The Go-To Go Box

Entropy is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Thanks to entropy, despite my best efforts, the inside of my truck becomes “road-tripped” within the first hour or two of an actual road trip. Scattered about are water bottles, maps, coffee mugs, charges, hats, field guides…you name it. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t fight the power, and for that I’ve been using YETI’s LoadOut GoBoxes, which come in 15-, 30-, and 60-liter sizes.

At first glance, the GoBoxes look like YETI’s Tundra coolers. While they are burly and constructed of rotomolded plastic, they are not designed to keep things cold or hot, just secure, and they do that exceptionally well. All three come with a storage caddy that fits inside, and the two larger versions have dividers for the main compartment and a zippered organizer secured inside the lid.  They are waterproof and dustproof, plus bearproof with available padlocks. The latches are a pleasure to open and close—something you will appreciate if you’ve ever wrestled with a YETI Hopper zipper. They also stacked on one another—two 15s fit on a 30—and have non-skid bottoms.

The 30-liter is, perhaps not surprisingly, the Goldilocks size. I keep my camp kitchen in one and it fits my plates, bowls, utensils, small cast iron pan, Jetboil, fuel, coffee, French press, spices, and a lot more. It’s big enough to hold a lot, but not so big that you can make it too heavy to carry. Everyone’s needs are different, but if you’re in the market for a bombproof storage box, I’d look at the 30 first, then the 60. The 15 is just too small, at least for my needs. Prices are YETI-esque: The 15 is $125, the 30 is $250, and the 60 is $300. Yes, you absolutely can get something far, far cheaper at Home Depot; I’ve been there, and the YETIs are better in every way. Whether they’re worth the cost is up to you.

Words by Stephen Casimiro