As is expected, the larger hard-sided coolers had a clear advantage over the soft-sided coolers. They are not only larger but utilize thicker insulation, rubber gaskets, and an overall more ice-friendly design. Having structure is important for protection in soft-sided coolers. A cooler without a hardliner is more prone to having its stored items be damaged while moving. Thankfully, Ozark Trail includes a removable hard liner in most of their soft-sided coolers. And the premium cooler backpack and cooler tote take this up a notch by having an EVA compression molded base.
Last but definitely not least is the largest 30 can leak-tight Ozark cooler, which is supposed to be a party design. In fact, the cooler at hand would require some serious effort to carry around as it measures 21 x 16.5 x 8.5 & weighs 3.75 pounds while empty. Indeed, if you’re someone looking for a quick fix then you’d be better fitted ozark trail canopy with an Ozark Trail mainstream cooler. However, if you are looking for something more premium to rival leading brands such as Yeti then you’ll find you match in the premium Ozark Trail selection. Ozark Trail is a significantly popular brand that managed to build a solid reputation on the basis of quality and affordability.
Its insulation can keep ice solid for up to 12 days, and can even keep drinks cold without it for up to 9 days in the best conditions. For a leak-proof, easily transportable cooler with excellent build quality, the 35-quart Ozark Trail premium is ideal. It also has lots of nifty features for versatility, from a waterproof interior light that can be removed for use as a flashlight to multiple tie-down points. Our favorite feature of the Ozark Trail Soft Coolers is their additional storage options. Every model will come with at least one separate zippered pocket and many will have multiple zippered pockets in addition to mesh side pockets. All models are super easy to transport thanks to multiple carrying methods including optional wheels, padded shoulder straps, and more.
For the fishermen out there, you will enjoy the molded-in fish ruler on the lid of the cooler. There are also molded drink holders (4 on the 52 and 73-quart models and 2 on the 26-quart model). But you can anticipate the walls to be between 2.5” and 3” thick. This ozark trail cooler is about average among premium coolers that we have tested in the past. And these thick walls are coated in a UV-resistant layer that helps to protect the cooler from sun damage over time. This cooler claims that it keeps ice for more than 4.5 days in mild temps.
This Ozark Trail cooler is made for durability and convenience, providing the perfect storage for your best beers. While this isn’t quite as high as we have seen in other premium coolers, the much lower asking price helps to justify it. For most people, being able to keep ice for 3 days or more is plenty.
Yeti doesn’t have any external pockets not does it have a bottle opener. Both coolers have leak proof zippers that are 100% watertight. Both of these coolers are packed with features and the Ozark trail has very similar features to the Yeti. Both coolers are packed with closed cell insulation and the thickness of the insulation seems to be comparable to each other. However in real world tests it does seem that Yeti consistently outperforms the Ozark by a fair margin.
The ice life, well not bad, was not near what Ozark Trail stated in their specifications. We have a hunch this is because their testing was performed under more optimal conditions. Sure, if we were to fill the cooler up to the brim with nothing but ice, never open it, and leave it in a cool/dark area, the ice life would go way up.
Whereas the 52/73 quart coolers come with high-performance side handles. Furthermore, the LipGrip handles makes it very easy to carry around without bumping into the cooler at every step. Many campers and overlanders are looking for coolers like YETI, but perhaps a bit cheaper. My name is Charles and I am the owner and creator of Coolersworld.com.
Though it’s a bit too tall to be able to leave in place when we want to make the bed, it fits just fine on the front seat. If you have a bigger van though, it would double as an additional seat in the cabin. How does this compare to some of the premium coolers on the market such as Yeti? We think it’s right up there with Yeti and at just a fraction of the cost.