Last Updated on January 17, 2022

Imagine a team of famous outdoor enthusiast’s team up to build a cooler that will rule all (feels like a lord of the rings) I digress.

The inception started with Scott Campel Jr best known for his appearances on the Deadliest catch, Mike west the winner of Baja 500 and Steve’s outdoor Adventure TV host, Steve West.

The resume of these guys has enough capacity to rank them as experienced outdoor champions. Who better understands the needs of an adventurer?

Their combined efforts made a cooler that is dubbed the best ice retaining cooler on the market. While that is arguable, Cordova has successfully created cooler beasts that are robust, aesthetically beautiful, hold ice better than the average Joe.

The company is all but limited to hard coolers as they have leveraged their expertise to soft-sided cooler bags and drinkware too.

Fact: Did you know that during the first wave of Cordova coolers released were more expensive than the Yeti?

Now that’s a fact a few people know, however, the price has since dropped to give them at advantage at outselling the biggest brands. In this article, we will discuss all that you need to know about Cordova’s product line up. Without wasting much of your time, here are some of the hard-sided coolers.

How did Cordova Coolers Start?

The idea of Cordova coolers started in 2014 during a friends and family boat ride in a master craft boat, and they noticed how fast the ice in their cooler melted. In a moment of distress, the founder Scott Campell Junior made a bet to make a cooler that would fit into the boat and keep their beverages cold for days.

Well, look at how that turned out. 

Cordova Coolers Review – Comparison Table

Cordova Coolers | Hard Cooler for Camping & Outdoors | Rotomolded Ice Chest with Lid Lock | Heavy Duty Latches and Anti-Slip Feet | Sturdy Handles | Bear Resistant | Made in USA (Companion 28 qt)
Cordova Coolers Medium Cooler - 48 Quart/Can Capacity Portable Insulated Hard-Sided Cooler with Carrying Handles & 5-Days of Ice Retention - CCMG-45QT
Cordova Coolers Large Cooler - 88 Quart/Can Capacity Portable Insulated Hard-Sided Cooler with Carrying Handles & 5-Days of Ice Retention - CCLG-86QT
Cordova Coolers | Hard Cooler for Camping & Outdoors | Rotomolded Ice Chest with Lid Lock | Top Loader Latches and Anti-Slip Feet | Aluminum Handles | Bear Resistant | Made in USA (Journey 88 qt)
Model
Cordova 35 small
Cordova 50 Medium
Cordova 100 Large
Cordova 125 Extra Large
Capacity
28 cans | 20 lbs. of ice | 7 gallons
42 cans | 40 lbs. of ice| 12 gallons
85 cans | 70 lbs. of ice | 22 gallons
120 cans | 120 lbs. of ice | 32 gallons
Weight
19.50lbs
26lbs
34.50lbs
45lbs
Dimensions
Interior (LxWxH) 18.00" x 8.75" x 10.00" | Exterior Exterior (LxWxH) 26.25" x 14.25" x 16.00"
Interior (LxWxH) 20.00" x 12.00" x 11.25" | Exterior (WxDxH) 28.25" x 18.00" x 16.75"
Interior (LxWxH) 30.50" x 12.00" x 13.50" | Exterior (WxDxH) 38.00" x 17.75" x 18.75"| Exterior (WxDxH)
Interior (LxWxH) 37 x 14" x 14-3/4" | Exterior (WxDxH) 46" x 19" x 19-3/4"
Features
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Cordova Coolers | Hard Cooler for Camping & Outdoors | Rotomolded Ice Chest with Lid Lock | Heavy Duty Latches and Anti-Slip Feet | Sturdy Handles | Bear Resistant | Made in USA (Companion 28 qt)
Model
Cordova 35 small
Capacity
28 cans | 20 lbs. of ice | 7 gallons
Weight
19.50lbs
Dimensions
Interior (LxWxH) 18.00" x 8.75" x 10.00" | Exterior Exterior (LxWxH) 26.25" x 14.25" x 16.00"
Features
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Cordova Coolers Medium Cooler - 48 Quart/Can Capacity Portable Insulated Hard-Sided Cooler with Carrying Handles & 5-Days of Ice Retention - CCMG-45QT
Model
Cordova 50 Medium
Capacity
42 cans | 40 lbs. of ice| 12 gallons
Weight
26lbs
Dimensions
Interior (LxWxH) 20.00" x 12.00" x 11.25" | Exterior (WxDxH) 28.25" x 18.00" x 16.75"
Features
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Cordova Coolers Large Cooler - 88 Quart/Can Capacity Portable Insulated Hard-Sided Cooler with Carrying Handles & 5-Days of Ice Retention - CCLG-86QT
Model
Cordova 100 Large
Capacity
85 cans | 70 lbs. of ice | 22 gallons
Weight
34.50lbs
Dimensions
Interior (LxWxH) 30.50" x 12.00" x 13.50" | Exterior (WxDxH) 38.00" x 17.75" x 18.75"| Exterior (WxDxH)
Features
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener
Cordova Coolers | Hard Cooler for Camping & Outdoors | Rotomolded Ice Chest with Lid Lock | Top Loader Latches and Anti-Slip Feet | Aluminum Handles | Bear Resistant | Made in USA (Journey 88 qt)
Model
Cordova 125 Extra Large
Capacity
120 cans | 120 lbs. of ice | 32 gallons
Weight
45lbs
Dimensions
Interior (LxWxH) 37 x 14" x 14-3/4" | Exterior (WxDxH) 46" x 19" x 19-3/4"
Features
Tie-down points, TrueBlue temperature sensor, Anodized drain plugs Lid-lock system, Gorilla grip feet, Molded-in opener

