It’s made of heavy-duty polyethylene that is virtually unbreakable. The construction rivals that of the Yeti cooler and yet it’s a fraction of the price. We’ve put ours through the ringer the last several months and it’s stood up to daily use from van life. No matter which model you go with, you will get to enjoy multiple storage options. This comes thanks to both the large, insulated area as well as storage pockets on the front and/or sides.
There is a large insulated area in all of the soft coolers and also plenty of pockets, both on the front and the sides. The pockets on the front have a zipper while the side ones are mesh pockets. We have been receiving a lot of complaints as of late from people who are mentioning that the zippers on their soft-sided coolers are going out after 6 to 12 months. We are looking into this problem in more detail and may adjust this review accordingly once we get to the bottom of it. While these aren’t “budget” coolers, compared to their competition, Ozark Trail ice chests are a bargain. And many of them utilize essentially the same construction techniques, features, and ice life.
Also, there is nothing in the way of custom colors, decals, etc. Below you’ll see a comparison of the Ozark Trail soft sided coolers as well as the cost for some of the other popular soft-sided cooler brands. Ozark soft sided coolers struggle to keep ice for more than 2 days, whereas the Yeti soft sided coolers can keep ice for 2-3 days and sometimes even longer than 3 days. They have harnessed this into their small but potent lineup of hard-sided coolers. These coolers are available in 26-quart, 52-quart, and 73-quart and fall somewhere in the intermediate to lower premium price tier. The hard-sided coolers are designed to try to compete with the top-tier of the premium cooler world.
The Ozark Trail soft coolers feature a leak proof zipper that is 100% water tight. It won’t let water in or out so you don’t have to worry about water spilling if you knock your cooler over or water splashing out and wetting your car seat. To me this just says the Ozark Trail soft coolers are hit and miss. Overall the quality is poor but there is a chance you may get a good cooler that lasts you years. But there’s also a solid chance that your cooler might break within the first few weeks or first few months.
All models are super easy to transport thanks to multiple carrying methods including optional wheels, padded shoulder straps, and more. The asking prices for the various s 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). 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.
Indeed, this cooler is definitely large, measuring 18 x 10 x 14 inches & weighing a total of 2.9 pounds straight out of the box. Accordingly, the variety will help you find a better match since they offer 5 different coolers with different potentials. For a significantly higher performance, you can always opt for the 52 quarts Ozark Trail which is aimed at hunting / angling enthusiasts & those who really like to party in the woods.
Featuring a fish ruler and confirmed bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, it’s perfect for back-country adventures. Not to mention, it has a built-in bottle opener and four drink holders on the lid, so you can have a good time no matter the temperature. Luke is a co-founder of bestcooler.reviews, a cooler expert and author of 70+ reviews on this website. From fishing to hiking, from family camping to solo bike trekking, Luke adores spending quality time enjoying nature, oftentimes checking out new coolers while doing so.
Indeed, while most Ozark Trail coolers are reliable for day to day use, they are not exceptional as you would expect, given their price tag. Thus, it is definitely worth it to consider the higher end line as it offers significant value for much less than most premium “brands” out there. Similar to major brands, Ozark Trail also features two separate lines of products that are clearly distinct in quality as well as price. The Ozark Trail 45 quart cooler is known for its convenience and durability, with an industrial-strength locking plate to keep it sealed tight and wheels for easy transport.
So no matter what type of bottle you tend to carry, they have you covered. The next essential piece to a cooler that can hold ice for long periods is a thick rubber gasket. Sure enough, Ozark Trail has ozark trail chair sourced a freezer-grade gasket that is eerily similar to what you will find on much more expensive coolers on the market. The top entry is zipper-sealed so there’s no risk of anything falling out.