The combination of a semi-rigid rubber handle with nylon webbing attachments performed exceptionally well.

It’s a bit below average in our ease of use testing, which saw scores ranging from 5 to 8.

If you have already decided that your intended use requires the increased performance of a high-end model, then this represents a great value. © The Adventurerr - all rights reserved - 2020. It placed second in our carry test just behind the Pelican Progear Elite. Despite being a serious heavyweight in the cooler category the ORCA doesn’t take itself too seriously: it is available in a variety of funky colors and includes whimsical whale tale shaped latches. This is particularly impressive considering worst performing model, the Rubbermaid Extreme, scored a 2 on the same test.

The lid feels solid, and the latches are thick and durable. The Best Alpine Touring (AT) Ski Bindings. However, once you get used to them they are second nature and are so charming you may just want to give them pet names. It shares the top spot with the Pelican ProGear Elite. The features on the ORCA 58 include an external mesh pocket, both extended and recessed handles, and pin style hinges. In testing structural integrity we found the lid seal on the ORCA to be one of the strongest; we couldn’t get any water to leak out no matter how much we knocked it around.
Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. All this scored the ORCA great in the durability category.

This geometry decreases the surface area to volume ratio, meaning heat has fewer surfaces through which to radiate into the Extra Heavy Duty than in other more rectangular models of a similar size. In what sometimes feels like a sea of identical coolers all making fantastical claims, the Orca 58 Quart brings something a little different to the table. We found the latches, which attempt to make up for any shortcomings by being adorably shaped like little whale tails, just slightly harder to use than those on other high-end models. It was able to maintain temperatures below the FDA recommended 40˚F for an impressive six full days.

Despite a few shortcomings in the ease of use category, we feel the ORCA is the best cooler for those with a big budget looking for maximal performance. ORCA 58 Cooler Review My favorite thing about the ORCHA 58 Quart Cooler is its size. The ORCA is not the most expensive cooler we tested, it is cheaper than most of the other high-end models, but it certainly occupies the upper end of the price range. The ORCA 58 opts for a more cubic design, resulting in a smaller footprint but taller height than most of the other models. With great insulation and durable design, this handy model pulls it together in a slightly different shape than most the competition.

The handle design and shape earned the ORCA a 7 in our portability testing. It’s one of the toughest coolers out there, and far better than the worst performing models, which scored 3. Safe food temperatures were maintained and ice was retained longer than any other cooler that I have yet to test. While some improvements could be made to make draining easier and ensure the lid doesn’t snap shut during normal camp chores, the ORCA’s dominance in insulating ability and excellence in portability made it our choice for best insulation on a more compact cooler. Ease of use is the only area where the Extra Heavy Duty doesn’t shine.

It’s small enough to lug down to the beach for a picnic but big enough to handle a three-day weekend camping trip with friends. It did this despite utilizing a design that reduces bulk and increases ease of transport. It outlasted the nearest competitor by a full 24 hours. The ORCA’s design has all the reliable hallmarks of high-end construction. The worst performer in this category was the Grizzly, which scored a 4. You have to search far and wide to find any user reviews complaining of durability issues.

Out of all the coolers I’ve tested, the Orca 58 Quart was the best in terms of insulation. 40 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature for a cooler like this, and the Orca managed to retain this temperature for an entire 24 hours longer than the next best cooler on the market. ORCA 58 Quart Cooler Review The ORCA Extra Heavy Duty 58q t came out on top in our insulation tests, both maintaining safe food temperatures and holding ice the longest.

It also retained ice for an impressive seven days. The ORCA is slightly taller than most of the models we tested, making its shape a bit closer to a perfect cube. If this shape ticks the box for what you want, we think you'll be quite pleased with the performance of the compact Orca 58.
The ORCA Extra Heavy Duty 58qt came out on top in our insulation tests, both maintaining safe food temperatures and holding ice the longest.

This is a problem we encountered, to varying degrees, with most of the high-end models we tested. The ORCA dominated the food safety portion of our insulation test.

It did this despite utilizing a design that reduces bulk and increases ease of transport.

Most impressively, it competes really well with the Yeti Tundra 65, one of our favorite coolers, and such a great performer that we felt it would never relinquish the crown. The handles on the 58 Quart were some of the most comfortable we used. Orca 58 Quart Review Our Rating: 4.0/5 The ORCA 58-quart cooler is almost big enough to hide a body, but that’s not why it’s one of the best ways to keep your food and drinks cool this summer. While this can be annoying, and a bit scary if it catches you off guard, it can be dealt with. This insulative dominance may be due, in part, to its unique shape. The handle flexed and moved enough to comfortably distribute weight, but did not flex so much as to allow any pinching or uncomfortable pressure points. This is mostly due to its lid, which, like its namesake predatory whale, has a propensity to snap shut, seemingly in a hungry attempt to bite your hand off. That added height may be an issue if you own a sedan, but we felt that this shape was a more economical use of space when loading up a pickup truck or station wagon.

This is probably due to high-end models generally utilizing plugs that screw into the cooler body rather than an extended spout. Or it could just be magic, it’s probably more fun to believe it’s magic. That translates to a full week of frosty beers and refreshing beverages.