YETI HOPPER FLIP 18
Editor Cory McLaughlin
Just the facts:
• The Hopper Flip 18 has ColdCell Insulation, a closed-cell foam that offers superior cold-holding to ordinary soft coolers, with a capacity of up to 16 cans plus ice
• The Hopper Flip 18 features a 100% leakproof HydroLok Zipper and the wide-mouth opening means great accessibility and visibility to contents
• The DryHide Shell is waterproof and resistant to mildew, punctures, and abrasions so it will hold its own when faced with the hazards of the wild
• The only personal cooler that’s game for full days in the tree stand, early mornings in the duck boat, or afternoons on the water
• The Hopper Flip 18 dimensions are 15 2/3 in long x 10 1/5 in wide x 12 3/5 in high and an empty weight of 5.1 lbs.

My Story:
Whenever or whether the weather is whatever the weather may be.
Oh what a trip you’ll have with the Flip from YETI.
Life with a cooler is oh so much cooler than not.
For nothing is worse to spirit and the heart than when the beer is hot.
Forgive my sorry attempt at poetry but I am in good spirits while writing about this great cooler from YETI. I really love a good cooler and I am always searching for the next best thing. Unfortunately my cooler testing period was not during the most ideal of times. The summer months were long past and the cold of winter was here to stay. I had to get creative to really let this testing period prove the Hopper Flip’s worth. Well, I hope the following story helps you make an informed decision about a product that I think you should buy.
The frozen corn fields of the Pacific Flyway are a sight to see during the waterfowl migration. Skies turn black with ducks and geese and the roaring sound of wings is enough to make anybody stop and stare. It is this time of year that I most relish and in which I am most active in the outdoors. I am a hunter and the winter months are what my dreams are made of, what I look forward to all year. The long hours spent in the pits, layout blinds, and duck blinds can leave a person longing for a cold beverage or snack!
When I go into the field I typically do not have room for a huge cooler. My truck is loaded with the gear I need for the task at hand but I still need to bring my food. The YETI Hopper Flip 18 is about the best thing since ketchup packets in regards to making my hungry belly happy. This thing is the perfect size for lunch for a few guys or for some after hunt beverages. The cooler is not big and bulky but do not let that fool you as it is a fantastic ice holding companion. You can load it up in the early morning hours and rest easy knowing your turkey sandwich and pop are going to be nice and cold well after lunchtime has passed.
We always judge a cooler on it’s ability to keep things cold. I mean, the name implies that right? Well, what if you need to keep things warm? I’m not talking about soup or coffee but more about your water, soda, lunch, or whatever you can think of. When the outside temperature is in the single digits it does not take long to have exploded Coke all over your truck or rock hard snacks. What worked for keeping the cold into the Hopper Flip also works to keep it out. A cooler full of drinks and snacks will stay nice and cold but not frozen for the duration of a hunt, fishing trip, or whatever the reason is to be out in the super chilly weather. I know this is a use that many people do not think about as most people are not out when the mercury is nearly all the way to the bubble.
The zipper and lid design make accessing the cooler a breeze which always comes in handy when you are reaching for another cold one. The zipper is also waterproof so if your clumsy friend tips the cooler over you don’t have to worry about water leaking all over the floor of the truck or camp trailer.
Aside from this thing just looking awesome it actually preforms awesome too. I have to admit guys, I was a pretty big skeptic of YETI for many years. My experience with nearly every single YETI product I have tested has shown me that they not only live up to the hype but in many cases far surpass it. I would most certainly recommend this product to my friends and family.
What can be done better?
It could make my sandwiches for me and refill itself with beer. Aside from that I think YETI has a real winner with the Hopper FLIP 18.
I give this 5 stars as it is the single best soft cooler I have ever used. Stay tuned as I put the Hopper Flip up against the Pelican Elite in my next cooler review!
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Nice review. We love ours and use it for picnics and day trips to the beach.