Icemule Jaunt 15L Soft Backpack Cooler Review

As an outdoor enthusiast I often pack up drinks and food and head out for a day of adventure.  As an avid paddle boarder I always need a cold beverage or two for hot days spent out on the water. 

I have tried a few different portable cooler options over the years to keep my drinks and food cold but none have been as good or as convenient as this ICEMULE Soft Backpack Cooler.

It keeps drinks cold for many hours and it’s very lightweight, I love that I can carry it as a backpack for easy transport wherever I am plus it’s waterproof, which is very important to me since I spend many hours on the water.

When I am on my SUP I have the option of securing the cooler under the bungees on my board or I can wear it on my back.  

It’s ultra portable and super functional.  This cooler bag is well thought out and it’s obvious from first unpacking how durable and high quality the materials are.  I have been very impressed.

THE JAUNT™ 15L COOLER

Although ICEMULE makes various different soft cooler options in all different sizes, I chose the Jaunt™ 15L cooler bag to test.  

I found the 15L size to be ideal for day trips and the backpack straps on this particular model are perfect if I am combining a paddle and a hike, which I sometimes do.

WHO IS THE JAUNT™ BEST SUITED FOR?

This cooler bag is so versatile and easy to use that it’s ideal for a wide range of activities from hanging out at the beach to any type of water sport such as boating, kayaking or paddleboarding.

It’s also excellent for:

• camping
• day hikes, biking
• fishing
• picnics
• and even just for backyard BBQ’s when you want to keep some cold cans handy.

The fact that this cooler can pack down so small means that it’s perfect for taking traveling as well. Next time I am on vacation this cooler will be taking the trip with me.

HOW MUCH CAN IT HOLD?

With this 15L size you can fit 16 cans with ice or 25 cans without ice.  I tested it both ways, with ice and without (and also with an icepack).  In each case my drinks and food stayed cool all day long in 86+ degree fahrenheit weather.

This model also has a smaller 9L size option – you can see it here.  The 9L size can hold 10 cans with ice or 15 cans without ice.

The 9L size is good but I personally like the extra space in the 15L so I can load it up with other things if I need to as well.  I find the 15L cooler a little more versatile.

QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION

One of the main issues I have had with other soft cooler options is the quality.  The bags I have tried in the past worked okay short term but weren’t durable enough to last.

I was impressed when I opened the box for my Icemule cooler.  I could tell just by looking and feeling the bag that it’s high quality.

In fact while out paddling my little dogs were sitting on it and walking on the bag but it never even showed a spec of dirt or wear.  The material is really strong.

WATERPROOF SKIN

One of the unique features of the Icemule cooler is the waterproof skin.  In order to keep it totally waterproof the skin is welded together using a method called radio-frequency welding.

This allows the seams to be fused together instead of using stitches.  This is very similar in fact to how the seams of a paddle board are put together and it creates a very strong bond.

THICK INNER SHELL

Also all of the ICEMULE coolers have an inner shell that is 3 times thicker than the average soft cooler.  The thickness of the inner shell is noticeable.  It feels thicker and more durable than other more flimsy soft coolers I have tried in the past.

With the welded seams, the heavy-duty waterproof exterior and the thick inner shell the result is a rugged and totally waterproof soft cooler that can go anywhere.

I would expect this cooler bag to last for years to come but when the day comes it’s also fantastic to know that all ICEMULES are totally recyclable.

MORE OPTIONS

Also worth noting that ICEMULE has a couple cooler options called the Pro and the Boss that have a 1000 denier tarpaulin fabric exterior, which is literally the toughest soft cooler shell available.

If you need a portable cooler that can handle any and all adventures these models will withstand even the harshest of conditions.

You can check out the other Icemule Cooler options here.

DOES THE ICEMULE JAUNT™ FLOAT?

Yes it sure does.  When properly closed an ICEMULE Cooler will float whether full packed or empty.  There’s nothing worse than an item falling off your paddleboard and immediately sinking in the water.

I have had this happen a few times,  mainly with paddles and iPhones (two in fact!).So I was sure to test this feature out since I will be using this cooler mostly while out on my board.

WILL THE ICEMULE JAUNT™ LEAK?

The cooler will not leak when sitting upright.  With the flat bottom it’s easy to sit it up without tipping even when fully loaded.

However because it has a roll top closure it is possible that water could drip out if the bag is tipped upside down.

