RTIC vs. YETI: Choosing The Best Cooler for Your Needs

Roto-molded coolers have really made the mark in the industry the last couple years, with two brands of ice chest in particular at the forefront, RTIC and YETI. These two brands have extremely similar designs, and according to the courts, a little too similar (more on that further down).

Want to see how these two popular coolers stack up against the competition? be sure to check out our article of the best coolers of 2022. 

But what is actually the difference between these two coolers? And (more importantly), which one is better?

rtic vs yeti

We dig into every detail and put YETI and RTIC to the test so that by the end of this article, you should be able to make an informed decision and get the ice chest that suits your needs best. We have reviewed both hard and soft-sided coolers in full further down in this article under the following criteria: design, caliber of materials, sizes available, ice life and ice retention, warranty and affordability. but if you want to skip that and make a quick decision on an ice chest, just scroll down a little to our quick recommendation tables below.

Quick Note: RTIC and YETI products are both awesome, but our favorite cooler is actually ORCA, for a few reasons. Check out our comparison of YETI vs ORCA if you’re interested in having a look at an alternative option for an ice chest.

RTIC Coolers vs YETI Coolers: The Top 3 Models Compared

RTIC 20 qt YETI Roadie 20
rtic 20 yeti 20
18lbs 15lbs
3 different colors 7 different colors
True 20 quart capacity 18 quart capacity
Quality lacks in certain areas like hinges and rubber Still made with durable, premium materials
Slightly better ice life Several days of ice life
Great value pick, ideal for smaller trips to the beach, picnics and road trips Awesome ice chest that will perform and last you for years. Premium option.
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RTIC 65qt YETI Tundra 65
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rtic 65
yeti tundra
36lbs 29lbs
2 different colors 4 different colors
True 45 quart capacity 38 quart internal capacity
Good materials, though significantly heavier Manufactured with premium materials but still lightweight
Slightly better ice life Great ice life and performance
Warranty isn’t great 5-year warranty
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RTIC SoftPak YETI Hopper
rtic softpak yeti soft cooler
4lbs (30 can) 3lbs (30 can)
2 sizes (20, 30 can) 3 sizes (8, 12, 30 can)
8 different colors 7 different colors
Material and fabric are good, but not great Durable, rugged, and great manufacturing
Slightly less ice life than YETI Great ice life and performance, as expected
Warranty subpar 5-year warranty
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Companies & Reputation

YETI is a company from Austin Texas, founded in 2006 by 2 brothers, Ryan and Roy Seiders. The Seider brothers grew up extremely active and involved in hunting and other yeti vs rticsuch activities and found that the caliber of coolers available was severely lacking. And thus, their new high-end cooler company was born. Since then, YETI has grown to a multi-million dollar company with sales of more than $470 million in 2016. The company is endorsed by several pro athletes such as Cameron Hanes and Flip Pallot.

RTIC is a much younger company, established in 2014 also by two brothers, James and John Jacobsen. These two entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to stake their claim in the roto-molded ice chest market and took it. The coolers RTIC makes are very similar to YETI, at a lower price, with the actual slogan, “A Yeti for half the price.”

Yeti vs RTIC Lawsuit

Unfortunately, the likeness was a little too striking, and YETI filed a patent infringement lawsuit against them. Which, isn’t that surprising when you see them side by side. The two companies have since reached an agreement, which has led to RTIC being required to cease all sales of their coolers and to redesign any future coolers. Fortunately, there are still many of these coolers available through Amazon, so you can still get your half priced YETI (if that’s ultimately what you decide on).

RTIC vs YETI Hard Coolers

RTICs attempt to undercut YETI began with the now classic roto-molded cooler design. When comparing the coolers, the design is extremely similar. However, we did notice a few differences in the quality of materials. RTIC skimps in a few areas, most notably in the unsealed gasket which can potentially peel off (these are fully sealed in YETIs) and the foam handles which are rubber on the YETIs.

