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. The Hiking Backpack Eagle bag is our top choice for the best Ozark Trail backpack. This backpack is a hiker’s dream thanks to its spacious 40-liter volume, shoe compartment, attachment points for trekking poles, and hydration pouch compatibility. This bag comes with a rain cover in its lower compartment, which gives you the freedom to tackle your next climb even with some precipitation. Just about every other daypack I've had falls apart under the weight of my books (med school). 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. You really can’t go wrong with any of the bags in this guide, so browse all of the above options before your next camping trip. With access to the Ozark Trail available year-round, hikers will need to prepare differently for each season. Ozark springs see a lot of rain and varied temperatures; Ozark summers tend to be hot, muggy, and wet; Ozark winters can drop below freezing. Wet weather is common to the Ozark climate, especially in late spring through summer, and fosters a breeding ground for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks. The best Ozark Trail backpack all around is the 40-liter Hiking Backpack Eagle, which comes with a shoe compartment, attachment points for trekking poles, and a rain cover. The Ozark Trail brand is synonymous with camping. If you’re an outdoor adventurer, you can’t go wrong with a backpack by this trusted brand. 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. Grab your queen (or buddy!) and feel like a king lounging out on this insanely cool airbed. It might look like a glamping item, but for under $100, how could you not take this with you on your next adventure? Oh, and the electric pump is internal, so you'll save time when you want to inflate the bed in a hurry so you can make the most of sleeping under the stars. I never carry bear spray and only used a bear canister once in the High Sierras of California where it was required. 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.