Ozark Trail 14 Liter Medium Hydration Hiking Backpack, Grey

Filtering or chemically treating water is overwhelmingly recommended. I used a Katadyn BeFree 1-liter filter and only needed to clean it once in my 16 days. I carried my water in two, 1-liter SmartWater bottles. “Every unfavorable turn of weather brought some reward,” said Berchek of his fall hike.

ozark trail backpack

Temperatures can swing from chilly mornings to sweltering afternoons. Pack rain gear to stay dry, and consider bringing one or two sets of clothing for hiking and one set of clothing to change into at camp. One of the best parts of backpacking is settling around a campfire and enjoying a hot dinner after a long day of hiking. You may find it helpful to make a list of meals for each day you are out on the trail to ensure that you are not over- or under-packing for your trip. Some 1-person tents will have two major spars or spines that cross for the main support structure. In the Ozark Trail tent, it has only one spar traveling down the center lengthwise with a single rib to open up the area in the middle.

The Ozark Trail 1-Person Backpacking Tent is on the cheaper end of the spectrum. A variety of websites have it currently priced for less than $50. Many higher quality tents could cost 3 or 4 times that amount. Before purchasing this pack I used a more traditionally styled, and heavier, backpack for daily walks.

Some days this bag was heavier than I would have chosen it to be. However, it took a pretty good beating and has held up. The only thing ozark trail chairs I might add is a liner for wet days, like a small plastic trash bag. I can’t imagine loading this up with a lot of bulky, heavy items.

While this pack may not be big enough to carry all the gear you need for longer treks, it offers many of the features you would want at a good price. Designed for practicality and durability, the Ozark Trail Hiking Backpack features a capacity of 40 liters, accommodating a range of outdoor essentials for your adventures. Cuts, nicks, bruises, aches and bug bites are normal issues for any backpacking adventure. Make sure you have first-aid items to deal with these common problems so they don’t derail your trip. If you’re on the trail for several days, toilet paper and a cathole shovel are necessities. When you do have to answer nature’s call, make sure to stay at least 100 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep.

I was also surprised by the amount of trail maintenance on such a ‘less talked about’ trail,” Tils said. Because it’s basically a single compartment stuff bag, I did have to make sure the items inside were distributed properly. I have used the hydration compartment for items like my iPad. My shoulders did not chafe nor rub or irritate while walking and I did not get any bruising on my hips. I only walked about a mile away on a dirt trail to the showers but it was not a flat surface and the equiptment on my back was stable. Fast and easy to adjust and all buckles and webbing are in good quality.

“A cold front bringing thunderstorms was preceded by a spectacular cloud show on Stegall Mountain. A sub-freezing night brought beautiful, delicate frost flowers. Water from a full day of rain and a nighttime thunderstorm brought life to the small waterfall in Wolf Pen Hollow.

Packing-wise, I chose to line it with a garbage disposal liner. If you need a large pack, or are heading on a days-long adventure, this pack won’t work for you. While this pack won’t work for everyone, it’s a practical size for day trips, light travelers, and kids. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top daypacks.

Trail section pages include maps, directions, and downloadable GPS (.gpx) and Google Earth (.kml) data. I think you could strap things to the outside, as it has a daisy chain and two loops at the bottom. I agree with the other reviewer though, I would not go over about pounds with this pack. Order your 2024 Official Missouri Travel Guide and start planning your Missouri adventure today. Tents, hammocks or open-air camping — you can do it all according to your comfort level. Just be prepared to face changing weather conditions out in the wilderness.

This 14L pack is designed for maximum versatility so you can focus on the great outdoors. It features two main compartments for maximum storage and organization, as well as a shove pocket with a clean, gusseted design for carrying extra items. Also included are side profile daisy chains for carrying items externally.