RTICs warranty is honestly just sad and confusing, while YETI stands by their hard coolers with a 5-year defect protection agreement. As far as ice retention is concerned, the coolers are essentially equals, which we found interesting.

Where RTIC is typically the winner is in price, although since the lawsuit requiring RTIC to alter their design and cease manufacturing, the original RTICs have also risen in price as supply is now limited. If you can find a good deal on a YETI cooler we’d definitely go with one based on the quality issues of RTICs. But, if you find an RTIC at a reasonable price you’ll get the same performance at a fraction of the cost. If you want more details check out our full comparison of ice chest below.

Design & Materials

As you’ve seen, the two companies make coolers that look almost identical. We won’t go into too much more detail about the similarities between the two, so be sure to check out the full cooler review articles (links above) if you want to learn more. They both have the thick, rubber latches, drain spouts, rubber lid gasket, non-stick feet, thick insulation, lockable corner slots, rope handles, tiedowns etc. Here’s the key differences and what you really need to know.

As far as the plastic of the coolers, both brands are very similar. Which isn’t surprising, since it’s just plastic, molded over insulation. From a durability standpoint, both YETI and RTIC can take a real beating and won’t crack easily. The thick insulation and plastics add some weight, but is ultimately the reason behind the impressive ice retention.

The rubber components on the RTICs are slightly lower grade. The latches are a little easier to snap into place, so it’s possible that over time the rubber could wear out enough to compromise the seal of the lid. It’s not very noticeable and you can always replace them should the rubber wear to that point. In addition, the rubber lid gasket is slightly thinner and more flimsy than YETIs. In addition, the gasket is not sealed/joined, so there is a small gap where the two ends meet. If you go RTIC, we would recommend filling the gap with some superglue or epoxy to prevent any issues with it coming off the ice chest.

Product Spotlight: YETI Haul Wheeled Cooler 

yeti haul

                  • Ultra portable design
                  • Great ice retention: up to 10 days
                  • Rotomolded, durable construction
                  • Most convenient cooler you can get

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RTIC coolers are available most commonly in tan, or white, while YETI has a tan, white, seafoam green and a light blue colour available. If you aren’t all about the classic desert tan, and don’t want your white getting dirty, you may want to consider the green or blue.

The rope handles of a YETI cooler definitely feel like lower grade compared to its counterpart, and the handle is actual rubber. RTICs handles are made of foam, and we could see it degrading over time. For example, when comparing an RTIC 20qt to a Roadie 20, we’ve seen the handles on the RTIC degrade from exposure to the elements, and over time the Roadie 20 holds true.

Some folks have received their RTICs with scratches and other blemishes already on the cooler when receiving. These are possibly due to damages during shipping, or from reshipping returned coolers that were returned within the 30 day window. It’s a rare issue, and purely cosmetic since it won’t impede on the cooler’s performance, but it’s also something to keep in mind.

Despite being designed in the USA, both brands of ice chest are manufactured in China. Regardless, we still notice that YETIs quality surpasses RTICs in pretty much every fashion. If you’re looking to pick up your own, we typically see the best prices for these coolers in online stores since you avoid the retail markup.

Size Range and Colours

rtic vs yeti

As far as size range goes, a YETI cooler definitely has the upper hand for selection. They have way more sizes available (10 total), from the 20 quart model up to a massive 350 quarts (designed for fishermen and hunters). These larger models, like the YETI Tundra 45 or Tundra 65, are some of the highest caliber and highest capacity coolers that are made in the entire industry. They also have a wide size range available.

The most popular model of YETI Tundra is undoubtedly the Tundra 65 quart. It’s so versatile – great for fishing, camping, hunting or even just beverages during a BBQ if you need it! The smaller 20 quart YETI Roadie is a great option for smaller trips to the beach since it’s lightweight and easy to lug around with the folding handle.

