BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Review

Have you ever changed your packing plans for an adventure because bringing a cooler feels like an overcommitment? I’m talking about those days that aren’t a full-blown campsite setup or a multi-hour tailgate — just a few hours by the water, moving spots while following the hatch, and generally figuring things out as you go.

 In those situations, I usually find myself at a crossroads: I either skip the cooler entirely and deal with lukewarm water, or I bring one and end up regretting it halfway through the day because it’s a clunky, swinging burden. The BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Cooler Backpack allowed me to bring a cooler and stay hands-free on the move. 

In short: The BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Cooler Backpack ($200) is a zipper-free, leakproof backpack cooler that keeps ice for nearly 5 days. Its Repel shell is adventure-ready and puncture-proof, making it a durable choice for active outings. The tradeoffs: the boxy shape isn’t the most comfortable for longer hikes, and at over 7 pounds empty, it’s one of the heavier options we tested — so make sure your back is up for a full load. 

See how this backpack cooler stacks up in the Best Backpack Coolers buyer’s guide.

The Commitment-Free Cooler: A BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Review

Embracing the Boxy Design and Structural Integrity

There is no getting around the fact that the MagPack is incredibly boxy. There is no hiding its silhouette; it is highly structured, holds its shape regardless of whether it’s empty or full, and looks exactly like what it is — a cooler with straps. Normally, I tend to lean toward more contoured, flexible bags that hug the body, but after a few hours on the river, I started to see why this rigid design works. 

I noticed that the structure made the initial packing process super simple. Instead of the “bottomless pit” feel you can get with floppy soft coolers, the MagPack allowed me to line up drinks and stack snacks with a bit more precision. 

Mastering the Zipperless Magnetic Opening

I love a good zipperless cooler. BrüMate uses a lid powered by magnets and a latch-style handle. I’ll be honest — it took me a few tries to get the hang of it. There is a bit of a “sweet spot” regarding the pressure required to pop it open. It is a smaller movement to open it than I was expecting, a hinge motion rather than a large latch. 

I enjoyed not having to fight with a stiff zipper when my hands were cold or wet from fishing. There was no worrying about dirt or sand jamming the tracks over time, and no struggle to get a perfect seal. You just flip it open, grab what you need, and snap it back into place. It felt significantly faster than a heavy-duty waterproof zipper.

Ice Retention 

I tested ice retention using GearJunkie’s standard method, which is used to test all coolers: I filled the cooler two-thirds full of store-bought cubed ice and kept it in a room at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. I checked the cooler every 12 hours until the ice was fully melted. 

Three days in, the ice was half gone, and the last ice cube melted on day 5. That’s only about half a day shorter than our winner, ICEMULE BOSS, an impressive result for a backpack cooler at this price point.

Stability and Comfort While Moving Spot to Spot

Most of our day was spent on the move. We weren’t hiking 10 miles, but we were doing enough walking through uneven terrain that I quickly became aware of the weight on my back. This is where the backpack format proved its worth to me.

Having both hands free to carry rods, push through brush, or balance on slippery rocks made the entire experience much less of a chore. I didn’t have to stop and adjust a swinging shoulder strap every 5 minutes, and the pack stayed relatively stable even as I scrambled up steep embankments.

That said, the MagPack is a physical presence on your back. When it is fully loaded with two dozen cans and a bag of ice, you’ll definitely feel the weight.

Because of that boxy shape, it doesn’t contour to your spine as a traditional hiking pack might. It sits flat against the back, and while the back panel has padding, there’s no getting around the weight. However, it also comes with a chest strap, which helps manage the weight. 

Durability in the Brush and the Unexpected Seat

We moved through thick willows and brushed up against jagged branches. We also set the pack down on rough river stones and muddy banks. At no point did I feel like I needed to baby the exterior material.

It feels durable enough to take a beating without showing much wear or tear, a quality I’d expect for $200. Gear that I don’t have to worry about is gear that I actually end up using more often.

Backpacks aren’t the first things that come to mind when I think about sitting down, but coolers are often used as additional seating. Because the MagPack is heavily structured, it didn’t collapse or buckle under my husband’s weight (180 pounds) when he used it as a perch.

Sure, it’s not something I would want to sit on for an entire 3-hour baseball game. But for a quick 10-minute break to tie on a new fly or eat a sandwich, it works. 

Room for Improvement: Cooler First, Backpack Second

Though the MagPack is like a vault, it lacks standard backpack features. The two small zippered waterproof pockets are good for keys or a phone, but offer no stretch.

I’d love to see a side mesh pocket for quick access to a water bottle, sunscreen, or fly box. Ultimately, these design choices prove that this is a cooler first and a backpack second. It prioritizes the ice over the “extras,” which is fine. But a little more accessory support would go a long way.

Final Thoughts on the Weekend Warrior

I put the BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Cooler Backpack through its paces from fishing to weekend adventures. Overall, I kept reaching for it whenever keeping things cold and durability mattered.

This cooler pack feels like a solid choice for the outings that are too active for a heavy hard-sided cooler but also need durability. It’s boxy and heavy, but that structure makes it easy to organize and durable enough to serve as a seat. 

The zipperless lid is handy and keeps the cooler leakproof. Combined with the 5-day ice retention, you get a cooler that punches well above its weight class. And if you decide you don’t need a backpack, you can remove the shoulder straps and utilize the side handles for hauling.

For short, active missions where I’m moving through tough terrain, it’s a practical, rugged piece of gear that makes bringing the cooler feel like a help rather than a hindrance.