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

Includes compression straps on the sides to keep your gear stable. This pack has a lot of extra storage ozark trail canopy pockets for organization of your gear. Has a hip belt to displace the load off your shoulders.

Is Walmart’s Ozark Trail brand a true sleeper, putting out products that deserve much more attention among outdoorsmen? With that question being floated, we decided to travel down the path of discovery and start to take a closer look at Ozark Trail and some of their products. We just completed a review of the Ozark Trail Tumbler line, which is not only budget friendly but also well performing. Before purchasing this pack I used a more traditionally styled, and heavier, backpack for daily walks. I recently attended a seminar that explained the major difference of carrying lighter gear while outdoors. Here’s another AWESOME thing about the Ozark Trail Atka day pack.

All told, I’ve had the pack on my back for about 50 miles. Keeping the load under 15 pounds seems to be the key. I really wanted to use it for our fall two-nighter on the AT, but was unable to fit my bivy with a 20 degree Kelty Cosmic down bag inside. I contemplated stepping down to the 45 degree bag, but thankfully, did not. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top daypacks. You may encounter some natural hazards when hiking through the wilderness, but it shouldn’t deter you from enjoying the outdoors.

I did finish my activities very sweetly and was able to walk and hike without carrying anything in my hands. I know some will immediately dismiss my review simply because I bought this pack at WalMart. I’ve been attempting to drop weight for the past several years, mostly because my knees can’t handle it. My shelters have gotten lighter as have my sleeping system — next in line for a diet was my carry system. Funds, however, were non existent and my CFO (i.e. my wife) wouldn’t increase my discretionary fund. Find the best backpack for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings.

I do think the Pelicans pull handle is the lowest on my list of the three. As far as color options go, you can purchase this in one of two colors, Greystone which is the one featured in this article and a lighter grey. The constant color feature among the two are the orange rimmed wheels which I don’t love but, it is not a deal breaker. For student engineers, the process of gaining real-world experience through internships or part-time employment can be onerous and disheartening.

After all, I was carrying the whole thing and so it might as well be connected. Essentially, the rain fly for the Ozark Trail was integrated into the tent directly. Today I immediately loaded it up and went out for a few hours. For water and OJ I use Vapur anti bottles which aren’t bulky at all. My glucose meter and keys went in the small outside pocket.

With the added height of an inflatable pillow and sleeping pad my head height was indeed close to the curvature of the tent ceiling but there was still enough room. I did have a few inches along the edge for some clothes, a water bottle, ozark trail chair and a headlamp, but that could have been made wider with a narrower sleeping pad. The pack size and weight is good for all my day hiking to any shower. I’m not sure if it is durable enough to hold any of my camera equipment.

I tried actually sewing one on, but I don’t have the right size buckle to go with the strap, so might won’t hold tight. I also use a Marmot 20 liter pack which does have a thin hipbelt, but it is more limited space-wise and weighs a couple of ounces more. The only thing I might add is a liner for wet days, like a small plastic trash bag.