But, we often recommend going with a YETI Tundra 45 due to the versatility – it’s a little smaller. It’s important to keep in mind the Tundra 45 and Tundra 65 are a little heavy, and more expensive. How does size affect ice retention? Typically, larger coolers provide greater ice retention due to the fact there is more ice in the cooler, and the ratio of ice to surface area is larger. 

RTIC coolers only come in the 20, RTIC 45 and RTIC 60 quart models. The 20qt is an awesome day-use cooler, due to the size and easy to carry handle. The RTIC 45 is a good middle of the pack size, while the RTIC 65 adds size and weight. In addition, their coolers all have (slightly) larger dimensions, despite the supposed same number of quarts.

Here’s a great video that compares the capacity of the RTIC 65 quart cooler with the Tundra 65. The larger dimensions of RTICs coolers is also due to the plastic and the insulation are slightly thicker. However, the thickness also bumps the weight up. For example, comparing the 20 quart models of the YETI vs RTIC: 15lbs vs 25lbs. As a result, another of the most popular options is the YETI Roadie 20, the smallest available. So, If you’re trying to keep the size range and weight (and cost) of your cooler down, YETIs likely your better option.

Ice Life

ice

Finally, we get to what (arguably) really matters. Which cooler actually performs better and gives you better ice life? If you’re going to be spending between $200-400 (possibly more) on a roto-molded cooler, it had better work and keep your ice frozen. If you’re looking at these coolers, it’s likely you need one that’s going to give you ice life of more than 5 days. 

Surprisingly, when comparing RTIC vs YETI coolers, the less expensive RTICs are more effective at retaining ice. While they claim to provide ice for longer than a week, that’s under some pretty ideal conditions. 5 days is a more realistic average taking all things to consideration.

Remember how earlier when we were talking size range, we noted that the the RTICs are larger in general, with thicker walls and plastic? This is the key factor that ultimately contributes to RTICs better performance for ice life.

Although we have found RTICs to provide better ice capability, it’s important to note that the difference in performance isn’t that extreme. Both coolers have great ice life and are great at keeping your things cold, however it is very interesting that the RTIC, at half the price can actually do a better job.

Bear-Proofing

Another feature that a YETI cooler can boast that the RTICs can’t, is being certified bear-proof. They actually filled the coolers up with yummy treats and let grizzly bears go at it and try to get in. With a padlock in the designated hole at the corner of the lid, bear proofyou can lock the coolers up tight keeping your stuff safe from wildlife.

This is a great feature for when you’re camping, or if you have valuables or liquor in the cooler at the beach. Although RTICs don’t have the certification, we’re pretty sure they would hold up very similar, since they do have the same padlock-hole. But sometimes it’s nice to have the certification.

Product Spotlight: YETI Tundra 65 qt 

yeti tundra 65

                  • Premium, respected brand
                  • Keeps ice up for up to 10 days
                  • Last cooler you’ve ever need
                  • Dry goods basket included

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Price Difference

As we’ve touched on briefly, and as you probably already know, these two brands are mostly separated by own small thing: the price tag. Why is a YETI cooler so dang expensive? It’s hard to say, really. Partially, yes it’s the marketing. They were arguably the original roto-molded cooler, and people will pay for that fact, just like they will pay for being “officially bear-proof certified.”

yeti tundra
That being said, we’ve seen that an RTIC like the RTIC 45 can have ice retention comparable (or better), than the Tundra 45 at a much more affordable cost. Yes, RTIC coolers are made with slightly lower grade materials in some cases: the rubber latches and gasket, rope and foam handles. However, the plastics and insulation being used are nearly identical, so it’s up to you if these small features are worth paying for. The only other thing to consider is the warranty and if that’s worth the steeper price tag.

