Coolboxes
Coolboxes
What Are Coolboxes and How Do They Work?
Coolboxes are insulated containers designed to keep food and drinks chilled while you’re away from home. Whether you’re packing for a weekend campsite, a long day on the bank, a family BBQ, or a road trip, a good coolbox helps you keep essentials fresh, safe, and enjoyable to eat and drink. They’re a simple bit of kit, but one that quickly becomes a “never leave home without it” item once you’ve used one properly.
Most coolboxes work by slowing down heat transfer. Thick insulated walls, a well-fitted lid, and strong seals all help prevent warm air getting in and cold air escaping. You add cold sources such as ice packs, ice blocks, or chilled items straight from the fridge, and the coolbox helps maintain that lower temperature for as long as possible. Some models are purely passive (insulation only), while others offer powered cooling for longer trips or more demanding use.
Coolboxes are commonly used across camping, fishing, shooting trips, boating, festivals, work sites, and even everyday family travel. They’re also ideal for keeping bait, drinks, snacks, and meal prep chilled in warmer weather, or for carrying groceries home on hot days.
How to Choose the Right Coolboxes for Your Needs
Choosing the right coolbox comes down to matching the size, cooling performance, and portability to the way you actually spend time outdoors. A compact coolbox that’s perfect for a day session can feel limiting on a weekend trip, while an oversized model can be awkward to carry if you’re moving locations regularly.
Capacity: How Much Do You Need to Carry?
Capacity is usually measured in litres and gives you a rough idea of how much food and drink you can store. As a general guide, smaller coolboxes are great for individual lunches and day trips, while larger models suit families, group camping, or longer sessions where you want to keep multiple meals and drinks chilled.
It’s worth thinking beyond litres and considering the shape too. A slightly taller coolbox may be better for standing bottles upright, while a wider one can be easier for stacking food containers flat. If you regularly pack bulky items, check internal dimensions rather than relying on capacity alone.
Cooling Type: Passive vs Powered Coolboxes
Most shoppers start with a passive coolbox, which relies on insulation and ice packs. These are straightforward, dependable, and don’t need power, making them ideal for picnics, short camping trips, or day fishing. If you’re organised with pre-chilling and use quality ice packs, a passive coolbox can stay cold for an impressive amount of time.
If you’re travelling for longer, camping in hotter conditions, or simply want more consistent cooling, an electric coolbox can be a smarter choice. Powered models can be run from a vehicle socket (commonly 12V) and, in many cases, mains power too. They’re especially useful for touring, van life, and multi-day trips where you want fridge-like convenience.
Insulation Performance: What Really Makes the Difference
If keeping things cold for longer is your priority, insulation quality matters more than almost anything else. A well-insulated coolbox reduces the rate at which the internal temperature rises, helping ice packs last longer and protecting food from spoilage.
Look for features that support strong thermal performance, such as thicker walls, tight-fitting lids, strong latches, and minimal gaps around the seal. Even a great coolbox can lose performance if the lid doesn’t close properly, so build quality is just as important as insulation thickness.
Portability: Carry Handles, Wheels and Practical Design
A coolbox is only useful if you can comfortably take it where you need it. Smaller models tend to be easy to lift and carry, but as capacity increases, portability becomes a key buying factor. For larger coolboxes, consider whether it has sturdy carry handles, a comfortable grip, or wheels for easier transport across campsites, car parks, and tracks.
If you’re using your coolbox on fishing sessions, it may be carried alongside other kit. For camping, it might be moved in and out of the car repeatedly. These real-world details make a difference over time, especially if you’re using it frequently.
Durability and Build Quality for Outdoor Use
Coolboxes take knocks. They get dragged across gravel, bumped into tailgates, sat on, loaded up, and occasionally left out in the sun longer than planned. If you want a coolbox that lasts season after season, choose a model built for outdoor life.
Strong plastics, reinforced corners, robust hinges, and dependable latches all help your coolbox survive hard use. A durable coolbox is particularly valuable for anglers, campers, and anyone who spends long hours outdoors in unpredictable conditions.
