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.
We really tried to buy a cheaper cooler but the universe wanted us to buy a YETI. Remember last summer when we spent over $100 on ice for our two week trip to Montana? If you would like to read about how not to pack a cooler click here to read about it. If you are lucky and receive a model that has the quality issues discussed above ironed out, Ozark Trail Coolers are one of the best bargains in the industry right now. To start with, you will find an oversized drain that makes short work of any melted ice that is inside.
This chair’s big canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or sporting event, and it doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case. Several Wirecutter staffers have owned the Coleman chair for years, using it on camping trips, in backyards, and at sporting events. For the most part, it’s held up well, but one common quibble is that the seat bottom begins to sag after several years of use. Like others in its category, this ozark cooler chair comes with an over-the-shoulder carry bag, but some testers found it was light and compact enough to carry without the case. Camping chairs can also be reasonably priced, casual (albeit less comfy and less durable) alternatives to patio furniture, if you don’t mind the lack of aesthetic appeal. I’ve lived in Southern California, Washington, and the home state of Vermont.
Also, the stainless steel hardware and orange accents on the latches and handles look very sharp. We hope that in the future, Ozark Trail decides to expand on the color choices and perhaps have some customization options as well. Ozark Trail, despite their best intentions, doesn’t quite live up to the level of ice retention and toughness of a Yeti. While they do have many of the same features, there are more notable quality issues with Ozark Trail models. This can include things such as premature leaking, warping of the lid, and stitching coming undone.
It’s easy to get caught up in brand perception and often times very difficult to break away from what you think you know about a brand. I used the word “think” intentionally, because what I thought I knew about Ozark Trail was not correct. Ozark Trail is proving to be a really solid competitor for outdoor products. This cooler has a number of features that you would find on more expensive coolers and a few that you won’t find. This chair’s sturdy frame and higher seat height made that precarious dance just a little bit easier. It’s heavier than its competitors and not as easy to fold, but it has a carrying strap attached to the frame (something its competitors didn’t have).
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee keeps a running list of certified options, which includes a number of coolers from this rundown. Several of the models I’ve tested from Cabela’s, Orca, Rovr, Magellan Outdoors and Yeti all make the cut. My only qualm is that the T-shaped handlebar includes comfy rubber grips on the sides, but not in the middle, the spot you’ll want to hold as you lug it around one-handed. I also took each cooler’s design and features into consideration as I tested and kept an eye out for durability concerns.
For the fishermen out there, you will enjoy the molded-in fish ruler on the lid of the cooler. There are also molded drink holders (4 on the 52 and 73-quart models and 2 on the 26-quart model). Depending on if you go with an Ozark Trail hard-sided cooler or an Ozark Trail soft-sided cooler, you can expect different features. We will break down the specific features for each type of ice chest in the sections below.
Though it’s a bit too tall to be able to leave in place when we want to make the bed, it fits just fine on the front seat. If you have a bigger van though, it would double as an additional seat in the cabin. How does this compare to some of the premium coolers on the market such as Yeti?
A higher price tag should mean a higher quality product, right? No, that is not always the case and any outdoorsmen, gear junkie, or general abuser of products will tell you the same thing. Every so often a brand will fly under the radar producing products that are not only a great value but also great quality as well. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).
Overall the Pelican coolers have sharper edges and a bit more of an industrial feel than the competition. One ozark cooler of the first things to note about it’s design is that it has a larger drainage hole and a tethered drain cap, which is a nice feature. I have lost a couple of drain caps in my day which makes the cooler unusable until a replacement arrives.