YETI vs RTIC Summary:

Design & Features: Tie they’re basically identical
Materials: YETIs materials are slightly better
Size & WeightYETIs are lighter and smaller
Sizes available: YETI has more size options (10 vs 3), but RTICs have more capacity
Colours available: YETI tan, white, blue and green RTIC: tan and white only
Bear-Proof: YETI only (technically)
Ice Retention: RTICs surprised us with longer ice life
Warranty: YETI, hands down
Price: RTIC, by a wide margin

RTIC 20 vs YETI 20

Talking just YETI 20 vs RTIC 20, both are advertised as 20 quart coolers, but the RTIC 20 actually  has a slightly larger capacity at 22 quarts, allowing it to carry 24 cans, while the YETI holds 16. That being said, the YETI is 3lbs lighter, something you’ll definitely want in a portable cooler like this one. The YETI will hold ice longer, but doesn’t fit quite as much inside, and it costs more than the RTIC 20.

RTIC 45 vs YETI Tundra 45

While the RTIC 45 holds 45 quarts as advertised, the Tundra 45 actually only has a capacity of 38 quarts. This allows for up to 28 cans, vs 36 cans with the RTIC 45. However, aside from capacity and price, the YETI takes the lead in all other categories. If you want a little extra space and a cheaper price, check out the RTIC 45. 

RTIC 65 vs Tundra 65

Similarly to the 45 quart models, the RTIC 65 has a true 65qt capacity, vs the YETI’s 57qt internal storage. This allows the RTIC to hold up to 64 cans to the YETI’s 42. If its’ storage space you’re after, we’d suggest the RTIC, though the ice life, warranty and materials of YETI reign supreme. 

So, YETIs dominate most the categories we have evaluated these in, a few of the features have more importance than others, most notably weight, ice life, warranty and affordability. At the end of the day, we can’t pick for you, since every person reading this will have different buying values. If you value quality, a trusted brand and a product that should last you years, then YETIs probably for you. If it’s more of a two or three summer use then replace you’re after, RTICs a better and more economical choice. Usually these coolers are more expensive in stores because of the retail markup so we usually recommend buying online for the best prices.

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RTIC vs YETI Soft Coolers

After successfully crushing it in the hard cooler market, these companies turned to redesigning soft-sided coolers. Soft-sided coolers have a few noticeable benefits that roto-molded coolers lack.They are smaller, lighter, easier to store and to carry. But, they won’t hold ice as long simply because the insulation just isn’t as thick. RTIC and YETI both produce great soft-sided cooler, all that being said. But, if we had to choose a favorite, we’d go with YETI in this case. RTIC only makes a flip top cooler, while YETI makes flip tops and a handbag style ice chest which we much prefer. The shape and flexibility of the design makes it ideal to pack and carry, as well as store, compared to the boxy RTICs.

Design & Materials

While RTIC has opted for a more traditional style soft cooler in their SoftPak line, with a flip up lid, YETI makes similar soft-sided coolers and also one that’s more unique. The YETI hopper is a duffel bag style cooler.

RTIC took the traditional design and the attitude of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” in designing their SoftPak flip top model. It’s great because although the insulation is soft, it’s still risoftpakgid enough to have the entire cooler have a stiffer structure and a uniform shape. Soft-sided coolers like this are great, as even if you’re shoving your cooler into the car with the rest of the camping gear, your sandwiches and other more delicate delicacies won’t get crushed. However as a result, you can’t really fold it up to store soft-sided coolers like this one. We also find it less comfortable to carry this boxy style cooler than than the YETI.

The YETI Hoppers are more of a duffel bags or purse style bags than soft-sided coolers, with the zipper located near the top of the cooler. The style makes it much easier to carry around your shoulder making it great for fishing, camping or the beach. Technically, this cooler review is for the second generation, and one of the most notable improvements from its predecessor is the location of the zipper, which used to hopper twobe at the very apex of the bag. The zipper being at the very top limited the size of the opening making access more difficult and also scratching your hands. Now, it’s slightly off center allowing for a larger and easier access option. This may not seem very significant, but it’s an improvement, though still not ideal. The flexible insulation is still rigid enough to give structure to the bag. But, it really crams down to a small size when empty to make storage much easier. There are still many originals available and besides the zipper location, they’re basically identical if you opt for the original YETI.

