These are perfect for sticking your cell phone, keys, wallet, or anything else that you don’t want to get potentially cold and/or wet in the insulated area. As is typical of most other cooler brands, the smaller coolers will utilize an overhead carrying handle while the larger coolers will stick to traditional side rope handles. We will go into more detail about the specific features later in this review. 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. It won’t go for days, but this backpack cooler is more than capable of keeping your picnic cool until it’s time to roll out the picnic blanket. This highly rugged cooler is designed to withstand scrapes and jabs, ensuring it remains in top condition.
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. Rather, they are a good companion for a lunch outing or small picnic. Specifically, ozark trail canopy the smaller models will have ice life that starts at just a couple of hours and creeps up to around half a day.
Again, the right size for you depends on how you pack your cooler and how long you need to keep things cold (more ice takes up more volume). Over the years, we’ve tested the Hopper backpack in a variety of climates. While the bag can occasionally keep things cold for more than a day, this depends on how it’s packed and where it’s stored. On average, I’m comfortable assuming that the Hopper will keep whatever I’ve packed cold for a solid day regardless of the situation. The wheels are a single-construction plastic and not hollow or feeble-feeling as on so many other coolers. These dry bag coolers did great in our submersion tests, and they float, making these a great option to take along on the kayak.
If you’re looking for the best cooler for keeping ice for days on your next camping trip, we’ve also tested and outlined our favorite hard-sided models. We’ve got recommendations for a plethora of other camping accessories. The majority of coolers on the market claim to hold ice for an extended period of time.
Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. The ice retention of this cooler makes it top-tier for road trips or camping. A small increase in humidity could bring a few stray showers into the region later today with a few more isolated showers and storms on Thursday.
But if you are on a tighter budget, the Ozark Trail Cooler might also cut it as it is a very good cooler – but the ice may not resist as much as in the case of YETI. Yeti introduced a magnetic closure in 2022, which offered a huge improvement on the former zipper closure but also introduced its own complications. The bag is now significantly easier to open but also more difficult to keep open. Yeti seems to have added some bridging support to help hold the bag open, but those magnets simply want to be together. The Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55 Quart Cooler is all but indestructible for longer camping and rafting trips if you don’t mind giving up a bit of interior space for thicker insulation.
The weather was in low 90s during the test, the coolers were in full sun for most of the morning, and we opened them several times throughout the day. The ice melted in the Coleman in 39 hours and the Ozark Trail in 73 hours. The water turned warm in both coolers fairly quickly after the ice melted. The lower-end can models take a very traditional approach in styling. Also, there aren’t a lot of colors to choose from (3 is the maximum we have found for a particular model). The tote and cooler backpack look much more progressive but are limited to just one color choice.
While Rtic coolers aren’t the cheapest coolers on the market, a 20-quart model will run you about $159, and the 65-quart comes in a little under $300. They’re certainly cheaper than their Yeti counterparts, and they’ll still get the job done with flair. With its hard-bodied style and blocky black logo, RTIC is clearly making a run at Yeti’s business model. Honestly, a lot of the time the decision really does come down to Rtic cooler vs. Yeti cooler.
Plus, considering they are generously cushioned, you may carry this backpack for a prolonged time without feeling uncomfortable. Mostly, people are pretty happy about its ability to retain a cold temperature. Even when ozark trail canopy the ice melts, the water will still remain cold – which gives you a few extra days. Furthermore, the LipGrip handles makes it very easy to carry around without bumping into the cooler at every step. Many campers and overlanders are looking for coolers like YETI, but perhaps a bit cheaper. Among hard coolers, if you’re using your cooler for something like grocery shopping, small weekend gatherings, or barbecues, 50 to 55 quarts is plenty.
The models that scored lower in our durability tests use light to mid-weight nylon or canvas with middle-of-the-road zippers and regular seam construction. The higher-end models feature heavy rubber or treated nylon, have heavy-duty zippers and components, reinforced and welded seams, and more robust designs and construction. All of these aspects affect the overall durability and lasting power. The Trail Split, Pack Away, AO 24 Pack, and the Maelstrom Backpack 35 all have traditional, user-friendly zippers and just the right amount of handy design elements and features.