I tend to write long reviews so the too long didn't read summary is: This is a really good cooler!
The design and function of this KingCamp cooler is VERY similar to the sasquatch inspired brand name's "hopper flip" soft sided cooler series. Obviously this offering from KingCamp is at a much lower price point. I do not own one of the brand name hopper flip coolers so I can't do direct side-by-side comparisons other than note the obvious styling and construction similarities.
The KingCamp branding on this cooler is not obnoxious, you see it on the top of the cooler and the cooler strap padding but it's not all over the sides in giant letters. The overall presentation of the cooler is nice and attractive I think.
The construction quality of this cooler, to me, seems excellent!
The fabric exterior is tough. Each seam has been overlaid with a bonded on covering to keep dirt and moisture out and reinforce the construction. Each handle and strapping point has been well and firmly stitched and/or bonded to the cooler. There are several loops and rings around the exterior of the cooler to allow for easy strapping down on a roof rack, cargo carrier, boat, kayak, paddle board, etc. and these also give attachment points for cooler related gear like bottle openers and such.
The soft sided construction keeps the weight of the unloaded cooler very low, it feels light when not packed.
The interior is a waterproof heavy duty liner with bonded seams that seems durable. Both the interior and exterior are easy to clean.
The insulation is thick, and dense. The insulation is rigid but flexible and if you squish or bend it, it flexes and doesn't break or crack. I've used it a couple of times so far and the insulative ability of the cooler is VERY good. By far the best I've experienced with a soft sided cooler. I'm using ice packs that came with a meal delivery service we use. I just re-freeze them and re-use them because they are a good size for the cooler and it's a way to reuse/recycle them. Those ice packs can keep the cooler contents (already chilled) cold for multiple days.
The shoulder strap is somewhat generously padded (could use a bit more padding TBH) and the buckles are decently heavy duty. They put a rubberized or siliconized surface on one side of the shoulder strap pad that helps keep it from trying to slide off your shoulder as you carry it which is a really nice touch.
Let's talk about the leak-proof zipper. I was really concerned when I read in the description "Pay attention: Because of its special material, it will be a little difficult to pull than ordinary zippers. It's not a quality issue".
Ummmm, okay? YES, the zipper is a little tough to slide. This is because it has both a conventional zipper and a closure similar to a zipper lock plastic bag (only made of rubber or silicone) and the zipper pull is manipulating both.
I do okay with it but my kiddo (11yo girl) struggles with it a bit. So I got this idea to use a luggage scale to see just how much effort the zipper requires. It typically takes about 10# of force to slide the zipper all the way around the cooler when pulled properly (in a straight line). Occasionally that would bump up to 15# of force if the zipper pull wasn't being pulled straight along the zippers path. That is a lot of force in terms of pulling a regular zipper but not really that much overall considering the waterproof nature of this zipper. There's no such thing as a free lunch :-)
I find as I use it a bit more it has gotten slightly easier and a bit of lubrication (lip balm) on the zipper seam has helped too. The zipper on this cooler could benefit from a slightly larger zipper pull due to this and personally I'll be adding a stainless steel carabiner to mine to help make the zipper easier to manipulate. Lastly I'll just note that in skimming the reviews of the "similar brand name" cooler the same topic comes up for theirs too, it looks like it's just the nature of this kind of leak proof zipper.
That is all I can think of. I'd say that this cooler, particularly for the price at the time of this writing as compared to the pricing of the similar sasquatch inspired brand name's "hopper flip" is a great buy and a good value. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
