Move over, zippers, YETI has something different planned. Next year, the Texas-based company will replace the beefy zippers in its soft-side coolers with embedded magnets.<\/p>\n
The result is the new Hopper M30, a product that looks similar to many soft-side coolers on the market \u2014 it has a shoulder strap, two daisy chains down the front, and a large top opening.<\/p>\n
But in that opening lies a closure unlike any other I\u2019ve seen. Instead of a big, heavy zipper or clamshell configuration, magnets hold the lid of the M30 closed.<\/p>\n
The brand claims the combination of magnets and a fold-over top creates an \u201cultra leak-resistant\u201d closure.<\/p>\n
Due to the engineering change, the M30 is, in fact, a lot easier to open and close than iterations with a beefy, if effective, zipper.<\/p>\n
The fold-over top also allows insulation to be placed higher in the cooler, which the brand claims will help improve its thermal properties.<\/p>\n
The Hopper M30 holds 7.2 gallons, which equates to 20 cans (with ice), or about 28 pounds of ice. It hits the market in spring 2020 for the very YETI price of $300.<\/p>\n
Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at http:\/\/www.gearjunkie.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n