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Great for camping, road trips and days on the water, the Rugged Road 45 V2 cooler is extremely lightweight and durable. Plus, it holds ice for days so you can keep fresh food and cold drinks handy.

Color: Green
Quantity
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Features

  • Ultralight design is less than half the weight of comparable coolers
  • Floats upright, even when fully loaded with ice and drinks
  • Durable Rigoriteâ„¢ coating is strong enough to support the weight of an entire Jeep and tough enough to survive a drop off a mountainside
  • Nonslip Get-A-Grip exterior finish
  • Unique Kick Flip Lidâ„¢ is detachable and reversible
  • Double Up handle system gives you 2 types of handles for ease of carrying
  • High-density Fridgiteâ„¢ cooling technology holds ice for days
  • Cooler space holds forty-five 12 fl. oz. cans
  • Manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty

Imported.

Rugged Road is committed to bringing clean drinking water to the unreached. With the support of customers, friends and family, and the help of their friends at neverthirst, Rugged Road has had the opportunity to break ground on multiple water projects in West Africa. Every purchase supports their mission to serve these developing communities around the globe.
View all Rugged Road Hard-sided Coolers

Technical Specs

Best Use

Camping

Gear Capacity (L)

32 liters

Gear Capacity (cu. in.)

1,922 cubic inches

Material(s)

Polyurea/EPS/plastic/stainless steel

Dimensions

27 x 16 x 13 inches

Weight

9 pounds

Additional Information

Reviews
15 reviews with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

8 out of 12 (67%) reviewers recommend this product

Review this Product

Adding a review will require a valid email for verification

Average Customer Ratings

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Rugged Road 45 Cooler
thebrownmoose
1 year ago
Received free product
My first impression of the tan Rugged Road 45 cooler, it’s made to look rugged with oversized handles and clip. It’s lightweight and easy to carry. The exterior has a textured coating to prevent items falling off. It doesn’t have a hard shell as my fingernail was able to make an indent in the material which sprung back upon releasing the tension. The rope handles are oversized (diameter) in my opinion and I don’t like the look of the rope handles. The lid easily removes to reverse it to use the cup holders, just pull up. Inside the cooler is a snack tray, water bottle and some info with stickers. It has a drain to release the water and is the same color and material as the exterior. I went camping at a local RV park and I got 1-1/2 days on the picnic table with sunny upper 60° weather with a 10 lb bag of ice with my food and condiments. I didn’t have room to put any drinks in it after I placed my food in it. Next, I went to the lake and tested it empty with a 16 lb bag of ice inside my van under my bed. It was completely melted after 3-1/2 days. It floats upright and tilted forward in the water. The cooler doesn’t seal to prevent water from escaping if the cooler is tilted so beware when you’re carrying or putting it in your car/camper/boat etc. I got a cold wet lower body. I didn’t test the strength of the cooler with a Jeep nor did I drop it off a mountainside. I would use it on a 2 day trip without worrying about needing ice if the temperature is 80° or below and I kept it in the shade. I’ll test it out this summer when the temperatures get over 80° to test the ice efficiency. Overall, I’m not happy with the cooler nor would I recommend this item based on price, ice inefficiency, inability to seal lid and it’s overall durability.
thebrownmooseReceived free product
Las Vegas, NV
5 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 2.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome cooler, but where is the ice?
lolotheslomo
1 year ago
I really wanted to love this cooler. It's super light weight, has an excellent profile if you have to keep it in a cargo area and is extremely durable. But it absolutely does not hold ice worth at all. Pre chilled, over half ice, kept in the shade it doesn't matter what I've tried. I was hopeful that at the price point I could get similar performance from this cooler that I do my Igloo Overland 50. Took both on a roadtrip to Ohio from Texas. Emptied the water out of both on the second day after riding covered in the cargo area of the car. Both were opened a handful of times. That was Thursday. By Monday afternoon the Igloo was still holding about 50% of the ice I put in and the Rugged Road was about 95% melted. That's been the experience with it the 5 or 6 times I've taken it out. If you need a lightweight cooler for a day or two max with no ice refills I think this is the one. But if you're more into a set and forget it style cooler I would stick with the usual heavy hitters in the category.
lolotheslomo
TX
7 people found this review helpful

Customer Images

JPJP
Received free product
Fort Worth, TX
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Rugged Road 45

