Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler Review

We’ve tried quite a few coolers in our day, but still fondly recall when we shelled out for our first Yeti Tundra more than a decade ago. We've loved the brand since then, and were excited to try the wheeled Yeti Roadie 48. This has since become our favorite hard-sided cooler, and easily our favorite wheeled cooler. The “Roadie” series is not bear-proof, but since the line is largely intended for road trips, we store it in the car and not outside at campgrounds. It is tall enough to fit upright wine bottles and sits nicely on the floor or back seat of our vehicles. This cooler ticks all the boxes, including excellent ice retention, capacity, and durability, and we've been using it for picnics, boat parties, and road trips. Below, we outline our experiences with the Roadie 48. To see how it compares to the competition, check out our articles on the best coolers and best wheeled coolers.
 

Table of Contents

• Ice Retention and Insulating Abilities
• Capacity
• Weight and Portability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Key Features
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Ice Retention and Insulating Abilities

Yeti coolers are known for their top-notch insulating and ice-retention capabilities, and the Roadie 48 carries the torch with thick walls, high-quality Permafrost insulation, and a freezer-style gasket. On a recent excursion we left the cooler in our van for several days while we were out backpacking. The temperatures hovered over 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the days, so I can only guess how hot it became in our van. When we returned, the ice had melted, but the water was still ice cold. More importantly, the beer and wine were perfectly chilled, and no food had spoiled. As is customary for Yeti, the Roadie’s lid sits tight with a recessed rubber “Coldlock” gasket, a freezer-style closure that provides a solid seal and insulation. The build is a pressure-injected polyurethane “Permafrost insulation,” the same reliable insulation Yeti uses in their entire hard-sided cooler line. For tips on maximizing ice retention, check out Yeti’s page on the subject. 
 

As with all coolers, we’ve found that the Roadie works best if we "prime" it by sacrificing a bag of ice to lower its temperature overnight before packing. It also works best with a block of ice instead of cubes, but we prefer cubed because the smaller pieces fill in gaps and fit better around our food and drinks. We typically use two bags of cubed ice, keeping one sealed for cocktails. I also love the included wire dry bin, but it's worth noting that the items in the wire basket are held further from the ice. This hasn't been an issue as the items still remain chilled, but anything that requires direct ice contact should be wrapped tightly and placed against the ice itself.
 

Capacity

Yeti also offers the Roadie in 32-quart and 60-quart capacities, but we've found the Roadie 48 to be the perfect middle ground. This cooler easily accommodates a bottle of wine, beer, and other beverages, as well as fresh food for two people for several days. With no ice, the cooler can hold 76 cans, and while we haven't had a reason to shuttle that many drinks, if the cooler and beverages are chilled beforehand, the drinks stay cold even with frequent opening/closing and without the whole cooler being full. The 48-quart size is a good choice for two people on a standard trip, allowing for restocking of ice and food every few days, and it doesn't feel like overkill for wheeling to picnics or loading into a car. 
 

Weight and Portability

The Roadie 48 weighs 28 pounds 4.8 ounces, which is not light, but aligned with similarly sized coolers like the 28-pound Rovr RollR 45. The weight is mostly irrelevant with the wheels, and the Roadie is easy to tow even up steeper hills. Notably, it's a lot easier to pick up compared to the Rollr 45, and we appreciated the substantial grips for loading in and out of our van. It does get heavy when filled to capacity, and it's awkward to lift off the car’s backseat... luckily, it's durable enough that we've been able to drag and drop it onto the ground with no ill effects. 
 

Regarding the durability of features, the Roadie 48's “Neverflat" wheels aren't pneumatic, but rather solid, single-piece construction that can't be punctured. The only downside is that the air pressure cannot be adjusted, although the wheels have navigated all the terrain and rocks we’ve encountered. In the unlikely event that it can't overcome an obstacle, it does have side handles for easy lifting. The telescoping handle is strong and stable, and we haven't experienced any twisting issues, unlike with the RollR 45 handle. The only downside is that the handle is only lockable when fully extended, which is fine for taller people, but one of our shorter picnic guests would have preferred a partially extended lock.
 

