Equipment storage device with integrated cooler

A recreational equipment apparatus for transporting recreational equipment and wearable by a user during a recreational activity corresponding with the recreational equipment, comprising:

• a refreshment storage portion comprising an insulated cooler having an open top, the refreshment storage portion having a top coextensive with the open top of the cooler, opposing front and rear sides substantially transverse to the top, and opposing sides substantially transverse to the top and opposing front and rear sides;
• a recreational equipment storage portion secured to one of the opposing sides and extending in a direction substantially transverse to the one of the opposing sides, the first recreational equipment storage portion comprising a first equipment compartment for storing a first portion of a piece of recreational equipment;
• a lid pivotally coupled to the top of the refreshment storage portion and pivotable between a closed position substantially sealing the open top of the cooler and an open position providing access to the cooler through the open top, wherein the lid comprises a second recreational equipment compartment for storing a second portion of the piece of recreational equipment when the lid is in a closed position;
• at least two spaced-apart straps extending from the rear side of the refreshment portion, the straps being removably engageable to form a loop about the body of a user;
• and
• a sleeve coupled to the rear side of the refreshment portion between the at least two spaced-apart straps, the sleeve defining a space for storing the equipment storage portion when the first equipment compartment is not storing the first portion of the piece of recreational equipment.

A method for transporting, storing, and supporting objects associated with a recreational activity, comprising:

• providing an equipment storage device comprising a refreshment portion having an insulated cooler, an equipment portion coupled to the refreshment portion, the equipment portion defining a first equipment compartment, a lid coupled to the refreshment portion, the lid comprising a second equipment compartment, a user attachment portion coupled to the refreshment portion, and a pouch coupled to the refreshment portion;
• positioning a first portion of a piece of recreational equipment into the first equipment compartment;
• with the lid sealing an opening of the insulated cooler, positioning a second portion of the piece of recreational equipment into the second equipment compartment such that the lid is positioned between the second portion of the piece of recreational equipment and the opening of the insulated cooler;
• with the lid sealing the opening of the insulated cooler, removing the first portion of the piece of recreational equipment from the first equipment compartment and removing the second portion of the piece of recreational equipment from the second equipment compartment;
• after removing the first and second portions of the piece of recreational equipment, inserting the equipment portion into the pouch;
• and
• engaging the user attachment portion to secure the equipment storage device to a user such that the pouch and equipment portion inserted therein are between the user and the refreshment portion.