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I was looking for a lightweight cooler to take on a quick three day trip to Cedar Point. Since I have had good luck with other RTIC coolers in the past, I decided to pick up the RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler for the trip.
After spending several days with it on the road from Muskegon, Michigan, to Sandusky, Ohio, I came away impressed with its size, portability, and overall performance. RTIC designed this cooler to deliver great cooling performance without the heavy weight that often comes with other hard sided coolers. After using it, I can see why it has become one of RTIC’s most popular models.
First Impressions and Build Quality
When I first unboxed the cooler, the thing that stood out most was how light it felt. The cooler has a rugged appearance with thick insulated walls, heavy duty latches, rope handles, and large rubber feet. Based on looks alone, I expected it to weigh significantly more than it actually does.
RTIC uses an injection molded construction instead of the rotomolded construction found on many other coolers. Normally, that might make me question durability, but the cooler feels solid from every angle. The lid closes firmly, the walls feel sturdy, and nothing flexes or rattles when carrying it.
The hardware also leaves a good first impression. The stainless steel components feel durable and should resist rust over years of use around water, rain, and humid conditions. The overall fit and finish look clean and well executed.
Size and Capacity
The 32 quart size hits a sweet spot for many people. The cooler measures roughly 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 15 inches tall. Those dimensions make it compact enough to fit easily in most vehicles while still providing enough storage for a long weekend trip.
For my trip to Cedar Point, the cooler fit perfectly in the back of our Jeep Grand Cherokee without blocking visibility through the rear window. Even with luggage and other travel gear packed around it, the cooler never felt oversized or difficult to position.
Inside, the cooler offers enough room for food and drinks for several days. RTIC rates it for up to 48 cans without ice. I did not need that much space for this particular trip, but as someone who camps frequently with a family of four, I appreciate having that extra capacity available.
I can already see this becoming my primary cooler for camping weekends. It offers enough room for drinks, sandwich supplies, snacks, fruit, and other items that I want quick access to throughout the day without constantly opening the camper refrigerator.
RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler Design
The biggest advantage of the RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler is right in the name.
RTIC designed this cooler to weigh up to 30 percent less than comparable rotomolded coolers. Empty, it weighs about 13 pounds. That may not sound important until you load a cooler with ice, drinks, and food.
Many premium coolers become difficult to move once fully loaded. This cooler never reached that point during my trip. Even after adding drinks, food, and a bag of ice, I could still carry it comfortably by myself.
For campers, boaters, tailgaters, and road trippers, that lower weight becomes a major advantage. You spend less energy moving the cooler and more time enjoying the trip.
RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler Handles and Portability
RTIC clearly spent time thinking about portability.
The marine grade rope handles include thick padded grips that feel comfortable in your hands. The padding prevents the rope from digging into your fingers, even when the cooler carries a full load.
I also like the handle length. My hands stay far enough from the cooler that they do not hit the sides while carrying it. That may sound like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference when walking longer distances from a vehicle to a campsite.
The molded side handles provide another option when lifting the cooler into a vehicle or moving it around a campsite.
Lid, Latches, and Gasket
The lid feels substantial and closes securely. RTIC uses durable T style latches that pull the lid down tightly against the gasket. They open easily while still providing enough tension to create a secure seal.
Around the lid, RTIC uses a freezer style O ring gasket. Combined with the thick insulation, this gasket helps trap cold air inside the cooler and keep warm air out. The lid fits tightly against the gasket, which gave me confidence that the cooler would hold its temperature effectively throughout the trip.
The lid also includes a textured traction surface. RTIC advertises it as a casting platform for fishing, but it also provides extra grip when setting items on top of the cooler around camp.
Ice Retention and Cooling Performance of the RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler
RTIC claims the cooler can keep ice for up to five days when users follow their cooling recommendations. Those recommendations include pre chilling the cooler, pre chilling food and drinks, using plenty of ice, and keeping the cooler out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
For my trip, I ignored several of those recommendations.
