FAQ

What is a YETI® Cooler?

A YETI® Cooler is a very high quality ice chest made of either one-piece roto-molded polyethylene (similar process and material used in rugged plastic kayaks) or Fiberglass. These materials make up the outer shell and are filled with over 2″ of polyurethane foam. Combining the thick insulation with a quality sealing gasket gives YETI® superior ice retention. The end product is a durable, well-insulated cooler, which is then fitted with heavy-duty hardware (latches, hinges, handles, rubber feet, etc.).

YETI® Coolers are designed mainly for outdoor (hunting, sport-fishing, camping, boating, rafting, tailgating, paddling, barbequing), commercial (oil-field, construction, medical, catering) and other markets…like beer drinking. To learn more, watch our video.

What does roto-molded mean?

The rotational molding (roto-mold) process is a high-temperature, low-pressure plastic forming process that uses heat and biaxial rotation (i.e. rotation on two axes) to produce hollow, one-piece parts. The process has inherent design strengths, such as consistent wall thickness and strong outside corners that are virtually stress free. The rotational molding process is used for all YETI® Tundra™ and Roadie™ series, giving the coolers one piece construction and unmatched durability.

What is the difference among your styles of coolers?

  • All YETI® Coolers are well insulated and are capable of keeping ice for long periods. In addition, all YETI® products have high-quality fittings and hardware. Following are our different styles:
  • YETI® Tundra™ coolers: One piece roto-molded plastic, very strong, durable, and rugged – our most popular series.
  • YETI® Roadie™ coolers: Tundra™’s little brother (see above). In addition, the Roadie™ has an easy to carry stainless steel handle making it great for small purpose applications.
  • YETI® Fiberglass coolers: Primarily used as a stationary marine boat cooler, higher-priced, very nice look and finish, however lacks the impact-resistance of the Tundra series.
  • YETI® Sherpa™, Roughneck™ and Lunch-mate™ coolers: Earlier generation coolers. High-quality ice chests, but lacking in features and innovations that set the Tundra™, Roadie™ and Fiberglass series apart.

How strong are your YETI® Coolers?

The YETI® Tundra™ is very strong. The one-piece, roto-molded construction can take years of abuse. The two inches, or more of high density foam insulation adds significantly to the structural strength. We also use heavy-duty fittings and hardware. The YETI® Fiberglass, although very strong, can scratch and potentially crack if abused or dropped. This is why we recommend the YETI® Fiberglass as a stationary cooler. Both types of coolers are certainly strong enough to stand on.

How long will YETI® Coolers keep ice?

This is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many variables that will affect the efficiency of ice retention. These variables include, but are not limited to the following: the ice quality, ice quantity, type of ice (crushed, block, cube, dry), outside environment, size of the cooler, etc.

We receive many different reports. Some customers have reported having ice after their two week trip on the river while others have said that their “crappy Igloo or Coleman cooler will hold ice better”. Because of the large number of variables as well as the lack of an industry standard for measuring ice retention, claims that place a definite time (5, 10, 14 days) are questionable and should be viewed skeptically.

In the end, YETI® offers over 2″ of polyurethane foam in the walls and lids of our coolers combined with a freezer-style sealing gasket. Beyond that, everything else is out of our control; this would explain the large variation in ice retention time reported by our customers. For tips on maximizing ice retention, please visit max ice retention. If you can minimize the negative variables that affect ice retention, YETI® Coolers can’t be beat.

I put a bag of ice in my YETI® and a cheaper Igloo and/or Coleman, the ice lasted longer in my cheaper cooler. How is this possible?

A small amount of ice is not a good indicator of how well your cooler can retain ice. Due to the amount of insulation in the product, the cooler will retain ambient heat. Initially it will take more ice to cool down the thicker walls of the YETI®. Therefore, if the cooler is starting out warm, a small amount of ice could initially melt faster in a YETI® than a thinner walled cooler such as Coleman or Igloo.

Best ice retention results are achieved by filling the cooler completely with high quality ice. In addition, maximum ice retention can be attained by pre-chilling your cooler. This will sufficiently cool the insulation and inside of the cooler, which will allow the thick polyurethane walls to work for you not against you.

