: double padded shoulder straps and a front bungee cord. But added to this list will be side webbing for even more storage potential.
So what about durability and warranty? All of these features are great but having them on a product that will last is equally important.
We have found that Icemule’s approach of keeping things simple and using strong materials pays off. These products are extremely tough and should hold up to most typical wear and tear. In particular, they are very good in wet environments and are essentially waterproof for short periods when properly closed.
This can be attributed to their use of welded seams and not having few if any, pockets (which can be common leak paths). They also can handle normal drops, scratches, and bumps against abrasive surfaces like rocks and trees.
Our one complaint is with the warranty, however. For such a tough product we were very underwhelmed with the existing warranty: Only 90 days. Most higher-end cooler companies have longer warranties on their products. And while soft coolers never have the warranty length of a hard-sided cooler, we were still hoping for at least a 1-year warranty.
Icemule Cooler Ice life
If Icemule hopes to compete in the premium soft cooler market then they need a cooler that is not only tough but also excels at keeping ice.
According to their website, their products are capable of holding ice for 24 hours or more. At these numbers, they are right in the thick of it with many of the other quality soft cooler brands on the market (but still below the very best when it comes to ice retention).
But we don’t think that Icemule went out to try to shatter ice retention records with their products. Rather, they were after something simple, durable, and that is still good at keeping ice. Their insulation, while acceptable, is nowhere near the thickest that we have seen. And we like the added ability to fill the inside of the cooler with air for a boost in ice life but we also know that air is nowhere as good of an insulator as most of the closed cell foam used in soft coolers.
To get to the bottom of this, we put these coolers through some of our in-house tests. We filled them with cans of soda, filled them with around 1/3 of ice, left them in the Texas heat, and opened them from time to time. This gives a more realistic scenario of what the conditions will be when typically being used.
Our results can be seen in the chart below:
We are content with these numbers. They are by no means the longest ice life we have seen in a soft cooler but they are long enough to meet most people’s needs for a Daytripper type of soft cooler.
As is typical of most coolers, the larger models tend to hold ice better. This isn’t because of the larger models have thicker insulation or more advanced cooling features in most cases. Rather, it is because they hold more ice and also have a larger volume. And a larger volume of cold air takes more hot air exposure to bring the temperature up.
It is also worth noting that we didn’t see much of an effect between “airing up” the cooler and leaving it “airless”. It might make a small difference but the effects, in our experience, were negligible. You are better off finding a bit of extra room to squeeze in some additional ice or ice packs. However, if you are going iceless or only have a set amount of ice that you can carry, it doesn’t hurt to go ahead and put in some air to maximize the cooling performance.
In terms of specific performance, we found that Icemule Coolers range anywhere from most of the morning up to over a day depending on the model, amount of ice used, and the specific application.
On the higher end, this does agree with Icemule’s claims of 24+ hours of cooling performance but only in the largest models. In our experience, if you go with one of the smaller coolers then expect true ice life to be less.
In particular, we were impressed with the Icemule Boss Backpack. Few “backpack” style coolers that we have tested can reach this level of ice retention. That being said, this isn’t a typical backpack: it will be much larger and bulkier than most of the other backpack coolers that we have tested.
Icemule Cooler Aesthetics
Icemule Coolers score some points in the original looks department. As to whether or not those looks are considered attractive is up to the individual. These soft coolers don’t look like a soft cooler as much as they resemble a giant pillowcase. The defined edges and curves typical of most soft coolers have been replaced by a round cylindrical shape.
The Icemule Pro and particularly the Icemule Boss Cooler Bag upgrade the looks some by including bungee cords and pockets to offset the plain appearance of the Classic Series. But the look still won’t be for everyone.
We have spoken to many potential buyers and they have expressed the desire to have a cooler bag that resembled most typical cooler bags. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, we have also spoken to people that love the look. You need to decide if you enjoy this look (or if you don’t if you are at least willing to accept it) before making a purchase.
