YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Backpack Soft Cooler Review
Durable hands-free beverage cooling with maximum ice retention
June 30th, 2026
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Our verdict
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpacker cooler is the toughest backpack cooler we tested. Stylish, colorful, and with the best ice insulation of any cooler we tested, this easy-to-clean cooler can haul a lot of chilled cans and food.
With a sturdy waterproof and puncture resistant foodgrade DryHide shell, it's among the easiest to hose down and clean and doesn't hold smells, like other coolers. The thick ColdCell foam insulation is noticeably better at keeping ice and food cold. One of our favorite features is that it is quite leakproof. If your ice melts, it stays in the cooler and doesn't get all over the backseat of your car.
YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Backpack Soft Cooler
We spent a summer testing the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpacker cooler while camping for 30 days straight in the Eastern Sierra. We also took it on monthly hike-in picnics where we hauled a spread of cheese and canned beverages 7 miles in to a scenic spot. We used it while road tripping to keep snacks cold. We even did ice cream runs to our favorite ice cream shop across LA (3 hours in traffic and heat in the back of the car is no joke).
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpacker cooler is best for day trips, road trips, and hiking into the party, and won best backpack cooler in our Best Soft Coolers guide. While it is among the most expensive backpack coolers out there, it wins points for its sturdy leakproof MagShield magnetic buckle, easy to clean and durable DryHide shell, and better-than-most ColdCell insulation. While a backpack cooler isn't for everyone, if you're going to get just one, there's a good chance this will be the one you will get.
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YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Specifications
Capacity: 19 liters / 630 cubic inches
Can Capacity: 36 cans (no ice) / tested with up to 15-18 cans (with ice) at full capacity
Ice Capacity: 22 lbs of ice
Weight: 5 lbs 9.6 oz (empty)
Dimensions: 19 x 18.3 x 9.8 inches (exterior)
Interior Dimensions: 11.6" x 8.9" x 14.0"
Best for: Day trips, hands-free portability, premium cooling
Closure: MagShield magnetic system with buckle security
Materials: DryHide shell, ColdCell foam insulation
Accessories: HitchPoint Grid for gear attachment
Price: $325
Comparison table
| SOFT COOLER | COOLER TYPE | OTHER SIZES | # CANS | WEIGHT | MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler | Backpack | 12 L | 36 | 5.6 lb | $325 |
| RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 15 Can | Backpack | N/A | 15 | 1.6 lb | $50 |
| IceMule The Pro 23L | Backpack | 33 L | 18 | 3.5 lb | $135 |
| Engel High Performance Roll Top Backpack Cooler | Backpack | N/A | 24 | 3.5 lb | $190 |
Who is it for?
We hiked the YETI backpack soft cooler down a steep trail into a meadow for an afternoon of hiking, kayaking, and chilling.
Hikers, campers, picnickers, beach-goers, and kayakers who are going farther than a couple hundred feet away from their car with their food and drinks
Anyone who doesn't want to or cannot haul the weight of a traditional cooler a longer distance
Anyone hauling a cooler up steps or down steep trail to get to their destination
People who want maximum ice retention and build quality in a soft cooler and are willing to pay for it
People who want customizable or fun colors
Adventurers who value food grade, durable construction that withstands rough use, UV rays, and is easy to clean
People who are willing to pay extra for leakproof and convenient magnetic access without wrestling with zippers
Users who like YETI brand quality and are willing to pay for better performance
Day trippers and short overnight campers needing one reliable, portable cooler
How we tested
We tested the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler side-by-side with other soft coolers.
I got to know the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack well when my refrigerator broke during a month-long trip to a mountain cabin. During that time, I got to know this cooler really well including how long she can push it until getting new ice, the best way to dump out water, and exactly how many days of groceries will fit inside.
After we got home, we also took the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack on monthly hike-in picnics where we hauled a spread of cheese and canned beverages 7 miles and several thousand feet of gain to a scenic spot. We used it while road tripping to keep snacks cold. We did ice cream runs to our favorite ice cream shop across LA (3 hours in traffic and heat in the back of the car).
We also tested the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpacker cooler alongside other soft sided coolers, camping coolers including the YETI Hopper M30 soft cooler bag and YETI Hopper Flip soft cooler, and other backpack coolers. In each case, we considered insulation, portability, ease of use, leakproofness, odor-resistance, and ease of use with opening and closing and loading food and drinks.
What we liked
The best insulation of any of the backpack coolers we tested
Fun, colorful designs stand out and are stylish
Extremely durable material means it can be thrown around the back of a vehicle or at a campsite without too much worry that the shell material with get holes
Easy to clean
Leakproof magnetic zippers are easier to load and unload than other backpack coolers
What could be better
Price is extremely expensive
Straps lack padding
No external pockets for storing items like keys and a wallet (however, there are lashing straps to attach other pouches, but they cost extra)
Features
The YETI backpack cooler in the back of my vehicle alongside other gear. Despite a lot of use, it is so easy to clean that it looks practically new (which is better than can be said for my car).
