Hard coolers

Pick a hard cooler by crew size and how far it has to travel: a 27 qt holds about 24 cans for two or three people, a 45 to 65 qt holds 56 to 65 cans for the whole crew, and a wheeled cooler rolls a full load across the lot instead of two people lifting it. For serving, an open-top party cooler puts the drinks on the table where everyone can reach them.

Which size for which crew

• Two or three people: the Taiga 27 qt, about 24 cans with ice, made in the USA by Taiga.
• The whole crew: the Cordova 45 qt (56 cans), the Taiga 55 qt (about 60) or the Cordova 65 qt (65 cans plus ice, per Cordova).
• A long walk from the car: the Cordova 50 qt Outpost, 63 cans on wheels with a telescoping handle.
• Serving at the table: Revo's Dubler, 24 cans on ice plus a food pan, made in the USA by Revo.

How long does ice last in a hard cooler?

Days, not hours, if you pre-chill it and keep the lid shut. Taiga says its coolers hold ice up to 7 days in ideal conditions and 5 or more in hot, real-world use. At a tailgate, the real limit is how often the lid opens, so keep drinks and food in separate coolers.

How heavy is a full cooler?

Heavier than it looks. The Cordova 65 qt weighs about 35 pounds empty and takes about 60 pounds of ice, per Cordova. If it's going farther than the tailgate of the truck, get wheels or a wagon.