OtterBox Trooper 20 Review

The OtterBox Trooper 20 is a messenger bag style soft cooler with an adjustable padded shoulder strap and two end handles. It has a unique, plastic flip-top lid and latch and features an external 3D zippered pocket and removable multi-tool.

Performance Comparison

Insulation Value

Among stiff competition, the OtterBox Trooper holds its own when it comes to insulation. It managed to maintain food-safe temperatures below 40° F for an impressive 57 hours during our intensive hot room testing, simulating real-world use and conditions. This impressive 2+ day performance is well above average across the soft coolers we tested. It then went on to maintain temps below 50° F for a full 70 hours — just shy of 3 full days. Though this doesn't quite live up to OtterBox's claim that the Trooper will “keep ice up to 3 days”, we also treat these coolers pretty harshly in our testing, so we think this claim isn't terribly far off, depending on how carefully you prep your contents. The unique plastic lid is fully rimmed by a rubber gasket, effectively sealing in your contents and keeping meltwater contained within.

Ease of Use

If you've ever tried to operate a waterproof zipper, you know firsthand that they can be difficult to maneuver and often require two hands. OtterBox has done away with the zipper in the Trooper 20, and we love how easy the flip-top lid is to use. We had a few struggles at first, understanding how the latch works, but once we caught on, this cooler is a cinch to open and shut; easily one of our favorites to access its contents. It also has a decent-sized zippered pocket sticking out from the front of the cooler for those extra items that don't need to be chilled. But you won't have to worry about packing a bottle opener, as the Trooper comes with a clip-on multi-tool, including a bottle opener, various sized wrenches, and a regular screwdriver head. It also has a short daisy chain on the back of the cooler, but clipping anything to it interferes with your ability to comfortably carry it. The only thing we miss that the Trooper doesn't have is a handle on top for easier snagging when you're ready to go. When packing this soft cooler full of all our picnicking essentials, we also discovered its shape isn't particularly conducive to maximizing space when loaded full of cans. For mixed food and beverage needs though, it works great.

Portability

The Trooper 20 weighs about 6.8 pounds when empty. This makes it one of the heaviest models we tested, even compared to much larger coolers. We can't say we noticed it too much though, and its medium capacity helps keep it fairly reasonable to carry when it's full. However, the Trooper is more rigid than many other soft coolers we tested and always seems to find a way to bump into some part of our hips or sides in an uncomfortable way when we carried it. Its shoulder padding proves to be less conducive to comfort as well — the bottom section is a thick, water-resistant material that bunches up when bent over the top of your shoulder, creating tall stiff ridges that don't feel particularly pleasant. The side handles are a great alternative to carrying the Trooper for longer distances more comfortably.

Durability

The Trooper is right up there close behind some of the most durable models we tested. It's made of TPU-coated nylon that effectively keeps contents insulated and protected and resists abrasion. The bottom is covered with reinforcing rubber-like material that wraps around the bottom edges, offering additional protection against the bumps and scuffs of life. The plastic lid, latch, and hinges all seem solid and sturdy, as does the rubber seal running around the inside. Even the minor components performed well in our testing, with beefy shoulder strap clips and thick webbing with reinforced seams. We read several online testimonies saying that other users had issues with the plastic lid starting to peel when left in the sun. We left ours sitting in the hot, high-altitude sun for several days to test it and didn't notice any change in the cooler's integrity or appearance.

Value

While we really like the OtterBox Trooper, it's also one of the most expensive models we tested. If you're absolutely in love with this cooler's overall look and performance, its price may be worth the investment for its novel flip-top lid and easy usability. If having the best insulation is most important to you, there are other better insulating soft coolers in our impressive lineup.

Conclusion

The Trooper 20 is a durably built, impressively insulated soft cooler that stands out from the rest for its easy-to-love plastic flip-open lid. If you're all about user-friendliness, the Trooper impresses us and just might be worth the extra investment for something we think you'll love to use.