Well Ive been using the softpak 30 for awhile now and I really like it. It does not hold ice like the hard cooler but man it is easier to carry around on your shoulder. I bought ice friday and put it in my hard 45 for the weekend the Sunday I had to go work on my campsite and I transferred the ice to the soft cooler and it lasted until Thursday. Its been cool outside but the coolers have been inside most of the time at about 70 degrees.
Bottom line is I would definitely buy it over again at the sale price but probably would pay regular price.