When it comes to the handles, they have followed the same kind of pattern you see in other types of coolers. In the smaller cooler, the 26-quart one, the handle is overhead. For a leak-proof, easily transportable cooler with excellent build quality, the 35-quart Ozark Trail premium is ideal.
They’re less durable, so if you want something that you can trust will last a long time, it might be worth splurging on a more expensive brand. Most of the models have padded shoulder ozark trail cooler straps, so it should be comfortable to hold. The 42-can model has an extendable telescoping handle, and wheels, so you can comfortably take it with you even if it’s full to the brim.
The latches are very secure so you don’t have to worry about the lid opening and spilling. This cooler is definitely comparable to other really ozark trail canopy expensive ones. But even if you do deal with a minor quality issue, the amount of money you’ll save compared to comparable coolers is huge.
Depending on what you’re using the cooler for, the leaky drain spout might not be a big deal. For us, however, we keep our cooler in our car while traveling and we often camp in bear country. I don’t want any cooler water intermittently leaking and leaving food smells. The other downside to the Ozark Trail cooler is that it weighs 31 pounds empty. It’s definitely heavier than its more expensive friends on the market.
Some hard-sided models also feature a molded fish ruler on the lid for fishermen, as well as two to four molded drink holders to prevent your drinks from getting knocked over. Ozark Trail’s medium and large hard-sided coolers are equipped with an interior wire basket to help organize your food. Depending on the size you choose, you can expect two to five days of ice life, which is more than enough for a day at the beach or even a weekend camping trip. Ozark Trail soft-sided coolers are all designed to have multiple storage options. In most cases, the coolers feature a large, insulated inner compartment and exterior storage pockets on the front or sides. Front pockets usually have zippers, while side pockets typically have no closure and are made of mesh to hold non-food items.
Although their range isn’t as extensive as some other brands (like YETI), there is a decent selection of sizes in both categories. You also have the option of hard coolers with wheels, and a soft cooler in backpack form, so you have a couple of different carrying options available. You will find both low-cost models as well as a “premium” lineup. The low-cost model won’t wow you with features, build quality, or long ice life but instead tries to find a happy medium while still being extremely cost-effective. The premium lineup will cost more but will also utilize features that help it to hang with other premium soft-sided coolers. This is a much larger and diverse selection of products than the Ozark Trail hard-sided coolers.