Cool down

Such is the case with the IceMule Classic cooler, an insulated bag that can easily withstand the oven-like temperature in the cockpit on the ramp.

Unroll the bag, add a little air through its air valve, and it’s ready to go. Load the bag with ice and drinks—the medium size we tested holds 15 liters, which means 15 cans plus ice—roll down the top, and snap it closed. A shoulder strap enables hands-free carrying.

We put ice and three 16-ounce water bottles into the IceMule. After 24 hours the ice had melted, but the bottles remained cold throughout our long day of flying. The bag kept all the moisture inside, no matter which way we tossed it.

When loaded, the medium IceMule’s dimensions are 16 inches by 10 inches. That’s a nice size for a backseat or baggage compartment. My Piper PA–28-140 has no baggage compartment, but the IceMule fit on the floor in the space between the pilot’s seat and the backseat. Try doing that with a rigid cooler.

Seaplane pilots take note: The company says the IceMule floats.

When not in use, clean the inside of the bag with warm water and dry it. Roll up the bag and stow it in its carry case; it weighs two pounds empty.

IceMule Classic comes in mini (9 liters); small (10 liters); medium (12 liters); and large (20 liters). The company website is currently sold out of the medium Classic, but it is available from Amazon, Cabela’s, R.E.I., and other retailers for prices ranging from $49.99 to $69.99.