Are you dreaming of a beach day? Contemplating a long hike, or planning a camping trip? Stay fueled and hydrated and pack up your cooler with your favorite treats. But don’t just throw everything in a thermal bag as you’re rushing out the door! Here are our favorite tips for creating an organized cooler for your fun summer trips. 

Plan ahead: Think of how many people you are packing for, how long your trip will be, and of course be sure to pack for the weather! If you have a large group or are expecting a long trip, consider packing two coolers, one for your food and one for beverages. Your beverage cooler will be open more frequently and will be more prone to temperature changes. 

Pick the right bag for you: It is a worthy investment. Consider weight and size for your trip. We love this one from L.L. Bean- it has a very large capacity, a zipper-free main compartment, and a built-in solar powered light! It has a separate cubby inside to keep wet and dry food separate. Yeti makes some of the most durable coolers you can find including this one, and also offer great accessories and drinkware. This is a great lightweight cooler from Scout Bags too.

Ice in layers! Line the bottom of your cooler with your heaviest and bulkiest ice layer. Lay your heaviest items (like cans and other beverages) at the bottom of the cooler, then layer with more ice and then lighter items on top. Things like guacamole, dip, and veggies are great for your middle layer, while delicate items like sandwiches and fruit should go on top. This ice mat is great for the bottom of the cooler and you can fill in between items with these individually wrapped ice cubes instead of having to drain out the water from melted ice cubes. Freeze ice packs at least a day beforehand. During travel, whenever possible, keep your cooler in the shade. As ice melts during the day, consider adding salt. Salt water holds a colder temperature longer and melts ice slower.

Organized packing will help you make the most out of summer! Time to get out there and enjoy the sunshine!