Design & Construction

Cordova does not waste any time to make you know that their products are 100 percent made in the USA.

This I assume, is a subliminal dig at the Yeti which is not entirely made in the USA, at least not all. Read more about the production of Yeti coolers.

If there was a design contest of the best looking coolers, in my opinion, the Cordova would be in the top three at best if not the best. Yet, it is not just about looks with their coolers; each part is built with high-quality materials so that it’s colossally robust.

The burly and heavyweight of the ice chest is as the result of the Rotomolded construction as it further strengthens the cooler, insulation, and ice performance. It boasts of some features that are rare in other premium coolers in its class. First are rock solid handles, durable latches, drain plug among others.

One unique thing about the Cordova coolers are thinner walls compared to the conventional thick Rotomolded models that eat up the interior space.  According to the company, they use a denser form which helps in making the walls thinner without compromising the insulation, strength, or ice retention — well done Cordova.


Main Features Of Cordova Coolers On Sale

There are quite a lot of features that make the Cordova in a league of its own. It incorporates a lot of nifty features that will make your life easy and we know how likely we are to fall in love with things we are comfortable with (I know, this is not a relationship website).

Handles  

You will agree that rope handles are just unstable to carry, especially when you are trying to lift the cooler on/off the car. It can get in the way of smooth operation. Now, Cordova has made an inbuilt- aluminum handle that could serve as an opener too. This will save you the future regret of forgetting your opener at home. Rusts? You don’t have to worry as it is resistant to corrosion.

If this is anything to go by, this proves Cordova is excellent at studying user demands. Impressively they provide the ideal feature their customers will need in a cooler.

Airtight gasket

cordova gasketA gasket is supposed to prevent air from getting inside the cooler. Located under the lid, the Cordova gasket rests on a molded-in groove that enables the cooler to remain airtight at all times.

Heat Sensor

At the top edge under the lid, there’s a heat sensor that senses heat and emits a blue light when the cooler is opened to indicate favorable weather. However, when it is hot, the light will not appear, and you have to move it out of the sun; a nifty feature that can get you extra days of ice.

Built-in Raised Tray

The built-in raised tray provides a surface to keep your accessories – there’s friction on the surface, thanks to the material your accessories will not slide off the surface of the tray.

