Simple Modern Cooler Review
Last Updated by Brandon F. on December 9, 2021
Simple Modern was a new name to us just a few months ago. Asking around, we weren’t the only ones with a puzzled look on our faces when their name was brought up. But believe it or not, Simple Modern is attempting to go head-to-head with the big boys of the cooler world.
Their lineup of soft coolers and drinkware (bottles and tumblers) follow many of the design approaches of the Yetis and Engels of the world but at a much lower price point. If we had to quickly compare them to another brand, they remind us of RTIC in that they are attempting to deliver premium products but at a fraction of the price.
In this huge review of Simple Modern Coolers, we will be focusing on their 20-liter and 30-liter soft coolers. We will discuss their features, build quality, ice life, styling, and price. Finally, we would answer the ultimate question: how do they compare to other premium soft coolers such as Yeti?
But first, check out the table below for a quick rundown of the important details of each product. And for those who wish to read our full review, scroll further below!
Simple Modern Cooler Features/Build Quality
Simple Modern hopes to compete with the top names in the cooler industry. And the first step to this process and making sure to offer many of the same features that you would find with the more established premium cooler brands on the market.
The foundation of any quality soft cooler is quality construction. Simple Modern has utilized high-density closed-cell foam inside the walls of their cooler. And this foam is protected by 840 denier nylon coated with thermoplastic polyurethane. This is an extremely resilient material that is very difficult to cut or tear. As you might expect, the layer of foam contributes to prolonging ice life (more on that later).
Another common weak point of soft coolers lies in how the various pieces are attached. Many lower-end models will simply be stitched. These stitches are prone to breaking over time, potentially ruining the cooler. To avoid this, Simple Modern used heat welds to attach the various pieces. This is a much more reliable method that not only reduces leak paths for cold air to escape but also makes it much more waterproof.
The zipper here is also quite nice. It has a great bite and, according to Simple Modern, is leak-resistant. This means that you can take this cooler out on lakes or rivers without concern of water randomly getting in or getting out when zipped closed. Typical of many of these higher-end soft coolers, the zipper can be a bit stubborn at first. However, applying some grease to it can make it much easier to open and close.
Once the zipper is unzipped, you can access the inside quickly and easily thanks to the flip lid. This flip lid is hinged on the outside, allowing you to lay it down out of the way while open. This makes quickly grabbing a drink or food from inside a breeze. And as you might expect, the lid also has a thick layer of high-density foam (around 2” of it, in fact).
For carrying, you have three different options. First, there is a large carrying handle with an adjustable strap. This allows you to carry the cooler near your hip. Next, there are side handles that allow you to carry the soft cooler like a typical lunch tote. This can be a good option when you need more control and don’t want the cooler potentially swinging around.
Finally, there are what Simple Modern calls “Tri-Fold Side Handles”. These are small handles located on the sides of the cooler that allows you to easily grab the cooler from any angle. We all know how frustrating it can be to reach for your cooler when other items are stored around it. These handles help to combat that issue.
When you are carrying this cooler, you will also likely find that it is quite comfortable. This can be attributed to the curved shape of the cooler. This curve allows it to “hug” the side of your body. We have all been bruised from a heavy soft cooler constantly smacking the side of our hips so this extra design feature is certainly welcome.
For additional storage, there is also a small front pocket with a zipper. This pocket doesn’t have a thick layer of insulation on it so it is best used for small items that you don’t want to keep cold or exposed to water such as your cell phone or keys.
Overall, these features are pretty standard for any soft cooler that hopes to compete in today’s industry. A few additional features are missing that other brands offer, however. This includes things such as Molle webbing, additional side pockets, and a built-in bottle opener. Not having these features isn’t a dealbreaker by any means but it is worth mentioning.
