Choosing the right cooler accessories—ice packs, dry packs, and gel bricks—changes a weekend trip from lukewarm disappointment to reliably chilled success. This guide recommends top camping cooler accessories based on extensive research, hands-on testing, and expert reviews to help you pick the right solution for day hikes, multi-day car camping, or food shipping.
Considerations and Methodology
We evaluated candidates using a three-pronged approach: real-world testing, expert opinion, and consumer feedback.
- Real-world testing: Packs were frozen and used in insulated coolers/lunch bags under simulated campsite conditions (ambient temps, repeated openings). We measured practical factors: freeze time, cold retention, leakage, and flexibility when frozen.
- Expert opinion: Materials, seal quality, and construction were assessed for durability and safety (BPA-free, food-safe materials, impact resistance).
- Consumer feedback: We reviewed user reports on longevity, failure modes (leaks, punctures), and packing convenience.
Key attributes weighted in our rankings:
- Cold retention (hours of effective cooling)
- Durability & leak resistance
- Size/shape and stackability for different coolers
- Safety and materials (food contact, BPA-free)
- Value (performance per dollar)
These factors guided our category winners: budget, premium, value, and editor's pick.
Soak-and-Freeze Sheet
A budget-friendly, innovative dry-style ice sheet that soaks in water, expands, and freezes to create a reusable, non-sticky cooling sheet. Long-lasting and light, it’s ideal for single-day outings or as extra cooling layers inside a packed cooler without the mess of melting ice.
Tempk's dry-style ice sheets are a clever budget option for campers who want lightweight, low-mess cooling. The sheets absorb water, expand (to about 4.37 x 4 x 1.57 in after soaking), and freeze—then provide up to ~18 hours of cold under moderate conditions. The patented non-stick face prevents frozen packs from clumping together and the thin, non-slimy surface stays dry to the touch after freezing, which makes handling in camp easier. Pros: extremely affordable, light, and neat; good for lunch bags, day hikes, or adding extra coverage in a cooler. Cons: not suitable for maintaining sub-freezing temps (not for long-term ice-cream or raw meat preservation) and less rugged than heavy gel bricks.
YETI Thin Ice
YETI’s Thin Ice delivers premium performance with a slim, impact-resistant form factor that freezes fast and replaces loose ice in soft coolers and lunch bags. Designed for durability and minimal cleanup, it’s a top choice for serious campers who want reliable, long-lasting cooling.
YETI ICE Thin Ice is engineered to be nearly 50% slimmer than previous designs while still holding a significant cold payload—ideal for soft-sided coolers where space is at a premium. The construction is impact-resistant and built to withstand tumbles and rough handling around camp. It freezes faster thanks to a custom shape and eliminates puddles and muddy water because there’s no melting ice to drain. Pros: excellent durability, engineered performance in coolers, and low-mess convenience. Cons: higher price per pack than generic gel sheets and best realized when used with quality insulated coolers (it’s optimized for YETI Hopper and Daytrip products but also useful in other high-grade soft coolers).
Slim Lunch Ice Pack
A versatile four-pack of slim, quick-freezing ice packs that balance size and performance. Compact enough for fully loaded lunch bags yet effective for several hours of cooling—an excellent all-around choice for day trips, family camping, and multi-use cooler support.
The slim four-pack strikes a desirable balance between cost, size, and performance. Each pack measures roughly 4.75” x 0.5” x 5”, allowing them to slip into tight spaces around food containers without adding bulk. They’re made from BPA-free, leak-resistant materials and hold cold long enough for day-long outings when used in combination (stack or surround perishables). Pros: affordable multi-pack, durable shell, and flexible placement inside packed coolers. Cons: not rated for multi-day cold retention on its own; performance scales with how many packs you include and cooler insulation quality.
Dry Shipping Gel Brick
A heavy-duty dry gel brick pack engineered for long cold retention (up to 72+ hours in transit). Leakproof, TSA-compliant, and offered in bulk sizes—this is the best choice when long-duration cold or shipping-grade performance is required for camping or deliveries.
LUNA ICE dry-style gel bricks are built for extended cold retention—advertised to maintain cooling for up to 72+ hours when paired with insulated packaging. That performance makes these packs ideal for multi-day camping trips, long car journeys, or shipping perishables. They’re robust, leakproof, and can be used once as a disposable solution or reused to save cost—useful for groups packing large coolers. Additional benefits include TSA compliance for travel and a sealed construction that reduces mess and risk of leakage. Pros: outstanding long-duration cold retention, sturdy construction, and versatile single-use/reusable design. Cons: larger and heavier than slim lunch packs; cost per brick is higher than simple gel sheets.
Comparison Overview
Below is a quick comparison to help you match a pack to your camping needs:
- Cold retention: LUNA ICE (best for 48–72+ hour trips) > YETI Thin Ice (long and consistent in soft coolers) > Fit & Fresh slim packs (good for day trips) > Tempk sheets (~18 hours in moderate use).
- Durability & construction: YETI and LUNA ICE lead (impact- and puncture-resistant options). Slim packs are durable for daily use; budget sheets are less rugged but very lightweight.
- Best use case:
- Multi-day car camping or shipping perishables: LUNA ICE
- Serious cooler users who want engineered performance: YETI Thin Ice
- Everyday day trips, family picnics, and lunch support: Slim Lunch Ice Pack
- Cheap, light, no-mess extras for short outings: Soak-and-Freeze Sheet
Best overall: LUNA ICE—for camping, long trips, and multi-day cold retention it offers the most reliable performance. Alternatives: YETI Thin Ice for premium cooler-optimized performance; Slim Lunch Ice Pack for everyday value; Soak-and-Freeze Sheet for ultra-budget or lightweight needs.
Final Recommendation
All four packs earned their spots because they solve different camping problems. If your priority is multi-day cold retention for longer car-camping or moving perishables, choose LUNA ICE (Editors Choice). If you run a high-end soft cooler and want engineered durability and low-mess convenience, YETI Thin Ice (Premium Choice) is the best fit. For everyday use and the best balance of cost and performance, the slim 4-pack is our Best Value pick. If budget and weight are the main constraints, the soak-and-freeze sheets give you surprising performance for pennies.
This guide is based on hands-on testing, materials and construction review, and aggregated consumer feedback—so you can pick the cooler accessory that best suits your camping style. Happy camping, and keep it cold!