I did not pre chill the cooler before packing it. I placed some drinks inside while they were still warm. I left the cooler in the back of a black Jeep throughout the trip. The vehicle spent hours sitting in open parking lots under direct sunlight, and we opened the cooler regularly during rest stops and visits to the amusement park.
Despite those conditions, the cooler still performed very well. The ice gradually melted, which I expected, but the drinks remained cold throughout the trip. Even when we started driving back to Michigan, everything inside still felt properly chilled.
I suspect the cooler would perform significantly better if I followed RTIC’s recommended packing procedures. With pre chilled contents and more ice, I could easily see this cooler lasting several days during a camping trip.
Drainage and Water Management
As the ice melted, I paid close attention to how the cooler handled water.
By the end of the trip, I had plenty of melt water inside, but I never found any leaks around the drain plugs. The cooler kept all of the water contained where it belonged, which gave me confidence transporting it in the vehicle.
The cooler includes two drain plugs along with RTIC’s Rapid V Drain System. When it came time to empty the cooler, I simply removed the plugs and let gravity do the work. The drains moved water quickly and made cleanup easy.
One thing I noticed is that the drain plugs do not sit at the absolute lowest point of the cooler. Because of that, a small amount of water remains after draining. For me, this is not a major issue. Even if the drains sat lower, I would still leave the lid open and flip the cooler upside down to allow any remaining moisture on the walls and corners to dry completely before storing it away for the next trip. Since I already follow that process with all of my coolers, the small amount of water left behind did not bother me.
Cleaning and Maintenance
During the trip, one of our drinks apparently developed a leak. When I arrived home, I noticed that the water inside had a slight color and a fruity smell.
Fortunately, cleaning the cooler took only a few minutes.
I sprayed the interior with a garden hose, added some Dawn dish soap, wiped down the surfaces, and rinsed everything clean. The smooth interior surfaces do not trap dirt or residue, making maintenance simple.
After draining and cleaning the cooler, I left the lid open and allowed everything to dry completely before storing it.
Features That Stand Out
Several smaller features help separate this cooler from cheaper alternatives.
The non skid rubber feet provide excellent grip on smooth surfaces. Whether I placed the cooler on concrete, pavement, or the cargo area of the Jeep, it stayed in place and resisted sliding.
The integrated bottle opener adds convenience when enjoying bottled beverages around camp.
The molded tie down slots make it easy to secure the cooler in a truck bed, trailer, boat, or camper.
I also appreciate the locking points built into the design. Whether someone wants extra security at a campsite or needs to comply with local regulations, the option is there.
These features may seem minor individually, but together they create a cooler that feels thoughtfully designed.
How It Compares to Other Coolers
Over the years, I have used everything from inexpensive department store coolers to heavier premium models.
Compared to budget coolers, the RTIC provides noticeably better insulation, stronger construction, and more useful features. The lid seals better, the hardware feels more durable, and the cooler simply feels built for long term use.
Compared to larger premium coolers, the biggest advantage is weight. Many premium coolers offer excellent ice retention, but they become extremely heavy once loaded. The RTIC strikes a balance between cooling performance and portability that many people will appreciate.
For weekend camping, road trips, sporting events, and family outings, I think this balance makes more sense than carrying an extremely heavy cooler everywhere.
Final Thoughts on the RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler
The RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler delivers exactly what its name promises. It provides the insulation and durability people expect from a premium cooler while keeping weight to a minimum.
During my three day trip to Cedar Point, it handled heat, direct sunlight, frequent opening, and long hours in a vehicle without any major issues. It kept food and drinks cold, never leaked, cleaned up easily, and remained comfortable to carry throughout the trip.
The practical size, lightweight construction, comfortable handles, quality hardware, and strong cooling performance make it an easy cooler to recommend.
After using it on this trip, I already plan to bring it on future camping adventures. For anyone who wants a premium hard sided cooler that remains easy to move and practical to use, the RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler deserves serious consideration. If you want to learn more about this cooler or would like to make a purchase, visit rticoutdoors.com or amazon.com.