YETI® has over 2″ of polyurethane foam in the walls and lids of its coolers, which is significantly more than most common ice chests. If you use enough ice to chill the walls, YETI® will most definitely outperform the competition.

What size cooler should I buy?

Please see our dimension chart for measurements. The Tundra series matches closely (usually within an inch) of many popular sized marine coolers that have been on the market for years. However, the quart size of the YETI® cooler will be a bit lower due to the thickness of the walls and insulation. Another thing to consider when choosing a size is that ideally you would want to fill the cooler with as much ice as possible, minimizing air space to achieve maximum ice retention. Therefore, if you only have a small number of items to keep cool, you would want to choose a smaller cooler.

How many cans will fit in my YETI® Cooler?

With plenty of ice to help chill your drinks, here is the number of 12oz cans that will fit inside the YETI® Tundra™ and Roadie™ coolers. We recommend filling your cooler with as much ice as possible. Ideally you want to have an ice to contents ratio of at least 2:1 (reflected in the below quantity).

How do I clean my YETI® Cooler?

For general cleaning we recommend using soap and warm water.

For a more thorough cleansing and problems with strong odors, use a solution of warm water and bleach (6:1 ratio) with a sponge or mildly abrasive rag. Odors can easily get trapped in hard to reach areas such as around the gasket and drain plug, so be sure to thoroughly scrub those areas.

For tough stains and very foul odors we would recommend cleaning your YETI® with a high pressure soap spray found at a local do-it yourself car wash.

How do I get replacement parts?

Should you need a replacement part (“my dog chewed off my latch”), just give us a call at (512-394-9384) or visit: parts on this website.

What is the YETI® warranty policy?

All of the YETI® Coolers and products carry a 3 year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. For more info please visit warranty. If you have an existing problem, please fill out the warranty form and we will get you taken care of.

How can I get a YETI® Cooler?

We have a number of dealers throughout the United States and worldwide. Check out our list of YETI® Dealers here. If you do not have a dealer in your area, contact YETI® for assistance at 512-394-9384, or buy a cooler through our online shopping cart.

How did the company get the name YETI®?

The YETI (abominable snowman) is the legendary ice monster from the frigid lands of perpetual snow in the Himalayas. Despite years of searching by Sir Edmund Hillary and his crew of Sherpa mountain guides, firm proof of the YETI’s existence remains elusive. Like the YETI, these coolers are tough, hard-wearing, and adapted to harsh environments. We may not have found the YETI, but we make a really great ice chest.

What options and accessories are available?

  • Seat Cushions
  • Corner Chocks
  • Tie-Downs
  • SeaDek®
  • Slides
  • YETI® Gear & Hats

For a complete list, please see YETI Accessories.

Where are your coolers manufactured?

  • Our manufacturing facilities are in the Philippines and Iowa, USA.
  • Our company headquarters and U.S. distribution facility is in Austin, Texas
  • Our Canada distribution facility is in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (780-484-2350)

My latch is leaving black residue on my hands, how do I solve this problem?

Sorry for the inconvenience. Please contact us right away at 512-394-9384. In late 2007/early 2008 we had a batch of bad rubber that after exposure to the elements begins to oxidize and release black pigment. We have resolved this issue and will send you replacement latches with instructions for replacing the faulty latches.

Does YETI® ship to a PO BOX?

YETI® Coolers ships FedEx Ground within the continental US & Alaska. FedEx Ground currently does not ship to a PO Box and we ask that you place a street address in the ship to field. Thank You.

Does YETI® ship international?

International Shipping Now Available!

We have partnered with Bongo International Parcel and Mail Forwarding to service our international customers.

Bongo International provides it’s customers with their very own US address (not a PO Box). Once you have a US address, you will be able to make purchases with us as well as other US-based online retailers. Bongo receives your purchases and logs them into their online system where you can consolidate them with other orders.

This process saves international customers up to 82% off typical international shipping rates.

