This is a comparison of Yeti’s 1 gallon Rambler jug and Walmart’s Ozark Trail 1 gallon jug.
Both are stainless steel, double-wall insulated. The Yeti jug costs $130 and the Walmart jug costs $30.
Body
Physically, they are very similar. There are no noticeable differences in the steel or the construction of the steel. The thickness between the two steel walls is also similar for both jugs.
The opening on the Yeti is significantly bigger. This makes it easier to fill (especially for ice) or wash out.
The Ozark Trail is more more narrow and taller than the Yeti.
The Ozark Trail has an outside diameter 6.2″ of Yeti has an outside diameter of 6.44″. The Ozark Trail has a height of 13.25″ and the Yeti has a height of 12.25″ (not including the handles).
Lid
The biggest differences between the two are the lids and drinking caps.
The Yeti lid is twice as thick and weighs twice as much. It feels like solid plastic. It’s definitely more insulated than the Ozark Trail lid, which is thin and light in comparison.
The Ozark Trail has a non-detachable cap so it can’t be lost. The Yeti has a detachable cap with a magnet. When the jug is being used, the cap magnetically attached to lid. It’s possible to lose the Yeti cap.
The handles are similar, but the Yeti’s is nicer. The rubber handle on the Ozark Trail slips freely around the metal handle, making it harder to hold. On the Yeti, both the metal handle and rubber grip are thicker. The rubber on the Yeti doesn’t slip.
Both jugs are much stronger than an old style plastic jug. They are certainly stronger than most people need. However, I could see the lid on the Ozark Trail jug cracking after a few dozen drops. I can’t imagine the Yeti lid ever breaking, it seems exceptionally solid and strong.
Both jugs seem very watertight. I haven’t had any issue with either leaking. The Yeti is probably less likely to leak if it was dropped.
Conclusion
The Yeti is slightly nicer in every respect, but I can’t say it’s worth $100 more than the Ozark Trails. Yes, it’s more durable, but how important is that?
These are heavy jugs that are useful for keeping a drink hot or cold for a few days. They will probably sit around at a home, farm, job-site, or in a car or truck. These are situations where other sources of water readily available, so you don’t need to spend $130 on a super-durable Yeti water jug. Hell, for the price of 1 Yeti, you could buy 4 Ozark Trail jugs.
On the other hand, if you’re part of Yeti’s core consumer group (deep-sea fishers, hunters, and other remote scenarios), then the Yeti is probably the best choice.
If status and brand names are important, then buy the Yeti!
What about a ice test my man?
Excatly what I was thinking, how can you compare the two with seeing which one holds ice longer.
I’ve had the Ozark trail 1/2 gal and it was a game changer, never had any issues with the lid and I use it daily in a heavy industrial work environment to stay hydrated, it gets up to 105 degrees in the plant sometimes.
Didn’t see a way to edit to add info, my Ozark trail stays iced throughout the day, I fill it when I get to work and fill it when I go home. I’ve forgotten to refill it when I went home before and left it in a hot truck all day after being in the hot plant all night, it still had a little ice in it.
If you have NEVER dropped a lid or a cap then the Yeti is for you. Far too easy to lose the Yeti’s cap down a trail, through a grate, in the water to make it the best choice. The magnet is a poor solution for the issue at hand and the Ozark Trail solves it much better. Cold retention is more or less equivalent.
Cap is the only problem with ozark trail. Takes more twists to undo and when u tilt up to drink, that attached cap is in ur nose. Yeti cap spins off quick and is handy to slap on the magnet…… if u r ok with the above problems. Ozark trail hands down is the best bang for ur buck. Although my issue is minor, it’s annoying when trying to take quick swigs frequently throught the day. Yeti was worth it for me. But I still use ozark trail ones to make big batches of slushies and it keeps them perfect all night. Also use it for larger batches of soup as well
I have the 1 gallon Ozark trail water jug and am very pleased with it’s durability! Its fallen off the back of my truck and bounced down the road several times receiving some pretty good dents. It still keeps my beverage ice cold for days! The only damage that is an annoyance is the plastic ring holding the cap, its busted pretty good making it slightly dificult to screw the cap on straight. A buddy of mine has the yeti half gallon jug and it was dropped once denting the bottom edge. It’s not a very big dent yet it has compromised the insulation of his jug. He’s told me he has to fill it with ice twice a day to keep his beverage cold! Ozark trail for the win!!!
My ozark trail 1 gallon has held ice for 3 days adding water as needed
Very pleased
Does the lid on the Ozark Trail supposed to have a rubber gasket? I bought two one had a gasket inside and one didn’t.
Yes, the Ozark Trail does have a rubber gasket.
I have a half gallon Ozark. Brand new it leaked with a gasket. How do I fix this problem? where do I get gaskets?
Yeti worth an extra $100? NOT!
I wish someone would show how the bottles are made !