RTIC Ultra-Light 22 Review

The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 features a 2-in-1 adjustable strap that also functions as a handle. The silicone T-latches that secure the lid are rubbery and a little stretchy, making it easy to open and close. It's compatible with many RTIC brand wine bottle holders, baskets, and dividers, allowing you to customize it for your use case. This cooler features a built-in stainless steel bottle opener, which is located right next to where you can lock the cooler. It has tie-down slots to secure it while traveling, and we loved the clever silicone storage pocket on the underside of the lid.

Insulation

The manufacturer claims that the RTIC Ultra-Light 22 can last up to six days if you follow their ice retention tips, which is not part of our insulation performance testing but something to keep in mind. The Ultra-Light 22 maintained 40 degrees or lower for just under three and a half days, and within a few hours, 50 degrees came and went too. This performance is below average compared to all the other coolers we tested.

Moving and Lifting

At 11.6 lbs, the RTIC Ultra-Light lives up to its name, being one of the lightest coolers that we reviewed. Tester Gena Bradshaw said, “I love the shoulder strap! The padding is comfy and eases the impact on my shoulder, and I could carry it comfortably even when wearing a tank top.” The convenient size of this cooler makes it very manageable for just about anyone to haul around. Although the strap is great, we wish it had molded-in handles as an alternative method for carrying it. This cooler seals quite well when latched shut, showing barely any signs of leaking when tilted side to side or lying on its side.

Packable Space

RTIC claims the capacity of the Ultra-Light 22 can fit 30 cans. We had success fitting 38 12-ounce cans total, though this required a bit of Tetris. Its internal height of 12.5 inches can also accommodate a bottle of wine upright inside. It can fit up to eight wine bottles, making this cooler the life of the party. The nifty silicone net pocket on the lid's backside is great for small items.

Ease of Use

Although the RTIC Ultra-Light 22 doesn't have any handles molded into the cooler's body, there is enough of a lip on it to grab onto if necessary. We like the 2-in-1 carrying strap, which is made of a durable webbing material and features a neoprene handle for comfort. The strap is fully adjustable and can be shortened into a handle.

When the weekend is over and it's time to store the Ultra-Light 22, it keeps things simple with a convenient rectangular shape and small storage footprint.

Should You Buy the RTIC Ultra-Light 22?

The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 is a highly portable cooler with some nifty features and solid build quality for a solo-sized lunchbox cooler or a lightweight beverage hauler for your next hangout. The insulation performance is average at best, but if your regular use case is three days or less, the RTIC has you covered. If your outings involve a fair amount of food and drinks, the capacity of the Ultra-Light 22 might not be enough space for you.

What Other Coolers Should You Consider?

If you need a lot more space than the RTIC 22 has to offer, we recommend checking out the RTIC Ultralight 52, which offers a large upgrade in capacity without a massive jump in price. If a wheeled cooler is more your speed, you can get the Xspec 45 Towable within that same price range. The Xspec is an excellent cooler that scored well in every metric we tested. Check out our in-depth review of the best coolers on the market so you can feel confident spending your money on the right cooler.

Previous Next