Cooler Throw Down: Does Ozark Trail Stack up with Yeti and Pelican?

Because of this, a lot of people look to alternate brands. 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.

This can be extremely frustrating when you are a couple of days into your trip and you want to empty out some of the water but you still have items in your cooler. This is true of the Ozark Trail but it’s also true of all roto-molded coolers. The below test done by Lifetime coolers shows how the Ozark keeps ice a decent period of time, but doesn’t keep up with coolers like Yeti, Lifetime or Orca. ozark trail cooler Some customers report it working great and easily keep ice for 4+ days while other customers talk about it losing almost all it’s ice with just 24 hours. Given how affordable these coolers are compared to other roto-molded coolers like Yeti, none of these problems are deal breakers in my opinion. But it is still good to know about issues that may arise so you know exactly what you’re getting.

It is also worth mentioning that all of the metal components you will find are comprised of quality stainless steel. This helps to minimize the change of corrosion or breaking, even after many years of use.

These are typically smaller and more lightweight than other types of coolers, making them easier to carry. However, they’re not as good at keeping things cold as some of the other types (although they’re still better than no cooler at all). Ozark Trail is Walmart’s store-brand outdoor equipment line. The company makes a variety of outdoor gear, including several types of coolers.

There have also been some other sizes available over the years but we are going to focus on these models. In addition to this, Ozark Trail also has some more mainstream designs for those who are simply on a tight budget and looking for a product to pack their lunch or picnic in. However, the lower-priced options aren’t as great in terms of longevity, with an ice life of just a few hours. These are better suited for picnics or taking your lunch to work, rather than a whole day’s expedition.

It has 2 cup holders on the lid and a large, easy-carry handle. We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. The ozark trail canopy is made from polyethylene, which is the most common kind of plastic in use today. I’m using my North facing deck as the staging area which receives direct sunlight at almost all hours of the day. I also placed  a small weather system on the deck rail to help get a sense of how hot surface temperatures are in the area.

We’ve found that in cooler temperatures, it keeps things cool for about 4 days but there isn’t any ice left after 4 days. On hot summer days when you can’t get any shade or coverage for the cooler or the van you can count on about 48 hours where there’s still a little ice. (The less you open it, the longer it’ll last so keep the opening and closing to a minimum).

The heavy-duty, one-piece construction and blend of polyurethane insulation keeps ice frozen for days. This cooler is also made for easy carrying, featuring a stainless steel handle with a comfort grip. This model also contains a wire basket, four cup holders, and easy-open latches. For a high-end roto-molded cooler, the Ozark Trail 52-quart is the way to go. If you’re planning a summer road trip, this premium cooler has the ultimate storage space, along with side handles and anti-skid feet for transportation.

The color range is quite muted, with grey, white, red, and pale blue being the main color options. So, if you’re looking for something bright, or something that can be personalized, you won’t find it here. Ozark Trail soft-sided coolers are all designed to have multiple storage options. In most cases, the coolers feature a large, insulated inner compartment and exterior storage pockets on the front or sides. Front pockets usually have zippers, while side pockets typically have no closure and are made of mesh to hold non-food items. Some soft-sided models also have expandable tops that can increase the height of the cooler by as much as three inches to fit stacked cans or larger bottles.