Dometic might be synonymous with portable fridges for your RV, but the Swedish company’s latest venture tackles a problem that’s been plaguing campers for decades.
Traveling with more than one cooler can often pose a conundrum. They refuse to stack, fit, or work as part of a cohesive system. However, with Dometic’s new Recon series, they’ve completely rethought how we approach cold storage in the wild. While brands like Yeti have dominated through brute-force durability, Dometic is taking a different approach entirely, leveraging nearly a century of refrigeration expertise to create something that feels more like a modular storage ecosystem than a traditional ice chest.
Stackable by Design, Not Accident
Available in six different sizes (3 soft shelled and 3 hard shelled), the Recon series addresses what might be the wasted space issue when loading up your vehicle for your next outing. Anyone who’s played trunk Tetris with mismatched coolers knows the frustration of gaps, awkward angles, and that one cooler that just won’t fit anywhere. And so, Dometic engineered the Recon from the outside dimensions first and worked its way in.
Both hard and soft coolers feature interlocking systems that eliminate the guesswork of efficient packing. The hard-shelled options use non-skid feet that nest perfectly into corresponding lid depressions, while recessed handles eliminate obnoxious protrusions that force you into wasting cargo space (which also might explain why none of these have wheels either). Fans might point out that Coleman’s now-discontinued Party Stacker series may have pioneered this concept, although Dometic has clearly taken the concept several steps further, giving it a premium edge as well.
Injection-Molded Intelligence
Where most top-shelf coolers rely on rotomolding for a tank-like aesthetic, Dometic opted for injection molding, which claims to save up to 30% weight without sacrificing performance. Sized from 16L all the way up to 69L, the Recon hard coolers still promise an estimated eight-day ice retention through two inches of insulation, but they do it without the back-breaking heft of most large coolers.
The lids can open from either direction or pop off completely, helping you out when you’re digging for something buried at the bottom. Features include dividers, baskets, and even a spigot that converts even the smallest size cooler into a hydration station. Also, the latches double as bottle openers, because of course they do.
Soft Cooler Evolution
Going even lighter, the Recon ZL soft coolers might feature the series’ most innovative element, with zipper-free dual-hinge lids that operate with one hand. It honestly never made much sense why most hard coolers can open single-handedly while their soft-shelled brethren require two hands, simply because they employ zippers.
More than just glorified lunch boxes, the Recon ZL sports 25mm of FrostCore insulation and recycled 840D nylon construction. Available in 12L, 17L, and 21L sizes, these have been sized to fit vehicle footwells and backseats.
Other features include the magnetic handle system that locks into position when lifted and stays put when you need to grab gear quickly. Likewise, M.O.L.L.E. loops add tactical versatility for those who like to customize their gear between different adventures.
Spec Sheet
Hard Coolers: 16L (18 cans), 41L (67 cans), 69L (100 cans)
Soft Coolers (ZL Series): 12L (19 cans), 17L (28 cans), 21L (35 cans)
Construction: Injection-molded plastic (hard coolers), 840D nylon with 25mm of FrostCore insulation (soft coolers)
Ice Retention: Up to 8 days (hard coolers), unspecified (soft coolers)
Colors: Hard coolers in Glow (yellow) and Silt (gray); soft coolers in gray and Lichen (green)
Pricing & Availability
Available through Dometic’s website and Amazon, the Dometic Recon series is not a budget option by any means. Hard coolers start at $225 for the 16L model, while the largest 69L version tops out at $425. Soft coolers run from $225 to $325.
Recap
Dometic Recon Coolers
Known for its portable fridges for RVs, Dometic now puts in innovative spin on standard coolers, with stackable options and a lack of annoying pieces that stick out and waste cargo space.
