How to Choose the Right ICEY TEK for Your Trip

You are loading the ute for a big weekend and wondering what size esky will actually do the job. Pick one too small and you’re back at the servo for ice by Saturday. Pick one too big and you’re hauling dead space and burning ice to cool empty air.

This guide breaks down how to choose the right size for Australian conditions, helping you find the "sweet spot" between capacity and portability.

Quick answer

For most Aussie weekends (2–3 people), a 70 L to 115 L cooler is the standard. Offshore fishers and long-range tourers usually lean toward 120L+ or a Long Box. For day missions, tradie smokos, or sports days, 22L to 50L is usually sufficient.

Best Size Cooler Australia: fast pick table

Use the table as a starting point, then tune it with the steps below.

Step one: work out your ice ratio

Ice takes up more room than most people realise. For a reliable cold chain in the Australian sun, plan for ice to fill one-third of the cooler. If you need multi-day retention or you’re in the red centre, push that closer to half the volume.

What that looks like in the tray:

• 70 L Cooler: With 1/3 ice, you have ~45L of usable space for food and drink.
• 115 L Cooler: With 1/2 ice, you carry a full family pantry with room for drinks, ensuring the ice lasts through a 4-day long weekend.

Step two: count meals and drinks

Go beyond head count. Count the actual meals and drinks you will carry.

• Breakfast per person per day often means milk, yoghurt, and fruit. That is more volume than it sounds.
• Lunch for a day trip is light. Lunch for a three day camp means meats, salads, and snacks. That expands quickly.
• Drinks are the sleeper. A slab for the crew plus water for heat safety can fill a medium box by itself.

Step three: match the cooler form to the job

Cube Sizes (50L, 70 L, 80L, 115L)

These are your all-rounders. They have a smaller footprint, making them easier to fit into a packed boot or a camper trailer. They are also at a perfect height to be used as a seat or a step around the campfire.

Long Box Sizes (90L to 300L+)

Built for a specific purpose: keeping things flat. If you are an offshore fisher, a Long Box allows you to keep a mackerel or kingfish straight. They also sit neatly against a transom or a ute headboard, leaving more floor space for other gear.

Compact/Personal Sizes (22L to 40L)

These are designed to be lifted solo, even when full. Ideal for tradies, beach runs, or keeping behind the front seat for a day hike.

Step four: think about access and lid time

Every time the lid opens, you dump cold air. If the family is raiding the drinks all day, consider a "Two-Cooler System." Use a smaller 22L runner for drinks and keep the larger 80L food box shut. This split can easily add 24 hours to your ice life.

Persona based sizing tips

Offshore Fisher: If you bleed and ice whole fish, go for a 90L to 115 L Long Box. If you only ice fillets, a 70 L Cube with a basket to keep the fillets out of the slurry is the go.

4WD & Outback Traveller: If you have a 12V fridge for food, a 55L ICEY TEK is the perfect "drinks and ice" partner. It saves your fridge battery from the constant opening and closing.

Camping Family: For a family of four, the 115 L is the sweet spot. It gives you the depth to use dividers—keeping the Saturday steaks isolated from the Sunday salads. If you’re carrying temperature-sensitive items like milk or medicine, use a basket so they stay dry and right at the top. Pair it with a 22L or 40L drinks runner; this keeps the kids out of the main food box and preserves your ice for the full trip.

Tradie & Worksite: A 22L to 40L sits in the cab and takes a hiding. For a full crew on a slab, move up to a 70 L to ensure everyone has enough cold water for the shift.

Fit check for your vehicle and boat

Measure twice, buy once. Check the clear opening width of your tailgate or the height under your tonneau cover. Remember you need enough room for the lid to swing open.

Vehicles

• Dual-cab trays: Can usually take a 115 L or a Long Box with room to spare for tie-downs.
• Small SUVs: Usually max out at 70 L–80L if you want to open the lid under the tailgate.

Boats

• Tinnies and Centre Consoles: This is where the Long Box shines. Its low profile fits perfectly under a leaning post or tucked against the transom. The lower height means it’s more stable in a swell and doubles as a solid casting platform.
• Deck Space & Airflow: On a boat, avoid wedging the cooler into a corner where it’s flush against hot fibreglass or metal. Even a 20mm gap for airflow helps the insulation do its job. If you’re mounting it on a flybridge or an open deck, ensure you have clearance for the bungs to drain directly into a scupper.
  

