Another long-term product review for ya. I've been kicking these JP Cooler soft-sided coolers around for a couple years. For me, they're a zero-to-hero product.

I gotta admit when I first heard about the JP Cooler soft-sided Jeep-specific coolers I though it was sort of a goofy idea. I mean, why would you buy a cooler designed to fit in the space behind the rear seat of a Wrangler or early Jeep? Well, after nabbing a pair and using them everywhere from on the trail in the Jeeps to at the river on the boat, I'm sold.

I originally got two JP Coolers: a 56-quart black one and a 28-quart red one. The soft-sided coolers are narrow enough to slip right between the front seats of a Wrangler or, naturally, in the cargo area behind the rear seat. Other colors are available, but I like the red one best for a couple reasons. First, although the black one doesn't show dirt as easily, it really soaks up the heat of the sun. The ice seems to last a bit longer in the red one. Second, the 28-quart size of the red one makes it more practical for everyday use. Toss some ice and drinks inside and it comes along with you easily. The 56-quart version is really better-suited to just getting strapped down in the back of your Jeep and staying put for your trail ride. I've found I use the 56-quart more as a trunk than a cooler. I'll toss the kid's spare jackets and clothes on one side of the divided compartent of the 56-quart unit and dry snacks and sandwiches in the other. I use the red one more as a real cooler for cold drinks, etc.

As for performance, I think of them really more of a day-pack than an expeditionary cooler. You wouldn't want to rely on them to keep your stuff cold for a wheeling trip more than a couple days. For 3 or 4 days over the Rubicon I'll use my ARB Fridge Freezer or a Coleman Xtreme cooler. In the JP Cooler, I've found that if I use regular cubed ice, most of it's gone by the end of a 90-degree day, which is fine. If I switched to block ice and if the kids weren't constantly opening it to grab drinks and snacks the ice would, of course, last longer.

The grab handles on the top and sides are really sturdy and act as a good tie-down point and the nylon canvas of the exterior is extremely durable. There's an outside zipper that's good for tossing stuff inside for safe keeping and the bungee-type webbing on top is really handy for holding stuff like sweatshirts or Jp Magazine plates when out on the trail.

I've used the 28-quart cooler probably 10-times for every 1-time I've used the 56-quart, but that's just me. If I had it to do over again, I'd order two or three 28-quart coolers instead of the one 56-quart. That way I could throw one cooler in the rear cargo area and still have floor space for my winch bag and/or tool kit. The second cooler would be a good fit between the front seats since I don't run a center console in my YJ.

Check 'em at www.jpcooler.com