As for color options, most models will come with between 3 and 5. The Classic Series currently comes in all solid colors. These colors include Olive Green, Icemule Blue, Blaze Orange, Seafoam, and Crimson. These are all bright colors and while they all look nice, we do wish that there would also be some more plain colors for those people who prefer not to stand out as much.
The Icemule Pro Coolers come in 4 colors. They come with the same Olive Green that is offered in the Classic Series but the other 3 colors are unique. The four colors you can choose from are Olive Green, Icemule Grey, Realtree Xtra Camo, and Matte Black.
It is also worth noting that there is currently no custom shop that we are aware of. That means that if you are dead-set on a custom color or perhaps a cooler with your team logo or initials on it, you are out of luck.
Icemule Cooler Cost
Icemule implements some intuitive features and design approaches that you won’t see in any other competition on the market. They have put a lot of engineering and design effort into their products and it comes with a host of proprietary methods that allow it to enjoy the success that it has.
As you might expect, this is somewhat reflected in the price. These are priced into the upper intermediate to premium price tier depending on which series and size you go with.
On the lower end, the Classic Series isn’t terribly priced. While by no means a budget item, they are the most affordable of the Icemule coolers (but also come with the smallest storage volume and fewest features).
As you climb your way up the models and sizes, the price increases accordingly. This peaks with the quite expensive Icemule Boss Backpack. While this may be stated as being the best backpack cooler ever, you will certainly pay a high asking price to enjoy it! But you do get a ton of storage volume and plenty of additional features if you have the budget for it.
Icemule Cooler vs. Yeti
So how does Icemule compare to the big dogs of the cooler world (specifically Yeti)?
Well, since Icemule only makes soft-sided coolers then the comparison is between these models and the Yeti soft-sided coolers that are called the Hopper.
In terms of size choices, both offer plenty of sizes. The Hopper does have a few more models but it isn’t too overwhelming. In other words, no matter if you are after a small cooler designed to hold a couple of items or a much larger cooler that can handle a small group, both brands have you covered.
As for features, we have to give the nod to Yeti. Icemule has some intuitive features that help with performance but not a lot from a usability standpoint. Noticeably missing in most models are additional pockets, hooks, latches, and other features that are common on most premium soft coolers. The exception to this is the Boss and, to a less extent, the Pro Series. But we feel that Icemule’s intent here was to keep things simple and easy. And in that regard, they succeeded.
For build quality, both are fantastic. Both have thick insulation, are made of tough external and interior materials, and offer excellent build quality. But Yeti has a clear edge in the warranty department. They offer a 3-year warranty on their Hopper Coolers vs. just 90 days on Icemule Coolers.
Finally, the price. Yeti is almost always going to be the more expensive model and that is also the case here. Outside of the Icemule Boss which is expensive any way you put it, a Yeti will require you to open up your pocketbook a lot more. And for many on a tighter budget, the extra warranty and features on a Yeti will not justify the higher asking price.
So which is better? It is a close call but we are going to have to go with Icemule by a hair. If you are after a simple and effective soft cooler that can hold ice and last, then it checks those marks and at a lower price than Yeti. But if you want a more traditional soft cooler and appreciate additional pockets (and are willing to pay extra), then Yeti is the way to go. But either way, you will enjoy a great product from both brands!
Icemule Cooler Review
Pros: Very simple to use, Extremely tough, Acceptable ice life
Cons: Limited additional pockets, Very short warranty, Can be pricey
Features: Muleskin walls, PolarLayer insulation, IM AirValve, Easy-snap buckle, Removable padded shoulder strap, Elastic bungee
Icemule is certainly one of the most unique soft cooler brands that we have tested. Their design is simple and effective: it doesn’t require complex zippers and an array of features. Rather, its secret sauce is a tough material, quality insulation, and the ability to “wrap” around its stored items or roll up when not in use. There are a few different models to choose from but all utilize a similar design approach. You will find storage volume that ranges from 10 liters up to 40 liters. And asking prices will typically be in the intermediate to premium price range.
