I Tried the Vankor Backpack Cooler on the Big Sur Coast — Here's What I Thought
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There is nothing quite like pulling off Highway 1 on a damp January morning, making coffee in the back of the Sprinter, and then realising the sandwiches you packed the night before are sitting in a puddle of melted ice water. That's been my life more times than I'd like to admit. I needed something that could keep food and drinks cold without leaking all over my gear, pack down when I didn't need it, and look decent enough to carry into a coffee shop on the coast without feeling like a walking cooler ad. The Vankor camping cooler backpack showed up in my searches one rainy Tuesday and I figured, why not give it a shot.
What I actually liked
The leakproof lining is the real deal. I've had this thing loaded with canned seltzer and sandwich fixings on a three-day run down the Big Sur corridor, and there was not a single leak. That's not nothing when you're living out of a van and your next dry change of clothes is sixty miles away. The PEVA lining does exactly what it says it will, keeps cold things cold and fresh things from turning into a science experiment.
I also genuinely appreciate how small it folds down when I don't need it. Most coolers are bulky even when empty. This one squishes into its own pocket and disappears in the under-bed storage compartment I built out. For vanlife folks, that packability is not a luxury, it's the whole point. And it fits under a plane seat too, if that's your thing, which makes it handy for road trips that involve a flight leg.
The front pocket is deeper than it looks and fits the essentials, phone, wallet, a small toiletry kit, snacks for the road. The two side mesh pockets are great for grabbing a drink without digging into the main compartment. Oh, and it's waterproof, which on the coast means you can set it on wet sand or leave it in the back during one of those unexpected coastal downpours without worrying.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leakproof PEVA lining works as advertised | Straps feel thin when fully loaded |
| Folds down to almost nothing for storage | Not built for serious trail hiking |
| Side mesh pockets for quick access | Can get a little wobbly when packed to the gills |
| Waterproof exterior holds up to coastal weather | Hot and cold performance are solid but not exceptional |
On the trail / in use
Setup time is minimal, which I love. You unfold it, load it up, and you're out the door in under a minute. I've taken this to the beach, on a couple of dispersed camping nights, and into town for a market run. The main compartment holds enough for a full day, I'd guess around thirty cans' worth of capacity, and it handled a mix of drinks, fruit, and pre-made lunches without any trouble.
Carrying it fully loaded across a parking lot or down a trail is fine for about twenty or thirty minutes. Past that, the shoulder straps start to remind you they exist. They're padded but the padding is thin, and on a warm afternoon with a heavy load I could feel it in my shoulders. Honestly, for short hauls it's perfectly fine. For longer walks or if you're planning to use it as a genuine hiking pack, I'd say manage your expectations.
What I didn't love? When the bag is packed completely full, the structure gets a bit soft and it can lean to one side if you're not careful. Nothing catastrophic, but it takes a second to re-adjust. I also noticed the hot retention is decent, not impressive, it'll keep something warm for a few hours but don't expect it to perform like a hard-shell cooler.
Who should skip it
If you're planning to use this as a serious hiking pack or you need something that can handle heavy loads over long distances comfortably, look elsewhere. The straps and lack of rigid structure make it better suited for car-to-camp or beach-to-towel scenarios. It's also not ideal if you're after maximum temperature retention for all-day backcountry adventures, the PEVA lining is solid for everyday use but it has limits.
That said, for day-trippers, vanlifers, beach lovers, and anyone who wants a no-fuss cooler that doesn't take up half their storage when it's empty, this one's worth considering. The foldability alone sets it apart from most soft coolers I've tried.
If you've been bouncing between that awkward space where a cooler is too bulky and a regular bag doesn't keep anything cold, the Vankor backpack cooler fills that gap pretty well. It's not perfect, and I'd love to see the straps get an upgrade in a future version, but for what it is and what it costs, it earns its spot in my kit. Hit up the link above and see if it'll fit into your setup.
— Tom