2020 Product Update: YETI Hopper M30 

yeti hopper m30

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Due to the feedback from customers of their soft-sided coolers, YETI released an updated version of the YETI Hopper, the M30 solving the problems with access to the interior. This soft cooler has a wider, easier to access opener, that functions without a zipper. It uses magnets to produce a leak-proof seal with quick and easy access. It’s super durable and very portable, as far as soft-sided coolers go, so definitely worth a look. 

The YETI Hoppers are composed of a very tough high-density fabric that is completely waterproof. The “DryHide” shell is also puncture resistant, mildew resistant, and UV-ray resistant, which can often degrade the outer materials of many coolers. yeti zipper And the 100% leakproof zipper keeps water out and – worst case scenario – if something spills on the inside, will keep the mess inside rather than get all over your things. The inside of the cooler is super easy to clean and you can just hose out any messes. The carry handles and anchor points are a nice bonus too. The thickness of the insulation paired with the waterproof materials also prevents any sweating.

The RTIC SoftPak soft-sided coolers are made of a very similar outer material to YETIs that is also waterproof, puncture resistant, and anti-microbial. It’s a heavy duty nylon material that has a bit more of a rubber feel to it. It’s more like a rubber rain jacket vs. a Gore-tex ski jacket which is more like the YETI material. While the RTIC is a decent cooler, we’ve seen a few issues with them that we don’t with the YETIs.

rtic materials

While they claim to be sweat-proof, we do often see these coolers sweating in higher temperatures. In addition, there are some discrepancies in material and manufacturing quality. The seams are not very well assembled and is one of the major areas we see these coolers fail. In addition, the plastic buckles, nylon straps and other features are all of a lighter and less quality manufacturing and we see buckles breaking and straps falling off fairly often.

Bear Proofing

While both RTIC and YETI have features on their roto-molded hard coolers that can make them bearproof, unfortunately neither of these soft coolers have been granted this designation. You’ll want to take care to hide or elevate your cooler while camping to avoid any wildlife getting into your things and tearing up your cooler. While the outer materials are tear-resistant, it wouldn’t stand a chance against a hungry animal so keep that in mind.

Size Range & Colours

The RTIC soft-sided coolers are available in three different sizes, measured by the amount of cans (plus ice) they can carry: 20, 30 and 40. The RTIC SoftPak 40 is actually our preferred choice – although it’s the biggest of the three, it’s the most versatile. It fits lrtic coloursunches for the whole family, beer for the whole crew or is a great weekend camping size. The 40 is honestly quite large, which we love since we always like to overpack (who wants to be hungry or thirsty?). It’s also available in several colours including some really slick looking camouflage designs.

As we mentioned earlier, while YETI does make a comparable cooler to RTIC in their flip-top lid, we actually prefer the hopper style over the boxy flip-top. They also makes the Hopper in the same three sizes an RTIC cooler does: in 20, 30 and 40 can capacities. However, they only hold 16, 23 and 34 cans respectively, in a 2:1 can to ice ratio. If you are doing a weekend trip or have a largeyeti colors family, you will want the Hopper 40. The Hopper 20 is definitely on the small size for more than two people (lunch and drinks) and the Hopper 40 can be a pretty big cooler to lug around, and the 30 is a perfect middle ground but for many will still be too small. There are only two colors of the Hopper available – grey, and silver, so you definitely can’t make as much of a fashion statement as compared to with an RTIC.

