Difference Between RTIC And YETI Coolers

RTIC Coolers

RTIC was established Austin, Texas in 2006 by two brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders. RTIC coolers feature impressive cold retention that keeps ice frozen for days, a rugged build, a drain, padlock holes, molded handles, a gasket for better sealing, built-in tie down slots and a non-skid bottom.

RTIC was created with the intention of crafting unrivaled outdoor-ready gear — chiefly in the realm of adventure coolers. Where they differ, although, is in the fact that RTIC also wanted to ensure that their overbuilt offerings were also available at a much lower price point than big-box retailers primarily through a direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model. To this day, regardless of how much their catalog has expanded (which it has, quite a bit), they still hold true to their original ethos.

Because it sells almost exclusively direct to consumer, RTIC can sell its products at a much lower price while still turning a profit. You won’t find RTIC products at local retail shops, so the brand uses social media to promote its wares instead of traditional marketing methods.

RTIC Hard Coolers

RTIC currently offers their RTIC Hard Cooler in five sizes, ranging from 20 quarts to 145. The RTIC 20 Quart cooler has a metal handlebar and a comfortable grip handle. This cooler can hold 24 cans plus ice. It is ideal for family trips to the beach or for hiking in the early morning.

The RTIC 145 Quart hard cooler is the bigger of the two. It will keep you hydrated for many days, if necessary. It can hold 155 lbs. It can hold more than 36 gallons of water or ice.

RTIC Soft Coolers

RTIC also sells the RTIC Soft Pack and five other soft coolers, including a backpack similar to Yeti’s Backflip. The RTIC Day Cooler Insulated Tote Bag is our favorite RTIC soft product.

Tote bags make them easy to transport and are great for day trips with the family. The RTIC Day Cooler Insulated Tote Bag has a zippered pocket inside and the same mildew-resistant properties.

What You Need To Know About RTIC

• RTIC was established Austin, Texas in 2006 by two brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders.
• RTIC coolers feature impressive cold retention that keeps ice frozen for days, a rugged build, a drain, padlock holes, molded handles, a gasket for better sealing, built-in tie down slots and a non-skid bottom.
• RTIC Coolers offer fewer variations.
• RTIC Coolers 45 is a bit larger and has greater capacity.
• The RTIC T-latch is not as rigid as the YETI T-latch, making them easier to close.
• RTIC coolers handles are a little longer than YETI handles, making them slightly easier for most individuals to carry.
• RTIC offers a 1-year warranty with coolers that can be customized to your specific needs.
• RTIC coolers are generally cheaper when compared to YETI coolers because RTIC sells directly to consumers. Also, RTIC’s pricing model has the advantage of not including retailer mark-ups and other expenses in their pricing.

YETI Coolers

YETI is most well-known for its rotomolded hard coolers. These coolers are designed to keep ice cool for several days. It can keep you ice cold for several days. Its coolers are made with innovative, rotomolded designs and come equipped with heavy-duty hinges, latches, and handles because every product is only as good as its weakest link. YETI coolers are the perfect choice if you’re looking for the highest quality cooler on the marketplace, designed specifically to suit your needs. 

YETI has been around since 2006 when the company basically revolutionized the cooler market. Brothers Ryan and Roy Seiders, who were tired of their coolers breaking, founded YETI with quality in mind and an outdoor junkie target market, including hunters, anglers, and campers alike.

Over the course of the next 14 years, the brand focused primarily on their collection of hard- and soft-sided coolers, becoming a veritable household name in the cooler industry and acquiring a massive following, but has since expanded into numerous other categories including bags, drinkware, and even a suite of dog-friendly gear. Today, YETI is synonymous with quality, often at a high price, but the brand is no less amongst the most respected in the outdoor industry.

YETI offers seven soft coolers.

The YETI Hopper backpack is designed with a chest strap, belt, and other features that are most commonly found in hiking packs. It has a leakproof zipper that is 100% waterproof and can be used for any adventure, whether it’s a family trip to the beach or into the wilderness. The soft-sided cooler line by YETI features a closed-cell rubber foam that is known for providing superior insulation compared with old-school soft lunch boxes.

YETI Tundra Hard Coolers

YETI offers twelve different cooler options to suit every need. These coolers range from the Tundra 35 to the Tundra 350. The smallest Tundra is the YETI Tundra35 Hard Cooler. It can be slipped inside an inner tube if your goal is to float down the river with cold drinks and snacks. However, it still has up to three inches of PermaFrost insulation. The YETI Tundra350 Hard Cooler is on the opposite end. This cooler is ideal for those who need it to cool their catch or kills and industrial uses such as large events management and catering.

What You Need To Know About YETI

• YETI was established in 2015 by two brothers John and Jim Jacobsen. YETI is most well-known for its rotomolded hard coolers. These coolers are designed to keep ice cool for several days.
•  YETI coolers feature impressive cold retention that keeps ice frozen for days, a rugged build, a drain, padlock holes, molded handles, a gasket for better sealing, built-in tie down slots and a non-skid bottom.
• YETI Coolers offer a wide range of sizes, designs and modifications.
• YETI Tundra 45 is smaller and can hold less ice or cans inside.
• YETI hard-sided coolers come with a 5-year warranty.
• YETI coolers are generally more expensive when compared to RTIC.

Difference Between RTIC And YETI Coolers

RTIC Vs YETI Coolers Legal Battle

In July of 2015 (the same year RTIC was founded), YETI filed a series of lawsuits and grievances against RTIC for copyright infringement — claiming that the recently-launched RTIC was offering a suite of products too similar to those offered by YETI, thereby infringing upon their intellectual property.

 In the year 2017, the brands settled the multiple lawsuits with the stipulation, according to a press release put out by YETI, that RTIC “make a financial payment to YETI; to cease sales of all products subject to the lawsuit — this includes hard-sided coolers, soft-sided coolers and drinkware; and to redesign all products in question.” While both brands claimed the settlement decision to be amicable and in both brands’ best interests, it’s also worth noting that RTIC — in their own release — said they had “agreed to redesign only those products involved in the dispute.” Both companies have been operating normally since.

Summary

RTIC coolers offer a functional and more affordable alternative to YETI. RTIC coolers are more stylish than YETI coolers, but they will do the job at a much lower price. RTIC offers a variety of sizes, but YETI offers more options and better quality.

There are surprising differences between the brands that might help you decide on which cooler is right for you. Most people initially think they will decide between YETI and RTIC for obvious reasons, but they aren’t the only brands that should be considered. Pelican and GOAT also make durable coolers that might work well for your needs.