Bison Coolers Review: Should You Get One For Yourself?
Anyone who often goes camping or fishing knows that a good cooler is an essential piece of equipment and something you should not cheap out on. Bison coolers are some of the best in the market, and this detailed review will tell you everything you need to know about the brand before you can decide whether its coolers are a good option for you.
Bison doesn’t have too many different styles of coolers – they’ve got a soft-sided and a hard-sided cooler in a few different sizes and that’s it. The brand keeps it simple, so if you decide that you like its coolers and you want to get one for yourself, the only decision you will need to make is which size to buy!
Hard Coolers
Bison has just one collection of hardside coolers and it will be the main focus of this review. The Bison hard cooler is available in four different sizes and here’s an awesome visual representation of the differences in the cooler’s size and capacity:
Bison 25 Quart
External Dimensions: 20.5” x 15” x 17.6”
Internal Dimensions: 12.3” x 10” x 11.4”
Capacity: 21 cans (+ ice) / 32 lbs of ice
Weight: 20 lbs
Bison 50 Quart
External Dimensions: 30.5” x 16.5” x 17.6”
Internal Dimensions: 22.3” x 11” x 11.4”
Capacity: 42 cans (+ ice) / 65 lbs of ice
Weight: 32 lbs
Bison 75 Quart
External Dimensions: 37.8” x 18” x 17.6”
Internal Dimensions: 29.3” x 12.5” x 11.4”
Capacity: 63 cans (+ ice) / 96 lbs of ice
Weight: 39 lbs
Bison 125 Quart
External Dimensions: 43.3” x 18.8” x 21.6”
Internal Dimensions: 34.8” x 13.3” x 15.3”
Capacity: 104 cans (+ ice) / 160 lbs of ice
Weight: 57 lbs
The cooler features a rotational molded shell, which means that the entire body is made from a single piece of plastic. This is great for insulation and these types of coolers generally perform better than those that are made from multiple smaller pieces.
The hard-sided Bison coolers also feature a double-walled silicone gasket, along with two inches of pressure-injected insulation on each side. That’s how it manages to keep drinks ice cold for days, and it’s the main reason for the excellent performance of the cooler. The cooler also features large soft-touch latches that are extremely sturdy, but also very easy to open.
That’s another great thing about the Bison cooler – the latches are manageable and you’ll never struggle to open up your cooler. You can easily do it even if you’re wearing gloves or you’ve got wet hands, which isn’t the case with many cheaper coolers. Additionally, this cooler has a large quick-drain plug on the side that can let out excess water in a matter of seconds.
There’s a molded plastic grab handle on either side of the Bison cooler, and you also get two long webbing carry handles (with padding), which are more convenient in situations where two people are trying to transport the cooler. It’s an excellent hardside cooler overall, but it’s not a very portable option, especially if you go for one of the bigger sizes.
Soft Coolers
Bison’s range of soft-sided coolers includes just three sizes and loads of different colors. The smallest option is the lunch box cooler, which can hold a six-pack of beer and a couple of ice packs. There’s also a 12-can soft cooler and a 24-can soft cooler. The larger two coolers have identical features, and they only differ in size.
One thing to note is that the 24-can cooler will offer better ice retention performance, mostly because it’s larger and you can fit more ice packs inside it. The soft cooler is made from marine-grade polyester that’s often used by boat manufacturers, so it’s extremely durable. The fabric is resistant to UV rays, stains, bacteria, and mildew, all of which are the makings of a high-quality cooler.
Additionally, the soft Bison cooler features water-resistant YKK zippers. It’s got a long shoulder strap and two convenient grab handles for easy transport.
There’s also a zippered external pocket on the cooler, which is great for cutlery, napkins, or any other dry items you might want to keep handy. The cooler even has daisy chains in the back that you can use to attach smaller bags to its exterior, and that’s pretty cool!
Work ‘N Play Softpak Cooler
Dimensions: 9″ x 7.5″ x 12″
Capacity: 6 bottles / 2.5 lbs of ice
12 Can Softpak Cooler
Dimensions: 13” x 11” x 7”
Capacity: 12 cans
24 Can Softpak Cooler
Dimensions: 16” x 11” x 10”
Capacity: 24 cans
Ice Retention Performance
Hardside coolers offer better ice retention performance than softside coolers. Bison’s hard cooler promises to retain ice for up to a week, whereas their soft cooler can keep ice for 24 maximum. That’s only in ideal conditions, and keep in mind that real-world performance will be slightly worse.
The rotomolded plastic construction paired with 2-inch thick insulation is the main reason for the excellent ice retention performance. Even though it’s realistically not going to preserve ice for a week straight, you can get several days of ice-cold drinks with this cooler, which is awesome for camping and fishing trips.
The soft-sided Bison coolers have one inch of insulation, so naturally, they feature worse ice retention performance. Bison claims that they can retain ice for up to 24 hours, but that’s probably if you only fill the cooler with ice and store it in ideal condition. Real-world performance is bound to be slightly worse, but it’s still good enough for an afternoon hiking or fishing trip.
One thing to note is that you’re supposed to use ice packs with soft-sided coolers because they don’t have a drainage system. If you use plain ice, you’ll end up with a bag full of water. Also, the more ice packs you put inside these coolers the longer everything else inside stays cold!
