Outsak Food Bag

**slippery6000** · 07-30-2009, 18:00

This site has answered so many questions for me over the last 18 months or so. Finally I have something to say, so here goes:

I have used the Outsak, Animal Resistant Storage Bag on 2 occasions in the past 6 weeks. I have a habit of using established sites when I backpack. Nice for environ, but not so nice on campsite critters(easy pickings for them). 4 months ago I did a trip where I hung my food and some animal jumped from the tree, or limb, or climbed down the line to get my hung food. A friend did a trip to Grand Canyon and came across this bag at a store on the south rim.(general Store I think). He told me about it, I ordered one from the manufacturer at www.simpleoutdoorstore.com and I have used it on two outings. The second of which an animal of some sort got to our hung Outsak and pulled on the wires a bit, but got no food. This things works. I guess it helps when the guy down the trail didn't take any precautions, other than hanging, to keep the critters away. He had a heap of junk to clean up in his site.

I recommend the Outsak to everyone I know who backpacks. This is a great bag made of steel wire mesh. The top closes with velcro, thick velcro, heavy duty stuff. The wire is enough to keep out most critters. There are some warnings about bears and ravens.

**BrianLe** · 07-30-2009, 23:42

Seems quite similar to a ratsack, http://www.armoredoutdoorgear.com/ratsack.htm
In fact, comparing capicity in cubic inches, the ratsack seems a little lighter and a little cheaper, for example, 6 oz size small ratsack at 1200 c.i. for $30 vs. 8 oz size small outsak at 1100 c.i. for $33.

Caveat: I have no experience with either, and have seen some comments elsewhere suggesting that Ratsack has issues with order fullfillment --- If I were interested in one of these (I'm happy with my Ursack ...), I'd contact the Ratsack folks first and ask how long it takes them to ship an order.

**brooklynkayak** · 07-31-2009, 10:14

Originally Posted by BrianLe

If I were interested in one of these (I'm happy with my Ursack ...),

I guess it depends on where you hike, I think the Ursack is better in bear and raccoon country, Ratsack and the like are better in coyote and rodent territory.

There have been lots of discussions about the difference.

The real important thing is to double bag your food inside the bag to get the scent down to as close to nothing as is possible. Critters aren't going to be attracted to your bag if it has a weak scent.

**slippery6000** · 07-31-2009, 15:09

I've also read plenty of bad things about ratsack. I would also recommend talking to them before placing an order. Lots of posts about being charged and not getting a delivery, credit card disputes, lenghty shipping delays...etc.

Ordering from a store is always a more comfy feeling than online only manufacturers. Just not sure what you are going to get.

If a store won't sell the product, who can you expect to buy it?

**GeneralLee10** · 07-31-2009, 17:05

Here in Florida we do have rodents and once a bear has come up to my camp at night behind me while asleep in my HH and woke me.

Boy that was a night I tell ya! but never had anything get to my food.

The food was hanging from a tree and I was not in a shelter. Serious is a bag of this kind needed for your food while on the AT? I have read some threads on food bags before on this site and seems like most of you just used a regular bag of some sort.

**slippery6000** · 07-31-2009, 21:54

I guess it becomes necessary just after the first time it happens. the ursack and outsak are both great prevention in rodent infested areas, or overused campsites.

I spend a fair amount of time in Wyoming and all I ever carry is a nylon bag and a long line to hang my food.

**STICK** · 08-02-2009, 13:53

I have read post on the backpacker forum that states that the Ratsack buisness is no longer in existence, however I have read that they will still be happy to take your money! I personally have no expierence or first hand knowldege of this, but I too have read many post about being riped off by this company.
So, go with the other option, go with the Outsack! I have read many good things about this little sack, and I believe the owner (may have been someone affiliated with the site that sells them) even posted on other sites about thier product. I am actually about to order one of the larges to carry with me on my upcoming AT hike, in 4 weeks.
I would like to get the Ursak, and I will be in the future, but the Outsack is a cheaper option for me right now, and I believe with the combination of the Outsack and the bear cables I believe (or hope!) that this will be an effective combo.
And yes I have some of the OpSaks that I will be bagging my smellables in before I put them in the Outsack, and I will also have most of it in regular Ziploc bags inside the Opsaks......
My 2 cents....