It is also worth noting that the overall fit, finish, design, and features of Simple Modern Coolers are nearly identical to those that you will find in the RTIC 20 and RTIC 30 SoftPak Coolers. The similarities are so noticeable that we wonder if Simple Modern and RTIC are going to the same manufacturer for their coolers! Thankfully, we are very happy with RTIC’s performance so copying their approach isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
One area that we weren’t sure about was the warranty that Simple Modern offers. Since they seem to be primarily an online retailer that sells on marketplaces such as Amazon, they don’t have a permanent site (that we could find) that includes warranty information. In the future, we hope to find out more about their warranty as a company’s warranty is a good indication of the level of quality that you should expect.
Simple Modern Cooler Ice Life
Sure, the features and build quality of Simple Modern’s soft coolers seem to meet the mark, but how about ice performance? A premium cooler isn’t a premium cooler without great ice retention!
All of the features that we like to see for long ice life are present here. You have thick insulation on all surfaces (around 2” of it), a great zipper that provides a nearly air-tight seal, and welded construction that eliminates the gaps that are typical of soft coolers that have stitching.
But the best way to find out specific ice retention numbers is to test them. So we decided to do some in-house testing and analysis of Simple Modern Soft Coolers to get to the bottom of it. This was accomplished by filling the soft coolers up with the recommended amount of ice, leaving them in a typical outdoor setting, and occasionally opening them (as you would when using them in the real world).
The chart below shows what sort of ice life you might expect to have when using a Simple Modern Cooler in a normal outdoor setting.
Overall, these numbers are pretty good for a soft cooler. And unsurprisingly, they are nearly identical to the ice retention numbers that we found with the equally-sized RTIC Soft Coolers. This further reaffirms our belief that these coolers and RTIC Coolers may share some common materials and construction methods.
Specifically, you can expect around 2 to 3 days of ice life with the smaller Simple Modern 20 Liter Soft Cooler. And with the larger Simple Modern 30 Liter Soft Cooler, these numbers increase a bit up to 3 to 4 days. Your specific results will vary base on how much ice you put in them, what sort of environment you leave the coolers in, how often you open them, etc. But this chart should give you a good ballpark idea.
Simple Modern Cooler Aesthetics
In the past, a cooler’s styling didn’t mean much. Most people simply wanted a cooler that performed well and was reliable. However, that is no longer the case. At the lake, tailgates, or any outdoor outing, having an attractive cooler is becoming a bigger priority. Because of this, various cooler companies have started to roll out coolers with specialty colors, customization options, etc.
At the time of this writing, the only color that we could find for Simply Modern Soft Coolers is the color that you see in the pictures. Specifically, they call this color “Caribbean Blue”. And while we don’t have any complaints about this color, we do wish that Simple Modern would expand to other colors. Also, we didn’t find anything in the way of customization options. This is a common issue with smaller companies that don’t have the infrastructure in place to offer in-house customizations.
Colors aside, the overall styling of Simple Modern Soft Coolers is decent. It is very similar in appearance to RTIC’s Soft Coolers and also shares some close similarities with Homitt Soft Coolers, among others.
Simple Modern Cooler Price
A big reason that this product has become increasingly popular online is because of its asking price. Many people are unable and/or unwilling to spend the extremely high asking price for a Yeti Cooler or Pelican Cooler. This has given other companies a chance to move in by offering a similar product but at a much lower price point.
The asking price for Simple Modern Soft Coolers is very competitive given their performance and durability. Sure, they are by no means a budget cooler, but we feel that you are getting a lot for your money. Compared to other premium soft cooler companies, they are among the most affordable that we have come across. And it is no surprise that the asking prices are eerily similar to those of RTIC. Again, the similarities between the two brands pop up.
Simple Modern Cooler vs. Yeti
One of the most commonly asked questions that we receive is how one particular brand of cooler compares to a Yeti. For many years, Yeti has been the household name for premium coolers. So it is no surprise that people will regularly try to use their products as a gauge.