Durability
Bison coolers are exceptionally durable and they will last you a very long time. They’re made with the best materials and can handle frequent use without displaying signs of everyday wear and tear. The worst that can happen is that the exterior of the cooler gets scuffed and scratched, but that won’t impact the performance of the cooler in any way.
The brand also has a good warranty in place that even covers some damages caused by regular wear and tear, but only if they impact the usability of the cooler.
Bison states that it’s perfectly normal for the lid to warp slightly due to exposure to high temperatures and sunlight, and they promise to replace your cooler if this happens, but only if the lid becomes so warped that the cooler can no longer function properly.
Discoloration of the plastic coolers is perfectly normal, especially with prolonged sunlight exposure. It’s bound to happen eventually and it’s only a cosmetic change that does not impact the functionality of the cooler in any way.
The soft coolers are also extremely durable thanks to the high-quality fabric.
Drain System
Bison’s drain system is another reason for the excellent ice retention performance of its coolers. The hard Bison coolers feature oversized rapid-release drain plugs, which allow you to drain the coolers of excess water very quickly. This is great because it minimizes the exposure of ice to external temperatures.
Also, the seal around the drain is excellent and it does not let any air inside when shut. This is usually the weak point of many cheaper coolers, and you can often notice the area around the drainage point start to “sweat” after it’s been sitting outside for a while.
It’s important to note that the soft-sided cooler does not feature a drain system at all, but that’s because you’re not supposed to put plain ice inside it.
Portability
Although they offer the best cooling performance, standard hard coolers are rarely a portable option. This is especially true for the Bison hard cooler, which is big, bulky, and heavy.
I’ll compare it to the Yeti Tundra cooler, which has been a best-selling hard cooler for years. Both Bison and Yeti have a 75-quart cooler, and Bison’s version is about 3 lbs heavier. That’s actually not a huge difference in weight, considering that both coolers weigh well over 35 lbs when empty.
Another problem is that Bison only has one line of coolers, whereas Yeti offers multiple options including wheeled coolers. So, if you want something that you can actually carry places and not just keep in the trunk of your car, plus you’re determined to get a hard cooler, I think Yeti just has better options.
On the other hand, Bison’s soft coolers are extremely portable and the better option if you’re looking to get something for short outings and hiking trips. If you’re fine with a cooler that can preserve ice for up to 24 hours, the Softpak cooler is a good lightweight, portable option.
Price
Bison coolers are pricey, but so are all high-quality coolers. They’re in a similar price range as Yeti coolers, which have earned their reputation as some of the best hard-sided coolers on the market. Bison coolers are a little more affordable, but the price difference is barely existent.
Bison coolers start at approximately $80 (for the portable lunch bag) and go up to $599 for their largest hardside cooler. If you look at comparable sizes of Yeti, Orca, and Bison coolers, you’ll notice that the difference in the price is only $20-30, so it’s hardly worth talking about.
One thing I would like to say is that it’s absolutely not worth it to try and save money on a decent cooler, especially if this is an item you plan to use fairly often. A high-quality cooler will be expensive, but also worth every single penny because it will last you years to come.
Cheaper coolers are just not worth it because the difference in performance is absolutely noticeable, and you can easily spend more money on different “cheap” coolers than you would if you just invested in a high-end option instead.
Warranty
Bison offers a 5-year warranty on all their hard-sided coolers and a 2-year warranty on their soft-sided coolers. The warranty covers all manufacturing defects, as well as lid warping that is so severe that the performance of the cooler is heavily impacted.
It’s not the best warranty out there, but it’s good enough. Especially because these coolers are so well-made that it’s unlikely you’ll need to make a warranty claim anyway, at least if you use them as intended. Bison will not cover any damage caused by misuse of the product, so treat your coolers right if you want to make them last very long!
Bison Coolers Review: Are They Any Good?
The short answer is yes, Bison coolers are good and worth the money. However, there’s not a lot of variety in the brand’s product range, so whether they’re right for you really depends on what exactly you’re looking for.
If you just want a reliable hardside cooler that you can use for car camping trips, fishing trips, or backyard barbecues, the Bison cooler is absolutely a great choice. A soft-sided cooler is also a good option if you want something more portable and suitable for afternoon or day excursions. The coolers are durable, reliable, and perform exceptionally well.
On the other hand, if you need a somewhat portable large-capacity cooler, I don’t think Bison is the best option for you. They’re not very portable because they lack wheels and weigh 20-55 lbs when empty; it’s just not feasible to call something portable if it can weigh more than 100 lbs when packed to the brim.
For portable hardside coolers, I would recommend you check out Igloo and Yeti alternatives. Both those brands have wheeled hard-sided coolers, which are absolutely the best option if you want to be able to transport 40+ cans somewhere, without having to carry the cooler in your arms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Bison coolers made?
Bison coolers are all made in the United States.
What differentiates Bison Coolers from other competing brands?
Excellent craftsmanship, large latches, and a great drain system are some of the features that differentiate Bison coolers from competitors. It’s easy enough to find a cooler with ultra-thick insulation, but you won’t find many other brands with latches that are as reliable and easy to operate as the ones on the Bison coolers.
Can dry ice be used in Bison coolers?
Yes, dry ice can be used in Bison coolers and the manufacturer even encourages it for the best performance.
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About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
