I avoid freeze dried meals because of their saltiness, expense, and packaging. I prefer using powdered soup mixes, instant potatoes, and Knorr side dishes as a base with my own dehydrated vegetables and meat added. I purchase dried chicken from Mountain House and add it to most meals.
We loaded the bag up with everything we might need for a 10-to-12-hour day out on the trails. The stitching wasn’t as good as the premium brand but, it was still a well-built ozark trail chair bag that should last if I didn’t over stuff it. Ultimately, the good design for this product was that it was sized right for what I needed, both in dimensions and weight.
I used the word “think” intentionally, because what I thought I knew about Ozark Trail was not correct. Ozark Trail is proving to be a really solid competitor for outdoor products. This cooler has a number of features that you would find on more expensive coolers and a few that you won’t find. Our sister site Alloutdoor.com recently reviewed a hiking backpack sold by Ozark Trail that had an overall stellar performance and it triggered a question among our staff.
Water sources such as rivers and streams may only be available seasonally. Ozark Trail maps are a great resource to help identify places where you can access water. Bring enough water for your trip or a way to purify water to make it safe to drink. Many of the creeks and streams look crystal clear, but it’s still smart to make sure any impurities are removed with pumps or tablets before drinking the water.
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 ozark trail backpack discretionary fund. A perk of hiking lesser-traveled trails are fewer (or non-existent) permits and parking fees. The Ozark Trail does not have permit, parking, or registration requirements for its trail sections. Wetlands give way to ridgelines at the start of the Blair Creek section.
All though I’ve been hiking for years, my hikes have been short ones no more than a mile or two. Normally they took place at a green space or a nearby park. For these outings it was carrying a Nalgene bottle of water in a pocket or on a strap and large jug kept in the car for the drive home. But over the last few years my wife and I are into longer hikes.
Making products that are intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly is crucial. But there’s one more thing that can contribute significantly to designing exceptional products and ignoring it means missing out on creating products that are truly iconic. I never carry bear spray and only used a bear canister once in the High Sierras of California where it was required. I use a bag for food and tie it in a tree, but mainly to keep the little critters out. Many trip failures can be traced to the planning process or something overlooked in preparation. Even on the best of trips, I usually learn of things I should have done differently, often related to travel distance, packing, or food.
Surprisingly, you don’t have to spend a lot to get a decent packpack to get you started. If you are building out your gear on a budget, the Ozark Trail 40L Eagle is a bargain internal frame backpack. At under $50, this pack was my main backpack for over a year, and still serves as an occasional backup to my other bags. A frame is important because it will keep your back from getting sore by distributing the weight along your spine and hips, rather than on your shoulders.