Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

We Tested the Recool, Igloo’s New Biodegradable Cooler

Rob Machado/Igloo

Iconic cooler company Igloo just flexed its eco-muscle by releasing a biodegradable cooler that should replace the need for single-use foam coolers. The Igloo Recool is made of 100-percent molded pulp. While the 16-quart cooler may look like its molded from prehistoric mud and bark, the actual result is wildly futuristic. Igloo calls it “the world’s first eco-sensitive cooler.” And they should know; they’ve been in the business since 1947 (back when gas cost 15 cents a gallon).

We were thrilled to hear about the biodegradable cooler concept when Igloo teased the news at Outdoor Retailer, but when we finally got our hands on one, we were even more excited to test it. After all, we’re always looking for ways to make our weekend camping trips and beach days more environmentally-conscious. The perfect cooler has to stand up to ice, beer, Jagermeister Coolpacks, and more.

Here’s how Recool performs:

Size

Recool has a 20-can max capacity but that’s pushing it. As a modest 16-quart cooler, Recool performs its best with about 12 cans or bottles. It’s not a behemoth, but it does the job. Hosting a big bash? Recool isn’t right for the job. We took Recool successively to a friendly game of neighborhood baseball, a rooftop pool hang, and to the park for Frisbee.

Igloo

It held enough beers, ciders, and Topo Chico to get through each day without running out or having excess to carry back to the car. Any larger and Recool would be a schlep; the cooler is made of a cardboard-like pulp (remember your old paper mache art projects from school?) and doesn’t have any handles.

Ice Retention

This was our first experiment. Igloo says Recool retains ice for 12 hours. And they aren’t lying. Recool does a phenomenal job for a cooler that isn’t bomb-shelter insulated like those insane bear-proof beasts. Once the ice turned to water, we dumped it out and let Recool dry for reuse. We were expecting the cooler to get soggy and weak, but no such devolution occurred. Igloo says Recool can hold water without leaking for up to five full days. We didn’t test that claim because we found ourselves reusing Recool at the end of every day. It’s perfect for a weekend, but not your go-to for long camping trips.

Igloo

Durability

Nothing ruins an outdoor hang faster than a foam cooler that has been compromised (chipped edge, punctured side, etc.). Recool doesn’t bend or break— a feature we were surprised with considering biodegradable materials often get a reputation for being flimsy. In fact, Recool can hold up to 75 pounds, which we tested with an actual dumbbell. We did drop the cooler “in the field” (see: tipsy after Frisbee) and it didn’t gain so much as a dent. The top, which is also made of molded pulp, fit snugly on the top without being too difficult to pry open. Bonus: No skin-crawling foam screeching.

At the end of our testing, we came out as avid Recool believers. The cooler is made in the United States, relatively cheap at $10, and isn’t going to rot our planet with waste. Thousands of progressive municipalities have already banned the sale of foam coolers and that should tell you something. If you do most of your boozing inside or at rooftop bars, Recool is a summer essential for park, river, and backyard days.

Editors' Recommendations

Jahla Seppanen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
We tested out the dryrobe to see if it’s worth your money
Whether you're a surfer, a skier, or just someone who likes to stay warm and dry, this review is for you
A model wearing the dryrobe.

There's a new all-weather jacket out there, and it's pretty unusual. The dryrobe, a changing robe and jacket all in one, dropped earlier this year. The versatile garment was designed with surfers and bad weather in mind, but it's great for a variety of adventures, especially in the midst of winter rain and snow.

It may not be your cup of tea if you don't engage in aquatic activities, but it's a flexible enough piece of clothing that there should be broader appeal. Skiers, snowboarders, foul weather hikers, wakeboarders, and more can join surfers in a shared interest of the dryrobe when they need a, well, dry robe. Even those who jog in the cold rain or play soccer on muddy fields should take note of this utilitarian garment.

Read more
Dragon RVX Mag OTG review: The best snowboarding goggles we’ve tested
These snowboarding goggles work well in changing conditions
dragon rvg mag otg review snowboarding goggles

A lot of the focus on snowboarding goggles (or skiing goggles, no judgment here, two-plankers) centers on style. People seem keen to find big, lens-only styles that create a particular look on the mountain. We get it — you want to look cool — but functionality still matters most. The Dragon RVX Mag OTG delivers on both, likely better than the goggles you already own, and ranks among our favorite snowboarding gear for 2023.

The RVX Mag OTG comes in various colors and band styles with an almost pure-lens front fascia. Face-forward, all anyone will see besides the lens is a small nose bridge. The construction of these goggles is familiar: foam padding where the frames sit on your face, an adjustable elastic-y band, and vents all the way around the frame. Dragon didn’t re-iMagine how goggles are made, but it did tinker with how they perform.

Read more
The 10 Best Coolers for Camping and Outdoor Occasion
A man on a boulder with outdoor gear and an opened backpack while a woman is fishing out a drink from a Yeti cooler.

Coolers are man’s best-ever camp-friendly invention, second only to campfires and hammocks. Whether car camping or overnighting in the backcountry with your best camping gear, nothing elevates your outdoor game like a cold beverage plucked from a perfectly packed cooler. If you’re in the market for a new top-notch cooler, here are our picks for the best coolers for camping.

Read more