Brandwave

Igloo vs RTIC:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, RTIC had more branded searches than Igloo among backpack cooler brands worldwide. RTIC had about 220,000 branded searches, while Igloo had 147,000. RTIC made up 15.4% of all backpack cooler brand searches we track, and Igloo accounted for 10.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about backpack cooler brands, RTIC appeared in three of the five answers and Igloo in one. RTIC was mentioned before Igloo in every answer that named either.

Among backpack cooler brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

RTIC, about 50% more searches than Igloo

RTIC 220K searchesIgloo 147K searches

Who does AI mention more?

RTIC, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Igloo in 1

RTIC in 3 of 5Igloo in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

RTIC, named ahead of Igloo in 3 of 3 answers

RTIC first in 3Igloo never first

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Top backpack cooler brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, RTIC was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Igloo was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. RTIC was listed before Igloo in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. YETI1st
  2. Hydro Flask2nd
  3. RTIC3rd
  4. Igloo4th
  5. Columbia–
  6. Coleman–
  7. Corkcicle–
  8. Pelican–
  9. Carhartt–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Hydro Flask4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • YETI4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • RTIC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Igloo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Columbia0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Coleman0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Corkcicle0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Pelican0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Carhartt0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about backpack cooler brands

5 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which backpack cooler brand should I buy?”

    1. 1YETI
    2. 2RTIC
    3. 3Hydro Flask
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best backpack cooler brands?”

    1. 1YETI
    2. 2Hydro Flask
    3. 3RTIC
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best backpack cooler brand for day trips?”

    1. 1Hydro Flask
    2. 2YETI
    3. 3RTIC
    4. 4Igloo
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best backpack cooler”

    1. 1YETI
    2. 2Hydro Flask
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “insulated backpack cooler”

    Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

    Is Igloo or RTIC more popular in search?

    This chart shows how often people search Google for Igloo and RTIC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine backpack cooler brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

    Igloo and RTIC among backpack cooler brands worldwide, by month

    Share of searches by month for RTIC, Igloo. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthHydro FlaskColumbiaRTICColemanIglooCorkcicleYETIPelicanCarhartt
    Oct 202533.7%22.4%12.3%15.1%6%8.3%1.4%0.75%0.04%
    Nov 202530%33.5%12.3%11%3.6%7.4%1.5%0.67%0.04%
    Dec 202530.7%31.8%12.6%11.2%3.7%7.5%1.8%0.56%0.06%
    Jan 202634%28.8%9.2%15.2%4.1%6.8%1.1%0.62%0.05%
    Feb 202635%23.3%11.5%15.6%5.2%7%1.4%0.79%0.07%
    Mar 202632.9%16.1%14.7%18%8.9%6.6%1.6%1.1%0.06%
    Apr 202630.2%13.5%15.1%16.5%14.2%7.4%1.8%1.2%0.06%
    May 202628%11.4%20.9%15.3%13.6%6.8%2.5%1.4%0.05%
    Jun 202626.5%10%24.2%14.5%13.1%6.5%3.6%1.6%0.06%
    Jul 202631.3%9.7%20.8%14%12.8%6.3%3.4%1.6%0.06%
    Aug 202637.5%11.6%16.7%13.7%10.2%6.1%2.8%1.3%0.06%
    Sep 202631.6%17.2%15.4%14.1%10.3%7.7%2.3%1.3%0.06%

    How has the Igloo and RTIC comparison changed over the last 12 months?

    3 findings
    • RTIC was ahead of Igloo in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Igloo’s share of searches among backpack cooler brands worldwide moved from 6% to 10.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 98.7K to 147K.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, RTIC’s share of searches among backpack cooler brands worldwide moved from 12.3% to 15.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 220K.

    How did search popularity change for backpack cooler brands worldwide in September 2026?

    3 changes
    1. In September 2026, Columbia overtook RTIC and Coleman to rank 2nd among backpack cooler brands worldwide, with 17.2% of the searches.

    2. In September 2026, RTIC lost share of searches among backpack cooler brands worldwide, from 16.7% to 15.4%.

    3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Igloo worldwide rose 48.5% over 12 measured months, from 98.7K to 147K in September 2026.

    How are branded searches counted?

    6 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Igloo’s and RTIC’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

    Igloo

    4 branded search terms

    • igloo backpack cooler
    • igloo cool box
    • igloo cooler
    • igloo water cooler

    RTIC

    2 branded search terms

    • rtic
    • rtic cooler

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Other head-to-heads among backpack cooler brands

    Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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