Best Ozark Trail Coolers: 8 Models That Suit Every Outdoor Need

The weekend looks drier with seasonable temperatures, then we start turning warmer again into early next week. One more super nice day is forecast Thursday before conditions begin to warm back up. A clear cool tonight will lead to morning temperatures in the upper 50s. A light east wind should keep temperatures from bottoming out. However, eastern counties may see readings in the low to mid 50s. Perhaps something in between Ozark Trail coolers and YETI would be a better choice if you don’t want to spend YETI-price.

The top half of the bag is a normal non-insulated pocket that can be used for hiking layers or cutlery. The cooler itself can hold 16 cans and can even pack in a wine bottle, though it does cause ozark trail chair the pack to bend a bit. By adding a fully supportive, weight-bearing waist belt, this cooler is ideal for relieving your shoulders when you need your cooler filled to the brim with delicious picnic provisions. While the IceMule is our favorite for smaller and medium loads because of its comfortable straps and flexible body, the Trail Pack is our go-to choice for heavy cargo. It’s comfortable like a daypack and saves your shoulders over the long haul. If you’re planning to bring a handful of snacks and beverages for you and a few buddies, the comfort of the IceMule models is top-notch.

If you decided to pitch your tent at a location inaccessible with your vehicle, you’ll have to carry some of your camping equipment to the campsite. Perhaps it has to do with the way you latch it or how often you open the cooler. For this reason, the handles feel rather insecure and more prone to wear and tear. There are, however, customers that say they are sturdier than they look.

The insulation isn’t ideal, and we have some durability concerns. The zipper feels flimsy, although it does seem to be waterproof since the cooler’s interior stayed dry when we dunked it in a lake or when we tossed it in a water-filled tub for ozark cooler hours. For other budget-friendly options, also be sure to check out the Maelstrom Backpack 35, which is our second-cheapest budget option. The Clevermade Pacifica Collapsible Bag 30 (which we found to be more squishable for those with storage concerns) is not much more than the Maelstrom, and it’s better insulated.

The Yeti Flip and the RTIC SoftPak also come standard with zipper lubricant that helps their zippers glide more easily, though they aren’t ozark cooler as smooth as the Lifewit or Engel. Lubricant needs to be reapplied to zippers frequently, especially in dry, hot outdoor environments. The most inexpensive cooler we recommend is the Lifewit Large Insulated 24. It’s surprisingly easy to pack and convenient for infrequent use at a bargain price. The AO loses some points since its exterior and zipper are not waterproof, though the regular zipper is much easier to use than waterproof ones, which typically require a lot more tugging.