Insulation Ability – 
Your ice life will be prolonged thanks to a few key components found in most Icemule Coolers. First, you will have the Muleskin walls which provide a thick barrier between the chilled items inside and the warm air outside. Next, a hearty layer of PolarLayer Insulation will be found in between the Muleskin walls. As the name suggests, this helps to insulate. Finally, the IM AirValve allows you to introduce air into the walls of the cooler which Icemule states will further increase ice life.
Then there is the overall design of the cooler itself. By tightly wrapping up and snapping shut at the top, you don’t have to worry about large zippers that can be notorious for allowing cold air to escape. And the stitches have been replaced with welded seams which provide a waterproof and airproof barrier.
These result in above-average ice retention. Depending on which model you go with, you can expect anywhere from a few hours up to a full day’s worth of ice life. This makes these coolers great for picnics, hikes, or day trips.
Mobility and Durability –
We are very impressed with just how tough of a product Icemule has brought to the table. Their “keep it simple” approach means that there are fewer pieces and fewer pieces mean fewer places where things can go wrong! In particular, we like the thick shell and the fact that it doesn’t rely on any sort of stitching to keep it attached. A common weak point on other soft coolers lies in the stitches that hold the fabric together. By removing that all together, you are left with a durable protective shield that can handle typical falls, bumps, and scratches with ease.
Our one issue with the durability doesn’t lie in the design itself. We think that it is great! But rather in the very lackluster warranty. You will only find a 90-day warranty on Icemule Coolers. For such a strong product, we would have expected a longer warranty. Not only does this give a consumer peace of mind but it also shows us that the manufacturer stands behind their product.
As for features and mobility, this is a very simple cooler with a rather Spartan approach. The notable characters include the walls, insulation, and air valve discussed above. And of course, having the ability to easily roll up and store the cooler when not in use is a great positive. But outside of that, you don’t find a lot of other newsworthy features.
For mobility, you can choose between a shoulder strap or dual padded shoulder straps in larger sizes. But other than the Icemule Boss Backpack Cooler, there is no other option that has external pockets for storing other items. There are a few webbing pieces and bungee cords to hang items from, but we would like more flexibility in how we store non-chilled items.
Visual Appeal – 
Looks are subjective, particularly with Icemule Coolers. We will admit that there is nothing else like them in terms of styling. They are a soft cooler but will remind you more of a sleeping bag or a pillowcase. Whether you like this look will be a personal preference. If we had to choose, we slightly prefer the look of the Pro Coolers (and particularly the Boss Backpack Cooler) over the Classic. This is because they have added features that help to break the monotony of the solid color external shell.
For color choices, you will find anywhere between 3 and 5 to choose from depending on which size and model you go with. This is about average for the industry. We do wish that there were some more subtle color options in the Classic Series.
There are also no options for customizing your cooler with specialty colors of lettering. We feel that this is something that Icemule could add that would set them apart from many other soft cooler brands (hint hint!).
Cost – 
Asking prices will vary quite a bit depending on which size and model you go with. On the lower end, the Classic Series offers up a reasonably-priced option considering the great performance and acceptable ice life that you will get. You will be limited on size and storage ability, however. And as you scale up to larger models, you will find plenty of storage volume (up to 40 liters) but at a higher asking price.
And of course, our favorite model (the Boss Backpack Cooler) comes in at the most expensive of them all.
Compared to other coolers in the industry at this caliber of performance, the prices aren’t terrible. Brands such as Yeti, Engel, and Orca are likely to fetch a higher asking price. But they will also have more features. Whether or not those extra features justify the higher price tag will be up to you.
Overall Rating –
We appreciate Icemule thinking out of the box with their soft cooler selection. These coolers tackle the challenge of retaining ice in a new way that has some very inherent benefits. In terms of mobility, storage, and simplicity, these are some of the best soft coolers that we have tested. And the ice life, while not the longest we have seen, is still not bad.
The feature choices are somewhat limited but that is tied back to the overall design approach that Icemule is going for. This might be a great positive to some and a notable negative to others. The asking price, considering the ice life and build quality, is acceptable.
We will recommend these coolers if you want something simple and effective. But depending on your specific needs, there might be a handful of better options out there.
