I finally grabbed an out of the woods cooler last month after seeing them all over my social feed, and honestly, I had some doubts about whether a bag made of "paper" could actually keep my drinks cold. We've all been burned by trendy products that look great in photos but fall apart the second you actually take them into the wild. After using it for everything from grocery runs to beach days, I've realized there's a lot more to these bags than just a cool aesthetic.
Breaking Down the Supernatural Paper
The first thing everyone asks when they see the out of the woods cooler is, "Is that leather?" or "Wait, is that actually paper?" It's a valid question. The brand uses something they call Supernatural Paper, which is basically harvested from trees in a way that's sustainable, but it doesn't feel like a brown paper lunch bag. It's got this weirdly satisfying texture—kind of like a mix between heavy-duty canvas and aged leather.
The best part about this material is that it's washable. I'm the person who inevitably spills half a container of pasta salad or has a juice box explode in the bottom of the bag. With most soft coolers, that means a permanent smell or a nasty stain. With this one, you just wipe it down or hand wash it, and it's fine. It actually gets a bit more character the more you use it, picking up these little creases and marks that make it look less like a sterile piece of plastic and more like a rugged piece of gear.
How It Actually Performs in the Heat
Let's be real: if a cooler doesn't keep stuff cold, it's just a fancy bag. I put my out of the woods cooler to the test during a particularly brutal Saturday at the local park. I packed it around 10:00 AM with some sparkling waters, a couple of sandwiches, and those reusable blue ice packs.
By 3:00 PM, the sandwiches were still crisp and the drinks were definitely cold enough to be refreshing. Is it going to keep ice frozen for three days like one of those $400 rotomolded behemoths? No, probably not. But for a day trip or a long commute, it holds its own. The insulation is surprisingly thick without making the bag feel like you're carrying a mattress. It uses a food-safe PEVA liner that's pretty easy to clean, which is a big plus in my book.
One thing I noticed is that it's better to use ice packs rather than just dumping a bag of loose ice in there. While the liner is leak-resistant, it's still a soft bag. If you've got a mountain of melting ice, you might get a little condensation or a slow seep if the zipper isn't perfectly upright. Stick to the frozen blocks, and you're golden.
Style Meets Practicality
Most coolers are ugly. There, I said it. They're usually bright neon blue or that weird industrial grey that looks like it belongs on a construction site. The out of the woods cooler actually looks like something you'd want to carry. It fits in at a nice outdoor wedding just as well as it does at a dusty campsite.
I went with the backpack version because I hate carrying things by one handle when they're loaded down with heavy bottles. The straps are surprisingly comfortable. They aren't super padded like a high-end hiking pack, but for a walk from the parking lot to the sand, they don't dig into your shoulders. Plus, having your hands free to carry a folding chair or wrangle a dog is a game-changer.
The Sustainability Factor
It's hard to talk about this brand without mentioning the eco-friendly side of things. Most of us are trying to do a bit better with our footprint, and choosing a bag made from trees (which are renewable) instead of petroleum-based plastics feels like a win. The fact that it's vegan is a nice bonus for those who care about that, too.
It feels sturdy, which is the most important "green" feature to me. A product isn't sustainable if you have to throw it away and buy a new one every six months. This cooler feels like it can take a beating. I've tossed it into the trunk, dragged it across grass, and stuffed it way past its capacity, and the seams are holding up perfectly.
Where It Really Shines
I've found that the out of the woods cooler has become my go-to for the "in-between" moments. It's perfect for the grocery store when I know I have three more errands to run and I've got milk and frozen peas in the car. It's small enough to sit on the floorboard of the passenger seat but big enough to hold a decent amount of groceries.
It's also the ultimate "bring your own" bag for parties. You show up with a six-pack or some chilled wine, and you don't look like you're heading to a tailgate. It looks intentional. And because it's lightweight when empty, you're not lugging around extra weight once you've finished the snacks inside.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
No product is perfect, and I've found a couple of quirks with the out of the woods cooler. Since the material is paper-based, it can be a little stiff when you first get it. You kind of have to "break it in" like a new pair of boots. The more you move the fabric and use the zippers, the more it relaxes.
Also, as I mentioned before, this isn't a deep-sea fishing cooler. If you're planning a week-long trek into the wilderness with no access to more ice, you might need something heavier. But for 90% of what normal people do—picnics, beach days, road trips, and office lunches—it's more than enough.
Final Thoughts on the Investment
Is the out of the woods cooler worth it? If you're tired of cheap plastic bags that rip or bulky coolers that take up half your garage, then yeah, it absolutely is. It's a bit of an investment compared to a $10 insulated bag from a big-box store, but the quality difference is night and day.
There's something nice about owning gear that actually looks better as it ages. Most things we buy these days are designed to look perfect for five minutes and then slowly degrade into trash. This bag feels like it's built for the long haul. It's become a staple in my routine, and honestly, I get a compliment on it almost every time I take it out.
Whether you're trying to be more eco-conscious or you just want a cooler that doesn't ruin your outfit, this is a solid choice. It does the job, it's easy on the planet, and it actually keeps your beer cold. What more can you really ask for from a bag made of trees? It's definitely earned its spot in my gear closet.