We currently have a generic blue coolbox that cost a tenner which is fine - just about keeps stuff OK for 24 / 36 hours but it does mean messing round with ice blocks and stuff on site. Am wondering about getting a 25l Yeti coolbox, we don't do a big shop before we go and tend to shop local so other than a few drinks, milk, marg, yoghurts, cheese and a fry up essentials it doesn't need to contain much. We are possibly festivaling later this year and I prefer to be "off grid" so not at all interested about EHU. Are Yetis really worth £100 for at most 2 weeks a year?
Coleman do 5 day coolers for half that price. Although I have one myself and think they're great for the money, I'm considering an iceytec for longer than 7 day trips.
You still really need to use blocks or ice in an Iceytek, though they do last longer. To really get the best out of them you should precool it for first. Though I can never be bothered. Lol
One thing to watch is the lid sticks out quite a bit, so on the smallest one you can't stand a 2pt bottle upright. We do love ours though and stuff does stay really cold. The colours are fab too.
So in answer to your question, you might not need one, but I bet you sure want one
Thanks for the replies all, sorry didn't get chance to reply yet.
Courtesy of a massive leak on our stop cock on the water mains over the weekend (good job we're not on a water meter, on no , hang on) I ended up movign a load of stuff in the garage including the camping gear and the cool box we have is a campinggaz one and has more or less the same internal volume as the 25l iceytek so the 45l Costco one would be massive, as would the Coleman ones. I've just today booked a 3 night New Forest trip (kids love the Gruffalo so we're off to the woods!) in a couple of weeks so will review my pre-chilling process before I commit to an iceytek.
On a smiley side, while I was emptying camping gear out the garage I got out the camping table and was able to measure it properly and make a very pretty table cloth - husband is going to have right raised eyebrows over it, it'll be too girly for him but at least I've not made bunting or got fairylights....yet.
We have the Coleman 5 day one. Suits us and enough room for 4 pints of blue and green top milk standing plus other stuff too.
Yogs, eggs , bacon, cheese, ham, chicken breast, etc.
Once you have owned an icey-tek , you won't go back. we have kept ice for over 7 days in 25 degrees on board restricting opening to once a day to pack fish