To help compare features quickly, here’s a simple guide to matching coolbox styles to common uses:
| Coolbox Type | Best For | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Compact passive coolbox | Day trips, lunch runs, short sessions | Lightweight, simple, easy to pack |
| Medium passive coolbox | Camping weekends, family outings | More storage while staying portable |
| Large coolbox with wheels | Group camping, events, long days out | Easy to move even when fully loaded |
| Electric coolbox | Road trips, touring, longer stays | Consistent cooling without relying on ice |
Top Coolboxes Brands and Models at Uttings
At Uttings, we stock coolboxes chosen for practical outdoor use, from compact models that fit neatly into your kit list to more substantial options designed for longer adventures. Whether you’re keeping lunch cold on a workday, storing food at the campsite, or carrying chilled bait and drinks for a long fishing session, you’ll find options that suit both beginners and experienced outdoor users.
If you’re building a wider outdoor setup, it’s also worth exploring complementary gear such as camping equipment and practical essentials from our outdoor clothing range, especially if you’re planning longer trips where comfort and preparation matter. Don't forget to check the rest of our outdoor cooking and eating range for more outdoor eating gear.
Coolboxes Tips and Expert Advice
A coolbox can only perform as well as the way it’s packed and used. The good news is that a few simple habits can make a noticeable difference, helping your ice packs last longer and keeping food safer in warm weather.
Pre-chill whenever possible. If you can, cool your food and drinks in the fridge before packing them. A coolbox isn’t designed to rapidly chill warm items, it’s designed to keep already-cold items cold. Starting at the right temperature improves performance immediately.
Pack smart for longer cooling. Keep your ice packs at the top and sides where cold air can circulate, and avoid leaving lots of empty space. Air warms faster than solid items, so a fuller coolbox typically holds temperature better than a half-empty one.
Open it less often. Every time you lift the lid, cold air escapes and warm air enters. If you’re on a long day out, consider separating items so you’re not constantly searching through the box. Even a quick open-and-close adds up over time.
Use it in the shade. Direct sunlight heats the outer shell quickly. Keeping your coolbox out of the sun, or covering it, can significantly reduce temperature rise during hot weather.
For anglers, coolboxes are especially useful for keeping bait fresh, storing drinks and snacks, and keeping food safe during long sessions. If you’re building a complete setup, it’s worth browsing our wider fishing luggage options for storage solutions that work alongside your coolbox.
Why Buy Coolboxes at Uttings
Uttings is a family-run business based in Norwich, established in 1976, with decades of experience in outdoor and field sports retail. We stock premium coolboxes and outdoor essentials from the world’s leading brands, chosen for real performance and long-term reliability. With over 45,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, we’re trusted by professionals and hobbyists alike for expert customer service, fast delivery, and a genuine passion for the great outdoors.
Coolboxes FAQs
How long will a coolbox keep food and drinks cold?
It depends on insulation quality, outside temperature, and how you pack it. A well-insulated coolbox with quality ice packs can stay cold for many hours, and sometimes well into the next day with careful use.
What size coolbox is best for camping?
For solo or short trips, a compact coolbox can be enough for drinks and essentials. For family camping or weekend stays, a medium to large coolbox gives you more flexibility for meals, milk, and chilled food storage.
Do I need an electric coolbox for road trips?
Not always, but electric coolboxes are ideal for longer journeys where you want consistent cooling without replacing ice packs. They’re especially useful for touring, caravanning, and multi-day travel.
How many ice packs should I use in a coolbox?
A good rule is to use enough ice packs to cover the top and sides, then adjust based on how full the coolbox is. More packs generally means longer cooling, but packing efficiently matters too.
Should drinks go on top or bottom in a coolbox?
Heavier bottles and cans often sit best at the bottom, with food containers above. Keeping ice packs near the top helps cold air drop down and cool the full contents more evenly.
Can coolboxes be used for fishing bait storage?
Yes, coolboxes are a popular choice for keeping bait cooler and fresher during long sessions, particularly in warm weather when maintaining a stable temperature is important.
How do I clean and store a coolbox properly?
Wipe it out after every trip with warm soapy water, rinse, and let it dry fully before closing the lid. Storing it dry helps prevent odours and keeps it ready for the next outing.
What features should I look for in a durable coolbox?
Prioritise strong hinges, secure latches, thick insulation, and a solid outer shell. If you carry it often, comfortable handles and a stable base are also worth having.