The specific models that Simple Modern’s Soft Coolers will compare to are Yeti’s Hopper Series. These are Yeti’s soft-sided coolers.
From a performance standpoint, both models hold ice life for about the same period. The build quality is also very similar. No matter which brand you go with, you should enjoy a high-quality soft cooler that can keep ice for days and last for years. Yeti does have a more impressive and established warranty, however.
As for features, both play a very similar approach. Yeti tends to keep things pretty straightforward so this is an area that other cooler brands can shine by loading up their products with a host of additional features. However, the only additional feature worth noting on the Simple Modern Soft Cooler is the additional front pocket (which the Yeti doesn’t have).
In regards to appearance, we have to give Yeti a slight edge. The overall design of the Yeti looks better in our opinion. And you also have more than one color option (and all color options utilize a multi-color design that looks quite nice).
But the category that Simple Modern stands out from Yeti is in their asking price. Yeti Soft Coolers, as you likely already knew, are extremely expensive. A comparable-sized Simple Modern is a fraction of the price and will hold ice for just about as long.
So for people on a budget and who want a cooler that performs well first and foremost, the Simple Modern Soft Cooler has a clear edge. For someone with a bigger budget and that appreciates looks and status more, the more attractive and notable Yeti Hopper may be worth the much higher asking price.
But no matter which product you go with, you won’t be disappointed.
Simple Modern Cooler Review
Pros: Good Ice Retention, High Build Quality, Great Bang for Your Buck
Cons: Only One Color to Choose From, Questions about Warranty
Features: Stabilizing taper, Easy flip lid, Robust zipper, Welded seams, Additional front pocket, 2” foam insulation, 3 different straps
Simple Modern is an increasingly popular online retailer that sells drinkware and a small lineup of soft coolers. They currently have 20 and 30-liter options that promise ice retention and build quality that will rival the big guys. And the big selling point here is the competitive asking price.
Insulation Ability – 
All of the things that we look for in a soft cooler as they relate to ice life are here. You will find a nice layer of insulation (around 2” of high-density closed-cell foam), a proven zipper that is nearly air-tight, and the inclusion of heat-welded seams instead of stitching. This results in a very capable soft cooler that will have ice life that ranges from around 2 to 4 days depending on the application. This makes the Simple Modern Soft Coolers great for a typical weekend excursion.
Mobility and Durability –
The build quality is very nice. All of the components are made of nice materials and the craftsmanship seems to be on point. This brand might not have the notoriety of some of the more old-school cooler brands out there but they are every bit as tough. Our only concern is with the lack of transparency when it comes to warranty.
There are a few notable features. They include an easy-open hinged lid, an additional small front pocket, and three different methods of carrying it. We wouldn’t mind having a built-in bottle opener and perhaps some Molle webbing but these aren’t deal-breakers by any means.
Visual Appeal – 
While we don’t have any qualms with the overall styling of the Simple Modern Soft Coolers, we are quite underwhelmed with the color options. At the time of this review, we could only find one: and the Caribbean Blue color may be a bit too “extreme” for those who prefer to blend in more. Also, there aren’t any customization options that we can find. We certainly hope that Simple Modern plans to expand on its color choices soon.
Cost – 
While this is still considered a premium cooler, the asking price is much lower than you will see with many of the other premium soft coolers on the market. When comparing ice retention, build quality, etc., the Simple Modern Soft Coolers can go toe-to-toe with the very best. You will find that the price points (among other things) are eerily similar to RTIC Coolers.
Overall Rating –
We are overall impressed with Simple Modern’s introduction to soft coolers. Their two models come in very popular sizes and offer up ice retention numbers that make them fine choices for many applications. There are enough features to make most happy as well. However, we do wish that they would expand on color choices and offer up a more concrete warranty policy. If you decide that this type of cooler is what you are after, look at both Simple Modern as well as RTIC’s SoftPak Coolers. As far as we can tell, they are essentially identical. So go with whichever one is more affordable.
