Honest Reviews. Expert Advice. Better Fishing
Coleman 316 Series Hard Cooler
Affordable, dependable cooler for casual days
- 52-quart capacity holding up to 80 cans, generous room for the money
- Insulated lid and body with Temp-Lock FX for multi-day cooling on shorter trips
- Have-A-Seat lid rated to support up to 250 lbs and four integrated cup holders
- UVGuard coating and tethered leak-resistant drain plug for everyday durability
Not every angler needs a cooler that survives a bear and keeps ice for a week. Plenty of us just want a big, honest cooler that keeps drinks cold on a day trip without costing a paycheck. That is exactly the lane the Coleman 316 Series lives in, and for casual and recreational fishing it does the job well.
The value starts with capacity. The common 52-quart model holds up to 80 cans and around 26 pounds of ice, which is a lot of usable room for the price. For a day on the bank or a family outing with drinks, snacks, and a cooler for the catch, you will rarely wish you had more space. It is a genuinely large cooler at a small-cooler price.
Coleman built in some thoughtful touches. The insulated lid and body use Temp-Lock FX to stretch cooling on shorter trips, the Have-A-Seat lid is reinforced to hold up to 250 pounds so it doubles as a bench, and four integrated cup holders keep drinks steady. A UVGuard coating helps it resist sun damage, and the tethered drain plug means you are not fishing a lost plug out of the grass at the end of the day.
Where you need to set expectations is ice retention. This is an injection-molded cooler, not a rotomolded one, and Coleman rates it around three days. In practice that means it is excellent for day trips and short overnights but will not hang with a Tundra or an RTIC on a multi-day haul. Pre-chilling and keeping it out of direct sun make a real difference here.
Durability follows the same logic. The thinner injection-molded walls keep it light and easy to carry, which is a genuine plus, but they are less rugged than the near-indestructible rotomolded shells. Treat it as a dependable everyday cooler rather than an abuse-it-forever workhorse and it will serve you for years.
Bottom line: The Coleman 316 is the smart budget pick for casual anglers who prioritize capacity, convenience, and price over maximum ice life. For day trips and short outings it delivers real value, just do not ask it to match a rotomolded cooler on a multi-day run.
Specifications
| Capacity | 52 qt (up to 80 cans / 26 lbs ice) |
| Ice Retention | Up to ~3 days advertised |
| Weight | Light for its size (injection-molded) |
| Material | Injection-molded plastic, Temp-Lock FX insulation |
| Dimensions | Standard 52-qt chest footprint |
| Best For | Casual anglers and budget-minded day trips |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Coleman 316 keep ice?
Coleman rates it for roughly up to three days of ice retention with the insulated lid and body. In real use, expect solid performance on day trips and short overnights rather than the multi-day life of rotomolded coolers.
How big is the Coleman 316 Series cooler?
The common model is 52 quarts and holds up to 80 cans, or about 26 pounds of ice. That is a lot of usable space, making it a good pick when capacity matters more than maximum ice life.
Can you sit on the Coleman 316 cooler?
Yes. The Have-A-Seat lid is reinforced to support up to 250 pounds, which is handy as extra seating on a bank or a boat when space is tight.
Is the Coleman 316 durable enough for fishing?
For casual and recreational fishing it holds up well, with a UVGuard coating to resist sun damage and a tethered drain plug. It uses injection-molded plastic, so it is less rugged than rotomolded coolers but fine for everyday use.
Is the Coleman 316 worth it compared to premium coolers?
If you fish occasionally and take mostly day trips, the 316 gives you strong capacity and convenience for far less money. If you need multi-day ice life or rugged toughness, a rotomolded cooler is the better long-term buy.