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Minimalist Cooler Setup 🧊
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By
Marcella Dacre profile picture
Marcella Dacre
I got tired of bulky coolers taking over my garage and trunk. Went full minimalist and honestly I enjoy outdoor hangs way more now with less stuff to lug around.
Sections
6
 
The Cooler Itself
 
Reusable Ice Packs
 
Drinks That Pack Small 🥤
 
Snacks That Won't Get Crushed
 
Keep It Organized
 
Little Extras That Help 🏕️

The Cooler Itself

I tested like five coolers before landing on ones that actually fit in my car without a wrestling match. These are compact but they hold more than you'd think.

 
Marcella Dacre profile picture
fits perfectly behind the passenger seat. 11 quarts is the sweet spot for a day trip 🧊
Igloo Tag Along Too 11 Quart Hard Sided Cooler - Light Gray
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five bucks and it works. I bring this one to the office too.
Coleman Personal 8 Coolers | Compact & Portable Options
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the retro look is fun and it keeps ice solid for like 8 hours
Igloo Playmate Coolers | MaxCold, Portable, Rolling Options
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when I just need cold water and nothing else, this is the move 💧
Stanley Fast Flow Water Jugs
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splurged on this one. zero regrets. the insulation is wild.
Hydro Flask 15 Liter Carryout 24 Cans/15.8 qt Soft-Sided Cooler - Agave
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has wheels which saved my back at the beach last summer
Igloo Trailmate Journey 70qt Rolling Cooler - Gray
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Reusable Ice Packs

Loose ice is messy and I'm done mopping out cooler water in my trunk. These stay frozen forever and take up barely any room.

 
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stays frozen WAY longer than the cheap ones. like noticeably longer.
Igloo Ice Blocks & Coolers | Refreezable, Durable Options
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thin enough to slide between sandwiches 🥪
Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers | Slim Lunch Ice Packs
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these line the walls of any cooler. so smart.
Titan by Arctic Zone Fridge Cold Molded Lunch Box with Ice Walls
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flexible so it wraps around stuff. my wife loves these for lunches.
IGLOO MaxCold 88 Cube Natural Ice Sheet - Blue
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tiny but perfect for a small cooler setup
Bentgo Ice Lunch Chillers Ultra-Thin Ice Packs for Lunch Bags
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fill with water, freeze, drink later when they melt. two birds one stone.
Igloo : Water Bottles
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Drinks That Pack Small 🥤

I stopped bringing full cases of anything. A few solid drinks, packed tight, and nobody complains.

 
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the cans stack perfectly and people always grab one
Liquid Death Mountain Water - 6pk/12 fl oz Cans
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tastes like a treat without all the sugar. genuinely good.
OLIPOP 9g Fiber Prebiotic Soda Vintage Cola - 12 fl oz Can
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real fruit juice in these. my go-to for any cooler situation 🍋
Spindrift Variety Pack - 12 Fl Oz Cans | Multiple Flavors
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brought these to a cookout and three people asked what they were
Poppi Prebiotic Soda Variety Pack
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classic. never lets you down.
La Croix 8 Pack Sparkling Water - Various Flavors
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the bottles are slim so they fit in tight spaces really well
Core Hydration: Purified Water Sizes 1L, 12-Pack, 20oz, 30.4oz
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Snacks That Won't Get Crushed

Nothing worse than opening your cooler to find smashed chips everywhere. These all survive the trip intact and taste great cold.

 
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pre-portioned so nothing goes to waste. perfect with carrots.
Classic Hummus Singles - 6pk/12oz - Good & Gather: Lemon, Garlic
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cheese, nuts, dried fruit. it's a whole situation in a tiny tray 🧀
Sargento Snack Packs | Cheese, Crackers, Nuts & Dried Cranberries
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cold string cheese on a hot day just hits different
Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella String Cheese - 24oz/24ct
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the wax keeps them protected. my kids fight over the red ones lol
Mini Babybel Original Semisoft Cheeses
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won't melt, won't crumble. just works.
Protein Bars Variety Pack | CLIF, RXBAR, TRUBAR & More Options
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single serve guac cups that actually taste fresh
Classic Guacamole Mini Cups - 6pk/12oz - Good & Gather
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Keep It Organized

A minimalist cooler only works if everything has a place. These little things keep it all from becoming a soggy mess.

 
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waterproof, washable, fits sandwiches perfectly. I own like six of these.
Stasher Half Gallon Bags - Reusable Silicone Storage
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stackable containers that snap together 📦
Sistema Lunch Containers & Food Storage Sets
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not just for kids. I use mine every single weekend.
Bentgo Kids Lunch Box
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cheap and they actually seal properly
Value Re-Usable Bag - Good & Gather
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tiny container for dips and sauces. no more leaky baggies
Salad Dressing Containers: Glass, Plastic, & Stainless Steel Options
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toss all the dry stuff in here so it doesn't get wet from condensation
Room Essentials Bag | Storage & Organization Bags
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Little Extras That Help 🏕️

These aren't strictly cooler items but they make the whole experience smoother. Stuff I always toss in the car now.

 
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lost three bottle openers before I tied this one to my cooler handle
Can Opener - Room Essentials
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always bring a towel. always. trust me on this.
kitchen towel threshold
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I use these to organize dry goods next to the cooler in my trunk
Packing Cube Set: Multi-Piece Organizer for Kids & Adults
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biodegradable and they don't get soggy for like 2 hours
Class Action Lawsuit Claims Target Falsely Advertises Good & Gather
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way better than forgetting forks and eating pasta with your hands 😅
Biodegradable Cutlery Set | Eco-friendly & Compostable Options
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throw everything in here when the cooler's empty. easy cleanup.
Reusable Tote Bags | Canvas, Zip Top, & Collapsible Options
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