So here you are, looking for a high-performance cooler—but not just any cooler. You're looking for an alternative to Yeti. One of the busiest searches driving traffic to our website is "coolers like Yeti"—or some version of that search. And here we are… happy to explore the similarities and differences for you. In the end, only you can decide which suits your needs best. But we appreciate you giving us a look in your search.
There are many reasons to not want a Yeti cooler. You may be looking for a cooler of similar quality without the premium price tag. Or you could want a less mainstream brand to help you stand out rather than blend in with the crowd. Yeti makes a good cooler, but the Tundra isn't always best suited for every adventure. So, other options might be better depending on your passion (we have a few coolers explicitly made for white water rafts). Still, a lot of users gave up on Yeti several years ago when it ran face-first into the wrath of the NRA. Whatever your reason, you're in the right place.
Yeti burst onto the scene in the first decade of the 2000s with coolers that were better built than what most Americans were used to in plastic coolers. In doing so, it created the premium cooler category, casting a wake that a dozen or so other companies, including Canyon (and those early cheap plastic cooler companies), have been riding ever since. We have a lot of love, appreciation, and respect for what Yeti did in those early days. We've just taken it a step further.
Here, we'll explain exactly how we've improved what Yeti started as we compare the Canyon Outfitter series coolers to the Yeti Tundra. Specifically, we'll compare:
Yeti sizing is weird. Or, rather, Yeti's naming is weird. There's no other way to describe it. Most cooler companies in this space name their coolers based on the cooler capacity. So you get the Outfitter 55, a 55-quart cooler, or the Rtic 65qt Super Tough. But with the Tundra coolers, the numbers don't refer to the size. The Tundra 45 is only 38 quarts, for example. The numbers don't really refer to anything. This makes it challenging to compare coolers between different brands on an apples-to-apples basis. And it makes it important to be sure you know what you're getting. The internet is rife with stories of people expecting a 45-quart cooler who end up disappointed by the Tundra 45.
There are twelve Yeti Tundra models, ranging from the Tundra 35 to the Tundra 350. This includes the wheeled Tundra Haul cooler. In the current Outfitter model, there are 4 Outfitter sizes (we recently discontinued the Outfitter 125, although it's being replaced by a new PRO series model). Our Outfitter Series fits most people's standard camping and general adventuring sizes. Our Adventure and Pro series has larger models that fit the bill. Meanwhile, the Yeti Tundra series covers that same general use but skews toward larger coolers with the same features as the smaller Tundras. Let's look at each.
| Yeti Cooler Sizes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Name | Capacity (quarts) |
| Roadie | 15 | 19 |
| Roadie | 24 | 20 |
| Tundra | 35 | 29 |
| Tundra | 45 | 38 |
| Tundra | Haul | 53 |
| Tundra | 65 | 57 |
| Tundra | 75 | 75 |
| Tundra | 105 | 87 |
| Tundra | 110 | 96 |
| Tundra | 125 | 121 |
| Tundra | 160 | 150 |
| Tundra | 210 | 208 |
| Tundra | 250 | 232 |
| Tundra | 350 | 290 |
| Canyon Cooler Sizes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Name | Capacity (quarts) |
| Outfitter | 22 | 22 |
| Adventure | Mule | 30 |
| Outfitter | 35 | 35 |
| PRO | 45 | 45 |
| Outfitter | 55 | 55 |
| PRO | 65 | 66 |
| Outfitter | 75 | 75 |
| PRO | 85 | 85 |
| Adventure | Propsector | 103 |
| PRO | 125 (coming soon) | 125 |
| PRO | Navigator | 150 |
The Tundra series offers many more sizes than the Outfitter. But when you factor the Pro and Adventure series coolers, we narrow the gap. Read the guide here for a quick rundown on the differences between the Canyon model series.
Both our Canyon Outfitter and the Yeti Tundra boast a robust set of unique features. The marketers at Yeti name and trademark everything, from the T-Rex latches to the Fatwall design to its Permafrost insulation. These are all just names given to its coolers' features. Canyon has similar features, but we don't name and trademark everything. So let's look at the features and compare what each cooler offers.
T-Rex latches are fixed to the lid and latch onto the lip of the cooler body. For this to work, the design requires a lip or plastic extrusion on the body for the latch to hold on to. Some downward force is needed to compress the lid onto the body, extending the plastic latch for it to catch. It's a simple design that works well. The EZ Cam latch, alternatively, is fixed to the cooler body and grabs a metal rung manufactured into the lid. This lets us inset the latches so the cooler body remains flush.
