Ozark Trail Cooler 73-Quart Review

When you are looking for the best cooler, it is not uncommon for people to choose Yeti as their number one brand. However, Ozark is also one of the top competitors.

They might not have all the fancy features found in the Yeti, but the basic features are more than enough for the affordable price. The Ozark Trail 73-Quart High-Performance Cooler is one of our favorites on the market today.

I love taking on the outdoors and exploring. This has given me the opportunity to test many great products that can be used outdoors. Having a cooler is imperative in the camping or backpacking world. I tried the Ozark Trail 73-Quart High-Performance Cooler to see how it works and if it is worth the price.

In this article, we look at some of the key features of this cooler and find out if it will be worth the price and value it offers. I like the cooler for some of the many features and my journey with this cooler was a special one, considering the fact that I have a lot of outdoor experience. Here is my complete review of the best Ozark Trail Cooler:

Technical Specifications

• Massive 73-quart storage capacity
• Life for ice will be between 90 and 120 hours depending on the temperature
• Includes a UV-resistant layer for added protection from the sun
• Freezer grade gasket included
• Constructed from durable stainless steel
• IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) seal of approval
• Massive drain for simple cleaning
• Anti-skid bottom for more traction

Review

The IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) is one of the largest committees that approve some of the best outdoor equipment. Having this seal of approval will ensure the product can hold up against many of the challenges that nature offers. The Ozark trail cooler is one of the top coolers with this seal of approval and one of the leading factors why I bought it.

It has an ice retention life of up to 1-weeks for your longer trips and this means you can use it for keeping meat (for the grill), milk, veg and fruit fresh. I personally use this cooler for camping, as it is a little too heavy for backpacking. It also makes for a stylish design and since the drain plug is easy to use, I find that cleaning it after any trip is fairly simple and easy.

At the bottom, I was surprised to see the added rubber patches. However, these additions meant that the cooler would not slip. I never really used this feature until I was fishing. It enabled me to keep the cooler close by without it moving around on the boat.

Additionally, the heavy weight is not so bad. Since solid stainless steel with UV protection is included to enhance the durability. This combination also means the cooler will never lose its color or start fading when used. If you don’t have a boat for fishing, check out the best tandem kayaks.

If you like a beer from time to time like me, you will be glad to know that you don’t need to include your own bottle opener. The addition of having one already included makes life that much easier. I prefer the rotomolded outer coating to ensure no rust can occur and the cooler is completely waterproof at the same time.

My biggest concern was the overall weight and this became somewhat frustrating to carry around if you like being on the move like I do. However, campers staying situated at the site should enjoy the simplicity of the design. Locking latches are also included for when you need to keep it from flipping open in tough conditions.

What We Like

• Impressive durability
• Stable design with a skidproof bottom
• Reasonably priced
• Keeps the ice frozen for up to 120-hours
• Large drain plug for easy cleaning
• Will retain the color of the cooler

What We Didn’t Like

• I found the cooler to be a little too heavy for backpacking
• The cooler could have had wheels for easier carrying
• No real unique features are included

Should You Buy The Ozark Trail Cooler It?

Compared to the leading Yeti coolers, this cooler is definitely worth the price and the effort. I would definitely tell you to buy it since I also own one that is used very often. As mentioned, it is not really used for backpacking, but makes a great cooler for road trips and even camping. If you have a  device with wheels like a trolley, you can easily move it long distances.

Overall, the price is what makes the difference and this is why I would choose it. For a cooler with this capacity, you will most likely have to dole out a lot of cash. However, this is not the case with the Ozark trail cooler. Ozark also features this model in many smaller sizes if you like to have something a little smaller for your trip.

Conclusion

I hope that you love camping as much as I do before you buy this cooler. It is durably constructed and one of my favorite designs on the market today. The cooler is one that will last you many years and it is highly recommended to many fanatics of the outdoor world. I personally give the Ozark Trail 73-Quart High-Performance Cooler a huge thumbs up for all these intricate features included.

We hope you enjoyed this review and that it has shed some new light on your cooler for the future. We would like to thank you for reading this article and encourage you to let us know if you have ever used it before. Let us know in the comment section what you think of the Ozark trail cooler and if you have any other alternatives you would like to see us review.

This article was last updated on November 28, 2022 .