1.) Jon - 09/21/2016

I received my RTIC soft pack 30 cooler yesterday, came packed in a very sturdy box without any damage. I removed the cooler and inspected to ensure no damage, everything looks and works as it is supposed to. The zipper seems rather sturdy, pull is larger than most and easy to operate. The cooler has a small zippered pocket in the front and a larger mesh covered pocket in the back. Came shipped with a small package that contained lube for the zipper, says to apply lube when the zipper gets dry (sounds legit!). The cooler seems very light and easy to carry with the 2 carry handles and shoulder strap.
I decided to give it a test, put several beers inside and an 8lb bag of ice and see how long the ice would last. I initially filled it at 530PM on Tuesday, 20 Sept.
[URL=http://s93.photobucket.com/user/jonnybow/media/20160920_161856.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s93.photobucket.com/user/jonnybow/media/20160920_161933.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s93.photobucket.com/user/jonnybow/media/20160920_161906.jpg.html][/URL]


The picture with ice was taken at 0545AM on Wednesday, 21 Sept.

[URL=http://s93.photobucket.com/user/jonnybow/media/20160921_061425.jpg.html][/URL]

2.) bluecat - 09/21/2016

Looks nice Jon.

3.) Swamp Fox - 09/21/2016

Looks like a great personal size. Not too big and not too small.

4.) DParker - 09/21/2016

[QUOTE=Jon;44154]Came shipped with a small package that contained lube for the zipper, says to apply lube when the zipper gets dry (sounds legit!).[/QUOTE]

{Insert sophomoric dirty joke here}

That's kind of interesting. I can honestly say that I've never owned a product with a zipper that required periodic lubrication. But if that makes it work easily and reliably then I'm all for it. One of my biggest gripes these days is with zippers that can't be easily operated with one hand. My range bag and the bag I keep my carry piece in when driving are big offenders in that area.

I gave your initial report a 9/10, with a 1-point deduction due to the absence of information on which beer you're using for the test.

5.) Jon - 09/21/2016

Ahh ha, the point deduction is understandable.......I used 6 bottles of Sam Adams Octoberfest and 2 bottles of Fordham Spiced Harvest Ale.

6.) Swamp Fox - 09/21/2016

Don't buy any pumpkin spice beer no matter how cute the girl is selling it.

I got a sample at the grocery store of Blue Moon's version a couple of years ago...Cute would be a vast understatement, so I bought a six-pack, even though I threw up in my mouth a little...

7.) DParker - 09/21/2016

[QUOTE=Jon;44169]Ahh ha, the point deduction is understandable.......I used 6 bottles of Sam Adams Octoberfest and 2 bottles of Fordham Spiced Harvest Ale.[/QUOTE]

You got that in just inside the grace period, so I've credited your report rating with an extra point. SA Octoberfest is one of the better mass-produced specialty brews, but I haven't tried (or even seen) the Fordham yet. How is it?

8.) Swamp Fox - 09/21/2016

[QUOTE=DParker;44167]{Insert sophomoric dirty joke here}

One of my biggest gripes these days is with zippers that can't be easily operated with one hand. My range bag and the bag I keep my carry piece in when driving are big offenders in that area.

[/QUOTE]

Bowstring wax, especially the really slick ones like Black Lighting, help with zippers as long as it's not a problem with folds and crimps that impede the zipper. I've also used Sno-Seal. I've replaced bad zippers at the cobbler's with better luck than at places that do clothing alterations. They use heavier-duty stuff and are more accustomed to trying to make repairs that last.

9.) bluecat - 09/21/2016

The cooler should be handy this fall when you are staining your deck.

10.) Jon - 09/21/2016

[QUOTE=DParker;44172]You got that in just inside the grace period, so I've credited your report rating with an extra point. SA Octoberfest is one of the better mass-produced specialty brews, but I haven't tried (or even seen) the Fordham yet. How is it?[/QUOTE]
I'm not normally a fan of any beer with the words "spiced" or "harvest" simply because they normally taste like crap. This is a local brewery (co-located with Old Dominion) that makes several different beers, all of which have high alcohol content and are very good. This beer is no different, very good and very potent.

[QUOTE=bluecat;44179]The cooler should be handy this fall when you are staining your deck.[/QUOTE]
Good eye and you are right on the money. I also have to replace some rail boards due to warpage.

11.) bluecat - 09/21/2016

[QUOTE=bluecat;44179]The cooler should be handy this fall when you are staining your deck.[/QUOTE]

It's been a while since I had... never mind.

12.) Swamp Fox - 09/21/2016

LOL...

Thank God for modern medicine...Am I right?

13.) Jon - 09/22/2016

Weds night at 6Pm
[URL=http://s93.photobucket.com/user/jonnybow/media/20160921_181058.jpg.html][/URL]

Thursday morning at 0700, about 38 hours of use. I think it should be considered average as far as keeping ice since I didn't open the cooler very often and it sat on the kitchen floor in 72* environment. Nice cooler BUT not all that impressive for keeping ice in tact for any longer than any other cooler I've had.
[URL=http://s93.photobucket.com/user/jonnybow/media/received_1257048164319929.jpeg.html][/URL]

14.) DParker - 09/22/2016

Something went seriously wrong. You have more beer left than ice.

15.) Jon - 09/22/2016

It was a test sir, just a test!

16.) bluecat - 09/22/2016

[QUOTE=DParker;44207]Something went seriously wrong. You have more beer left than ice.[/QUOTE]