The Path Less Traveled #010 Ozark Trail 30L Hiking Backpack Review

It isn’t built to be on your back 8 hours a day, and it won’t support 25 pounds. Used for its intended purpose, this is one of the best hiking/backpacking deals I’ve ever come across. I bought this pack recently on a whim while shopping Walmart. I needed a day pack and didn’t really have lots of time to search at REI for the various styles provided having only gone to one store. This daypack ended up being the cheapest after a quick perusal.

One feature that has become priceless to me is the forward slanted bottle holder. Overall, its a key feature that I couldn’t live without now. I could go on for a while on more details, but you get the idea that it’s well thought out. I have had the bag for going on two years now, and can say that it has held up through miles of abuse across mountains and countries. Its been through California, Spain, all over the eastern seaboard, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and more.

A backpack is perhaps the most important part of your hiking setup. Once again, it took me a little bit of time hiking before realizing that, but luckily, I have a few different suggestions after using several packs over the years. And, you don’t have to spend a ton to get something that will work for you. While this pack won’t work for everyone, it’s a practical size for day trips, light travelers, and kids. This roomy and practical backpack works well for a multi-day hike.

ozark trail backpack

We’ve scouted the best routes, from easy day hikes to epic overnight bike-packing.Find detailed itineraries, directions, and maps right here. The ozark trail chairs has a total of 22 liters of capacity with several pockets for your essentials. It has an open top side pocket, a vertical hidden pocket and a large zippered main compartment. It is also designed to hold a 15″ laptop in the padded pocket. So there you have it, when looking at just the ability to keep ice cold over a period of 6 days the Pelican has just slightly won, but we are talking about decimal points. I have to say that I am very impressed with the performance of the Ozark Trail 45Q cooler.

I’ve been attempting to drop weight for the past several years, mostly because my knees can’t handle it. My shelters have gotten lighter as have my sleeping system — next in line for a diet was my carry system. Funds, however, were non existent and my CFO (i.e. my wife) wouldn’t increase my discretionary fund. Before you leave home be sure to let a friend or family member know where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Indicate how many days you will be gone and approximately where you plan to stay each night. One of the best parts of hiking is settling around a campfire at the end of the day and enjoying a hot meal.

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, pack a paper copy of a map in case you lose signal or find yourself ozark trail chairs without battery. Trail maps are free to print at home or are available for purchase at the online store. Tent, hammock or open-air camping — choose your camping style based on experience and comfort level.

Shoulder straps are lightweight mesh-lined with very little padding. Outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, and also for school. The front and hip straps make it very comfortable and takes alot of the pressure of your shoulders and back. Pelican is a newer entry in to the world of rotomolded coolers and have taken their own spin on design and function. Overall the Pelican coolers have sharper edges and a bit more of an industrial feel than the competition. One of the first things to note about it’s design is that it has a larger drainage hole and a tethered drain cap, which is a nice feature.

It is also hydration compatible and comes with an included 2L reservoir so you can stay hydrated on the trails. The one downside with integrated rain flies is the lack of ventilation and temperature control. We had great weather – not too hot and not too cold – but it did rain for about 5 minutes. My friend chose to not put up his rain fly betting on the perfect weather to continue ozark trail canopy while enjoying the stars at night. During those five minutes of rain, he was a little more stressed as the risk of a wet sleeping bag had not been completely mitigated and he rushed back to the campground. True, I wasn’t able to remove the rain fly to watch the stars or let the wind ventilate my tent, but I was able to enjoy the day hikes without any sort of worry.

I needed to charge my headlamp, watch, and iPhone, which I used often for GPS, photos, video, and journal entries. Includes compression straps on the sides to keep your gear stable. This pack has a lot of extra storage pockets for organization of your gear. 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. Here the 30-mile Current River section picks up, following the river for two miles before veering south toward Stegall Mountain.

Follow the signs to stay on established paths to reduce your chances of getting lost. Staying on the trail also helps prevent erosion and damage to fragile plant life. The Ozark Trail Association marks and improves the trail and ensures campsites are well maintained. We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews.