The voluminous 30L capacity is handy for long days at the office or in the backcountry. Also handy is the AirScape suspension that offers more comfort and ventilation than other suspension systems. The rucksack design means you don’t have a bunch of small pockets to remember and organize, you just load up and go.
Size is perfect for day trips, smaller individuals, and teens. Great for hiking in warm weather, thanks to the breathable construction, mesh straps, and hydration bladder hook up. Material is durable and will stand up to heavy duty use. We like that this pack has a lot of pockets including a zipper that allows you to access the middle of the pack without opening the top. Includes Trekking pole attachment points, compression straps and a sleeping bag compartment. With access to the Ozark Trail available year-round, hikers will need to prepare differently for each season.
Before purchasing this pack I used a more traditionally styled, and heavier, backpack for daily walks. I recently attended a seminar that explained the major difference of carrying lighter ozark trail canopy gear while outdoors. Be aware, this is a daypack, intended for lighter loads and shorter distances. It isn’t built to be on your back 8 hours a day, and it won’t support 25 pounds.
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. I have lost a couple of drain caps in my day which makes the cooler unusable until a replacement arrives. Cooler’s have become somewhat of a status symbol in the outdoors and many equate the bigger brands with better quality.
Specific water sources are indicated on Ozark Trail online and printed maps. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free.
The Vertx Gamut employs a print-proof scabbard that is perfect for protecting electronics, and for giving you a location to carry a handgun that is all but undetectable. That’s just as usual in the backcountry as it is on main street. The Gamut 2.0 is a great choice for those who carry, but even if you don’t the rigid scabbard offers a level of protection for your other items that no soft pack can offer. Perhaps the most versatile pack on the list, the Colma from Marmot will be just as at home on a 10-mile hike as it will getting your laptop to work on the train. Marmot is one of the premier names in pack design, so you don’t have to worry about the little things not being right, they’ve already worked that out.