1 year ago

So I got a Rugged Road 45 and overall I really like it. The cooler is very lightweight, very similar to a foam cooler weight but just a little heavier. I use it mostly in the truck bed under a tonneau cover. I like that it is a little shorter than other coolers. The height makes it easy to get drinks out without raising the cover. The downside of the height is you can only fit one layer of cans or bottles with ice. The cooler came with a tray for food etc… I didn’t find the tray to be very useful, when the cooler has drinks in it the tray doesn’t fit, meaning with a can under the tray the lid won’t close. It’s a minor detail, but one you should be aware of if a tray is important to you. I tested the cooler out for ice retention and drink temperature. Drinks were still ice cold after 3 days with 60 degree temps. The fourth day drinks were still pretty cold and after 5 you needed to put more ice in it. Pretty good for what I need it for. I like the rope grips and plastic grips (tie down slit is in the plastic grip). I really like the latch, it is very secure but easy to use. The lid is removable and you can either put it smooth side up or cup holder side up. Overall I really like this cooler, I didn’t test the float but I’m sure it would float well since it isn’t as tall as others.

Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
thebrownmoose
Received free product
Las Vegas, NV
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Rugged Road 45 Cooler

1 year ago

My first impression of the tan Rugged Road 45 cooler, it’s made to look rugged with oversized handles and clip. It’s lightweight and easy to carry. The exterior has a textured coating to prevent items falling off. It doesn’t have a hard shell as my fingernail was able to make an indent in the material which sprung back upon releasing the tension. The rope handles are oversized (diameter) in my opinion and I don’t like the look of the rope handles. The lid easily removes to reverse it to use the cup holders, just pull up. Inside the cooler is a snack tray, water bottle and some info with stickers. It has a drain to release the water and is the same color and material as the exterior. I went camping at a local RV park and I got 1-1/2 days on the picnic table with sunny upper 60° weather with a 10 lb bag of ice with my food and condiments. I didn’t have room to put any drinks in it after I placed my food in it. Next, I went to the lake and tested it empty with a 16 lb bag of ice inside my van under my bed. It was completely melted after 3-1/2 days. It floats upright and tilted forward in the water. The cooler doesn’t seal to prevent water from escaping if the cooler is tilted so beware when you’re carrying or putting it in your car/camper/boat etc. I got a cold wet lower body. I didn’t test the strength of the cooler with a Jeep nor did I drop it off a mountainside. I would use it on a 2 day trip without worrying about needing ice if the temperature is 80° or below and I kept it in the shade. I’ll test it out this summer when the temperatures get over 80° to test the ice efficiency. Overall, I’m not happy with the cooler nor would I recommend this item based on price, ice inefficiency, inability to seal lid and it’s overall durability.

Age:45–54
No, I do not recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
David
Received free product
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

An excelleny heavy duty but lightweight cooler

1 year ago

A fantastic lightweight and durable cooler that doesn’t make any sacrifices. Large capacity is capable of holding several dozen cans and plenty of food items while keeping the ice for several days. The roped handles make it very easy to carry compared to most other coolers.

Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
JJM8
Received free product
Hampton, TN
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Sturdy and Lightweight

1 year ago

This cooler is amazing! I was skeptical at first, because I have tried a lot of different coolers and have been disappointed. This one does not disappoint. I love the coating. They really thought of all the "extra" things. Such as the handle being grabbable in two different ways. I love that you can flip the lid to have the cup holder side up or facing down. This may wear out depending upon how often you are flipping, but seems to be sturdy as of now. The cooler itself is very lightweight for a cooler especially one that is going to keep your things actually cold for a long period of time. I did a time test with just a small ice pack, putting it in around 2:48pm and taking it out at 5pm and the pack was still cold as was the cooler which had originally been warm when I put in the cooling pack. I absolutely LOVE the extra rack this cooler came with as well as the water bottle. Great additions and show that this company is paying attention to the details. I definitely would recommend this cooler to anyone! The size is perfect for 1-2 people depending on trip length. I have not tried the upright "float' test this product boasts, but that doesn't really apply to what I would be using it for anyways.

Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
EmmaE
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Awesome cooler!

8 months ago

This is a great cooler, designed to be lightweight, durable, and easy to bring on any adventure. I love the flexible handles on this cooler and the flip lid. I also love that the cooler has a very secure closure on the lid so you don’t have to worry about any spillage! I used this cooler for 2 weeks out in the Utah desert and after 7 days in the sun it did still have ice in it! My only complaint is the 45 is a weird size, a little small for more than one person to use for multiple days. It’s a great cooler for a single person or a couple however!

Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
TheGearChica
Received free product
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Rugged, lightweight and thoughtfully designed!

1 year ago

As a person who loves to car camp, I was really excited about this cooler. I ordered the cooler in blue steel, but it showed up in sahara tan. Aside from being underwhelmed by the color, I love this cooler! It came complete with an insulated mug that fits snugly under a notch in the lid to prevent tipping. The sliding tray is great for keeping cheeses, fruits and veggies out of soggy water and ice. My previous cooler was collapsable, but the rigidity and ruggedness of this cooler allowed me to pack delicate items without worrying about squishing or spoiling. It is also extremely lightweight and easy to carry. Having two types of handle options for carrying is really convenient as well. While I did not test the listed capacity of 45-cans, I can 100% vouch for it's ability to float upright! I don't drive a Jeep, so I did not test it's ability to withstand the weight of one, nor did I throw it from a cliff. Given it's seeming durability, I will trust the manufacturer's testing of those features. Overall, this cooler is rugged, lightweight, easy to carry, easy to load without squishing or tipping and very insulated. The color was the only feature I would have changed. In fact, more color options would be great!

Helpful?
lolotheslomo
Texas
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

Awesome cooler, but where is the ice?

1 year ago

I really wanted to love this cooler. It's super light weight, has an excellent profile if you have to keep it in a cargo area and is extremely durable. But it absolutely does not hold ice worth at all. Pre chilled, over half ice, kept in the shade it doesn't matter what I've tried. I was hopeful that at the price point I could get similar performance from this cooler that I do my Igloo Overland 50. Took both on a roadtrip to Ohio from Texas. Emptied the water out of both on the second day after riding covered in the cargo area of the car. Both were opened a handful of times. That was Thursday. By Monday afternoon the Igloo was still holding about 50% of the ice I put in and the Rugged Road was about 95% melted. That's been the experience with it the 5 or 6 times I've taken it out. If you need a lightweight cooler for a day or two max with no ice refills I think this is the one. But if you're more into a set and forget it style cooler I would stick with the usual heavy hitters in the category.

Age:35–44
No, I do not recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
Caitlyn
Saint Paul, MN
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Super Convenient!

1 year ago

The Rugged Road 45 V2 Cooler has been a game changer! I am always going on little road trips and this cooler is the perfect size. The light weight of the cooler makes it so convenient to take it with anywhere and everywhere you need to!

Age:18–24
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
BigGearGuy
Richmond, VA
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Yes, but...

2 weeks ago

The high-end cooler market is insane right now! I swallow hard every time I look at the price of a Yeti, RTIC, or similar. Enter Rugged Road with a product that is durable, lightweight, and even floats! I was stoked! It fits perfectly in my canoe; the handles make it easy to transport to camp; the front latch is beefy and secure; and the top is flat for food prep or can be flipped around to utilize the cupholder feature. But what is a cooler's primary function? To keep things cold. And that's where the Rugged Road 45 V2 fails miserably. The company provides several tips: prechill the cooler, keep it out of the sun, etc. But try as I might, I haven't been able to keep ice longer than about 36 hours. The larger sizes might be able to hold a block of ice which would melt slower, but my 45 is barely able to hold food, drinks, and a bag of ice for my wife and I on our three-day canoe trips. I wouldn't be quite so critical if it had a lower price point: the weight and durability alone provide great value. But if I'm pulling wet items out of cooler water after only 24 hours, that's not great value. This cooler is now for day trips, and we will invest in a different cooler for our multi-day excursions. I can buy a fleet of cheap day trip coolers for the price of one of these.

Age:45–54
No, I do not recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
kelly
Colorado
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Love my Rugged Road Cooler!

1 year ago

I love my Rugged Road cooler! I have had it for several months now and it is great - I can't believe how lightweight it is. I am not a very strong person, so it can be a struggle carrying a full cooler, but with this one I am able to carry it no problem! I mostly use it for drinks / cans and it always keeps them cold for several days, even when it is warm outside. When I am camping, I don't have to change the ice for several days which makes it so much easier to have cold food and drinks. Highly recommend purchasing this cooler!

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Insulation Rating

Did not meet insulation expectationsExceeded insulation expectations
Helpful?
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