Hasta La Ideas

The standard rotomolded water cooler is a staple of summer camps, sports practices, barbecues and campsites. A simple and useful object. But: Name the central design flaw.

To me, the central design flaw (at least when using these as a host) is there’s no easy way to see how much is left inside. I’ll typically tip it to one side, and try to envision how full/empty it is based on the amount of resistance. Unscrewing the top is another option, but time-consuming.

Manufacturer RTIC Outdoors solves the problem with their Halftime Water Cooler. There’s a transparent window on the front. Design 101.

But, they didn’t stop there, and made more design improvements. The lid doesn’t required unscrewing, but is quick-release with two latches.

There are two taps at the bottom rather than one, reducing wait times for the line of thirsty people.

The overall form is cubic rather than cylindrical, which makes a lot more sense for transportation; the RTIC cooler earns its footprint, rather than creating dead space around it in a packed minivan.

It’s also 30% lighter than the rotomolded cylindrical incumbents.

Good design costs more, of course. A standard cylindrical 5-gallon water cooler will cost you $30 at the big box stores. RTIC’s version holds 6 gallons, but costs five times as much, at $150. You get what you pay for.