Gear: Is there anything cooler than a cooler that folds down to a fraction of its expanded size?

When it comes to coolers, bigger is better (for maximum capacity); so is smaller (for minimum space-hogging when empty).

Coleman’s Collapsible 72-Can Chest Cooler gives us both. Expanded, it’s 24 inches long, a foot wide and 15 inches tall. When the insert is removed, it collapses to 3 inches high.

The cooler has mesh side pockets and a nylon front pocket for extra storage. A Velcro-closure top hatch lets you reach in and grab a cold one without having to unzip the whole lid.

In testing, the cooler kept a full load cold for eight hours in summer heat; ice stayed mostly frozen overnight at room temperature.

The thick insulation and removable rigid insert make the chest a hefty 9.5 pounds when empty.

Info: The Coleman Collapsible 72-Can Chest Cooler costs about $32 and is available in red and gray or green and gray.

ALSO

Truckee is a charming ski-town getaway where you can ski downhill and stay uptown

$273 round-trip fare for Guadalajara, Mexico, on Alaska, American and Delta

7 small-ship Alaska cruises in time for national parks’ centennial

Follow us on Twitter at @latimestravel