So last week, I was traveling for work and met a sales rep for YETI coolers. www.yeticoolers.com I got to talking with him about the coolers as I have started to hear more and more about them. There were a few guys in MOAB that had them and they raffled one off at the dinner on Friday night. Anyways, they are supposed to be incredible coolers and will keep ice for days and days. The problem is that they aren't cheap.

Anyways, he told me he could give me a 30% friends and family discount. I asked if he could provide the same discount to the CCB members and he said that they actually have a link on their website for the same discount to military, or outdoor industry members (http://yeticoolers.com/pages/industry-programs/). He said if you work for or are part of any industry that sells outdoor equipment or work in that type of field, you can get the discount. If not, and you would like a cooler, he said you can email him (JHolt@yeticoolers.com)- his name is JD and let him know you're part of the CCB and you got the information from me (Mike Eckenwiler) and he can send you the friends and family form. Considering the coolers that most of us would pack on the back of our Bronco's are $300, the 30% off will save you $100.

Anyways-- hope this helps anyone considering a YETI.

My rafting friends swear by these. Bombproof.

We had one of the big ones on a 8 day trip raft trip. Kept food frozen for the first 5 and very cold the final 3. Was very impressed.

I recall an old (1980's) 4WD magazine did a comparison of several name brand coolers but included a $2.00 styrofoam cooler. One issue most coolers have is they don't insulate the tops for whatever reason. The best performer in the article was the styrofoam cooler (with a styrofoam lid)! It goes to show you, in coolers, money isn't everything but insulation is. I have often been tempted to buy a can of spray foam insulation and fill the top of one of my coolers to see how much it would improve the insulation factor.

Yeti's have been around a while and are making a name for themselves. I would love to have one, but I honestly can't bring myself to buy one yet.

I had good luck in TX with a "MAX COLD" cooler by Igloo, even on 100+ days.

Mike - let me know if you try that. I've always wanted to do the same to my travel coffee mugs...

I have two of those and they're great, as long as you can wait a week for your coffee to cool enough to drink it. Perfect for trail runs.

Do they have a payment plan ?

I am not bashing the Yeti, but I can vouch for the Engel. They run cheaper by far and the comparisons done by others seem to indicate they are a quality product.

http://engel-coolers.com/deepblue-coolers/

http://www.amazon.com/Engel-ENG65-Deep- ... gel+cooler

This has me thinking, I was planning on going with the classic steel Coleman which runs about $150, but now?

Eck, I appreciate the help. No worries.

The Engel 65 can be had for around $260 if you shop it hard. The smaller ones obviously cheaper yet. My preference based on what I have used and seen is the Engel, I was sharing with the others. Have a great day.

My son is using this 35 Qt as well.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/engel--en ... HwodPkEA_A

Or you can always trade the Bronco in...

BTW, thanks Eck for posting a great bargain for a great product!

I'm still looking! Hahahaha

I'm using a Cabela's Guide cooler made by Grizzly, roto-molded like most top end coolers. I picked it up for about half price a year ago, it's been great. I pre chill it before a trip and keep it out of the sun at the campsite. So far so good, 7 days & still had ice in August.