Top Mount Lid Latches

Cordova really is different. Instead of pulling down the latches to open the cooler, you pull up instead. The T-lock latches are similar to Yetis T-rex latches and just as strong as the Yeti. You’ll get many users of use without these latches bursting.

Grizzly Bear Resistant                      

The locking system is excellent, much that the interagency Grizzly bear committee has certified the Cordova hard coolers as grizzly resistant. Also, to enjoy the full extent of protection, you should use a padlock.


Where to buy Cordova Coolers on Sale

The Cordova is one of the most sold coolers online; given the qualities of their coolers, we can see why they sell hot like iPhones. Cordova sales of recent are at an all-time high due to the significant reduction in price. Before now, Cordova pricing was more than Yeti, which was a turn off for most users investing in brands that is not as popular as the Yeti.

You can find great deals on Amazon or directly on their website. Yes, it will be shipped right to your door as long as you are in the US.


Sizes

Sizes are quite limited in the Cordova line up – At the time of writing the review, models range from small, medium, and large sizes. Needless to say, there’s a cooler type for your need.

Cordova 35 Small Cooler

We have reviewed the CORDOVA 35 small cooler, and it’s undoubtedly a good one to keep your refreshments cold for days. This cooler comes with a lightweight, handcrafted design, and starting from the design to the finished product, all made in the US. You’ll enjoy keeping your refreshments cold for days due to its robust foam installation. Also, its revolutionary Gasket and Grommet system helps keep the air cooler tight. You can keep your contents on a wide variety of surfaces with its anti-slip goat feet pads. You can pack tight and make every inch of the space count with its top-loader latches. Overall, it’s a great cooler to buy in today’s market.

Now, this is the smallest cooler in the Cordova hard cooler series.  People looking for the ideal cooler for short trips will enjoy the portability and ice retention offered by the 35. The size makes it suitable for road trips as it can seat in the back seat of your car, and away from the sun.

The Rotomolded construction means you can use this cooler for any purpose whether it’s camping, hunting, picnics, beach, BBQ parties, you name it.  In terms of weight, it comes in at 19.5lbs which is considerably heavier and can hold up to 28 cans, 7 gallons of water, and up to 20lbs of ice.

Pros:

  • This lightweight design cooler is handcrafted and made in the US.
  • It uses robust foam to keep your refreshments cold for days.
  • It utilizes the revolutionary Gasket and Grommet system to keep the air cooler tight.
  • Anti-slip goat feet pads keep your contents intact on multiple types of surfaces.

Cons:

  • It may not have superior quality control.

Cordova 50 Medium Cooler

Cordova Coolers Medium Cooler - 48 Quart/Can Capacity Portable Insulated Hard-Sided Cooler with Carrying Handles & 5-Days of Ice Retention - CCMG-45QT
  • SUPERIOR INSULATION AND LIGHTER WEIGHT: Eco Foam a Cordova Cooler exclusive, retains ice better (5 days) while also creating a lighter cooler
  • PATENTED LID LOCKING SYSTEM: Another Cordova Cooler exclusive feature ensure the cooler stays open and keeps your fingers and hands safe from a premature closure of the cooler
  • TWO HANDLE SYSTEM: Cordova Coolers come with Aluminum molded handles with integrated bottle opener, which last much longer than rope or plastic handles found on other coolers
  • AIR TIGHT SYSTEM: Revolutionary Gasket and Grommet system keep the cooler air tight, which means ice stays cooler, longer
  • NO SLIP FEET: The feet on the cooler won't slide around on the deck of your boat or the bed of your truck during transport

Don’t mistake the 50 as the size in quarts. In fact, this is a bit misleading, just like the Yeti model numbers. The Cordova 50 medium cooler has a 48 Quart capacity which can pack up to 42 cans of beer and 40 pounds of ice respectively. Inner dimensions measure 20 x 12 x 12 inches while the exterior is 29 x 18 x 17 inches. 

