All in all, both mugs do an incredible job at insulating both hot and cold drinks for hours on end. Additionally, when ozark trail canopy holding each tumbler, I couldn’t feel any heat or chill through the material, which makes either ideal for drinking exceptionally hot or cold drinks. Watching ice melt was probably the most difficult task of the tests I performed—only because it seemed to take forever for the ice to melt in each tumbler. I started the test first thing when I got to the office and was waiting for hours on end.
But it does fall a bit short of the top-tier premium coolers in the industry. 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.
Then it was back to fishing, casting to whatever shaded bank there was, where the water had a little current and a little depth. A cooler’s construction also plays a significant role in how effectively it keeps food and beverages cold. 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.
The top half of the bag is a normal non-insulated pocket that can be used for hiking layers or cutlery. The cooler itself can hold 16 cans and can even pack in a wine bottle, though it does cause the pack to bend a bit. By adding a fully supportive, weight-bearing waist belt, this cooler is ideal for relieving your shoulders when you need your cooler filled to the brim with delicious picnic provisions. While the IceMule is our favorite for smaller and medium loads because of its comfortable straps and flexible body, ozark trail canopy the Trail Pack is our go-to choice for heavy cargo. It’s comfortable like a daypack and saves your shoulders over the long haul. If you’re planning to bring a handful of snacks and beverages for you and a few buddies, the comfort of the IceMule models is top-notch.
Like all soft coolers, though, it will show the effects of sun and heat damage over time. The Tundra Haul is expensive, but when you’re choosing a wheeled model, it’s worth paying for hardware ozark cooler that won’t break or strain under heavy loads. It has taken us a few years to recommend a wheeled cooler simply because none have seemed built to last longer than a season or two—especially in the handle. Once loaded with ice, drinks, and food, a 37-pound cooler can more than double in weight.
The one thing the Yeti really has over the Ozark Trail mug, in terms of performance, is the slider on the lid. Not surprisingly, both tumblers were better at maintaining cold temperatures than hot with the cold temperatures rising at a much lower rate. Even though the tumblers had slightly different initial temperatures, it took both cups approximately 45 minutes to raise 1°F. As far as color options go, you can purchase this in one of two colors, Greystone which is the one featured in this article and a lighter grey. The constant color feature among the two are the orange rimmed wheels which I don’t love but, it is not a deal breaker. The coolers in competition were the Ozark Trail 45QT Rolling Thermocooler, The Pelican 45QW Elite Wheeled Cooler, and the Yeti Tundra Haul.
Together, this team searched far and wide to find the best soft coolers available on the market. The Maelstrom is large enough to hold a wine bottle inside or outside in the mesh pockets. With comfortable straps and plenty of storage, there’s not much you can’t do with this bag. Take all your favorite goodies to the lake, pack up for a barbeque, or carry a lunch to the zoo. The exterior pockets provide ample space for cutlery, keys, a wallet, and a phone. Additionally, a bungee strap can hold onto a beach towel or jacket, and the daisy chains can clip on extra gear.
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? We think it’s right up there with Yeti and at just a fraction of the cost. It’s made of heavy-duty polyethylene that is virtually unbreakable.
It has anti-microbial properties and it’s strong enough that a bear can’t break into it. The top entry is zipper-sealed so there’s no risk of anything falling out. It has 2 cup holders on the lid and a large, easy-carry handle. You know that Ozark Trail has a lot of cooler models in the market. And the ice retention capability of these particular models varies from one to another.