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. Ozark Trail, despite their best intentions, doesn’t quite live up to the level of ice retention and toughness of a Yeti. While they do have many of the same features, there are more notable quality issues with Ozark Trail models. This can include things such as premature leaking, warping of the lid, and stitching coming undone. Because of this, a lot of people look to alternate brands.
Undeniably, these coolers look as if they are air brushed with a silky smooth final coat and edges wherever necessary. Further, to complete the collection , Ozark Trail invested in a backpack design that is large enough to cater for a small beach party as well as a fun hiking/picnic experience. Accordingly, this cooler measures 19 x 8.5 x 13 inches, totalling in an impressive 2.4 pounds.
You can also Filter by type, model, color and material or settle upon one of our ozark trail chairs editorial picks. See, I told you I tried to purchase a cheaper cooler first. REI had a member sale over Memorial Day weekend and we were able to save 20% on our cooler. We still spent more money than I’d like but at least we saved 20%. Just as with the other cooler test, we purchased four bags of ice and put the Coleman and YETI Tundra 65 in a head-to-head test.
The ice melted in the Coleman in 24 hours and the YETI in 48 hours. What I found most fascinating about this test is that the water in the YETI stayed cold for three additional days after the ice melted. The water was cold enough that had the gallon ozark trail cooler jugs been milk, we would have been able to drink out of them for three days after the ice melted. All-in-all, the YETI lasted for five days and the Coleman for one day. All Ozark Trail hard-sided coolers feature anti-skid feet on the bottom.
I am a huge fan of outdoors and nature, and I believe that there’s so much waiting to be explored — if only more of us could simply unplug long enough to enjoy it! Over the years, I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is with a good cooler with great ice retention. Convenient, portable, affordable, and durable — an ice chest is a great piece of gear that will reward you with years of memorable stories and adventures. After running a few Ozark Trail Vs Yeti tests with multiple but equal variables, it has become evident that Yeti Tundra is highly overpriced. Do not jump to conclusions, neither Yeti is a bad brand nor Ozark Trail is an equal but they are impressive tight in terms of performance.
The majority of coolers on the market claim to hold ice for an extended period of time. Temperature, how many times the cooler is opened, whether or not the cooler was pre-cooled, the type of ice being used, the type of insulation in the cooler, ect. If you’re on the fence about spending the money, consider how long you will be gone and what it would cost to add ice to your cooler everyday. For us, while a YETI required a larger initial investment, we will save money (and use less water) over time. Many companies and sporting stores make or sell rotomolded coolers.
On the inside of the larger coolers, you will find a wire basket. This is a plus, considering many brands actually charge you extra for the wire basket. Because of this, their coolers are certified bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) and join the club of other well known, bear-proof coolers. That means you don’t have to worry about a grizzly bear gaining access to your cooler contents.
On the other end of the spectrum, soft-sided Ozark Trail coolers cannot be placed in one category all together since they are relatively different. Indeed, while mainstream Ozark Trail soft-side coolers look poorly designed in the best of cases, the premium models are impressive to say the least. Unlike their hard-sided collection, the soft Ozark Trail line is surprisingly richer.
Ozark Trail is one of the most common brands we have been asked about as a potential “Yeti replacement”. We must admit that the huge price cut and supposed similar ice retention and features are tempting. But you can anticipate the walls to be between 2.5” and 3” thick. This 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. Currently, you can choose between a 6-can cooler, 12-can cooler, 24-can cooler, 36-can cooler, 42-can cooler, premium backpack cooler, and premium tote cooler.
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. Unfortunately, I realized a little too late that I purchased the wrong size and the larger size won’t be available ozark trail chair until after we leave for vacation. Our Coleman has been used and abused and has never leaked. Depending on what you’re using the cooler for, the leaky drain spout might not be a big deal. For us, however, we keep our cooler in our car while traveling and we often camp in bear country.