Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler

Your Perfect Outdoor Companion Awaits

The great outdoors is calling your name this summer. You want to answer with an ice cold beverage in hand. But how do you keep drinks chilled to perfection when you’re miles from home? The Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler is the perfect solution. This rugged, affordable cooler has the features you need to keep food and drinks cold for your next adventure.

Before you head to the store, let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Ozark Trail 26 quart cooler. This in-depth buying guide highlights the cooler’s key specifications, top features, and how it compares to other popular models. Read on to find out if this is the ideal outdoor cooler for your needs.

Key Specifications and Dimensions

This midsize model offers ample 26 quart storage capacity. It measures 23.4 inches long x 16.75 inches wide x 15.7 inches high on the exterior. The interior storage space is 20.5 inches long x 13.5 inches wide x 11.7 inches high.

With exterior dimensions under two feet in either direction, the Ozark Trail 26 quart cooler is a great size for transporting in cars or trucks for tailgating, camping, and other outdoor activities. The wide design offers stability and makes it easy to fit larger food containers or lots of beverages upright.

Superior Ice Retention Keeps Items Cooler Longer

Nothing ruins a picnic or camping trip faster than lukewarm drinks and soggy food. Thankfully, the Ozark Trail 26 quart cooler is designed to retain ice so your items stay fresher longer.

The thick EVA foam insulation encasing the walls and lid does an excellent job blocking external temperatures. Owners report this cooler can keep ice solid for up to 2-3 days in hot conditions. This keeps contents chilled for your entire beach trip or weekend camping excursion.

For even better ice retention, it helps to pre-chill the cooler a day or two before use. Filling the empty cooler with ice and draining the water right before packing it lets the walls get frosty cold. This gives you a head start on heat insulation when loading drinks and perishables.

Durable and Waterproof for Years of Outdoor Use

From fishing trips to pool parties, your cooler gets dragged through the wringer. The Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler is made to handle the wear and tear.

The heavy-duty roto-molded plastic construction gives excellent impact resistance. You don’t have to baby this cooler – it holds up well to dings, dents, and being lugged around.

Waterproof sealed joints prevent leaks, so you won’t end up with a soggy mess. Both the exterior and interior surfaces are easy to clean after use.

Many owners report their Ozark Trail coolers last 5+ years with regular outdoor use. For an affordable price, you get a cooler built to last many seasons.

Portable Design Makes Transport Easy

At 12.3 pounds empty, the Ozark Trail 26 quart cooler remains reasonably lightweight for its size. The molded side handles provide a comfortable, ergonomic grip for carrying shorter distances by hand.

For longer hauls, the manufacturer includes a nylon rope handle. This allows two people to carry the cooler together. You can also lash the rope handle to an ATV or truck bed for transport to your destination.

Once you arrive, the flat lid makes an excellent seat for camping or hanging out at the beach. Non-slip rubber feet help keep the cooler in place.

Convenient Drain Plug for Quick Water Removal

After a long day outside in the heat, the last thing you want is a heavy cooler sloshing with water. Thankfully, Ozark Trail designed this model with a drain plug built into the bottom.

The leakproof rubber gasket ensures no mess. Just twist to open and let the water flow out. The wide plug opening allows for fast drainage so you can easily dump ice water without tilting and struggling with the heavy cooler.

The drain also makes cleaning a breeze. Simply attach a garden hose to rinse away dirt or sand after a day at the beach. Remove the drain plug to dry fully after cleaning.

Available in Multiple Bold Color Options

Why settle for boring white or black when you can match your style? The Ozark Trail 26 quart cooler comes in vibrant color options like red, green, orange, blue, gray, and tan.

Color-coding your cooler allows easy identification among your group. It also makes your cooler highly visible. You’ll never lose track of your drinks on a crowded beach.

Both the exterior and interior feature matching colors. Except for the tan option, the inside is white for easier visibility when grabbing food or drinks.

Durable Enough for Outdoor Adventures

Hanging at the beach is fun, but this cooler offers the ruggedness for backcountry adventures too. The thick plastic walls hold up well to being strapped onto boats, ATVs, trucks, or camping trailers on bumpy dirt roads.

