Outsak UL food storage bag

At 4.1 oz for a 630 c.i. bag, that's getting close to the Ursack Minor at 2.7 oz for a 650 c.i. bag.

It would be interesting to have someone do an independent shoot-out between these two, testing both of these light critter-resistant bags side-by-side against a variety of critters. I don't think I'll be the only one attempting an AT thru-hike with an Ursack Minor this year; shelter-mice and associated vermin might give it somewhat of a test.

I really wish there was an all-in-one UL solution available. If you're going somewhere where BOTH bears and critters are an issue (as it is around here) the only real option seems to be a bear can. Or use one or the other and hope it doesn't get chewed or squashed through.

I thought about using both, but the problem is that if the Outsak is overtop the Ursack, a bear could rip it to shreds; likewise, critters could chew holes through the Ursack before getting stopped by the Outsak.

Brian…include spotted skunks to the list. I was camping in the shelter near White Oak canyon last weekend and 2 skunks woke us up running around on us and poking me in the head while I was sleeping. They have some heavy-duty claws!

I never encountered any critters in the wild while using it normally, so I just stuck some food in it and tempted the animals in the yard.

I had a blast watching a wandering housecat claw at the thing for hours. He didn't have much luck. A raccoon was able to bend the mesh enough to eat half of a hotdog out of it, tiny piece by piece. Bear in mind this was possible since I put a raw hot dog in it with no protective sack.

I think it would be quite effective against mice.

To be clear (I've seen confusion on this point on other threads), I'm not talking about the traditonal Ursack, but a new product by the same manufacturer that's not bear proof but intended to be critter proof — the Ursack Minor, $40 and 2.7 oz:
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-minor.htm

In one place on their site they say that "The superfine fiber and dense weave prevents marmots, squirrels, mice and other sharp toothed critters from getting your food."

In another place they say "We've tested the Ursack Minor with squirrels and raccoons, and although it came through unscathed, we rely more on the technical specifications to know that it works."

So no mention of spotted skunks :-) But I'm heartened at the mention of racoons. On the Olympic Coast in WA there are places where actual bear cans are required of backpackers because racoons are so smart, their ~fingers are so nimble, and they're pretty strong. If the Ursack Minor really is racoon proof I'd give it good odds against a skunk too. TBD, however, the product is new, no objective, independent testing that I'm aware of.

To my knowledge, we are the only company in this category of outdoor gear that has conducted a public field test of a new piece of gear.

Many thanks to the members of this community for their help in our field testing of the Outsak UL. It took a few months, with several material changes, assessment of usable capacities, and just some basic tinkering to get us to the final version. Those who participated will get a free Outsak UL or UL Micro…..their choice. Those who contacted us to volunteer but did not participate will receive a discount on a future purchase via email.

Our blog has some great photos of the Outsak UL being attacked by raccoons. It also has several responses from field testers.

http://outsak.blogspot.com

Specs are available on our website. http://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com

These bags are tough. Made from stainless steel.

I tested another stainless steel wire mesh bag called GrubPack between Aug and Oct of 2010. I contacted them to buy one of their rodent proof food bags for trips I had planned to the AT and then later to the Grand Canyon. They offered to give me a GrubPack and to use it and then let them know what I thought of it, and offer suggestions for improvements. I have nothing but good things to say about these mesh hiking food bags. I believe Outsack and Grubpack are essentially the same thing, though I must say I have no direct experience with the Outsack. The Grubpack is exceptionally well constructed. It was repeatedly hit by mice and squirrels at the Grand Canyon. It repelled dozens of mice at various AT shelters. I had only one certain encounter with a raccoon on the AT (near the Virginia-Tennessee line). I had the Grubpack tree-hung and the commotion of the raccoon trying to get in the bag at night was enough to catch my attention in my tent. I put my flashlight on him but he just kept trying to get in the bag. I then went out and made enough noise and motion to chase him off. The Grubpack showed little sign of intrusion and the raccoon did not breach the mesh. My food stayed safe on both of my trips. Because I know firsthand how well the Grubpack worked for me (and because it sells for less and ships for free), I have recommended it to friends and people I have met along the trails. Didn't mean to ramble on, I hope this information is useful.

Regarding:
"I really wish there was an all-in-one UL solution available."

Maybe some kind of mix of stainless steel and aramid(Kevlar) fibers.

I know the aramid in the standard Ursack is good against strong jawed, dull toothed bears, but the stainless steel mesh is better for week jawed, razor sharp teeth.

I suspect that it would be a compromise.

Although people have said that the aramid Ursack is not good against coyotes, but I had a pack of coyotes take turns with mine and although there are plenty of tooth marks, none penetrated.

I did have it hanging a few feet off the ground and that may have had something to do with their inability to penetrate it.

Has anyone tried a cuben fiber food bag, like the zpacks Blast or the Mountainfitter drybags? They are much cheaper and lighter than any of the other critter-proof-only options, even when combined with an OP sack. The testimonial on the zpacks site said mice can go at it all night without success, and I read a similar review on BPL in the comments of a PCT through-hike gear-list. On another BPL thread regarding the odor-proofness of dry bags, One commenter said he had a coin-sized hole put in his Blast by a marmot or pack-rat, while another said that he let a raccoon go at his all night and it was no worse for wear. Either way, I have nothing to report on their effectiveness against coyote, and I'm nearly positive it would be like tissue paper to a bear.

That's good to know about cuben being somewhat resistant to critters.

Sometimes birds and squirrels can be a problem when hanging food in some areas and I just replaced my silnylon food bag with a cuben one:-)

I just used an Ursack Minor for the first time on a trip to Havasupai (south side of Grand Canyon). First day using it, campground squirrels chewed through the bear-bag line to drop the bag, then chewed a golfball-size hole in the Ursack, the “odor proof” OPsak, and several bags of food while we were exploring waterfalls. Do NOT use an Ursack Minor as your only protection against rodents!!! Luckily for me, I had brought some extra food and was with a group. Funny thing – my wife’s food Ziplocs were in the same bag, and they didn’t touch any of hers.

I need to try one of these stainless steel mesh bags. Or figure out an elaborate squirrel-proof hanging food-mobile contraption. They are excellent climbers!

So if anyone has experience or reasons to choose of the stainless steel mesh bags over the others, please reply and let me know.