Can you put ice in the Yeti backpack cooler?

Yes. We recommend using YETI Thin ICE? to keep your food cold, safe, and dry. WARNING: Hopper? Soft Backpack Coolers are not compatible with dry ice. Use of dry ice will cause airtight vessel to explode.



Yes, you can put ice directly into a Yeti backpack cooler, such as the Hopper M20 or M12. Unlike many soft-sided coolers, Yeti's Hopper series features a leakproof DryHide Shell and a high-density ColdCell Insulation that is designed to hold ice for long periods. In 2026, the best way to use it is to "pre-chill" the cooler with a sacrificial bag of ice a few hours before packing. Once ready, empty the melted ice and use a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio. For the most efficient cooling without taking up too much interior space, many 2026 travelers prefer Yeti Ice packs on the bottom, layered with cubed ice. Because the liner is antimicrobial and mildew-resistant, you don't have to worry about funky smells, provided you rinse and air-dry the cooler with the magnetic top open after your trip.

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Start by placing bulkier items you won't need until you picnic?think more durable foods like a block of cheese, fancy dip, or smoked salmon. Then add a layer of ice. Above that base, in what's known as the ?core? of the pack, layer in the heaviest items, like beer, wine, and/or cider. Then more ice.

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The recall impacts four of YETI's products: the Hopper M20 backpack cooler, the Hopper M30 1.0 and 2.0 soft coolers, and the SideKick Dry gear case. According to the CPSC, the magnet-lined closures on the products can fail and result in detached magnets, posing a risk of serious injury or death if ingested.

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If you're headed out on a solo mission or need extra storage, this might just be the cooler for you. According to our test, the Titan by Arctic Zone Deep Freeze 30 Can Ice Wall Backpack Cooler retained ice for 80 hours. Considering the scale, this pack could hold 24 12-ounce cans with room for ice.

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Remember if you put room temperature water or tap water in a Yeti cup, any ice you put in will begin to melt quickly as the water becomes colder. Larger ice cubes also last longer than smaller ones, which is to say the bigger the better.

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