**STICK** · 08-02-2009, 13:58

Originally Posted by lndwlkr

Serious is a bag of this kind needed for your food while on the AT? I have read some threads on food bags before on this site and seems like most of you just used a regular bag of some sort.

The only thing about using a regular stuff sack is that rodents will crawl down the rope and attack the bag, which wont be a problem for them to penetrate, however if its a wire bag, they will not be able to get into the bag, and you will not wake up with a stuff sack hanging in the tress that has been chewed to pieces!

**Deadeye** · 08-02-2009, 14:00

Originally Posted by lndwlkr

Serious is a bag of this kind needed for your food while on the AT?

Necessary? Not really, but just like the concept of making your house tougher to break into than your neighbors - the easy targets get hit first. If you don't camp at established sites on the AT, you can pretty much as you please with your food.

**slippery6000** · 08-02-2009, 14:17

I think the key is an ounce of prevention....

don't give them the chance. I have been that guy in the campsite cleaning up his tattered remains of his food. No fun.

**Kerosene** · 08-02-2009, 17:48

Originally Posted by STICK

The only thing about using a regular stuff sack is that rodents will crawl down the rope and attack the bag, which wont be a problem for them to penetrate...

Never happened to me in over 150 nights of hanging my food, at a shelter or bear-bagging. However, it would have been nice the one time I tried to leave a food cache that I was hoping to pick up in 4 days; I think it was a raccoon that got to it.

**STICK** · 08-03-2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by Kerosene

Never happened to me in over 150 nights of hanging my food, at a shelter or bear-bagging. However, it would have been nice the one time I tried to leave a food cache that I was hoping to pick up in 4 days; I think it was a raccoon that got to it.

See my luck the very first night it would happen to! Ha.

**STICK** · 08-16-2009, 23:20

I ordered my outsak and Im expecting it in this week! Cant wait!

**joec** · 08-17-2009, 12:47

I had a rodent chew into my bag, hanging about 12 ft up, this past weekend. This was the first time for me, as I usually hammock away from shelters. It was on the final morning and food was not a big issue as we were walking out in a few hours. Just makes me want something better for the next trip.

**STICK** · 08-20-2009, 18:02

I ordered my Outsak from Simple Outdoor Store and it arrived to me in 3 days! I was/am very pleased with the service.
As far as the sak itself I havent put it to the test, but I have hung it here just as practice. I ordered a large and just jamed it full of stuff and alot fit! I will be using it for my fiance and my AT hike in GA next month. It will be holding all or smellables (of course in odorproof bags) in it.
If looking to buy I would definately buy it from simple outdoor store, and it even has free shipping!

**MadMike** · 09-22-2009, 16:08

I just joined and this is my first forum visit to Whiteblaze. I noticed the Ratsack discussion and thought I would jump in. I had a Ratsack and loved it dearly, but lost it on a rafting mishap. I tried to order another one but was not able to reach the people to get my order filled. I did a google search and found a few Ratsack spin-off options. I ended up with what's called a Grubpack. It's a stainless mesh bag with velcro like the Ratsack. I have been using it since February and it works extremely well.

I am not an AT hiker (yet). But it's on my wish list. I do most of my treks on weekends in various Utah and Arizona parks. I admire through hikers to the utmost! I've read books and articles written by them. What a fantastic adventure it must be. I've never been east of the Mississippi yet, but someday......... (:

**beas** · 09-22-2009, 22:12

Just got mine. Wifey ordered it for my section hike. Everytime I have been out something has got in my food bag hanging on bear cables. The ratsak came in within several days no issue. Looking forward to cramming food in there.
BEAS

**slippery6000** · 09-23-2009, 12:11

Hey mike-

where have you been in AZ and Ut?

Four corners area is a bit of a curiosity to me.

I like rocks.

If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me some spots to check out...

thinking about a trip to AZ next spring. not to phoenix, but to sedona or north, or south of phoenix towards Tucson.

any hiking tips for the area you can share

you can send a private message

this might not be the place for Arizona talk

**lazy river road** · 09-23-2009, 12:53

bump for file reading

**redick1955** · 09-23-2009, 20:18

I have used the Ursack for years and am quite satisfied with it.

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