Trash Compactor Bags

[nogray]

Seems I've read in a lot of places to get a trash compactor bag to insert into your backpack. I've just assumed this is for waterproofing, is that right?

I've looked at a number of different grocers and can't seem to find them. Anyone have suggestions for where to look for them?

I am trying to keep my pack significantly below 30 #, and I'm doing good at that, and I have a smallish pack, so I'd rather get one TC bag than a bunch of smaller stuff sacks or so. Running out of room in my 50L (or is it 45...it seems to be shrinking).

::mattie

[Christoph]

I got mine at Lowes or Home Depot, can't remember which. The first day of my trip was a true test. I started out at Amacolola Falls during a tornado warning and there was thunder, lightning, hail, and torrential rain. NONE of my stuff I didn't want to get wet did. Just line your pack with it and either cut it down to size or roll it up. Works great and I'll do it again every trip.

[NJdreamer]

I got mine at Lowes or Home Depot, can't remember which. The first day of my trip was a true test. I started out at Amacolola Falls during a tornado warning and there was thunder, lightning, hail, and torrential rain. NONE of my stuff I didn't want to get wet did. Just line your pack with it and either cut it down to size or roll it up. Works great and I'll do it again every trip.

Thanks for the advise. I bought a box of 30 bags at Home Depot today for $10. They are white, which may make it easier to see stuff at the bottom of the bag. Each weighs 2.5 oz, which saves me a few ounces if I leave my pack cover at home, and re: a scent, all I smell is plastic. After buying 30, I may give away most of the extras to hikers in my area.

[Malto]

You should be able to find them at most hardware or store stores like Walmart.

[Puddlefish]

Ace Hardware has an unscented 5 pack.

[Venchka]

Safeway, Kroger, they're everywhere. Look.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[HooKooDooKu]

Just about any grocery store or hardware store should have Compactor Bags. However, many are scented, and the scent can be quite strong (and doesn't wash out).

The Ace Hardware store brand is indeed unscented... but I've found that many Ace Hardware stores do not carry their own store brand of compactor bag (perhaps as few as 2 out of every 7 I've tried has carried them).

[OCDave]

I wonder if Trash Compactors are more popular in other parts of the country. Trash compactor bags in my area are clearly more rare than in the home towns of others on this forum. They can be found but, not in most local grocery and hardware stores in my area. Also, I don't know anyone who has a trash compactor.

[Venchka]

I wonder if Trash Compactors are more popular in other parts of the country. Trash compactor bags in my area are clearly more rare than in the home towns of others on this forum. They can be found but, not in most local grocery and hardware stores in my area. Also, I don't know anyone who has a trash compactor.

Got a Walmart? Order at Walmart. Com and have them shipped to the store. Or Amazon. No reason why you can't find them.
I had trouble finding the unscented type. I finally found the Safeway house brand unscented.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[OCDave]

Safeway, Kroger, they're everywhere. Look.

Wayne.

Got a Walmart? Order at Walmart. Com and have them shipped to the store. Or Amazon. No reason why you can't find them.
I had trouble finding the unscented type. I finally found the Safeway house brand unscented.

Wayne .

I didn't say "Impossible to find". However, in my area these are not "everywhere" as they apparently are in your area. Locally, SOME Walmarts carry the rolls of 20 scented bags. No Walmarts I have visited stock the unscented bags. Also no luck at Home Depot, Lowes, Target or several ACE hardware stores I have visited. Apparently Trash Compactors just aren't that popular with local builders.

I prefer my ZPacks CF liner but, backpack frequently with my sons' Boy Scout troop and keep a supply of trash compactor bags to distribute.

PS: The same issue arises when I shop for an IMUSA mug. Only 1 Walmart out of the 6 nearest stocks IMUSA mugs.

[Wise Old Owl]

I wonder if Trash Compactors are more popular in other parts of the country. Trash compactor bags in my area are clearly more rare than in the home towns of others on this forum. They can be found but, not in most local grocery and hardware stores in my area. Also, I don't know anyone who has a trash compactor.

20 gallon trash bags are fine.

[squeezebox]

Can anyone tell about the size of the turkey bags. I'm looking for something for my day pack and also 10-12 L bicycle panniers. Seems to me I'll probably use 2 turkey bags for each day pack or pannier.
Your thoughts??
Thanks

[squeezebox]

Hey! Sorry for not searching first. The turkey roast bags are about 19x23". rated for a 21 lb turkey. A good size for what I want to do with day pack and panniers. The smaller 8 lb size is 12x9x7 (probably a good size for must keep dry clothes, or for stinky stuff that goes in the bear bag) About $1 each. Worth trying IMHO.

[Wise Old Owl]

Hey! Sorry for not searching first. The turkey roast bags are about 19x23". rated for a 21 lb turkey. A good size for what I want to do with day pack and panniers. The smaller 8 lb size is 12x9x7 (probably a good size for must keep dry clothes, or for stinky stuff that goes in the bear bag) About $1 each. Worth trying IMHO.

Too noisy - (the plastic)

[soumodeler]

I have found them at Ace Hardware (Hefty brand) and Home Depot in the cleaning products aisle. These are the only two places I have found unscented bags.

[Traillium]

Trash compactor bags don't seem to be available here in Canada. None of the big stores carry them …


Bruce Traillium

[Odd Man Out]

The compactor bags are relatively heavy duty which is useful if you are on the trail for weeks/month at a time (i.e. thru hike). I too got some at a local hardware store. But if you take shorter section hikes (which is what I do), a regular garbage bag would probably work fine. However, recently I have been using an odor barrier bag (Nylobarrier by Litetrail). These are lighter yet more durable than polyethylene bags. They are waterproof, so they serve the function of a back liner with the added bonus of giving you an odor barrier, keeping food odors (which I keep outside the pack liner) away from from by sleeping bag and clothes (which are inside the pack liner). Here is someone else's review of these:

http://briangreen.net/2012/12/a-real...roof-bags.html

Unfortunately, Litetrail no longer seems to be in business. But I read somewhere that these same bags can now be purchased under the name of Base Camp Odor Barrier Bags. I can not confirm they are the same, but here is a favorable review of these.

http://www.profoodstoragecontainers....s-backpacking/

I got a sample pack from Litetrail such as the Base Camp ones sold here. I use the medium (2 gal) bag as a food bag liner and the extra large (13 gal) as a pack liner.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/s...6484/cat100877

[displacedbeatnik]

Even a less sturdy garbage bag as a liner will help in keeping stuff dry. The advantage of an extra large bag is that they're built not to rip as easily and they cover the entire inside of any pack guaranteed. But I've used "wimpy, wimpy, wimpy" (dating myself?) bags with good success too on shorter hikes.

[Lyle]

I agree, compactor bags are difficult to find. I think, perhaps it may be a regional thing.

I do not EVER recall seeing them in a grocery store or hardware store. I looked a few years back, but gave up. I find regular, sturdy trash bags work just fine, I've never had my "must keep dry" gear get wet in my pack. I finally decided, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and gave up on finding a trash compactor bag.

[Ryder]

http://www.walmart.com/search/?query...ad=trash%20com