Thermos American Classic Six-Can

April 2009. According to reviews, the Thermos American Classic Six-Can is the best soft-sided personal cooler. It boasts a comfortable shoulder strap, leak-proof lining and zippered hatch at the top, which makes it easy to access drinks. In tests, Thermos American Classic keeps food cold for more than 12 hours. Reviews say that the Thermos American Classic can accommodate sandwiches and drinks for two, but it doesn't protect sandwiches against crushing as well as a hard-sided cooler. However, the polyester fabric is durable and easy to clean, and the Thermos American Classic's soft sides make it easy to store. We mainly found this cooler available in NASCAR-themed designs; others designs are available but harder to find. If you're in the market for a small cooler that can stand up to rougher treatment, reviews say the hard-sided Coleman FlipLid 6 Personal Cooler (*est. $15) might be a better choice. Like the Thermos American Classic, it holds up to six soda cans.

We read the best review of the Thermos American Classic Six-Can cooler in Real Simple magazine, where it was named the best small cooler. We also found a handful of owner reviews of this cooler at Amazon.com.