Pros:

  • Its lightweight design and superior insulation help to retain the ice better for at least five days.
  • Keep your cooler open while ensuring the safety of your hands and finger from premature closure by its patented lid lock system.
  • Its aluminum molded two-handle system with integrated bottle opener ensures prolonged durability.
  • Its exceptional Gasket and Grommet system helps to keep the cooler airtight.

Cons:

  • The size dimension can be a bit misleading.

Cordova 100 Large Cooler

Cordova Coolers Large Cooler - 88 Quart/Can Capacity Portable Insulated Hard-Sided Cooler with Carrying Handles & 5-Days of Ice Retention - CCLG-86QT
  • SUPERIOR INSULATION AND LIGHTER WEIGHT: Eco Foam a Cordova Cooler exclusive, retains ice better (5 days) while also creating a lighter cooler
  • PATENTED LID LOCKING SYSTEM: Another Cordova Cooler exclusive feature ensure the cooler stays open and keeps your fingers and hands safe from a premature closure of the cooler
  • TWO HANDLE SYSTEM: Cordova Coolers come with Aluminum molded handles with integrated bottle opener, which last much longer than rope or plastic handles found on other coolers
  • AIR TIGHT SYSTEM: Revolutionary Gasket and Grommet system keep the cooler air tight, which means ice stays cooler, longer
  • NO SLIP FEET: The feet on the cooler won't slide around on the deck of your boat or the bed of your truck during transport

The giant ice chest actual size in Quarts is 86 and can store 22 gallons of water and 85 cans differently. Cordova 100 large cooler has enough room to pack your supplies for up to a week. Thanks to the insulation, with proper packing and precaution, you can get up to a week of ice.

Interior dimensions measure 31 x 12 x 14 and exterior is 38 x 18 x 19 inches. It weighs up to 34.5lbs when empty, you might need help to transport the cooler when it’s filled.

Pros:

  • With superior insulation, proper packing, and precaution, you can retain ice for a week.
  • Its patented lid-locking system keeps your hands and fingers safe from premature closure of the cooler.
  • The anti-slip goat feet pads help to keep your cooler stay on a variety of surfaces, even during transportation.
  • Its aluminum-molded two-handle system with an integrated bottle opener ensures better longevity than other handles.

Cons:

  • The product may weigh more than other coolers, making it difficult for transportation.

Cordova 125 Extra Large Cooler

The Cordova 125 does not need to be introduced. It’s the most massive cooler in the Cordova line and boasts of ample space of up to 126 Quart, 32 gallons, and 120 cans.

It rugged and built for the wild, storing your catch when hunting or fishing just got a whole lot easier.

The Cordova cooler of size journey 88 quarts is made of materials like EcoFoam and polyurethane with a white color finish. We were impressed by the unique feature of this cooler – the anti-slip goat feet pads. It enables you to keep the cooler steady on multiple surfaces while protecting the cooler from avoiding touching any hot surfaces, which in turn improves ice retention. Moreover, its patented lid-locking system keeps your cooler remain open while protecting your hands and fingers from premature closure of the cooler. Also, its two-handle system with integrated bottle opener ensures better longevity than other handles.

Pros:

  • Its anti-goat feet pad helps the cooler to remain steady on a variety of surfaces.
  • You can pack tight and get whatever you need to access with the cooler’s top loader patches.
  • It has a two-handle system with an integrated bottle opener that ensures better durability than other handles.
  • Its patented lid-locking system ensures the cooler stays open and protects your hands from premature closure of the cooler.

Cons:

  • We haven’t found any significant drawbacks of this product yet.

The Cordova 125 does not need to be introduced. It’s the most massive cooler in the Cordova line and boasts of ample space of up to 126 Quart, 32 gallons, and 120 cans.

It rugged and built for the wild, storing your catch when hunting or fishing just got a whole lot easier.

 


Cordova Coolers Vs Yeti

There’s something about the Yeti that everyone wants to compare. Two reasons that largely contribute to this is the price and secondly the popularity. So how does the Cordova compare to Yeti?

Let’s go down a bit deep to see how these coolers compare in different categories and as always allow you to decide which cooler is worth buying.

