This past weekend I was able to test out a product from fishpond, a company based out of Colorado that creates fishing and outdoor gear. The company recently expanded to include a women’s brand, lilypond, which offers luggage as well as smaller travel gear. I was sent both a cooler from fishpond and a tote bag from lilypond to review.

Because I rarely fish, I decided to test the Ice Storm Soft Cooler during a day of boating on Lake Huron in Michigan. The first notable feature of the cooler, which is about double the size of a traditional lunchbox cooler, is that it has plenty of storage. I’m big on pockets, and this product was not lacking. There is a zipper on the back of the cooler, which is perfect for keeping things that need to stay dry such as a camera or cell phone. There is also a front pocket for additional supplies. There was a square flap on the top of the cooler that has Velcro pads to secure it while closed, providing an easy way to access the cooler without having to unzip the entire thing.

The strap is also extremely functional, being made of durable material and including a comfortable shoulder strap and hook to adjust the length. The hooks that attach the strap to each side of the soft cooler are a combination of metal and hard plastic, and seem as if they would last a long time, unlike the cheap material many bags are made from.

I took the cooler out on the boat for a half-day trip and packed it full of lunch, snacks, and drinks. I slid two folding cold packs in the cooler, and everything was still cold when I went to grab it hours later. This is a bulkier bag, unlike most of the coolers I have used before, but that doesn’t mean it’s heavy. Even when it’s completely full, it was still relatively lightweight and easy to carry around. I just wish I had this cooler in a smaller size for packing a lunch for work every day. The product retails for $89.95.

The second product I tested was a yoga/tote bag from lilypond. This was the perfect size and included the before-mentioned array of pockets that I love so much. The lilypond website is currently under construction, but will soon have a full list of products that are available.

Since I received the tote about two weeks ago, I have used it for everything from a gym bag to a work bag to an overnight bag. Its versatility is what makes it so great and worth buying. While this style of bag is offered by many companies, the durability is why this one is perfect. Because of the company’s background in creating fishing and outdoor gear, the ruggedness is evident even in this new line.

“I listen to a lot of people along the way, and we build upon what we’ve done in the past,” said John Land Le Coq, co-owner of fishpond and lilypond. “I look at the function, for sure, but from a style [perspective], our products just feel different. It’s just a little more outward from an aesthetics standpoint. I’m constantly looking at other product designs, not just those in the outdoor industry.

“I think passion is a great word. You can see it. You can feel it. When companies are passionate, they build new things,” he said. “They’re not trying to chase a dollar. There’s passion to create, and that’s why they’re so good.”

To read more about fishpond’s co-owner, the history of the company, and what plans it has for the future, check out this feature story.

Images by Ariel Black