Skip to main content

Pelican SC24 Elite Soft Cooler – The Ultimate Camping and Canoeing Cooler

Pelican SC24 Elite Soft Cooler
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Anyone who spends a good amount of time in the outdoors will tell you that if two things matter much more when you’re far afield than they do back in civilization, these are weight and food. When it comes to weight, you want to avoid it; the fewer pounds in your pack, canoe, or loaded into your truck, the better. When it comes to food, you want to preserve it; there are precious few grocery stores in the wilderness, so the food you bring in with you or that you manage to gather or catch while in the wild is all you can count on. (This is true even if by “food” you mean “beer,” by the way.)

But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for nothing but trail mix and packets of dehydrated beef stroganoff; it just means you need to use a cooler that’s well-made enough to endure the rigors of the campsite or the canoe trip, and that’s lightweight enough not to be a burden. Drumroll for the…

Recommended Videos

Pelican 24-Can Elite Soft Cooler

Pelican 24-Can Elite Soft Cooler
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As you can probably surmise, this cooler has a 24-can capacity. That also translates to just under 24 liters of space within, which is more than enough room for storing many days’ worth of meats, cheeses, eggs, and other foods that tend to do well with refrigeration. And yes, I mean days: the Pelican SC24 cooler will keep ice frozen for up to 48 hours, even in the middle of the summer, and can keep foods cool for a day or two beyond that, especially if you use large cold packs.

The cooler weighs five pounds, which is more weight than you’ll want to carry along on a backpacking trip, but is almost negligible when tucked into a canoe or packed into the back of your vehicle. It’s also a soft-walled unit, so it can be crammed among duffels, tackle boxes, and other whatnot, yet its 26-mm thick high-density closed-cell foam walls provide enough support to keep the contents from being crushed unless someone pretty much jumps on top of the SC24.

The Pelican cooler seals securely with a zipper, but can also be closed over using a pair of clips that allow for much more convenient access, albeit with a weaker barrier against exterior temperature. Speaking of the exterior, the Pelican SC24 is covered with puncture-resistant “84-denier double-coated Thermo-Plastic Urethane,” which is a fancy way of saying it’s waterproof and resists scratches.

Pelican 24-Can Elite Soft Cooler
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The exterior also features a small stash pocket, two built-in bottle openers, and four strips of nylon webbing perfect for attaching sundry gear items such as lures and bait. And if you choose to use this cooler to hold the fish you catch, not only will it preserve them well, but you’ll be glad its FDA food-grade liner is waterproof, washable, and doesn’t hold odors.

My one complaint about this cooler is the lack of a carrying handle on the top. It’s lightweight and compact enough that it would be easy to carry the cooler with one hand even when it was filled, but the lack of a handle placed in the middle of the top makes this impractical/impossible. Oh well.

Pelican 24-Can Elite Soft Cooler
Image used with permission by copyright holder

And yes, you will pay well over $200 for a Pelican Elite Soft Cooler, but you will also likely have this cooler for the next decade or two. Think of it as an investment in future preserved meats, chilled beverages, and snowballs comically toted down from the mountains and used to attack friends when they least suspect it. (Ideally they will be on an LA beach playing volleyball at the moment you strike. At least that’s what I did, and it worked pretty damn well. True story, bro.)

Topics
Steven John
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
Bushnell’s Tour Hybrid Rangefinder brings GPS and laser power to your golf game
Looking for a new rangefinder? Check out this hybrid
Bushnell Golf Tour Rangefinder

Bushnell Golf is well-known for having some of the best rangefinders in the golf game, but it looks like they may be raising the bar again with the announcement of their new Tour Hybrid Rangefinder. Here's what to expect:

One thing about rangefinders is that GPS lacks the precision of a laser, but laser-only devices don't give you the insight of GPS-based course mapping. While many rangefinders either use laser or GPS, the Tour Hybrid actually combines both to enhance precision. This device will simultaneously display lasered pin distance and GPS-provided front, center, and back yardages.

Read more
Can hiking boots be used in snow? Here’s when to wear them (and when not to)
How to wear hiking boots in snowy conditions and when to opt for your snow boots
Man wearing hiking boots in the snow

When headed out for a wintery adventure, it's sometimes difficult to figure out what gear you should take. Winter activities often need a good deal of ankle and foot support, so it's really tempting to opt for your favorite pair of hiking boots when headed out into the winter wild. Here's when you should (and shouldn't) opt for hiking boots, as well as some helpful tips along the way.
When hiking boots work well in snow

When determining whether or not to use your hiking boots for your winter adventure, take a look at the different materials that were used to create your boots.

Read more
How to prevent hypothermia while camping in the snow: Tips for staying safe
Camping in the snow isn't so hard as long as you stay warm
Two people sitting by a campfire at night in the winter

One of the main concerns of camping in the snow is hypothermia. Yes, you will probably experience some cold days and nights, but there are ways to stave off the cold, especially if you have the right gear. When done right, camping in the snow can be an invigorating adventure that gives you quicker access to all of your favorite winter sports. Here's how to fend off one of winter campers' biggest threats.
What is hypothermia?

Regular body temperature is considered to be about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and hypothermia is when your body temperature drops below 95 degrees. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, which is terrible for your heart, nervous system, and organs. This is considered a dangerous medical emergency, so it's best to play it safe when planning to camp outside.

Read more