Ice Life

Simply based on the fact that the insulation isn’t as thick, both of these coolers will not provide the same ice life you’d expect form their roto-molded coolers. That being said, the closed cell foam insulation does a decent job of holding ice compared to the type of soft cooler you typically have used in the past.
rtic ice

The exact time of your ice life depends on several factors – the temperature of your cooler before you put ice in, the temperature outside, how often you open the lid, what size of ice you use, etc. IN GENERAL, we find that the YETI Hopper holds ice slightly better than the RTIC soft-sided coolers. If you did a test and were vigilant at keeping the coolers closed, you can get up to 72 hours of ice life from the YETI Hopper and up to 62 hours of ice life from the RTIC. That being said, these coolers are often used in scenarios where it’s quite hot out and you open and close the cooler often throughout the day – like trips to the beach, the park and the like. So, realistically, we usually see about 20 hours of ice from the RTIC and about 32 hours of ice on an average summer day.

Affordability

Keeping consistent with RTICs business model, these products are no exception to the price discrepancy between the two brands. The Hoppers can be 2-3x more expensive than the RTICs. For example, last time we checked, the RTIC SoftPak was just over $100 while the Hopper 20 were running for around $250-300. Despite YETIs slight brand markup, judging on all of the differences we’ve run through above, we think YETIs are the clear buy here. The RTICs just have too many material issues we see over time.

Product Spotlight: YETI Tundra 45 qt 

                  • Amazing ice life: 7-10 days
                  • Thick rubber gaskets and latches
                  • 3″ insulation
                  • Versatile multi-use size

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YETI vs RTIC Tumblers

rtic yeti tumblers

One other product format that YETI and RTIC produce are vacuum sealed travel mugs: the RTIC Tumbler and YETI Rambler. Both of these perform their function very well, but which one should you go with to keep your drinks ice cold or steaming hot?

How They Work

Both YETI and RTIC tumblers are made from 18/8 stainless steel, and are double-wall vacuum insulated. The stainless steel makes them very durable, while the double-walls keeps the outside of the cups at ambient temperature, so they don’t sweat or condensate, but keep the liquid inside either hot or cold, for longer than a traditional stainless steel travel mug. 

Hot/Cold Performance

Both cups are made from the same materials, and very similar designs. We found that both cups kept ice frozen for nearly exactly the same amount of time – just over 24 hours. The difference was so marginal we’d declare a tie for heat/cold retention. If you need something to keep your drinks cold, you can’t go wrong with either. If you’re using hot beverages, we trust the lid of the YETI a little more. 

rtic lid

Durability & Design

Where the YETI Rambler comes back as a superior tumbler is due to the design of the lid. It’s got a sweet sliding mechanism to close up the opening in the lid, which has a rubber gasket to keep it sealed up tight. The RTIC has a flip-top lid that isn’t quite as secure and we could see breaking off pretty quickly. Durability-wise, they bodies of the mugs are both going to perform similarly due to the stainless steel construction. 

Price

Of course, when you go with YETI, you pay a premium for their excellence, brand reputation and warranty. If it’s budget that matters, go with an RTIC, but if you want a stainless steel tumbler with superior features and support, YETI is the way to go.

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Warranty & Customer Service

One important detail that many folks look for when buying new products such as a cooler, is the warranty and the company’s customer service. Should something go wrong, it’s nice knowing that you can quickly replace a defective ice chest, or find some other solution. This is another area where the two cooler brands differ.

RTICs warranty is… confusing. They offer a 30-day return window, but it has to be in perfect, unused condition upon receipt. Warranty returns are where it gets confusing, because they don’t actually state what the guidelines are. If you apply for a warranty return/exchange due to manufacturer’s defects of the ice chest, but if they deem the defect as not covered by warranty (the details to which they don’t provide) they’re going to charge you for it. Otherwise, their customer service is pretty average.

rtic return policy
www.rticcoolers.com

By comparison, YETI has much better warranty system in place, as well as an established customer service department. They offer a 5-year limited warranty to cover any manufacturer’s defects of an ice chest or other product. If by some chance an item is damaged in shipping, you must immediately return the cooler in its original packaging to be eligible for a replacement. Despite the great warranty, they do still reserve the right to refuse warranty should they decide whatever damage you are submitting for was your fault. On top of the larger warranty, the customer service we’ve experienced from YETI has been top-notch.

yeti warranty policy
www.yeti.com

The RTIC Coolers vs YETI Coolers Lawsuit: Here’s what you need to know

If you didn’t already hear about the RTIC vs YETI lawsuit, you likely knew that there was going to be one. They honestly look so alike, you have to actually get pretty close up to see the differences. Wonder how the whole thing went down, and what it means for consumers? We’ve dissected the YETI and RTIC lawsuit and determined what it’s going to mean for you, depending on what brand you decide to go with.

