YETI stands out as a premier name in the world of coolers, offering top-tier products that often come with a hefty price tag.
Given the investment in such high-end items, ensuring their security is paramount. Whether you’re using your YETI cooler for camping, tailgating, fishing, or any other outdoor activity, constant vigilance isn’t practical. That’s why a modest investment in a reliable lock can offer peace of mind by keeping both wildlife and opportunistic individuals at bay.
For those looking to bolster their cooler’s security, I’ve compiled a list of the top locks designed specifically for YETI coolers, complete with additional insights and tips.
Last update on 2023-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Top 6 Locks for YETI Cooler
YETI Bear Proof Locks
It is all very simple—we want the wildlife out of our YETI coolers.
And what better solution to ensure the safety of your food and beverages while camping in the wild than this neat set of two locks.
Well, you don’t have to be in the wild to use them—these two locks come with two keys (keyed alike) and can be used anywhere and anytime. In fact, they can be used and should be used, with some of the other locking and safety solutions listed below—we will get to that in a bit.
This set of brass padlocks is easy to use, lock and unlock and will keep the contents of your YETI cooler safe and secured.
It can be used with all YETI Tundra and Roadie coolers.
YETI Security Cable Lock & Bracket
You can use a padlock to lock the lid of your YETI cooler; however, to fully secure it in one place, you will need some extra accessories. This is where a good cable lock combined with a bracket can be a useful alternative.
This neat security system offered by YETI is very easy to use, install, and remove.
It comes with everything you need to keep the cooler secured in one place—a 6 foot long 5/16″ braided steel security cable, an adjustable lock, and a stainless steel bracket.
This security cable and lock can be used for YETI Roadie, Hual, and Tundra coolers.
It is super easy to use the bracket. All you have to do is open your YETI cooler and insert the bracket in the tie-down slot.
YETI Security Locking Bracket
If you already have a padlock and security cable—a security cable like this 3/8″ one on Amazon—now all you need to fully secure your YETI cooler against other people is a good high-quality locking bracket.
And YETI offers just the right thing.
This stainless steel locking bracket can be used with different security cables and chains and has excellent corrosion resistance.
It is also super easy to install and use. All you have to do is insert it through the lock-down bracket, and you are good to go.
As a reminder, this is just the locking bracket on its own, and you will need a security cable or chain, including a padlock.
Overall a very inexpensive accessory which in combination with a padlock and a cable will keep your Tundra tightly secured in one place.
MACCANN&ESSIN Yeti Cooler Lock Bracket
One of the downsides of the YETI locking bracket is that the slot may be a little too small to your liking. Worry not.
This locking bracket is made from stainless steel. What this means for you is that it has excellent corrosion resistance, so you will not have to worry even if you leave it outside when it is raining, and best of all, it is super sturdy and durable.
But the important part is the 7/10″ slot, which can accommodate a thicker padlock like this one from Master Lock, which has a 7/16″ diameter shackle and can be coupled with a sturdier and thicker chain or security cable.
It is a bracket intended for the mid to large-sized YETI coolers, so make sure it will fit yours, as it is not suitable for some of the smaller models like the YETI Roadie, for example.
Master Lock 8418D Python Keyed Cable Lock
Alternatively, if you already have a locking bracket, you can easily pair it with this Python cable lock by Master Lock.
It has a good 6 ft long braided steel cable with a diameter of 5/16″.
A combination of this cable lock and some of the other locking brackets mentioned above can be an excellent, and best of all, a very inexpensive way to protect your cooler.
DENY Security Lock Set for YETI Coolers
Last but not least is the DENY Security Lock Set for YETI Coolers.
The stainless steel locking base and bar work together to offer a great system that will keep your cooler safely secured in one place.
However, keep in mind that you will still require a padlock or two to secure the lid of the cooler.
The pyramid-shaped base is designed in such a way so that you can mount it to your truck bed.
That way, the cooler will be bolted down to the bed of your truck. It will not be sliding around, and you will still be able to access your cooler when you need it.
The only downside is that you will have to drill a 3/8″ hole in the truck bed.
How to Lock and Secure Your Yeti Cooler From Being Stolen
The good news is that a YETI cooler can be locked and secured from being stolen with the right accessories. The bad news, however, is that this does not mean your YETI cooler will be 100% theft-proof.
Even the best locks could be broken, given the right tools, time, and knowledge.
However, I cannot stress enough how important it is to use high-quality locks and accessories. This can make it very hard for thieves to steal your YETI cool, and the more time consuming and laborious the whole task is, the less inclined they will be to steal it.
Generally speaking, there are a few different ways you need to secure your YETI cooler.
- First, you need to secure the lid. The best way to lock the lid of your YETI cooler is to use a suitable padlock. This will prevent anyone from opening the cooler. YETI coolers have two lock inserts on both ends of the lid, so you will need two padlocks.
- Secondly, although you can lock the lid, you will also need a means of securing the YETI cooler in one place so that people will not be able just to lift it up and leave with it. The best way to do this is by using a locking bracket that is inserted through the tie-down slot and then secured with a chain or cable to something sturdy like your truck, tree, house, etc.
For anyone who will be keeping their YETI cooler in their truck, it is worth mentioning that just leaving it uncovered for the whole world to see may not be a good idea. This is why a simple truck bed cover may be useful and add, although a very simple, an extra layer of protection.
If you are concerned only about animals getting into your YETI cooler than a simple padlock, like the first one suggested here, may be more than enough as it has even been tested against bears.
Of course, if a bear were to attack your cooler, it will damage it, but it is highly unlikely it will get inside. With that being said, I am sure that the content inside will all get mashed up.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Yeti Cooler Lock
The Size and Dimensions of the Lock
Make sure you get the right lock for your YETI cooler.
The different models do vary in size, which could be very important, especially when it comes to ordering lock braces.
Quality of the Padlock
When it comes to padlocks, usually bigger is better.
Stainless steel padlocks are ideal for this application because they have superior corrosion resistance and can hold their own in bad weather.
The key cylinder is another critical part of a lock. Even the biggest padlock will do you no good if it has a poorly built key cylinder that has a few pins—the more pins it has, the better.
Quality of the Security Cable or Chain
When it comes to security cables, these offer a medium level of security. They are super easy to use, but the problem is that they can usually be cut with a bolt cutter—even the very thick ones can be cut.
For the best protection, a security chain made from thick hardened square steel links like the Guard Security 968 Heavy Duty Chain on Amazon is a good option.
It has been designed to withstand bolt cutters, but then again, a chain is as strong as its weakest link, and the quality of the padlock you are using is going to be important.
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