Extreme cooler comparison - ORCA vs Yeti

[Mossyoakglock]

I'm looking to see if anybody here has either a Yeti or ORCA and has possibly seen and used both.

 

I'm looking at a 75 qt capacity cooler and the two that I have narrowed it down to are Yeti and ORCA. YETI has been around the longest while ORCA is fairly new to the game compared to Yeti. One plus that ORCA has is that they are fully 100% Made in the USA and made right here in Nashville, TN.

 

Some people will say that they are a waste of money but I believe I have a legitimate use(s) for one. The main reason is going to be for hunting and fishing. SInce we still have some pretty warm temps during bow and early muzzleloader season, we need a cooler that will keep deer meat cold if we get one on the first day. We won't have the luxury of running down the road to get ice so we need something that can keep ice for a few days in somewhat warm temps and not let the meat spoil.

 

Same for fishing with my uncle. We need a way to keep fish cold on the drive home and while out on the water.

 

So, has anybody had experience with either a Yeti or ORCA cooler, or both, and what are your opinions?

 

Leaning towards the ORCA since it's made in my hometown (Nashville, TN) but if YETI is better, then I'll go that route.

[NEFisher11]

I own a yeti cooler and use it for pretty much the same reasons you want one. It works great but now that they aren't manufacturing them in the USA I don't think I would buy another one. But that is just me.

[hollywoodsle]

pretty much any premium cooler you get will do what you need it to. yeti, pelican, orca, etc. i own a yeti only because I am impatient and could get one locally

[mkenum79]

Sorry but I have no previous experience with a Yeti or Orca cooler, but I do own 2 Pelican 45 quart coolers and they are pretty good. Recently got back from the Dixie Youth AAA State baseball Tournament in Enterprise, Alabama. I bought 4 bags of ice and put 2 bags in each cooler and stuffed them with water and Gatorade on Friday the 18th. Kept them in the back of the truck the whole time in 95° to close to 100° temps. Came home Monday afternoon. Cleaning up the truck and unpacking, I still had ice in both coolers. Checked again this morning and have ice chips floating around in water and the coolers are still very cold. If you haven't looked at the Pelicans, I would give them a look. Heavy duty roto-molded cooler and I personally like the closing mechanisms better on the Pelican vs. the rubber hold down found on the Yeti and Orca.

[AgDoctor]

I have the Cabela's rotomolded cooler and in the Fish and Stream cooler shootout it was the winner. I like it a lot. I prefer the Pelican over the Yeti.

 

 

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[KARNUT]

Just before the holidays a local Texas station (Houston) did a test on a bunch of coolers even the cheap ones from the grocery store. They put them out in the sun together all performed about the same. The cheap one from the grocery store would have a problem staying upright in the back of a pickup and keeping its lid on but they all lasted the same as far as ice lasting.

[AgDoctor]

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/fishing/2016/03/ice-chest-throwdown-12-top-end-coolers-ranked-and-reviewed

 

 

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[kstruckcountry]

You could get one of these and never have to worry about ice melting: http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Fridge-Freezer-50-Qt-10800472-P3626.aspx

 

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[sk]

Forget all of them and get an RTIC. Almost identical to Yeti but half the price and a longer warranty:

https://www.rticcoolers.com/

 

I have 2 and love them

[Mossyoakglock]

I looked at the RTIC's but have been reading that it's been taking months for people to get their coolers due to the backlog.

 

I'm leaning towards the ORCA since it's made here in TN.

[RyanbabZ71]

I won a 20 qt grizzley for a fathers day contest. I like it, well built american made.