Review: Ozark Trail 45 liter, Backpacking Backpack

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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. We hike anywhere from 3 to 4 miles at a time up to 7 miles with a goal of a 10-mile round trip day hike. Sometimes it’s a single trail or we combine multiple trails at a state park. During these longer hikes I found it useful to have a large hiking bag and not just a school backpack. Not all hiking backpacks are created equal. Generally, you get what you pay for when you purchase cheap hiking gear. But I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the Ozark Trail 45 Liter Backpacking Backpack.

Ozark Trail 45 liter, Backpacking Backpack – Features:

The Ozark Trail 45 Liter Backpacking Backpack has all the features of a premium bag but at a lower budget friendly price. It has everything you need to get a beginner started with backpacking. Features taken directly from Walmart.com sales page.

• Top lid with zip pocket for added storage
• Large main compartment with cinch closure
• Front bungee cinch system as gear attachment point
• Trekking pole attachment point
• Rain fly and its storage pocket at the bottom of the bag
• Bottom compartment
• Side direct zip access to main compartment
• Hydration compatible
• Side compression straps
• 2 Side water bottle pockets
• Comfortable padded waist belt with mesh pockets for added storage and organization
• Comfortable padded back panel and shoulder straps
• Sternum straps
• Interior frame for weight support
• Adjustable torso system

Background

Back in 2020 my wife and I decide on a last-minute backing trip to the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. Because of this we realized we didn’t have all the gear we needed. We had our shoes, trekking poles, and water bladders. But no true hiking bags. My bags were either to heavy or hurt her back. They were more camera bags and short-day sling bags designed to be warned for light duty walking or short hikes where all I need is water and place to store my wallet, phone, and trail snacks.

After some research we realized they make backpacks designed for women, men and unisex. Because of her small frame we had her fitted for a woman’s bag at REI and she ended up getting an REI 22-liter clearance bag. I was fitted for a 45-liter bag since I needed to carry camera equipment, extra socks, knee sleeves, and extra supplies my wife didn’t need to deal with.

I was fitted for a men’s 45-liter Osprey bag. But we couldn’t afford $350 bucks in bags that we really wouldn’t use all that often. So, we decided to look around at some Amazon no name brands and wasn’t happy with those. Lots of quality issue complaints. So, I decided to try out Ozark Trail bags since they are known to have better quality at the same price as the no brands on Amazon. I decided to get one of their bags and try it out. If they failed or hurt while on the trail, I would return it.  As it turns out, I have no issues with it, and I am still using it today.

First Impressions

A few days before the trip I was at Walmart and was digging through the bag options with I came across a bag that you could completely customize the fit and the should.er harness was removeable just like the $150 bags, but this bag was only $45. I checked stitching, zippers and all the pockets. Everything looked good. The stitching wasn’t as good as the premium brand but, it was still a well-built bag that should last if I didn’t over stuff it.

I did some quick adjustments and gave the bag a try. It was heavier than the premium brands but still light enough for our needs. Once I got home my wife helped me fit the bag to my size and shape. We loaded the bag up with everything we might need for a 10-to-12-hour day out on the trails. It was heavy but felt good on my back.

I checked all the hook and loop connections, the straps, the plastic clips. Everything was well made and should last a while.

The Review

For our trip I decided to carry about 25 litters that included 3 liters of water, camera gear, and other hiking gear we may need on the trail. The bag weight is about 25 lbs. if I remember correctly. It was completely full and with it properly fitted to my back it worked great and feels good on my back.

I’ve been using this bag for over a year and love it for it size and comfort levels. I like how almost every strap can be adjusted to fit the user.  Most of our hikes are seven miles or less but we are combing the hikes so I’m wearing the bag for hours. The trails have been up hill/downhill near vertical hikes to rock hopping and scrambling over rocky terrains and the bag has always stayed in place.

When I first got the bag, I had issues with shoulder straps that pulls the bag up higher/lower on the back. But now it’s settled and almost never moves on me.

The waist pouch is too small for most items. I keep my keys a small Leatherman in that pocket. The top pocket I keep my cellphone, battery chargers, an extra camera battery, wallet and sunglass case. All for small easy access stuff. At the bottom, I keep a towel, first aid kit, and few other items, I may need. The easy access pockets (really just give you access to the main pack) I keep an extra pair of knee sleeves and socks.

In the main pocket I keep my camera bag and jacket and\other clothing for layering (for colder hiking days). I also have room for a 3-liter water bladder. The main compartment has pouch for it. This pouch could also be used to hold a small notebook computer but there’s isn’t any protection. So, you will need to have a sleeve for it. Make sure to wrap the bladder if you prefer cold water. The pouch isn’t waterproof. Your items will get wet from condensation. I wrap my bladder with a small bath towel (or you could get an insulated water bladder pouch for it) to keep it cool and my gear dry.

On the outside you will find two side pockets and rigging that can be used to tighten the bag, hold extra gear, and an option to hold trekking poles. The pockets work great for holding 32 oz Nalgene bottles or 40 oz insulated water bottles. I suggest have equal weight on both sides or switch the weight around. It adds extra uneven weight to your bag.  The rigging works as designed.  I normally don’t need it, but it does a good job at tightening up the bag up. I hate the trekking pole holders. They don’t work well, and they tend to get in the way. So, I end up carrying them when I don’t the poles.

Issues with the bag…

The only issues I have with the bag is that the stitching isn’t as good as you might find on the more expensive bags and its weight. The more expensive will use higher quality materials that are generally stronger and lighter weight. All this means that your bag will be a little heavier than a premium bag when fully packed.

I have noticed that when I fill the bag up full or close to full it puts stress on the stitching. To resolve this issue, I do not fill it completely up with heavy stuff. Honestly, most of my trips it’s a quarter full and the water bladder and extra water bottles are what makes it heavy. after the last few trips and hiking with a near empty bag, I decided to get a 20-liter bag since my gear only fills up about that half my normal bag. My suggestion is to get a smaller bag for shorter trips so can save on weight. Every pound does add up and if you cut the weight down by 5+ lbs. then it’s worth it for me to have a smaller bag.

Recommendations

So far, I’ve used the bag in the Wichita Mountains National Refuge, Cross Timbers Hiking Trail at Lake Texhoma, Tyler state park, Hiking Trails in the Big Thicket National Forest, Beavers Bend State Park, and Daingerfield State Park without issues. If you need a good cheap bag you need to see if the Ozark Trail Back Packs will work for your needs.