Coleman’s new hard cooler collapses like an accordion

FastCompany: Coleman just invented a hard cooler that can collapse in on itself like an accordion, shrink to one-third of its full size, and slot neatly onto a storage shelf. The cooler, called the Snap ’N Go , officially launched on March 17 in three sizes, with prices ranging from $199.99 to $239.99. It’s a first of its kind in the world of food and beverage insulation : While companies like REI, Yeti, and Coleman itself have created large soft cooler bags that can be compressed for storage, no one has ever manufactured a collapsible hard-sided cooler.

That’s somewhat surprising, given that hard coolers are often more durable, more insulated, and easier to clean than their soft counterparts, making them the preferred choice for many consumers. [Photo: Coleman] The main issue with hard coolers, of course, is that when they’re not in use, they’re essentially a bulky box of air taking up room in storage. But according to Nicolas Duran, Coleman’s president of outdoor and recreation, there are a few good reasons why no one else has cracked the code on a collapsible hard cooler.

“It’s a problem that’s really difficult to solve for,” Duran says, noting that you’re not only attempting to take a cooler from a bulky box to a unit “that replicates the size of a laptop case,” but you’re also seeking a way to maintain cold and prevent leaks. After 18 months of development, the Coleman team finally solved this design puzzle using a clever external structure, several hidden internal details, and a very intensive testing process. [Photo: Coleman] A cooler that folds like an accordion The crux of Coleman’s new collapsible cooler design is its external plastic shell.

Unlike a typical hard cooler’s sealed edges, the Snap ’N Go relies on multiple separate panels that bend and fold together. The cooler’s final design has front and back panels set on a series of hinges that allow them to fold in the middle, stacking their top and bottom halves together. Meanwhile, the two smaller side panels are hinged to flip fully upward. When the cooler is compressed, these pieces slide like origami until the small side panels are nestled on top of the larger front and back panels.

[Photo: Coleman] Luke Eck, Coleman’s director of R&D, says this system technically worked in early prototypes—but it presented a pretty major problem for users. “On the initial hinges, you would have to hold it to manually set it down,” Eck says. “But what was happening was your hands were in an improper position and you would risk almost smashing your fingers.” To fix that issue, Eck’s team resituated the cooler’s handles so they don’t interfere with the closing process, formatting them to snap outward when the cooler is opened and fold downward to its sides when it’s closed.

Then, they created an internal tab mechanism that shuts the cooler without requiring any downward force or manual folding from the user. Pulling upward on this tab releases the cooler’s two smaller sides, allowing the rest of the structure to collapse smoothly on its hinges. Innovating in a stale category While the Snap ’N Go’s shell is the most obviously innovative element of its design, Eck says it wasn’t the most difficult part of the prototyping process. That came when his team had to design the cooler’s internal waterproof liner, which is the component of the cooler that keeps it insulated and leak-proof.

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The introduction of a collapsible hard cooler by Coleman is a significant innovation that could reshape consumer expectations in the cooler market, making it highly relevant for brand strategy professionals focused on product innovation.