View Full Version : Food Sack
Hi everone just wonder how big should my foodd sack be to carry around 5 days worth of food on the trail. iseen a large sect at campmor.
Here is a picture of the one i was thinking of getting http://www.campmor.com/images/sleeping/larger/48231_l.jpg
I use 3-4 different colored food sacks. I have one for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Just makes it easier to dig out the one I need
Lone Wolf
12-14-2007, 14:49
way too big. half that
4eyedbuzzard
12-14-2007, 15:02
22 x 36 ?
Hmmm, that's 13,000 + cu. in. or about two Dana Astralplanes
Try getting one in black, its harder for the bears to see it at night.
Looks about right. You could put a couple loaves of bread in there, a watermellon, 2 liter of coke, and maybe still have room for one of those handy ice cream makers. You know, your basic backpacking food. :D
Too big!
It is a very interesting size. Kinda like a walk in pantry.
taildragger
12-14-2007, 16:40
How many of you guys are using stuff sacks versus compactor bags? Just curious, I think that I'm catching the dirtbagging bug
wrongway_08
12-14-2007, 16:54
I like the "vacum bags". REI sells them, they have a valve that after you put what ever in the bag, you press the air out and close the valve.
I tried the compression sack, lotta work - the ones I have used.
the stuff sack just dont compress enough for me.
Next trip, I am tryn the valve style sacks.
I have used white kitchen bags in the past, and even a pillow case once. My favourite was the white breathable storage bag that came with my sleeping bag. I'm not sure why I liked it more than a regular stuff sack material. Not sure where it went either. I suppose with bears and critters and rain a combination of the two might be best. I try not to use too many stuff sacks and plastic bags. Usually just a large orange trash bag for the sleeping bag, a mesh bag for my clothes not worn, and a white kitchen bag for my food. Sometimes food and clothes get mixed together in the same bag to seperate wet from dry. I might add a mesh pocket to the outside or top of my Jam2 as my Kelly Kettle and stuff takes up the back pocket. I would kinda like something more permanent than those kitchen bags though. Even dirtbagging can get too expensive sometimes. :)
For trips of about 4 days or so, I like to use the large orange bag in the OR Helium Ditty Bag set (http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/storage/storage_stuffsacks/38055). It's bright color makes it easy to find, has plenty of room for me and fits nicely in the top flap of my pack when packed correctly. :D
As others have stated, that size might be a bit large. However, I have used this type bag for hanging in bear country for a larger group. Worked well for us.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=365211
Also, here is a link to another type of waterproof bag.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=193965
These have the purge valve, and in different sizes.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-14-2007, 17:21
That a mighty big food bag... think I'd go about half that size as a solo hiker. I made ours from silnylon - it has a hanging loop on the bottom and a cinch cord at the opening. I cinch it shut and hang it upside down so the contents stay dry. It is also funny to watch any mice or squirrels that manage to get on the line slide off the bag.....
maxNcathy
12-14-2007, 17:22
Your bag size is for a diet of puffed wheat and rice krispies.
I use 4-6 litre bright orange bag..don't want to forget the food behind!
envirodiver
12-14-2007, 17:30
I use these they have several different sizes. The food will stay dry and they are very lightweight. I've had my food hanging through thunderstorms and it all stayed dry.
http://www.rei.com/product/730879
dessertrat
12-14-2007, 17:42
I hope you're hungry.
Gee, I just use a sil-nylon stuff sack, same size as my sleeping bag stuff sack (different color)
I use a very old sleeping bag stuff (not storage) sack. I think it's about 9X14. That's all I've ever needed for a week long trip. I repackage my food to make it fit as compactly as possible (no cardboard boxes or cans). I eat very simply, though, on trips longer than three or four days, just to keep things light. As stated above, don't buy food with lots of air in it (mostly you'll find this with cold cereal), and you should do fine with a 9X14.
A tip, though, is to try to match the height of the bag to the width of your pack, and the width of the bag to the depth (front to back), so that when it's full, it will fit easily. Not necessary, but worth considering.
when it's full, it will fit easily. Not necessary, but worth considering.
Two bags that fit work.
I can fit too much in an 8x15.
the_iceman
12-15-2007, 09:39
I carried 2 Granite Gear Air lIne #6. They are bright yellow so I could pick them out from the other food bags on the bear hooks. I think bears are color blind and find your food by smell anyway.
I orginally went with 2 bags becasue that is how we bear bagged out west. I never did do the balanced baggin thing on my hike but I liked having two bags.
I carried a ton of food. People made fun of me but I ate a lot and still lost 40 pounds.
I used one bag for breakfast, lunch, and snacks and the other bag for dinner. I carried olive oil, fresh garlic, crushed red pepper, and assorted spices. Spices are really light and you will probably enjoy the variety.
Go with light Sil-nylon. Check out the Granite Gear Air line. The containers they come in are good for spices as well.
dessertrat
12-15-2007, 14:53
I carried 2 Granite Gear Air lIne #6. They are bright yellow so I could pick them out from the other food bags on the bear hooks. I think bears are color blind and find your food by smell anyway.
I have read that they have vision roughly equivalent to human vision, and see in color just fine.
River Runner
12-16-2007, 02:45
I use these they have several different sizes. The food will stay dry and they are very lightweight. I've had my food hanging through thunderstorms and it all stayed dry.
http://www.rei.com/product/730879
These do make good food bags.