As soon as we realized the Ozark Trail was not going to work I got online and ordered an RTIC. RTIC Coolers can only be purchased from their website, which is why they say their price point is much lower than YETI. I made this purchase nine weeks prior to our vacation and the cooler is scheduled to arrive only days before we leave. That’s a little closer than I’d like but we need a better cooler.
Also, considering that the ice can last for as long as 8 days, the chances are that you’ll return home with the ice intact. It’s equipped with a drain plug system designed for easy and quick draining. You also have the advantage of the Doublehaul handles that were made from durable military-grade polyester rope. But if you are on a tighter budget, the Ozark Trail Cooler might also cut it as it is a very good cooler – but the ice may not resist as much as in the case of YETI.
It’s definitely heavier than its more expensive friends on the market. After traveling and working with an old Igloo cooler for the last year and a half my parents ozark trail canopy surprised us with a brand new cooler and we are loving it! Here’s our take on the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler which we think is perfect for van life.
Indeed, the brand seems to focus slightly more on their soft cooler collection since it is truly where it makes most sells. Some people get lucky with the Ozark Trail soft coolers and they are great quality, work really well and never break. Furthermore, the Ozark Trail cooler also features a rotomolded construction, just like Yeti Coolers. The Ozark Trail cooler is resistant to UV lights and has no seams in its design. However, the best thing about this affordable Ozark Trail cooler is the fact that it can hold ice for more than a week.
This allows you to carry the cooler around while keeping your arms free. There is a great video where a customer who owns both a Yeti Hopper and an Ozark Trail does as ice test on them and compares the performance side by side. Even compared to RTIC, which is the cheapest of the well known brands, Ozark Trail are still a fair bit cheaper. If you are picky about colors, then you should go with the YETI coolers.
Yeti is widely known for its models of premium coolers and drink-ware items. Thus, in terms of the ice retention ability and the water drainage system, we think the Ozark Trail Cooler is almost as good as the YETI coolers. A couple other interesting features that can be found on most soft-sided Ozark Trail coolers are bottle openers, chain attachment points and compression straps.
As you can see the Yeti line of coolers are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than the Ozark Trail line of coolers. Seeing as not many outdoor enthusiasts actually buy and use these things, my analysis of this (and Ozark Trail’s) lowball will be brief. You also might want to check out other Yeti coolers, such as the Yeti Soft Cooler or the Yeti Hopper Backflip Cooler.
Remember last summer when we spent over $100 on ice for our two week trip to Montana? If you would like to read about how not to pack a cooler click here to read about it. Check out our review of the Coleman Atlas Series 65-Quart Cooler with Wheels. The Ozark Trails Cooler is perfect for your camper van adventures due to it’s rugged nature and size.
Obviously, the performance of this significantly more affordable travel mug is not as good as that of its rival. While Ozark Trail 12 oz mug does feature double-walled vacuum insulation, it is not capable of maintaining the temperature of the beverage for a very long time. Still, it will prevent your coffee from becoming ice-cold in a matter of minutes – just don’t expect too much from its performance. Just like the other Yeti products I have analyzed in this comparison, the Rambler Mug also sports a very clean, modern, and appealing design. What is more, it is available in 20 different colors, so it’s pretty safe to say that there’s a color variant for everyone.
Ozark Trail’s medium and large hard-sided coolers are equipped with an interior wire basket to help organize your food. For a cooler of more manageable size and only $97.00, the Ozark Trail 35-quart hard sided cooler is a great choice. Its premium insulation makes for impressive ice retention, and the freezer-grade gasket is removable for quick cleanup.