Sparter 30-Can Backpack Review

The sleek Sparter 30-Can Backpack features two different insulated compartments and three non-insulated storage pockets, and also offers great portability with mesh-lined shoulder straps and two additional carry handles.

Insulation

To evaluate soft cooler insulation performance, we first prepare a climate-controlled room where the heat is set to 78 degrees with an oscillating fan to keep the temperature consistent throughout the testing area We utilize iButton sensors to monitor temperature changes within the room and each cooler After filling each cooler with crushed ice equal to 50% of its volume, several sensors are placed within a mason jar and then inside each cooler being tested Two additional sensors are placed within the room to record any temperature variations The coolers are then left alone in the room for 96 hours, where they are monitored regularly to record any leaks.

The Sparter is available at a very accessible price compared to many of the highest performing soft coolers we tested. Its mediocre insulation performance is a testament to the tradeoffs made We note two milestones in our temperature data captured: how long temperatures remain at or below 40 degrees and how long they remain at or below 50 degrees The USDA states that foods can be stored safely at or below 40 degrees, and it's common for most beverages to be enjoyed at or below 50 degrees The Sparter Backpack could only keep temperatures below 40 degrees for 1.5 days, and just a few hours later, temperatures quickly rose over 50 degrees On the plus side, after the four-day testing period wrapped, the bottom of the backpack didn't feel damp, and the water left inside was still cool But we did note that the zippers leaked when tilting the bag to the side.

Convenience

In our testing of soft cooler convenience, we consider three overarching themes: access, storage, and cleaning We quickly found in our testing that not all zippers or magnetic enclosures are created equal, and that although extra room is almost always welcome when loading a soft cooler, that thought quickly changes when storing it.

Zippered access gives way to the Sparter 30-Can's various compartments We found the zippers to be very basic Although they didn't give us any issues in testing, the flimsy design quality left room to question their long-term use This backpack cooler is quite simple to work with when it comes to cleaning, but there's no way to hold it open to dry after cleaning You'll need to prop it open somehow to allow airflow inside to dry it Its squashable structure is nice when faced with limited storage space, as it's convenient to fit into narrow spaces Gena, who tested this backpack, liked the idea that “You can hang it from a strap or flatten it into a tight spot, even if I didn't find it squishes down quite as easily as a regular backpack will, due to its insulation.”

Portability

The introduction of soft coolers to the market has been awesome, bridging the gap between hard cooler performance and maximized portability Consumers are looking for reliable easy-carry ways to bring cold drinks and food to places that are difficult or impossible to reach with traditional coolers Our portability assessment accounts for 25% of each cooler's overall score, considering things like straps, handles, overall dimensions, and weight.

Weighing in at only 1.2 lbs, the Sparter Backpack is one of the lightest soft coolers we've reviewed It features adjustable straps with the same mesh padding found on the back portion of the pack There are two handles on the top of the Sparter, one between the shoulder straps and the other, a much wider handle, along the top of the back Both handles offer little to no padding and leave much to be desired regarding comfort, although our tester, Gena, reports, “They didn't cause me much difficulty to use; the two handles at the top are actually pretty handy.” During our walking & lifting tests, we felt that the shoulder straps were a comfortable distance apart, and even though the cooler compartment is basically the entire bag, it disperses the weight quite well. One key feature we felt was missing was a waist or chest strap for added stabilization and security.

Packability

To assess packability, we review the claimed capacities that the manufacturers specify, perform our own calculations, and compare them. We prefer to use water displacement to measure the capacities. Still, when a cooler is not water-tight, we use dimensional calculations instead. We comb through each cooler, paying close attention to how easy they are to pack, noting if enclosures stay open easily to aid in packing, and considering any extra available storage aside from the main compartment.

Even though the Sparter is a soft pack, we found it has just enough structure to remain upright on its own while packing it. Its lid conveniently flips and stays open. One tester mentioned, “I found it easier to load once there is a base layer of items or ice in the pack.” We fit 35 12-ounce cans in this pack, 30 more than the manufacturer advertises. The dimensions of the main compartment of the Sparter easily allow you to fit awkward items such as a bottle of wine. The second insulated compartment on the top is also nice for keeping smaller things separate, but still within the insulated area of the cooler. This pack also has a few additional storage areas outside the insulated area, including a large front zippered pocket and mesh storage pockets on each side.

Durability

A good cooler is durable, as many of us know, coolers see a lot of wear and tear in use In our evaluation of soft cooler durability, we perform a soak test where we place dry paper towels inside the cooler, then close it up and submerge it in water for one hour Throughout our gamut of testing, we are constantly taking note of any tears, scratches, dents, or signs of potential durability concerns We also sift through reviews from popular online retailers to look for patterns or trends in durability concerns.

Inside and out, the Sparter 30-Can struggled in our soak testing Approximately one and a half cups of water made their way inside the cooler If you kept water-sensitive things inside the pack in similar circumstances, they would be ruined Looking at the Sparter, you would think that it has some water-resistant capabilities, but our testing showed the opposite Plagued with leaky zippers and non-water-resistant fabric, this pack absorbs water It would work best for those using ice packs instead of traditional ice. However, you may still experience some degree of interior moisture from condensation. As far as durability goes, this pack did okay in our testing. It did not show any significant signs of wear or reasons for concern, but its components are what we would describe as “entry-level quality.”

Should You Buy the Sparter 30-Can Backpack?

Considering cost to value, the Sparter is hard to beat when comparing it against all of the backpack soft coolers we reviewed You get a lot of bang for your buck with this pack, and as long as your plans don't involve being submerged in water and you're okay with using ice packs This cooler is a very portable and comfortable day-trip choice for those on a budget.

What Other Soft Coolers Should You Consider?