While not certified bear-resistant, reviewers report good success keeping food safe from bears while camping. The locking lid latch helps protect contents from raccoons or other wildlife.

Anglers appreciate the leakproof, easy-clean interior that keeps bait and catches fresh. Hunters use the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler to pack meat from successful trips. Wherever you roam, this cooler has your back.

Affordable Price for the Features

Higher-end rotomolded coolers can run $200+, which is overkill for many buyers. At under $50 retail, the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler provides impressive value. You get premium construction and multi-day ice retention at a fraction of the price.

Frequent sales at Walmart make this best-selling cooler even more budget-friendly. It’s not uncommon to find it priced under $40 during holiday weekends or inventory clearances. At this price point, you can buy multiple coolers for different uses.

For families, sports teams, or outdoor enthusiasts on a budget, it’s hard to beat this cooler’s durability, performance, and price.

Thousands of Positive Reviews

With thousands of mostly 5-star reviews, real-world users confirm the quality of the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler. They are impressed with the ice retention and durable build.

Many reviewers mention still having ice after three days of camping or traveling. Families love the size to hold food for day trips with kids. Anglers say it keeps fish fresh on long fishing days.

There are very few complaints about quality issues or defects. The vast majority say it meets or exceeds expectations for keeping items cold on outdoor adventures.

Comparison to Other Popular Cooler Brands

The Ozark Trail 26 quart cooler holds its own against premium competitors:

• Ice retention falls short of high-end brands like Yeti and Pelican, but matches performance of RTIC or Canyon coolers costing twice as much.
• Build quality is on par with or better than Igloo or Coleman at this price point.
• More features like a drain plug and rope handle versus cheap Styrofoam coolers.
• Lighter and easier to carry than some metal drink coolers when loaded.
• More customizable with color options versus higher-end brands.

Unless you need 4+ days of ice retention for serious expeditions, the Ozark Trail model is a smart budget pick for most buyers’ needs.

Important Cooler Features to Consider

Before choosing the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler, think about how you plan to use it. This helps you determine which specs and features matter most:

• Will it primarily store drinks or food? Look at can and bottle capacity.
• Frequent long trips? Seek better insulation for max ice retention.
• Car camping or road trips? Pick a lighter weight model.
• Backcountry excursions? Seek bear-resistant certification.
• Beach and pool trips? Drain plug for easy water removal is ideal.
• Tailgating parties? Models with tie-down points or that fit caddies help.

Assess where you’ll use your cooler and what you need to store. This helps ensure you select the best size, build, and bonus features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shoppers considering the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler often ask:

How many cans does it hold?

With a 26-quart capacity, the cooler holds up to 26 standard 12-ounce cans with some ice. You can fit even more soda or beer cans by loading them vertically.

What are the best accessories?

Popular accessories include bottle openers, cup holders, tray dividers, and tie-down kits for transport. Padded seat cushions make the lid more comfortable for sitting. Consider a plastic liner to protect the interior.

Does it come in larger sizes?

Yes, Ozark Trail offers this model in 52 quart, 72 quart, 110 quart, and other sizes. The 26 quart capacity hits the sweet spot for many buyers needing a mid-sized cooler.

What are the care instructions?

Use mild soap and water to clean. Remove the drain plug to dry fully after rinsing. Avoid abrasive chemicals or cleaners that can dull the finish.

Can you sit on the lid?

Yes, the lid is sturdy enough for using as a seat for one person at a time when flipped over. Avoid standing on the cooler.

What is the warranty?

90 days against defects from manufacturing or materials. Does not cover damage from regular use over time.

The Perfect All-Around Outdoor Cooler

For camping trips, BBQs, and days at the beach or pool, the Ozark Trail 26 Quart Cooler delivers. It provides excellent ice retention at a bargain price point. The durable build and handy features like a drain plug and rope handle make transportation easy. Thousands of happy owners agree this is the ideal mid-sized rotomolded cooler for outdoor fun.

Now that you know what sets this cooler apart, it’s time to get one before your next adventure! Head to Walmart to pick out your favorite color and see why this is one of the retail giant’s top-selling cooler models. Your drinks will stay ice-cold while you soak up the great outdoors all summer long.