Cooling performance and insulation
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler uses ColdCell closed-cell foam insulation.
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 excels at being leakproof. YETI reports that it uses a RF-welded leakproof liner that eliminates stitching weak points. In practice, this was one of the most reliable leakproof coolers we tested.
MagShield closure system
A real differentiator among the cooler backpacks we tested was the YETI Hopper M20 2.0's ultra-strong magnetic closure that creates a leak-resistant seal. This is similar to the magnetic closure in the similarly named YETI Hopper M20 2.0 bag.
Backpack design and portability
Close-up on the pack straps and back padding on the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack soft cooler.
A cooler backpack isn't for everyone, but sometimes, it's nice to have hands-free carrying if you're dragging food and drinks farther than a few hundred feet from your car. It also leaves your arms available for other gear.
Durability and construction
Another differentiator on the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 cooler is the high-density DryHide shell. It is noticeably burlier than shell material on other coolers we tested. YETI says it resists punctures, UV rays, and abrasion. We haven't noticed any issues.
YETI treats the interior and exterior for mildew resistance with a FDA approved food-grade material that is similar to that used on whitewater rafts. It's puncture resistant and holds up to UV rays (I say as someone who has left it in the back of my car for a summer). As someone who isn't always the best at cleaning and drying out my cooler after every use, I haven't seen any mold develop on this backpack cooler.
Storage and organization
The outside of the YETI Hopper M20 has a lot of super reinforced daisy chains, which YETI calls the HitchPoint Grid. It allows attachment of accessories and gear. YETI sells all sorts of accessories you can strap on, including the YETI Rambler Bottle Sling and Sidekick Dry Case.
While that is cool, I wish this backpack cooler just had pockets like other backpack coolers. For such an expensive product, it is annoying that I'd have to pay even more just to carry my water bottle and a layer. That being said, I could have attached a fanny pack or packing cube on the outside with a carabiner.
Sustainability and Warranty
The YETI Hopper M20 doesn't have a lot of moving parts (no zippers) so there isn't a lot to break. Since Treeline Review's ethos is buy right the first time (and hopefully for the last time for a long time), we think this is a durable cooler that will last you a long time, which keeps gear out of landfills.
YETI also has a circular economy with YETI Rescues, their buy back program. They've also been industry leaders in reducing carbon emissions.
Performance in the field
Ice retention
In our side-by-side tests, the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler had the best ice retention of any of the backpack coolers we tested. That being said, backpack coolers as a category were among the poorest ice and temperature retention styles of all the coolers we tested. When comparing to hard-sided coolers, we could often get 5-7 days of ice retention whereas even the best backpack coolers (including the YETI Hopper M20 2.0) would only last from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 reports that it keeps ice frozen for 24+ hours even in temperatures above 100°F—and that claim held true in our testing. We were able to get in almost a full weekend in one, loading up ice on a Saturday morning and still having the dregs by Sunday night after summer camping with highs in the 80s.
Portability
Because it is much more portable than traditional camping coolers, we opted to use the YETI Hopper cooler backpack on shorter camping trips.
The Hopper M20 2.0 backpack has ergonomic shoulder straps that distribute weight evenly. However, they aren't super padded and could be more comfortable. Honestly, given the weight and lack of padding, it is surprisingly comfortable. Part of that may be due to the slim, tapered profile that fits comfortably against the back. It's form-fitting, similar to some of the more highly contoured internal frame backpacks. It has no noticeable padding throughout the straps or on the back panel.
Durability
We tested the YETI soft cooler backpack while hiking, picnicking, camping and kayaking in the Eastern Sierra.
While I was moving, I threw the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler into my storage POD without securing it. The thing was moved around nearly upside down by a forklift multiple times (I kept going back to my POD and they had to pull it out each time with the forklift). There wasn't a scratch on the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler, even as boxes and furniture in the POD showed signs of scratching and damage from getting moved around (that is totally my fault). There's also reinforced stitching on the handles, which, considering the weight of 30 cans plus ice, is really appreciated.
Ease of use
Zippers are the bane of coolers, even the YETI Hopper Flip cooler that we love. The Hopper Flip comes with a tube of zipper lube, and while the whole system is leakproof, it is annoying to open. This isn't the case with the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack. The magnetic zipper keeps things leakproof and opens easily. It just needs a gentle push to close securely. There isn't any yanking or wrestling with zippers. The top folds over and secures with dual buckles. This easy-to-use-system is especially nice for accessibility, or if you are camping with kids or people new to camping.
Capacity
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler sideview shows its minimal profile, despite its generous capacity.
Compared to other backpack coolers, this one has a wide-mouth opening that was easier to pack and fiddle with ice distribution. None of the backpack coolers are as good as camping coolers for ensuring ice distribution, but this one was better.
