Last Updated on July 9, 2023
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Aldi sold a similar cooler backpack for $24.99 in May of 2023.
Our local zoo allows carry-in coolers. This is a great alternative to buying food from zoo concessions, which serve pretty good food but are expensive. The problem is that getting the cooler to our eating spot is an aggravation. Our cooler is heavy and awkward to carry when full, so we leave it in the car until lunchtime. Then I walk out to the car and either bring the cooler in by hand or roll it in on a kid’s wagon. Either way, it’s a hassle.
I’d never heard of a backpack cooler until Aldi decided to sell one as a summer Aldi Find. Intrigued, I decided to test it out.
The Adventuridge Backpack Cooler (Product Code 700779) is only in stores for a limited time, so once it’s gone, it’s gone. Aldi does not offer online ordering for products not currently in stock at your local store.
At the time of this post, it is $9.99, which makes it far less expensive than other backpack coolers I could find. It comes in a few different designs, including a plain blue, some floral patterns, and a stars and stripes pattern. The packaging indicates that it’s made in China, but otherwise doesn’t indicate who makes it. There is no listed after-sales support or warranty.
The cooler measures 15 inches tall, 11 inches wide, and 7 inches deep. That comes out to 1,155 cubic inches, or roughly 0.67 cubic feet. This translates to roughly 20 quarts of space.
The interior is a smooth fabric that covers insulation, while the outside is a rougher fabric much like what I’ve seen in other backpacks. The main compartment is accessed through a soft lid at the top that can be opened and closed with a zipper.
The interior. (Click to enlarge.)
In addition to the main compartment, there is a smaller zippered compartment on the back of it as well as one mesh pocket on one side. Neither of these, of course, is insulated.
The side profile. (Click to enlarge.)
The backpack has two adjustable straps, both of them lined with mesh-covered padding. There’s also some mesh padding for the wearer. Other features of note include pull strings on all of the zippers and a top loop handle.
The back. (Click to enlarge.)
On my back, it mostly feels like a regular backpack, although its design is boxier than what a kid wears to school. I put some ice packs in the bottom of the backpack and could feel a little of the cold in my lower back. I didn’t feel or see any real condensation on the outside, though, so I think the insulation mostly does its job.
Saddled up. (Click to enlarge.)
We loaded this backpack up with sandwiches, snacks, and ice packs for a day at the zoo. It kept the food cold, but it wasn’t the most comfortable backpack to wear. It can be heavy, depending on how full you pack it, and there are other backpacks with more comfortable straps. If you need a cooler you can wear, though, this will do the job.
The Verdict:
If you need a back-ready cooler, this is worth a look. It’s inexpensive and good for about 20 quarts of storage, not accounting for how much weight you want to carry.
