A Cooler Test Coleman vs Ozark Trail vs. YETI

It’s easy to get caught up in brand perception and often times very difficult to break away from what you think you know about a brand. I used the word “think” intentionally, because what I thought I knew about Ozark Trail was not correct. Ozark Trail is proving to be a really solid competitor for outdoor products. This cooler has a number of features that you would find on more expensive coolers and a few that you won’t find. This chair’s sturdy frame and higher seat height made that precarious dance just a little bit easier. It’s heavier than its competitors and not as easy to fold, but it has a carrying strap attached to the frame (something its competitors didn’t have).

Testers consistently ranked this chair as one of the most comfortable models (typically second to the Yeti Trailhead, which costs almost four times as much). The few testers who didn’t like it often preferred the Kijaro Dual Lock XXL Chair, which costs a little bit more but provides a roomier seat. Our testers consistently said the King Kong chair was the most heavy-duty-feeling model of all the chairs we tested.

So they felt comfortable leaning onto the frame for extra support. Testers preferred the Coleman chair’s thoughtfully placed mesh storage pouch over those of its competitors. This pouch is big enough to stow gear like a phone, book, or tablet. The Coleman Cooler Quad has been our pick since 2016, through numerous camping trips and several testing sessions. If you’re unsure which camping chair to buy, you can’t go wrong with the classic Coleman Cooler Quad Chair.

Secondly, the Ozark Cooler’s insulation technology is top-notch, ensuring that your food and drinks stay cold for up to 72 hours, even in extreme temperatures. This is longer than most other coolers in the market, making it a go-to option for those who need to keep their items cold for an extended period. The Ozark Cooler is a high-quality, insulated cooler designed for outdoor activities and events. It is made from durable materials that can withstand the harsh elements of nature, making it ideal for camping, fishing, tailgating, and more. The cooler comes in different sizes, ensuring that it can accommodate the needs of any user, whether it’s for a small family outing or a large gathering.

The asking prices for the various Ozark Trail Coolers will fluctuate quite a bit depending on which model you are going with. But seeing how Ozark Trail is in the business of making cost-effective products, all models should be affordable (particularly when compared to their industry competition). An example of the color choices for the popular 24-can soft cooler is shown in the image below.

I wasn’t impressed with the lid on the Igloo Latitude wheeled cooler, for instance. It doesn’t lock shut and the plastic nub hinges are a total joke. Give it a modest yank and the whole lid comes right off — and the cheap plastic wheels didn’t leave me impressed, either. That’s all well and good, but I worried that a standard ice retention test on its own wouldn’t tell us the whole story. Sure, some coolers would probably keep the ice frozen for a lot longer than others, but using the melting point as your metric seems to disregard everything that comes before.

Unfortunately, I realized a little too late that I purchased the wrong size and the larger size won’t be available until after we leave for vacation. The lower-end can models take a very traditional approach in styling. Also, there aren’t a lot of colors to choose from (3 is the maximum we have found for a particular model). The tote and cooler backpack look much more progressive but are limited to just one color choice. We would welcome some additional color choices and perhaps a slight facelift to the more plain-looking models in the future.

It enhances performance by keeping beverages cold for up to nine hours. Made from high-quality materials, this ice pack fits perfectly within your cooler, ensuring a cold and refreshing experience. Its capacity to hold a 28-quart cooler makes it perfect for my family’s tubing sessions or lazy summer afternoons in the pool. The two cup holders on the float’s deck come in handy when I’m sipping on a cold beverage while enjoying the water. Oh, and ozark trail chair if you’ll be spending lots of time camping in a place where bears are a concern, then you’ll probably want to invest in a bear-resistant cooler.

Overall the Pelican coolers have sharper edges and a bit more of an industrial feel than the competition. One of the first things to note about it’s design is that it has a larger drainage hole and a tethered drain cap, which is a nice feature. I have lost a couple of drain caps in my day which makes the cooler unusable until a replacement arrives.

A higher price tag should mean a higher quality product, right? No, that is not always the case and any outdoorsmen, gear junkie, or general abuser of products will tell you the same thing. Every so often a brand will fly under the radar producing products that are not only a great value but also great quality as well. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).