Igloo Trailmate 50 Review: My Honest Camping Verdict
Updated: Sep 9
I’ve used the Igloo Trailmate 50 on UK camping and campervan trips where I needed a large, reliable cool box to keep food and drinks cold for several days. It’s rugged, spacious and packed with useful extras, but it’s also bulky and sits at the premium end of the market. In this Igloo Trailmate 50 review, I’ll cover how it performed, what I liked, what I didn’t, and whether I think it’s worth the money.
Quick Verdict: Is the Igloo Trailmate 50 Worth It?
For me, the Igloo Trailmate 50 is worth it if you regularly camp, car camp or travel by campervan and want a cool box that feels genuinely built to last. It keeps food and drinks cold well, has plenty of space, and the extra features are actually useful rather than gimmicky. It is bulky and expensive, so it's overkill for occasional day trips, but for longer camping trips, I think the performance justifies the price.
1. Using the Igloo Trailmate 50 for Camping
From windswept coastal stopovers in Cornwall to impromptu wild camping spots in the Highlands, the Trailmate 50 holds its own.
It's rugged, blow-moulded construction handles bumps, knocks, and tight van corners without complaint, while UV inhibitors stop it from fading in sunlight when you’re parked up with the doors open. And that five-day ice retention, which I can verify! It’s a lifesaver for off-grid weekends when you’re parked up far from a shop.
2. Perfect Fit for Campervan Life
Van storage is always a balancing act, but at 47 L, this cooler hits the sweet spot between compact and spacious. Here’s why it works so well in a van:
Compact footprint – Slides neatly under a bench seat or in the boot space. If you have a Citroën Berlingo, it fits perfectly in the front with the front seat down.
Stay-Open Lid – Load and unload your food without the awkward “one hand on the lid, one hand juggling items” dance.
Built-in Cup Holders – Ideal for lazy mornings with coffee on the beach or evenings with a sundowner by the fire. These held my coffee while I drove between spots.
Drain Plug – Makes emptying melted ice simple — just attach a hose and drain outside the van without lifting a thing.
3. Practical Extras of the Igloo Trailmate You’ll Actually Use
On a van trip, convenience is everything. The Trailmate 50 ticks boxes I didn’t even realise I needed until I started using it:
Lockable lid to keep your essentials secure when you’re away from your van.
Oversized, durable handles for easy lifting in and out of the van.
Integrated bottle opener – because forgetting one when you’re parked miles from civilisation is a rookie error.
4. Igloo Trailmate 50 Size and Capacity
At just under 7 kg, the Trailmate feels sturdy without being too heavy to lift in and out of the van on your own. It comfortably holds enough food and drinks for a long weekend, or even a week’s worth of chilled essentials if you’re organised. This box easily held all my food for a solo trip to the Scottish Highlands.
At its current price of £169.95, it’s a smart investment for anyone looking to balance practicality and quality in their camper setup.
Capacity
47 L (around 81 cans or 3–4 days of food for two)
Insulation
Up to 5 days ice retention
Weight
~6.96 kg – easy to move solo
Durability
Heavy-duty build with UV protection
Extras
Drain plug, cup holders, locking lid, integrated opener
5. Igloo Trailmate 50 Pros and Cons
Pros
Excellent cooling/ice retention
Very robust
Large 47L capacity
Useful built-in features
Great for car camping and campervans
Cons
Expensive
Bulky
Heavy when full
More than most people need for a day trip
Review: Is the Igloo Trailmate 50 Worth It?
Whether you’re new to campervan adventures or a seasoned micro-camper pro, the Igloo Trailmate 50 Qt blends durability, smart design, and solid performance. It keeps your essentials fresh, handles rough travel days, and looks good doing it.
If you spend your weekends chasing hiking trails, parking by lakes, or road-tripping to festivals, this cool box keeps your setup simple, reliable, and adventure-ready.
When you’re travelling in a micro-camper, every inch counts. There’s no room for gear that only does one job — and that’s exactly why the Igloo Trailmate 50 has earned a permanent spot in my van setup.
On my recent trip through the Scottish Highlands, it proved itself not just as a cooler, but as a true all-rounder. From the moment I set off, it became an essential part of my tiny living space — keeping my food fresh for days, holding my morning coffee in the built-in cup holders, and even doubling up as a rock-solid prep surface for dinners on the road. One night, parked up on a remote lochside lay-by, I used it as a kitchen counter to prep a full meal, then sat down and used it as a table — all without moving it an inch.
Its compact footprint fits perfectly in the boot or in the front of small vans like my Citroën Berlingo — and thanks to its stay-open lid and easy-access drain plug, using it day-to-day never felt like a chore. At under 7 kg, I could lift and shift it solo, and the lockable lid gave me peace of mind when I stepped away from the van and left it outside.
In a space where every item needs to do more than one job, the Trailmate 50 delivers — a cool box, prep station, coffee table, and even extra seating in a pinch. It’s rugged, thoughtfully designed, and ready for whatever your next stop throws at you.
For anyone kitting out a micro-camper and trying to maximise limited space, this cooler is more than a box — it’s a seriously smart investment that makes van life easier, more organised, and a lot more enjoyable.
Comments