Further, the EZ-Cam latch rotates out before latching down or lifting up. This cam action mechanically advantages the latch and requires very little force to stretch the rubber latch. It can be operated by even small children with ease.
Users will decide which system is better for their needs. Of course we're biased, but we much prefer the EZ-Cam latch.
The lid hinge can be a failure point, even for premium coolers. That's why building a robust hinge is important.
Yeti calls its hinge the Neverfail Hinge System (If you figure out what that means we'd love to hear).
The Canyon Outfitter boasts a strong, one-piece aluminum rod that runs the length of the cooler.
Of the hundreds of thousands of cooler's we've made and sold, we can count the number of times this has failed on one hand and have a digit or two left over. It's a system that's served us well over the last 14 years. Not only does it work, it keeps your lid open when you want it open so you don't have worry about the lid closing on your hands.
The Tundra Vortex drain is simple and works well.
The new Outfitter multi-flex drain plug employs radial compression making it easy to tighten without worrying about leaks. It also sports a dual action inner-drain that threads directly onto a garden hose letting you control where your meltwater ends up.
Yeti offers a hose attachement as a $13 accessory.
Canyon's dual action drain seals easily and accepts standard garden hose threads to direct the meltwater where you want it to go.
Yeti didn't even exclude its names and trademarks efforts when it comes to insulation and sealing. It uses four different marketing names for this function… Fatwall Design, Permafrost Insulation, Interlock Lid System, and Coldlock Gasket.
These are standard features of any premium coolers, and the Outfitter is no exception.
Insulation for both the Outfitter and the Yeti Tundra is pressure-injected polyurethane, both lid designs have a natural interlocking nature, and both sport high-quality gaskets (although the Outfitter Gasket is so supple it often creates an airtight seal rarely seen in other high-quality coolers).
Keeping air out of a cooler is paramount. Canyon's supple freezer seal is unique amongst even premium coolers.
The Tundra has tie down slots (Anchorpoint) on each side of the cooler. The Outfitter does too. Both are also lockable.
With the Tundra on the market for so long, Yeti has created a full line of accessories to complement its hard coolers. These accessories range from cup and rod holders to bottle openers, baskets, and more. The current Outfitter is a new version (We call it V2) with a full line of accessories in the works. Currently, the Outfitter V2 accessories are limited to a divider that doubles as a table/cutting board by attaching to the integrated accessory pockets, baskets, and seat cushions.
Accessories extend the functionality of your cooler. Yeti has a full line of accessories for its Tundra coolers. Additional accessories are in the works for the new Outfitter V2.
Both the Canyon Outfitter and Yeti Tundra are premium coolers that will keep your food and drinks cold for extended periods of time. Generally speaking, both coolers perform well in comparative ice retention tests. Ice-life expectations are tricky because it's determined by so many different factors.
Neither Yeti nor we at Canyon provide specific ice retention times for each model, as performance can vary significantly based on usage conditions and environmental factors. However, general estimates based on user experiences and tests suggest the following:
| Category | Model | Ice Retention Times |
| Small Coolers | Tundra 35, 45, 65 | 2-5 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Outfitter 22, 35 | ||
| Medium Coolers | Tundra 75, 105, 110 | 5-7 Days |
| Outfitter 55, 75 | ||
| Large Coolers | Tundra 125, 160, 210 | 7-10 Days |
| Prospector 103 | ||
| Extra Large Coolers | Tundra 250, 350 | 10+ Days |
| Navigator 150 |
Factors that affect ice retention include:
Whether you're using a Tundra or an Outfitter, here are some tips for maximizing ice retention:
For more instructions, check out this post on How To Get The Most Out Of Your Cooler.
Both the Outfitter and Tundra are equally suited to most outdoor and backyard adventures. They are both generalist coolers designed to meet the ice chest needs of most people.
The larger Tundras are more suited to outdoor professionals, like guides and outfitters who need to keep a lot of food cold for large groups of people.
Likewise, Canyon's Adventure and Pro series are differentiated from the Outfitter by the market they are intended for. Adventure series coolers are built to move and include models specifically made for lashing to white water raft frames (although they're equally adept at a backyard barbeque).