I often secure the cooler under the bungees on my SUP deck so the back is laying down.  For this reason I prefer to use ice packs instead of loose ice.

However if your bag won’t be tipped then there is nothing to worry about.

I will note however that I have personally had no issues with the bag leaking regardless of whether I was using ice or ice packs.

WHAT MAKES THIS SOFT COOLER BAG UNIQUE?

As mentioned above I have tried several different cooler bags for my paddling adventures and hikes.  There are a few key differences that make this particular bag unique.

THE GO ANYWHERE BAG

The Jaunt 15L can truly go anywhere.  The durability, well thought out design and fact that it can be used hands-free with the backpack straps allow this bag to follow you on even the most awesome of adventures.

VERSATILE DESIGN

This is a bag that you will want to keep handy because it’s awesome to bring to so many events.

From paddling to hiking to fishing to picnics to kids events to days spent at the beach, this cooler works for everything. The 15L size in particular is extremely versatile.

In fact ICEMULE states that over 60% of their customers report using their cooler every single week.

ROLL TOP CLOSURE

The roll top closure, which is similar to one you’d see on any standard dry bag, makes it easy to get items in and out of the bag.  When closed properly the roll top closure is very secure.

AIRVALVE

There’s lots of cool features on this cooler but one of my favorites is the AirValve.  This unique and well thought out feature allows you to release the natural layer of air in the PolarLayer.  When the air is released you can roll it up into a much smaller package for storage.

On the other hand you can also use the valve to add more air to the cooler, which will enhance the insulation.  Just be aware that the more air you add the less capacity you will have.

*Tip:  Be sure to properly close the AirValve at all times.

WATER & SAND RESISTANT

With the heavy duty rugged material this backpack cooler is not affected by water or sand.  It can withstand fairly harsh conditions.

FRONT ZIPPER POCKET

I was really happy that the bag had a separate zippered pocket that I could use to store my phone and keys.   It’s not a large pocket but it’s big enough to fit a few smaller items.

For size reference I have the larger iPhone 12 Max at the moment and it fit no problem along with my keys.

PADDED STRAPS

The back two air-mesh padded shoulder straps are comfortable when carrying the bag on your back.  The chest strap also helps to provide added support.

There is no waist strap so this particular model is not for major hikes but instead perfect for day trips.

If you need a more hardcore hiking backpack the ICEMULE BOSS® is worth checking out.

LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

This is not a heavy pack.  Even though the cooler has padding, it is still very lightweight and easy to carry.   Even when loaded up it is still comfortable to carry on your back.

24 HOUR COOLING

ICEMULE states that their Jaunt cooler will keep your drinks cold for 24 hours so I decided to test that statement.

I added ice to my bag as well as several cans and left the bag for a full 24 hours.  True to their word my drinks were still cold after 24 hours.

COLOR OPTIONS

There are some cool color options to choose from so you can sport a cooler backpack that suits your style best.

HOW GOOD IS THE WARRANTY?

The ICEMULE warranty is about as good as it gets.  If you register your cooler on their website within 30 days of purchase you will receive a lifetime guarantee against all manufacturing defects.

ALSO they provide a one-time 90-day accident forgiveness where they will cover any accidental damage within the first 90 days of purchase.

It’s an amazing warranty and it really says a lot when a company stands behind their product in this way.

A COMPANY THAT GIVES BACK

It’s always an extra bonus to support a company that is actively giving back and helping in their communities.

The ICEMULE company is based along the Florida coast where they deal with many hurricanes.

Since 2017 ICEMULE  has donated over 1000 coolers to support the efforts from the ALL Hands and Hearts team, which is a volunteered based disaster relief organization that helps with disaster relief in the area.

The All Hands team use the ICEMULE coolers to stay hydrated while in the field and also to help get food and water to hard to reach areas.

IN CONCLUSION

Bottom line this is the cooler you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.  You will no longer need to be without a cold beverage on a hot day no matter what adventure you are doing.

As a paddleboarder I really appreciate that this cooler doubles as a dry bag and that I can take it with me on my SUP and not worry about the contents getting wet.

Plus I can carry it on my back either on my board or back on shore.  The backpack straps make all the difference.

This is the first soft cooler bag I have tried that I would 100% recommend.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL

Go straight to the ICEMULE official website for the best deal on the Jaunt Softpack Cooler Bag. They often have great sales and they offer free shipping on orders over $50.