Design & Construction

Many coolers are out to copy the Yeti design. It’s no surprise for a leading cooler brand to have copy-cats that are that rip off their innovation. You’d expect Cordova to follow suit in ripping off the yeti design like RTIC.

But far from it, Cordova has created a unique design that is arguably one of the best in the market (in our opinion it is the best). It has a bold look, and the mountain design carved into the front exterior is catchy. Yeti has it coolers look sleek with curved edges and a smooth walls.

Both the Cordova and Yeti hard coolers are Rotomolded. However, the Yeti has thicker sized walls as it has up to two and a half-inch of thickness. Cordova coolers, on the other hand, take pride in the slimmer Rotomolded walls, not only does it make their cooler a bit light but creates room for more supplies.

Cordova handles are made of aluminum, and that is not the only thing, they are also rust-resistant. Yeti handles are rope handles but you there are molded-in handles under the lid which provides for a steady grip. Now, I prefer the Cordova handles to Yetis rope handles, but it is just a matter of preference.

Ice Performance & Insulation

Cordova coolers without an iota of doubt hold ice for many days. Now many customers have reported up to 6 days of ice using the Cordova.

However, many comparison test and reviews have revealed the Yeti edges the Cordova in times of ice retention. For a whole week, the Yeti and Cordova were compared. At the end of the test, there were still particles of ice floating in the Yeti while the ice inside the Cordova melted.

Sizes

Cordova currently come in four cooler sizes; Small, medium, large and extra-large, which is quite limited compared to the Yeti army of different cooler sizes. Now what I like most about the

Cordova sizes is that it intersects with almost any kind of size you’ll need in the Yeti line-up. I feel creating many sizes is important, but there are slight differences in the cooler capacity, which makes some of these sizes overkill.

Agreed, people have different needs and activities that might not favor the Cordova outfits; in such event, yeti sizes will give you ample freedom of choice.

Features

To be frank, both of these coolers have integrated features that are well thought out.

Both coolers come with similar features but have different names, albeit perform the same functions.

Cordova Features

  • Tie-down points
  • TrueBlue temperature sensor
  • Anodized drain plugs
  • Lid-lock system
  • Gorilla grip feet
  • Molded-in opener

Yeti Features  

  • T-rex Latches
  • Anchor Tie-down slots
  • Neverfail Hinge system
  • Interlock lid system
  • Lip grip Handles
  • Vortex Drain
  • Bearfoot non-slip feet

The most exciting feature is the patented TrueBlue Temperature sensor on Cordova, which indicates if the temperature directly hitting the cooler is harsh. This, as a result, means you can have prolonged ice retention, thanks to this nifty feature.

Price

So far both coolers have not convincingly won in all the categories they were compared. But I have the feeling is the price is the deal breaker most of you have been waiting to see.

Cordova have had trouble selling their coolers because of the exorbitant prices, and surprisingly they were even more expensive than Yeti coolers. But that’s all in the past now. With the price reduction, Cordova has turned the tables around, and people have begun to develop a liking to it.

The Cordova cooler is almost $100 less than a Yeti of the same size range, meaning you get to save more when you pick the latter.


Conclusion

If you’ve read thus far, you will understand by now that Cordova is not just any generic company trying to make a quick buck. These guys are producing a buy a lifetime product that will satisfy consumer demands.

Compared to the Yeti, they have a more affordable pricing and offer almost the same performance. Although we will admit that in a our comparison the Yeti still remains the winner, it marginally edged out Cordova.

Let’s talk about the price and the picture is all coming together. For the price, without batting an eye, our favorite is the Ozark trail. It should not be up for debate as it is $100 cheaper. To be frank,  there is no outright winner because it depends on what you want.

I’m sure you’ve made a decision and some will want to validate their choice by reading the review.  Finally any of the two is just great – Yeti is a known brand so people will naturally tilt towards it. But if you are a no bullshitting guy that wants to enjoy cost efficient products then you already know which cooler to pick. For more exciting reviews as this one, check out our compilation of top coolers in the market.