YETI recommends that you use a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio for the best cooling. With that ratio, you can fit about 30 cans. In practice, 30 cans is really heavy, so I preferred to stick with a 12 pack plus snacks.
YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Backpack Soft Cooler vs. Other Coolers
The author testing the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack soft cooler on a camping trip side-by-side with other coolers.
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler takes the large opening and ease of use of the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 cooler bag and puts it in a backpack. We love the magnetic closure that requires little force and no wrestling and wrangling zippers, the bain of leakproof coolers. This cooler is leakproof, which is better than we can say for a lot of coolers we've tested.
It's got better colors and is easier to clean than other backpack coolers, but it doesn't have quite the cushioning and padding. The ice retention is better than other coolers, but the difference in testing is about 6 hours.
Should I buy the YETI Hopper M20 vs. other coolers?
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack soft cooler in the back of the car after a day of paddling with the Oru folding kayak.
Buy if: You want the best ice retention and a no-zip design and value an easy-to-load and easy-to-clean backpack cooler—and don't mind paying premium prices
Skip if: You're budget conscious, need maximum carrying comfort, or primarily use coolers near your vehicle or home base/base camp
Where to buy the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Backpak Soft Cooler?
The YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Backpack Cooler is a popular gear item, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
YETI
You can sometimes find more color options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the YETI can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Similar coolers to consider
YETI Hopper M30 vs. RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 12
Cooler type: Backpack
Capacity: 12 L
Other capacities available: n/a
The RTIC Backpack 12 is more like a traditional backpack than the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler. It is made of soft material with lots of padding. The ice retention isn't quite as good and it isn't quite as easy to clean and remove odors. Since the one we tested is a 12-can cooler, it is a lot lighterweight fully loaded. We'd recommend thinking about how much you're going to carry and choose a backpack cooler that matches that size. Since these backpack coolers tend to carry very heavy items like beverages, it's best to resist the temptation to carry more than you need to.
RTIC Lightweight Backpack Cooler 12
YETI Hopper M30 vs. IceMule Pro
Cooler type: Backpack
Capacity: 23 liters (24 cans)
Other capacities available: 33 and 40 liters (24 and 36 cans)
The IceMule Pro is a backpack cooler constructed from 1,000-denier, waterproof and ripstop vinyl that sandwiches a good layer of insulation and room to fill with air. Unlike other backpack coolers, it can compress down, roll up like a dry bag, and be quite compact for storing when empty.
With the air valve, colder air (cooled down by the ice inside) will keep the cold insulated longer, so the air can work in your favor on hot days. For paddlesports, the air also keeps the IceMule Pro afloat, even if it tumbles overboard full of beverages and ice. It’s the only soft pack cooler we’ve tested with such a feature, but we found it came in handy and seemed to help retain even more cold.
Other testers who brought the IceMule Pro on paddling trips were pleased with the ice retention (second only to the YETI Hopper M30), waterproofness, comfort, and flotation abilities. It's got a learning curve for best use and is not 100% leakproof. Like the YETI, it has no extra pockets. Choose the IceMule Pro over the YETI Hopper M20 if having a collapsible soft cooler backpack is important to you and your storage is limited.
IceMule Pro
YETI Hopper M30 vs. Engel Roll Top High Performance Backpack Cooler
Cooler Type: Insulated cooler backpack
Capacity: 25 quarts
Other capacities available: 1 size only
The Engel Roll Top High Performance Backpack Cooler was a close runner-up to the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 as best soft-sided backpack cooler—however, the roll-top allowed so much heat through to melt the top contents, despite the hefty insulation at the base and four walls. This was a problem when we stored raw meat towards the top of the cooler for a seven-hour road trip.
Although it performed well in the bottom and middle layers for keeping frozen items cold, we didn't think the roll-top was the best at retaining ice at the top of the cooler. It's a good option if you want to spend less than on the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack cooler and you have items you can pack on top that don't need to stay as cool.
Read the full review of the Engel Roll Top Backpack Cooler here.
Engel Roll Top High Performance Backpack Cooler
Why you should trust us / About the author
Liz Thomas is an award-winning writer and the Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review.
Liz ended up relying on her YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack when her refrigerator broke during a month-long trip to a mountain cabin. During that time, she got to know this cooler really well including how long she can push it until getting new ice, the best way to dump out water, and exactly how many days of groceries will fit inside.
Liz is a former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail. She was guest editor at Backpacker Magazine, where she is currently the columnist of “Ask a Thru-hiker” and instructor of their online class, Thru-Hiking 101. Her first book, Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike, was the recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book called by judges destined to become the “Bible of the Sport.”
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine. She represented the sport of hiking at President Obama’s Great American Outdoors Initiative.
You can read all of Liz’s articles on her website or Treeline Review author page.
