Having a separate rain fly for a 2- or 3- person tent makes sense because multiple people can split up the weight a little easier on longer hikes. With a 1-person tent, that doesn’t really make as much sense. 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. It was one of those planned events in 2020 that was delayed for years, from what else, but the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the trip was three years in the making, the anticipation was doubly intense.
Camp at Highway DD trailhead near the section’s start or Harper Spring around the 15 mile-mark. Temperatures can swing from chilly mornings to sweltering afternoons. Consider bringing several sets of clothing so you have options for hiking and spending time at camp. Wear layers to be comfortable in any weather, and pack rain gear to stay dry. Then I did the same test with cold water from the same coolers. The Yeti Rambler tumbler is made with kitchen-grade stainless steel and has double-wall vacuum insulation.
I recently attended a seminar that explained the major difference of carrying lighter gear while outdoors. I backpack in the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada. And I do day hikes in Sequoia National Park and on the coast. I bought this pack recently on a whim while shopping Walmart. I needed a day pack and didn’t really have lots of time to search at REI for the various styles provided having only gone to one store.
Just about every other daypack I’ve had falls apart under the weight of my books (med school). I also like the fact that for my outdoor activities, it’s designed to hold a hydration bladder. It even has a rain cover built in, which is great when I’m riding my bicycle across town on a rainy day. The Hilmont also includes trekking pole attachment points, plus there’s a rain fly that’s stashed away in the ozark trail sleeping bag bottom zip compartment. The padded waist belt has zippered mesh pockets, and the entire back panel and the bulk of the shoulder straps are made of padded mesh to keep you cool and comfortable.
Choose this pack if you prefer a smaller yet spacious design, as it has useful features and the durability of larger options. On the small side, so it won’t work for hikers who need a spacious pack. Kelli is a content writer with a degree in English Education from Penn State University. As a mom and a former middle school English teacher, she has spent the last 25 years looking for good deals for her home and the ozark trail backpack classroom. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more.
This tent was close to foolproof when it came to the rain fly because it was already connected. In the following paragraphs I share just a few design features that, in my opinion, make this a well-designed product. 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 ozark trail canopy tight. I might actually pick up another for my son to use. 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.
It’s been stuffed to capacity with almost everything I had to carry, including, but not limited to, outerwear, lunch, groceries, laptop, iPad, a Bose speaker, and combinations thereof. I am a 6-foot tall male, weighing 185 lbs and it fits just as well as other day packs I’ve tried. Walmart had a small section of packs and for the most part I was satisfied.
It also includes loops to hang your trekking poles when not in use. I find it weird that in the past I’d be tired and sore and hobbling by now. But this time, after 0 rest days, my body is ready to keep hiking. I am a little mentally tired from a lack of 8 consistent hours of sleep but that is to be expected when backpacking. Be aware, this is a daypack, intended for lighter loads and shorter distances. It isn’t built to be on your back 8 hours a day, and it won’t support 25 pounds.