Ice, Ice, Baby: Roadie 8 Cooler Review

When I was asked if I’d like to give the Yeti Roadie 8 cooler a shot, I didn’t hesitate. I’ve been using Yeti products for a decade, and I have yet to be disappointed. But considering I typically go for higher-capacity models to hold plenty of hydration during the work week and (hopefully) a limit of snapper on the weekend, does the Roadie 8 have a place on your jobsite, boat, or road trip?

Pros

Super-durable build
Takes up less room
Lighter than other sizes
Easy to carry one-handed

Cons

Shorter ice retention than larger models
Limited storage space

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Yeti Roadie 8 Cooler: What They Say

The Roadie 8 is the smallest cooler in the Roadie line that also includes 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48-quart sizes. Yeti describes it as “A blend of Roadie RockSolid Strength and Tundra cold-holding power” that’s “virtually indestructible.”

Here’s what you can expect when it comes to features:

SmartHaul Handle: Solid, sturdy construction so you can grab and carry the cooler easily
Barefoot Non-Slip Feet: Prevents sliding surfaces, even when they’re wet
QuickLatch: Single, centered latch is secure while allowing for one-hand opening
Permafrost Insulation: Pressure-injected polyurethane for long ice retention
Interlock Lid System: Creates a solid barrier to lock out ambient temperatures
ColdLock Gasket: Freezer-quality seal that blocks out the heat and locks in the cold
RockSolid Strength: Makes the cooler virtually indestrictible
NeverFail Hinge System: Interlocking two-pin system that resists breaking
AnchorPoint Tie-Down Slots: Easily strap your Roadie 8 down using the slots to the sides of the handle

Yeti Roadie 8 Cooler: What I Say

The Roadie line is no stranger to my adventures, and the Roadie 24 has been my go-to for years. It’s what I use when I need to keep a smaller crew hydrated at work, plus, it keeps all our lunch, drinks, and snacks cool on the boat and during road trips.

There’s a big difference between 24 and 8 quarts, though. However, there’s no difference in the durability. The Roadie 8 is every bit as strong as its big brothers.

When I first started using it, the first thing I realized was how much more I like the rigid SmartHaul handle over the webbed handle on the 24. With the Roadie 8’s smaller size, it makes more sense and really is easier to grab and go. It’s also a legit option if you have to hike a relatively short distance down to the beach or over to your favorite trout hole on the river.

Capacity

The two biggest concerns I had were whether the capacity would be too small for my needs and how much the ice retention might drop.

The capacity wasn’t so much something I had to get used to as much as it was knowing when it was the right size for the day. According to the specs, it holds 9 lbs of ice or twelve 12-ounce cans.

I tried a few different things, and one of the most important discoveries is that it doesn’t hold a standard 16.9-ounce bottle of water standing up. You’ll need to either lay them down on their sides or buy the 12-ounce bottles instead.

The total of what I carried depended on how long I was going to be out. A couple standard bottles of water, a soda, and lunch is a reasonable loadout. If you don’t need food, you could double the drinks.

If you’re carrying food, there’s not enough headspace for a full separation between it and your ice, though. To take up the least amount of space, you can pack it in a freezer bag. You could also pack it in Yeti’s Plastic Food Storage, or use a couple of Yeti Ice Sheets and eliminate the water issue altogether.

Ice Retention

ice retention is always a challenging number to nail down. The biggest factors are how hot it is outside, whether you can keep your cooler in the shade, and how often you get into it. Still, it’s worth testing as long as you know the context.

I’m in central Florida, and our temps ranged from the mid-70s at night to the low-90s during the day while I was testing. Before I loaded it up with ice, I pre-chilled my Roadie 8 with a few ice sheets. On my test days, it stayed in the shade on my back porch. Since this model is so compact, I shook it to listen for ice, and only opened the lid once I couldn’t hear any more.

That a lot of background to get the payoff, but here it is: The ice lasted for three and a half days. That’s impressive for a cooler this size, and I’ll admit that I didn’t think it would make it that long.

Should You Buy It?

After spending some time relying on the Yeti Roadie 8 to keep my drinks and food cold, I can confidently say it belongs in Yeti’s lineup. Whether it’s right for you depends on what you’re hoping to get out of it.

For me, this is a 1-day cooler. Even if I were by myself, I would have a hard time carrying enough nutrition and hydration for multiple days. I’d also say that it’s best for supporting one or two people, unless you’re going to restock during the day.

If you’ve been wondering how effective a cooler this small can be, let’s look at a few use cases:

Hunting: Strap it to your ATV/UTV and carry it up in the tree stand with you.
Fishing: It’s perfect for 1/2-day trips without taking up much space in the boat.
Kayaking: Strap it down behind your seat without throwing off the balance.
Road Trips: Put your favorite snacks and drinks in and drive on. Refill before you hit the road again the next day.
Outdoor Work: Your lunch plus some additional hydration fits beautifully.

We’ve talked about keeping things cold, but let’s not forget that premium coolers are also great for keeping things hot:

Pork Butts: Rest two small or one large pork butt.
Brisket: If you separate your point and flat, they can both fit.
Burgers, Brats, and Hot Dogs: Why let them get cold sitting on a plate?
Chicken Wings: Heck yeah, and you better believe I want the ones soaking in all that sauce at the bottom.

Hopefully, you’re able to see that the Yeti Roadie 8 is pretty versatile. It’s not for every situation, though. When you’re taking multi-day trips, supporting more than a couple of people at a time, or plan on catching more than shrimp on your next fishing trip, Yeti’s higher-capacity coolers are still the primary option. So, start with those and think of the Roadie 8 as your companion for shorter adventures.

Ready to pull the trigger? Order directly from Yeti for $165. You can grab it in Royal Blue, Rescue Red, Charcoal, White, or Tan, plus seasonal colors as they roll out.

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