RTIC’s Ultra-Tough 45-Quart Wheeled Cooler Hands-On Review

Oct 19, 2024

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RTIC Outdoors recently sent over its 45-quart Ultra Tough wheeled cooler for review. As you might expect, it does share a lot in common with the 52-quart Ultra-Lite cooler I tested out a while back. However, it is part of a totally different line. It does bring a few unique features to the table that make it more than a smaller version of the Ultra-Lite. In fact, the slightly higher retail price despite the lesser capacity, is your clue that there’s a little more going on here.

Now, I’m not a cooler buff, and testing this 45-quart Ultra-Tough unit wasn’t a religious awakening that’s made me one. However, after wheeling it around the beaches of Outer Banks, North Carolina, for two weeks, it’s definitely won me over. If you’re in need of a durable cooler that’s easy to lug around and squeeze into tight spaces but still has more capacity than a personal cooler, this is one you really need to take seriously.

RTIC’s 45-quart Ultra-Tough wheeled cooler backs its name up with rotomolded construction. This is what RTIC claims makes it ultra-durable. Up to 2.9 inches of closed cell foam insulation locks in the cold for up to 5 days. Some other basic stats are its 60-can capacity and 33-pound dry weight.

The addition of RTIC’s all-terrain wheels is the first thing that separates it from the standard 45-quart Ultra Tough cooler. They pair with the collapsing pull handle to make it much easier to lug around, but they aren’t all that makes it unique. Another major difference is the narrow upright design that allows for easier storage in tighter spaces. At 20.75 inches tall, it’s too tall to fit under some tonneau covers. It will have the edge in the hatch of an SUV or crossover thanks to the 17-inch by 11.75-inch base.

RTIC added some tie-down bars to the lid for external storage. It also has a dual-purpose lid latch and bottle opener which is super handy. The inside of the cooler has some features that make it more than a simple open cavity that holds ice and snacks. Two slots run directly down the center, which holds RTIC’s freezable divider to help organize and keep things cool. Netting built into the lid further adds to the organization within.

The retail price of the 45-quart Ultra Tough wheeled cooler is $269.00. That’s significantly more than the standard 45-quart Ultra Tough cooler, which sells for $219.00. That’s not much of a surprise, but it is a bit puzzling to see it’s higher than the 52-quart Ultra-Light‘s $249.00 price tag. Even if it has a few more bells and whistles, I’d expect it to sell for less as the smaller cooler.

While the 45-quart Ultra-Tough cooler is too tall to cram in the trunk of my ’69 Charger, I did find a lot to like about it during my annual family vacation down south. What I dig most is that it’s so much easier to lug around on the sand than our other coolers.

The all-terrain wheels on RTIC’s coolers work well on most surfaces. Sand always bogs things down, though. Trying to pull the 52-quart cooler across the beach can feel more like dragging an anchor. I often find it’s easier to pick the thing up and carry it rather than try and drag it around. The problem is that the bottom of the cooler hangs up on the uneven surface. The narrow, upright design of the 45-quart Ultra-Tough wheeled cooler and handle placement helps avoid the problem in many cases. If you do need to carry it, the narrow body is much more manageable for one person.

With quality, aesthetics, and the ability to keep things cool equal, the added portability makes this the superior cooler to me—even at the expense of some storage space. While we always go with multiple coolers, the 60-can capacity is plenty on its own. It’s obviously not going to serve a family for days on end. However, it’s great for short trips with big groups and can be the primary cooler for couples or an individual for longer periods. And yes, it does keep the cold in for days. Freezing water splashing onto my feet while draining the cooler days after adding ice took me buy surprise on a couple of occasions.

While I didn’t find much use for them, the addition of tie down rods on the lid really complements the portability of this thing. We all know the struggle of trying to carry 9,000 things from the car to our favorite spot only to drop most of it along the way. This feature has the potential to eliminate those frustrations altogether.

I’m usually pretty keen on RTIC’s pricing, this time, it seems a bit high to me in relation to other coolers from the brand. Still, it is less than the comparable premium offerings. As always, the rock solid quality is there too. It’s not the best value option, but you are getting a really nice cooler for the money.

At the end of the day, the RTIC 45-quart Ultra-Tough wheeled cooler is another solid entry from the brand. It’s built really well, it’s easy to transport and it has a few bells and whistles that help it stand out. The price is a bit higher than I’d expect, but it’s still a great little cooler. I think owners of SUVs and crossovers who like to get out on the occasional adventure are going to benefit most from the design. However, unless you’re trying to keep it below your truck’s bed rails, you should just go with this over the larger cooler because it’s so much easier to pull around.