Build Quality and Durability

We were slightly worried that the Roadie’s wheels would not live up to heavy use, and the handle would twist, similar to our experience with the Rovr Rollr 45. But the Roadie’s tires are robust and capable, with some scuffs after the test period, but no structural damage. The handle is sturdy, with limited flex, and continues to telescope effortlessly even after extensive use. It locks into place cleanly and is easy to release. The QuickLatch system is perfectly aligned and easy to operate with one hand, and our only issue so far is the lack of bearproofing. When in doubt, leave this in your vehicle overnight rather than leaving it out in the open. 
 

Key Features

One of the most notable features of the Roadie 48 is the sturdy wheels. One person can easily carry the cooler, even when full, and the solid build has held up well this past season. Yeti's Quicklatch closing system is easy to open and close, and the latches feel perfectly calibrated. Despite the ease with which they are manipulated, we’ve never had an issue with them accidentally releasing. We also appreciate that the drain port has never leaked, though the plug doesn't have an attachment once you unscrew it, so remember where you placed it. 
 

As mentioned earlier, the dry goods basket is useful for keeping items away from melting ice, and we also appreciate the non-slip feet on the base of the cooler that prevent it from rolling or slipping in transit. The Roadie also features anchor points in the handle, along with a recessed section on the lid to secure a strap in place, although we haven't had to use it. For those who want to trick out their cooler, Yeti offers several aftermarket accessories, including reusable ice packs, replacement non-slip feet, and a Tie-Down Kit with ratchet straps and mounting hardware.

Other Versions of the Yeti Roadie

We tested the  Roadie 48 for this review, and Yeti also makes the cooler in two other wheeled versions: the Roadie 32 and Roadie 60. The Roadie 32 costs $375 and weighs 24 pounds 8 ounces, which isn't much weight or money savings compared to the 48, and you get significantly less capacity. The Roadie 60 is largely similar to the 48, but with a boost in capacity—it can fit up to 98 cans without ice, while the Roadie 48 holds 76 cans. The 60 is also the priciest and heaviest of the line, at $475 and weighing 30 pounds 9.6 ounces.
 

What We Like

• Class-leading ice retention and durability thanks to a sturdy rotomolded build and quality insulation.
• Tall enough to fit wine and 2-liter soda bottles upright.
• Robust features include side handles, non-slip rubber feet, tie-down slots, durable latches, and puncture-resistant wheels.
• Smaller footprint than similar-capacity coolers in Yeti's Tundra line.

What We Don’t

• One of the more expensive coolers for this size.
• Not leakproof, and no system for making it fully bear-resistant.
• Telescoping handle can only be locked in full-length position.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

Yeti’s Roadie 48 is the top-ranked model in our wheeled cooler guide thanks to its impressive ice retention and durability, but the $425 price tag is steep. For $150 less, we also like the Rovr Rollr 45, which has similarly impressive ice retention and excellent traction thanks to its inflatable wheels. It features a rotomolded construction on par with Yeti's, plus a range of fun add-ons, including a bike hauling kit and cutting board. Still, we were less impressed with the somewhat flimsy telescoping handle and would put Yeti's overall quality above the Rovr. For more details, check out our full review of the Rovr Rollr 45. 
 

RTIC is another Yeti competitor and sells direct to consumer, which allows them to keep prices lower without compromising overall quality. Their $299 45QT Ultra-Tough Wheeled Cooler is an excellent example, costing substantially less than the Yeti but with similar capacity, durability, and features. We especially love the built-in webbing under the lid, which keeps items like cheese and deli meat from getting soggy without sacrificing bin space. On the flip side, the Ultra-Tough's dimensions are more cumbersome to move around than the Yeti's, plus it weighs 5 pounds more. 

Finally, Yeti's own Tundra Haul: the 50-quart wheeled version of their expansive Tundra line. This is a great option if you're looking to bear-proof your cooler, plus it's longer and slightly shorter than the Roadie 48 if you're using it in a truck bed instead of the backseat of a car. Overall, we'd still recommend the Roadie over the Tundra Haul for weight and price savings, and we've found the dimensions of the Roadie 48 to be more travel-friendly.
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