In the wake of RTICs success, YETI launched patent, trade dress and trademark infringement lawsuits. We can certainly see why, considering the two products extreme similarity.. but what’s interesting, is that YETI wasn’t actually the first cooler of its kind. In fact, Engel coolers were the first roto-molded cooler on the market in 2005, a full year before YETI sold their first one. However, YETI found a way to market their product a little bit better, and solved a few design problems as well. Mainly that they found a solution to latches in their rubber latch system, and removing any opportunity for rust by removing all metal components. So, if we were pitching Engel vs Yeti, we’d probably go with a YETI cooler, even though they’re not the OG. 

YETI Coolers also came at RTIC for trade dress – which is essentially a legal term that refers to the physical characteristics of a product and its packaging. Basically, if you swapped the logos on two products, and you can’t tell them apart, then you’ve maybe got a trade dress suit. As you can see from the various examples of coolers in this article, YETIs and RTICs are almost impossible to tell apart. At least with an ORCA vs YETI, the ORCAs have a few distinct features you can distinguish.

The Settlement

After several months of back and forth, YETI and RTIC came to a (supposedly) amicable settlement. The details of the settlement weren’t made public, but it seems that neither side wanted to keep paying for legal fees and settlement was the best option. RTIC released a statement saying they wanted to conclude the suit, “for the purpose of avoiding the additional costs and uncertainty of continued litigation.” YETI Coolers seems appeased as they received some financial compensation from RTIC, and RTIC was also required to redesign their product line.

Product Spotlight: RTIC 45 qt 

rtic 45

                  • Most versatile cooler size
                  • Ice life for 7+ days
                  • 3″ insulation
                  • Cheaper than YETI

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What it Means For You

If you were looking to buy either an RTIC or a YETI then you may be wondering what this means for you. Well for one, RTIC coolers have been shown to have comparable performance to YETI coolers. But, now that they have been required to redesign their hard shelled roto-molded models, we’re not sure how they will stack up against YETIs. Likely most changes will be superficial and they will still have comparable ice retention, but you never know. YETIs still come with the same steep price tag, but they do make a great product even if you do pay a premium for the brand.

RTIC Coolers vs YETI Coolers Round-Up

Are you the type of person that will pay for the trusted brand, regardless of the price difference and mark-up, knowing you get the best materials with a warranty and customer service that backs it up? YETI coolers are probably for you. 

OR

Are you the type of person that is all about functionality and frugality, weaker customer service, and as long as your stuff stays cold, you don’t mind if a few things degrade a bit quicker? RTIC coolers are a good choice then.

Regardless, both YETI coolers and RTIC coolers are both quite impressive and at the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either one. 

COMPARE PRICES ON AMAZON

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Which Cooler is Better RTIC or YETI?

In our opinion, a YETI cooler has always, and will always be the better cooler in every category but one, and that’s affordability. Otherwise, they are superior in materials, ice retention, warranty and features. If you want to save some cash and still get fairly comparable performance and durability, go with an RTIC.

What Brand is Better than YETI?

What brand is better than YETI? There’s not many that compare to them, but ORCA Coolers sure come close, with some unique features included that the YETIs don’t have. 

What does RTIC Stand For?

“Really Trendy Ice Chests?” Jokes aside, RTIC is just a 4-letter catchy brand name that plays on “Arctic.” 

Who Owns RTIC Coolers?

RTIC Coolers is privately owned by founders John and Jim Jacobsen.

James Kennedy