Weight and lift reality

Bigger coolers carry more ice and stay cold longer, but they get heavy fast. Water weighs one kilogram per litre, and ice is nearly the same. A 115 L cooler half-filled with ice and food can push the weight past what one person can lift safely. If you often work or travel solo, two 50L to 70 L boxes are often smarter than one giant rig. This lets you split the weight and organise your gear better.

Accessories that change the game

• Dividers: For instant organisation and reducing the time the lid stays open while you're searching.
• Baskets: Essential for keeping "dry" food like bread or eggs out of the meltwater.
• Tie-down kits: Secure the cooler to your tray or deck while still allowing the lid to open freely.
• Seat cushions: For boats, these allow the cooler to do double duty as comfortable seating.
• Cutting boards: Some models take cutting boards that double as dividers to save space

Packing examples

Three day family camp for four in summer

• Cooler size: 115 L
• Ice: About 50L to 60L total. Use two block slabs on the bottom and bags of cubes to fill the gaps.
• Foods: Pre-cooked meals in snap-lock containers, vacuum-sealed meats, and salads in rigid tubs.
• Drinks: Pre-chilled water bottles and juice for the kids.
• Accessories: One divider and a basket for dairy and eggs.
• Tip: Place a wet towel over the lid if the cooler is in the sun to help deflect the radiant heat.

Offshore day with two fishos

• Cooler size: 90L Long Box
• Ice: One large block layer plus cubes for a slurry.
• Plan: Bleed the fish, slurry immediately, top with cubes, and drain just enough water through the day to keep the level manageable.
• Tip: Take a second 22L drinks cooler so the main fish box stays closed until you land a catch.

Worksite crew of six on a hot week

• Cooler size: 70 L
• Ice: One-third of the volume as cubes for faster chilling.
• Plan: Fill with water bottles at dawn, add electrolyte options, and top up with ice at lunch on day three.
• Tip: Park the cooler in the shade of the truck and only crack the lid for quick grabs.

Common sizing mistakes to avoid

Buying too small: You’ll save a few dollars upfront but burn cash on extra ice and spoiled food waste when the ice-to-product ratio is off.

Ignoring the lift: Choosing the biggest box in the shop without thinking about how you’ll get it in and out of the vehicle.

Underestimating drinks: Drinks hog space. A slab of cans takes up significant room that people often forget to factor in.

Ignoring lid time: Failing to plan your packing so that the most-used items are on top.

Skipping the fit check: Assuming it will fit your vehicle or boat without measuring the lid swing.

Why ICEY TEK sizing is simple

ICEY TEK sizes are practical and honest. The rotomoulded shell, thick foam insulation, and proper gaskets mean you get real multi-day performance when you pack smart. The range covers everything from compact day boxes to serious Long Boxes for commercial boats, so you can get a box that actually fits your boat or tray, rather than just settling for whatever is on the shelf

FAQs

Why do ICEY TEK coolers use a bungee latch instead of a stiff plastic click-lock?

Plastic clips can become brittle in high UV and snap when you need them most. Our heavy-duty bungees provide constant tension, which keeps the gasket compressed even if the box is rattling around in a boat or ute tray. They are also easier to replace in the field if you ever manage to break one.

Is it better to have a white cooler or a coloured one in the sun?

White or light colours reflect more radiant heat, which helps with ice retention if the box is sitting in full sun on a deck. However, many customers prefer our darker colours for camping or hunting because they don't show blood, dirt, or red dust as easily. If you go for a darker colour, just try to keep it under a bit of shade.

What’s the actual difference between a "Long Box" and a "Cube"?

Beyond the shape, it’s about how the weight sits. A Cube is easier to carry solo with one hand on each side, but a Long Box is much more stable in a moving boat. If you’re icing fish, the Long Box is a requirement to keep the catch from curling.

Can I use the cooler as a seat or a standing platform?

Yes. The rotomoulded shell is designed to take the weight of a person. Many fishos use them as casting platforms in tinnies. We offer seat cushions for most models if you want to use them as a permanent bench on a boat.

Do the bungs leak over time?

We use a threaded bung with a rubber O-ring. As long as the O-ring is kept clean of sand and grit, they won’t leak. If you lose one or perish the seal after a few years of hard use, we carry replacements so you don't have to bin the whole cooler.

The bottom line

The best size cooler Australia answer depends on days out, head count, and how you pack. Use the one third to one half ice rule, count real meals and drinks, and match the form to the job. For most Aussie trips a 70 L to 115 L ICEY TEK delivers the right blend of capacity, portability, and endurance. Ready to size up with confidence. Explore ICEY TEK coolers and pick the size that fits your next mission.