The weather was in the high 90s during the test, the coolers were in full sun for most of the morning, and we opened them several ozark trail chair times throughout the day. 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 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.
I mean, come on — the literal last thing you want from your cooler is to get burned by it. Stick with an old-fashioned cooler like the ones I recommend above. I say infamy because both of those cash grabs have a history of production delays and decidedly unhappy customers. The performance of Magellan’s largest offering was very close to Cabela’s Polar Cap Equalizer. The lowest temperature recorded between the two in our cooling tests was less than a degree apart (44.6 vs. 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit).
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. Outside of the premium models (with their thicker insulated shell), these coolers aren’t designed to keep ice for long periods.
No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality. This time-tested classic is reasonably priced, roomy, and dependable enough to last for years. It’s not our lightest, most comfortable, or toughest pick, but it’s close enough, and it’s reasonably priced. The sizes of the Ozark Cooler range from small to extra-large, with dimensions that vary from 23 inches to 37 inches in length and 13 inches to 17 inches in width. Make sure to choose the size that best fits your needs and the amount of food and drinks you plan to carry with you on your outdoor adventures.
You can stow this featherlight, compressible chair in a backpack or even a work bag. When not in use, this cooler can double as a bench, tabletop, non-slip step stool, and a cutting board. Lightweight enough to be moved by one person, it weighs just 26.6 lbs. Unfortunately, the stitching on the bottom of the shoulder strap is quite weak and prone to tearing. After just a few uses, the strap has begun to fray at the edges, compromising its durability. Additionally, the thin grey fabric connecting the zippers and the expandable compartments is also quite fragile, which can be a problem during vigorous use.
If your main goal is to keep things cold, then the question is whether or not that extra 0.9-degree is worth paying another hundred bucks for. This can cooler even has a bottle opener in the bottom for your friends drinking from a bottle. One of the best selling points (pun intended) of Ozark Trail Coolers is their great asking price. This is a big reason why this company has been so popular over the past few years and it makes it easier to overlook any issues that we may have with them. But even if you do deal with a minor quality issue, the amount of money you’ll save compared to comparable coolers is huge. You get to enjoy one of the best cooler bargains in the industry right now.