As much as we love frosty rotomolded coolers, they are not without their flaws: all that heavy-duty construction and insulation leaves them both heavy and space-inefficient. But this spring, the game was changed with the U.S. launch of the Oyster Tempo — an aluminum, vacuum-insulated cooler that fits 36 cans and doesn't require ice. After being on pre-sale since April, the Tempo is now available for purchase.
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Oyster 1st Edition Tempo Bundle (Pre Sale) Read More
Weighing in at 12.3 pounds, this little cooler may not be as durable as your rotomolded go-to, but for beach trips, weekend car camping escapes and as an everyday grocery hauler, the Tempo sounds very appealing. After all, a similarly weighted 24-quart rotomolded cooler can fit 33 cans or 26 pounds of ice — not both. Bigger rotomolded options can weigh as much as 30 pounds empty. Neither option can really compete with what Oyster promises.
Based in Norway, Oyster brought the Tempo — what it calls the "world's first-ever performance cooler" — to market after six years of development. The little cooler delivers three times the capacity of other coolers its size and stays cold three times as long thanks to Oyster's proprietary DLTA technology, which uses vacuum insulation, much like your favorite heavy-duty water bottle. Prior to Oyster's breakthrough, vacuum insulation could only be implemented in cylindrical forms — rectangular forms would collapse in on themselves.
Combining a recycled aluminum shell — aluminum is cold to the touch and increases the efficacy of the Tempo — and double-wall insulation, the Oyster team made a cooler that stays cooler, longer. The Tempo's lid can be fully removed for easy cleaning, and the strap and aluminum handle offer multiple carry options.
When asked how to recycle the Tempo after it reaches the end of its life, an Oyster representative said that while there's no official recycling program yet in place, there are plans to implement one in the future.
Oyster Tempo Specs, at a glance:
- External Dimensions: W 19.4”, H 12.6”, D 11.6” without handle
- Internal Dimensions: 24.3 Quarts / 5 Gallons / 36 beverage cans
- Weight: 12.3 pounds
If you're interested in a lightweight, more effective cooler that works for just about anything (just don't drop it from the back of your truck — it will dent), the Tempo is available as a bundled kit, which includes the cooler itself, an aluminum handle, adjustable carry strap and two Oyster ice packs.
