Overall the Pelican coolers have sharper edges and a bit more of an industrial feel than the competition. One 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. I spend a great deal of time on the water every summer boating and fishing in Northern Michigan.
The last time I tested coolers for this list, I had Cabela’s 60-quart version of this cooler listed as the best large cooler. But in the big picture, if you want stuff to stay cold, you literally can’t beat Cabela’s Polar Cap option. Its lowest internal temperature during testing was the coldest, but the real treat was the fact that it held that low-level temp for around ozark trail canopy 20% longer than the next best contender. Just like most of the other Yeti products in this comparison, this one is also made out of 18/8 stainless steel. In other words, you won’t have to worry about the model’s durability – it will hold up in the wilderness. The construction is also BPA-free and features the so-called no-sweat design that keeps the user’s fingers dry.
This high-performance, water-repellent cooler has a removable hard liner and shelf featuring antimicrobial protection for the ultimate freshness. The adjustable padded shoulder strap makes for easy transport, and the mesh pockets provide extra storage space. This Ozark Trail cooler is made for durability and convenience, providing the perfect storage for your best beers. While these aren’t “budget” coolers, compared to their competition, Ozark Trail ice chests are a bargain. And many of them utilize essentially the same construction techniques, features, and ice life.
All models are super easy to transport thanks to multiple carrying methods including optional wheels, padded shoulder straps, and more. We like the sharp edges and progressive appearance of the Ozark Trail Coolers. 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.
This is because Yeti coolers, tumblers, and mugs, and other products typically have a better construction quality and can keep beverages hot or cold for longer. After all, this brand is not a favorite of millions of outdoor enthusiasts all over the world for no reason. All of these features combined turn the Yeti Cooler into one of the most rugged, leakproof, and easy-to-carry coolers you can get for your money.
We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. The Ozark Trail cooler is made from polyethylene, which is the most common kind of plastic in use today. Check out our review of the Coleman Atlas Series 65-Quart Cooler with Wheels.
The product also features a wire basket, 4 drink holders, a built-in fish ruler and heavy-duty handles with comfort grip for easy rolling. On the contrary, the premium soft coolers and particularly their hard-sided coolers have more of the traditional features we look for when we think of long ice life. So you can expect them to allow for much longer ice retention.
There are no latches since this is a soft-sided cooler, just a zipper. The zipper boasts claims of being both water- and leakproof. ozark trail chair We put that to the test during our capacity evaluations, where the entire cooler is filled to the top with water, and then closed.
The Ozark Trail Soft Cooler lineup is a solid contribution to this ever-growing company. There are enough size options and configurations to make most people happy. For those who need something simple and cheap, the 12-can and 24-can models are great. And for those who want a bit more ice life and toughness, the premium backpack and tote are going to be worth checking out.
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. In addition to this, Ozark Trail also has some more mainstream designs for those who are simply on a tight budget and looking for a product to pack their lunch or picnic in.