ABOUT US
How We found ourselves on the rugged road
Born from Innovation, Inspired by Your Adventures
Rugged Road embodies toughness and determination, qualities reflected in both our brand and our community. Founded by Spencer in 2016, the journey began with an innovative idea sparked in a high school chemistry class. Inspired by a military-grade blast-proof spray, Spencer saw the potential for creating a durable, ultralight cooler. After rigorous home testing and overcoming some financial hurdles through a successful Kickstarter campaign, Rugged Road was born, dedicated to creating high-performance coolers that adventurers could rely on.
From Classroom to the Campsite: The Rugged Road Journey
From humble beginnings, Spencer turned his vision into reality by personally testing the first cooler prototypes and funding the project through various odd jobs. The Kickstarter campaign was a hit, surpassing its goal within 24 hours, and Rugged Road's initial product, the Onitis 45, quickly sold out. Today, we offer a collection of coolers and accessories that are even more durable, practical, and customer-focused than ever before.
2016
Where It All Began
Witnessing a demonstration in one of his high school classes of a military-grade spray with remarkable resilience, Spencer saw potential in bringing this resilience to consumer products. This led to the inception of Rugged Road, with a vision to create ultralight coolers that could withstand extreme conditions.
2019
Kickstarting a Revolution
Spencer launched his first Kickstarter campaign, introducing the world to the Onitis 45 cooler. The success of the Onitis 45 laid the foundation for expansion, prompting Spencer to seek new investors and manufacturing partners to scale operations.
2021
Evolution of Innovation
Building upon the success of the Onitis 45, Spencer and his team launched the Rugged Road 65. This new version includes enhanced features such as a drain plug, stainless steel latch, and improved handles while still maintaining its hallmark ultralight construction.
2022
Redefining the industry standard
Spencer and his team launched the Rugged Road V2 collection. This collection elevated the coolers to new heights with enhancements such as baskets and dividers and a more robust coating for increased durability, solidifying Rugged Road's reputation for reliability and innovation in the outdoor gear market.
EVERY COOLER HELPS PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER
10% of Rugged Road’s annual profits go directly to the Rugged Road Foundation to build wells around the globe, ensuring clean, reliable drinking water for underdeveloped communities.