IceMule has emphasized the ergonomics of this backpack, including a dual-zone suspension. Nathan Allen is TripSavvy’s Outdoor Gear Editor and has personally used many coolers on this list for his outdoor adventures. The Kachemak Daypack is a great everyday backpack that’s chock full of technical features for when you want to get outdoors. It’s equipped with a laptop sleeve that doubles as a hydration pack pouch. This backpack also has a handy bottom compartment that’s perfect for carrying shoes or a sleeping bag.
Most of the backpacks on this list have compartments for food or sleeping bags, water bottle pockets, attachment points for trekking poles, and rain covers. Look for the extras that are right for you and your intended activity, whether it’s multiple storage spaces for cutlery, anti-mildew fabric, or an attached bottle opener. You’ll also find ones explicitly built for specific activities—like overnight hikes into the woods, picnics, beach and water days, and hunting.
There are circumstances that are out of control (natural disasters, holidays, weather, etc) that may cause shipping postponements. While most packages will arrive on time, there may be circumstances and delays that our carriers may experience. For this reason, we do not guarantee the exact delivery time; the delivery issue is the responsibility of the shipping company. Please allow business days of processing and production time for your order to ship out. Strategic packing is essential when it comes to picnic items.
Plus, join discussions with other members about gear, guides, and more. To help us better protect your account security, please check the CAPTCHA box below. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Wetlands give way to ridgelines at the start of the Blair Creek section. The 26-mile route follows Blair Creek south as it carves down a valley through oak-hickory-pine forest before merging with the emerald waters of the Current River.
The Ozark Trail (OT) is one of America’s premier distance hiking trails. Mostly divided into linked sections, the trail winds through 390 miles of rolling hills, stone bluffs and cool streams in central and southern Missouri. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services.
That’s the case for the REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler, which has ample plush cushioning and a well-placed sternum strap. Combine that with a very lightweight (2.5 pounds), and you’ve got the ideal trail cooler pack. We also really love that there are separate compartments and pockets to carry gear and items you don’t wish to get cold or place with your food and drinks. RTIC’s Backpack Cooler had some of the best ice-retention among coolers in our lab test.
And where the IceMule Pro’s inner temperature increased by about 19 degrees, the Reactor’s internal temperature only raised less than 10 degrees 24 hours after we filled it with ice. And for a budget-focused cooler, our testers were impressed with the 24-Can Welded Cooler Backpack. First, our testers loved the wide-mouth opening and how easy it was to pack.
We like that this pack has a lot of pockets including a zipper that allows you to access the middle of the pack without opening the top. Includes Trekking pole attachment points, compression straps ozark trail canopy and a sleeping bag compartment. It was the perfect size bag to hold water bottles and a few other important things in it. They didn’t hurt my shoulders as I carried the bag around with me.
So if you ordered more than one item on a single order and receive only a part of your item don’t worry, you will receive your other items shortly after. The Ozark Trail Association maintains a number of maps to help you traverse each section of the trail. If you are using your phone for navigation, bring a paper copy of a map in case you lose signal or find yourself without battery. Trail maps are free to print at home or available for purchase at the online store. Bring enough water for your trip or a way to purify water to make it safe to drink.