Step-By-Step Order Guide:

  1. Shop for your items on our website and add them to your cart.
  2. Setup your Bongo International account by clicking the below image.
  3. After signup, Bongo will provide you with your very own US address.
  4. Back at our site, proceed to checkout.
  5. Enter your new US address supplied by Bongo as both your BILLING and SHIPPING Address.
  6. Use the credit card that you have on file with Bongo as the payment method… No Exceptions.
  7. Choose your domestic shipping method, and Place Order.
  8. Once completed, finish your verification process with Bongo.
  9. Bongo will take over from here, so communicate directly with them for delivery of your order.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bongo through live chat or by e-mail. They will be glad to assist you.

Click Below to Get Started!

Wildly Stronger

YETI Coolers are built to take the rugged abuse that comes with the way we work and play. Unlike ordinary coolers, which are essentially "disposable", a YETI is made to last! Read More

Keep Ice Longer

In the end, the functional purpose of a cooler is to keep the contents cold. By combining thicker walls, added insulation (especially in the lid), and a full-frame gasket, YETI Coolers out-insulate the others! Read More

Testimonials

"I've been buying coolers all my life! So have you! I'm THROUGH, DONE, FINISHED! I've got my YETI now. All I have to worry about is what to put in it." - Flip Pallot Legendary fisherman/ TV show host Read More

"The YETI Coolers are the Rolls Royce of all coolers. I have taken mine on several flights already and they even stand up to the baggage handlers in the airports. That's the quality I need in a product." - Dick Scorzafava The Radical Bowhunter Read More

"As professional guides we want professional equipment. YETI Coolers are definitely professional grade!" - Rick and Julie Kreuter Beyond the Hunt TV Read More

"YETI Coolers are superior ... from the hinges and latches to the tough-as-nails construction. Best of all, they keep everything colder, longer! You can spend less and get a cooler that will fail after a couple years of hard use. Or you can step up to a YETI and own the world's finest cooler that will never let you down." - Babe Winkelman Good Fishing and Outdoor Secrets TV Read More

"We use our YETI Coolers when traveling out of state to hunt big bucks. They are durable and most importantly keep our meat and capes cool so we can get them back home for processing! We don't leave home without one!" - Pat Reeve & Nicole Jones Driven TV Read More

"Having spent a lifetime using cheap coolers with hinges and fasteners that inevitably break, I'm glad to see that the YETI is built like the proverbial brick outhouse. There are 2 full inches of insulation inside the rotomolded body and lid. Hinges are recessed toavoid knocks, and the lid has a massive, freezer-type seal." - John Merwin Field Editor, Field & Stream Read More

"The YETI Tundra coolers withstand smashing, prying, scratching, biting, and tossing by hungry bears." - Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) Read More

"YETI coolers are one of the best I have seen. Simple, tough and keeps ice for 5 days in 117 degree heat!" - Arnie Chandola Northwest Voyageurs Little Salmon Lodge Read More

"This is the best customer service I have ever received on any type of product that I own." - George Pugh Read More

"I love my YETI cooler!" - Todd Moore Read More

"I bought the YETI 105 Tundra today. Wow, this thing is built like a truck!" - Capt. Scott Swartz Founder of the Florida Fly Fishing Schools and Atlanta Fly Fishing School Read More

"Just received my 85qt. Tundra..What a beauty!! GREAT quality is an understatement!" - Bob Popovics Read More

"I just received my Tundra 65 qt YETI!! I figured it would be built better than the competition, but I dint think it would be THIS STRONG. The handlesand hinges are great, the seal is superb. Hell, its built better than the 'fridge in my home!! We learned a tough lesson in Houston after Hurricane Ike. There's no such thing as too much ice chest. It's a fact, we may not haveanother hurricane for another 10 years...OR we may have a cat 5 NEXT YEAR, either way, I'll be better prepared with this YETI cooler." - Brad Read More

"I just took a 45qt. and 65qt. YETI Tundra for testing on a 5 day Smith float in Montana...Impressive!" - William Gillespie Read More

"The cooler exceeded my expectations...which were pretty high." - Kevin Ruland Read More

"Ya'll build one tough cooler. I have a fishing camp on Big Lake in Hackberry Louisiana. When Hurricane Ike came through, we had 5 ft of water under the camp from the storm surge. I found my YETI a quarter mile away, some 100 yards back in a tallow tree swamp. Other than a few scratches, it cleaned up very well. I am very happy to have it back. Great product!" - Jeff McDonald Houston, Texas Read More