The Stubby Cooler Showdown: Can it actually save your drink?

Have you ever pulled an ice‑cold can from the cooler on a hot day, only to watch condensation appear and the chill disappear?
It’s a universal frustration – one that’s spawned countless “stubby coolers,” and other drink sleeves. But do these colourful foam wraps actually make a difference, or are they just fun swag?
Our friends at Cubic Promote set out to find the answer with a 40‑minute side‑by‑side temperature test using canned soda: one wrapped in a stubby cooler and one left bare. Below you’ll find the experiment results, the surprising science behind why can coolers work, and ideas on how to use these practical promos for your own brand.

Testing the stubby cooler: a real‑world experiment

Cubic Promote’s experiment was refreshingly simple. They placed two identical cans of soda in the same environment — one wrapped in a stubby cooler, the other left bare — and measured the temperature over 40 minutes. Here’s what happened:

• Slow warming: A beer can cooled to roughly 2.6 °C was slipped into a thick stubby holder; after 40 minutes of sipping, the remaining beer measured 3 °C, an increase of about 4.7 °C.
• Side‑by‑side comparison: When the thick foam stubby holder was compared against a conventional neoprene (wetsuit‑style) cooler and a naked can, the difference was clear. Over 30 minutes, the DIY stubby holder warmed only 5 °C, the wetsuit version warmed 2.9 °C, and the bare can warmed a full 5 °C.

The takeaway? Even in a short test, a quality stubby holder slows heat transfer significantly compared with holding a can directly. If you’re outdoors for longer than 30 minutes, the temperature gap only grows. When you’re entertaining clients or staff at outdoor events, a branded stubby cooler can literally keep your drinks — and your company’s impression — cool.

Watch the experiment

Want to see the test in action? Check out the video below.

Why stubby coolers work: the science of keeping drinks cold

Stubby coolers aren’t just fun accessories — they’re little lessons in physics. Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that when a cold can sit in humid air, the most significant source of warming isn’t the air itself but the condensation that forms on the aluminum. Condensing water droplets release latent heat, warming the drink by around 6 °F (3.3 °C) in just five minutes during typical New Orleans summer weather. A beer stubby holder’s main job is to stop this condensation.

Other scientific factors come into play:

• Conduction and convection: Heat naturally flows from warmer objects to cooler ones. Stubby coolers are made from materials with low thermal conductivity, like neoprene or foam, which slow the transfer of heat through the can walls. The air trapped between the cooler and the can also reduce convection, limiting heat transfer from the environment.
• Reflective surfaces: Some modern can coolers include reflective layers to bounce away radiant heat. This helps block sunlight and keeps your drink cool longer.
• Absorbing condensation: Neoprene and similar fabrics soak up moisture so that they don’t sweat, and evaporative cooling doesn’t work against you.

Physical research supports what many drinkers have long suspected: stubbies really do keep your beer colder. Studies cited in Physics Today found that condensation can raise the temperature of a can faster than the surrounding air. Blocking condensation with a cooler is therefore far more effective than simply insulating the can.

Why marketers love stubby coolers

Stubby holders are more than conversation pieces; they’re powerful promotional tools. They’re lightweight, low‑cost and deliver real value: your clients or employees can use them repeatedly to keep drinks cold. Here are a few reasons they make great branded giveaways:

• Visible and valuable: The sleeve sits right in a person’s hand, so your logo is front and centre every time they take a sip.
• Long‑lasting impression: Quality neoprene or foam can coolers are durable, so your branding lives on beyond one event.
• Association with fun: Stubby coolers evoke memories of outdoor concerts, beach days and backyard barbecues. When you put your logo on one, you link your brand with relaxation and enjoyment.
• Highly customisable: You can choose collapsible versions with carabiners for on‑the‑go activities, picnic baskets for family gatherings or zipper‑top bottle coolers with built‑in openers. Pick colours that match your brand, add a witty slogan and watch the smiles grow.

Ideas for your next campaign

• Summer staff gifts: Hand out branded stubby holders at company picnics to keep drinks chilled and spirits high.
• Event giveaways: From music festivals to trade shows, stubby coolers are easy to pack and popular with attendees. Consider designs that support causes (e.g., Pride colours) to show your company’s values.
• Customer thank‑yous: Include a custom cooler in welcome packs or as a surprise in product shipments. It’s a small gesture that feels substantial when the weather heats up.

Final sip: our verdict

Cubic Promote’s 40‑minute test showed that stubby coolers do more than look good – they make a measurable difference in keeping drinks cold. Scientific research supports those results: condensation and heat transfer warm your drink quickly, and a sleeve interrupts those processes. For businesses, the humble stubby holder offers a fun, functional way to put your brand into customers’ hands and help them beat the heat.

So, the next time you head out with a cold beverage, slip on a stubby cooler and sip confidently – science and innovative marketing are on your side.