BOTE is best known for stand-up paddleboards, but in the quest to create a cooler that integrates well into their paddleboard platforms, they may have created one of the most versatile all-around small coolers for any outdoor pursuit. The KULA 5 is a cylindrical hard cooler built around the footprint of a classic hardware store five-gallon bucket, and it integrates into a multitude of uses just like its inspiration. Cans, bottles, and ice are round, and the cylindrical interior avoids the wasted corners found in rectangular coolers. Packing it full is straightforward. Nothing needs to be forced to fit.
The KULA 5 weighs 13 pounds empty and occupies roughly the same space as a standard five-gallon bucket. That size has proven ideal for day use, especially when space to haul matters just as much as internal capacity.
Daily Guide Use
While originally intended for use with my BOTE paddleboard, over the summer, the KULA became my regular lunch and drink cooler for one- and two-person guide trips. It held drinks, sandwiches, condiments, and snacks without taking over the truck bed the way my fifty-quart Yeti does. It is also far easier to move at the start and end of the day.
Before this, my daily small cooler was a Yeti Hopper 20. It was light and portable, but the internal layout always felt tight. The zipper took effort to open and close, the opening itself was narrow, and the soft sides meant sandwiches and wraps often got crushed. The KULA solves those issues. The lid opens wide, everything is visible at once, and food comes out looking the same as when it went in.
The lid opens fully and stays clear of the opening. There is no hinge hovering over your hand and no chance of the lid dropping shut while you are reaching inside. The lid is topped with the same traction pad material BOTE uses on its boards. It works as a stable seat or step and, paired with the padded lid, also makes it a practical seat and drink storage option for ice fishing. It holds water without freezing solid on cold days and stays stable on uneven ice. The integrated Magnepod port locks down any of BOTE’s tumblers and water bottles, but also anything else metal, like pliers or used flies. It has seen steady use for camping, daily fishing, kids’ snacks on road trips, and hauling drinks to holiday gatherings.
Size, Carry, and Storage
At thirteen pounds empty, the KULA is easy to carry even when loaded. The metal handle folds into molded recesses and stays flush when not in use. It fits cleanly in the truck bed nestled between all kinds of other gear, and it can ride in the back seat when needed. My larger Yeti will not do that.
Over Christmas, I used it to brine a medium-sized turkey overnight. I had always done that in the larger Yeti, which is heavy and a hassle to clean. After the soak, the KULA fit in the sink, cleaned easily, and was back in service without much effort.
In practical loading, the KULA will hold a full case of twelve-ounce cans with ice distributed throughout. It is easy to load and easy to grab what you need quickly, even if it is at the bottom of the pile. Ice retention falls between a hard-sided Yeti Tundra and the Yeti Hopper. It does not match the Tundra, but it outperforms the Hopper, especially when left in a hot vehicle during long guiding days. For its size and weight, ice retention is plenty adequate. A well-placed bottle opener on the front makes for quick opens of frosty longnecks after a long day on the water.
Drain Placement
The one drawback I have found is the drain location. It sits at the lowest point of the cooler, which allows it to empty completely, unlike side drains on most other cooler models. In theory, this sounds like a design win, but in use, that placement also makes the plug harder to access, and it drains close to the ground. Unless you lift or tip the cooler carefully, liquid tends to splatter out rather than pour in a clean stream. With normal meltwater, it is manageable. With other liquids like turkey brine or a spilled sports drink, it can get messy.
Right-Sized and Ready
The KULA 5 Gallon Cooler has been ideal for days that call for food, drinks, and ice without hauling a giant box. Available in seven colors, it should match any boat, BOTE, or vehicle. It holds what I need, rides easily in the truck, and stays simple to use throughout the day. At $299.99, it sits at the upper end of the price scale for coolers of this size, but opening it is quick, cleaning it takes little effort, and for guiding, family outings, and everyday fishing, that combination has worked well, offering plenty of capacity and solid ice life in a size that stays easy to manage.
