We Put Walmart’s Low-Cost Backpacking Gear to the Test

Its generous dimensions and rectangular shape only enhance its comfort, ensuring a pleasant and spacious sleeping experience. Combine these dimensions with a wrap-around zipper, and you also get a bag that doubles as an excellent picnic blanket. The rugged materials make this bag heavy-duty enough to do it all without worries of rips, tears, or snagged zippers. At 35 liters, this pack is perfect for day trips or for hikers who don’t need to carry a lot of gear on the trails.

I decided to get this one for a light hike I was going to be doing while camping. 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. For the second overnight hike in which I used the pack, I left the hammock at home and stuffed an REI Stratus insulated pad and lightweight bivy inside. Grab a hydration compatible backpack for $13.96 or Go Bag for $15.53. While the Ozark Trail doesn’t run directly through any towns, hikers may access options for resupply and services along the way, including the locales below.

Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Choose this pack if you prefer a smaller yet spacious design, as it has useful features and the durability of larger options. If you need a large pack, or are heading on a days-long adventure, this pack won’t work for you. This roomy and practical backpack works well for a multi-day hike. 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.

I priced other internal frame daypacks before my trip and this was by far the cheapest. I took this pack on a 5-day mountain bike ride from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Washington, D.C., and it performed very well. Similar to the Ozark Trail cooler, the Pelican features orange wheel rims and also has orange clasp accents. You can get this cooler in three colors, Tan which is featured here, as well as graphite and white. The other two colors will have ozark trail canopy different rims and accents, so if you don’t love the orange you have options.

This tent was close to foolproof when it came to the rain fly because it was already connected. We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that’s designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. While this is made of a ozark trail chair lightweight water resistant material, it does not have a built in rain flap. The only thing I might add is a liner for wet days, like a small plastic trash bag.

Get Backpacking Light news, updates, gear info, skills, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week. Because it’s basically a single compartment stuff bag, I did have to make sure the items inside were distributed properly. 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 classroom. Get FREE shipping to your home on orders over $35 or FREE in-store pickup.

Its ozark trail chair goose down isn’t as lofty, and the nylon lining isn’t as supple. There is also a roughly 30% weight disadvantage compared to the lightest high-end models. However, we think most backpackers will hardly notice these drawbacks.

I have to say that I am very impressed with the performance of the Ozark Trail 45Q cooler. This cooler is not only smaller in its overall size but also a fraction of the price of the competition. The Yeti has the most streamlined design of the three coolers, staying true to the original Yeti look and feel. The overall product weight of this cooler is 37lbs empty which is inline with the Pelican, but 7lbs heavier than the Ozark Trail cooler.

For water and OJ I use Vapur anti bottles which aren’t bulky at all. I did instantly notice the difference of carrying a lighter bag. I also don’t really prefer single compartment stuff bags, but, this works for what I need. 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.

I drooled over all the lightweight packs from the major manufacturers for a few years. There’s no way I can justify paying five times more for something that might carry just as well. Aside from the main pack bag, there is a small zippered compartment on the front, that, depending on how much you have stuffed inside, is pretty tight. I managed to fit my headlamp, lighter, map, compass, and some tp in the pocket. Stitches appeared evenly spaced and of uniform distance from the fabric edges. There is a lack of reinforcement on the pack’s taffeta bottom, though.