What Garbage Bags for Pack Liners?

The standard bag is a compactor bag. Available online at Doitbest hardware. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews.html?forum_thread_id=16564&skip_to_post=124891

Miguel:

Compactor bags are rated 2.5 mil, and I believe 18 gallons is the standard size. If the size meets your requirements, then I too would highly recommend them.

However, if you need bigger size (say to line your entire backpack), then go for contractor bags instead. These come in 35, 45, 55 gallon sizes and rated 2.0 mil. To give you an idea, I've been using 35 gal. size for my beloved MS Ghost backpack. These bags will last a couple of trips. I've hiked for hours in hard rain and also had my pack dunked in a river once (canoe mishap) — and not a single drop of water has ever made it through.

The popular Hefty brand makes compactor, contractor, and other kinds of bags. Again, for comparison:

o compactor – 2.5 mil
o contractor – 2.0 mil **
o "tough" garden and lawn bags – 1.1 mil
o tall kitchen bags – 0.8 mil

** Same rating as the "giant" plastic bags that some airlines provide for passengers to protect their golf bags, baby carriers, etc.

A lighter option was discussed in this thread and these have been purchased in lots and distributed twice. Nylofume bags.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=47427

Caution: In the link John provided immediately above re. Nylofume bags… Greg Mihalik wrote"

"The durability comparison with a trash compactor bag is an "apples to oranges" thing. These bags are best compared to OP Sacks. Which have a very high failure rate, in my experience. The seals peel off way to easily. Using one of these inside a stuff sack or Ursack as an odor-proof bag is the application. Not storage and haulage. With a little care (not setting the full bag down on pointy granite) I think they would do fine."

This was an early thread and there are plenty of comments back and forth.Experience will build up this year once we all get out there and use them some more.

"The standard bag is a compactor bag."

+1 I get at least a season out of them, and usually 2. The only caveat, as mention, is volume, although I suspect that will not be a problem for any UL-er or even lightweight-er for at least 3 season use.

Hey thanks everyone! Good information. I think I'll order a package of each, compactor and contractor, and see how they go. I know Glen Van Peski uses a "turkey bag" (not sure what that is)… how does that compare to the compactor bags?

Miguel
Try your local vet. Ask for a dog body bag
(they come in different sizes)
Franco

Franco, way too much information!

–B.G.–

del

Yep, turkey bags are plastic oven roaster bags. The roaster bags typically come in two sizes over here in the states: small (pot roast) and large (turkey). Not sure what the actual volume is on one, but I managed to get a synthetic poncho liner stuffed down into it with no trouble.

Sgt. Rock recommends 'em. They're smaller and lighter-duty than compactor bags (I've tried both). For someone who is careful with their gear, the roaster bags seem like they'd last a while. I'm, unfortunately, hard on gear, so I don't have long-term experience with them. They just seemed too fragile for me to depend on for more than one trip, given my usual end-of-day fatigue-inspired antics.

If volume is an issue with compactor bags…use two!

Use one for the bottom of your bag (usually your sleeping bag, clothes and some in camp only gear) and one for the top (your daily use items, weather protection). You could also put your food cache in the bottom and just a single days ration in the top pack liner. Maybe a bit more hassle, maybe not.

I too also get a lot of use out of a compactor bag. I'm gearing up for a third summer on my first bag which made the $5 investment for 10 bags basically a lifetime supply purchase (although I tend to be VERY kind on my gear somehow).

A turkey bag is the plastic bag that people use to roast their turkey in at Thanksgiving (US) or Christmas. I have used them for my feet to keep them dry during stream crossings. I can't remember how many mils or how they compare to compactor bags, but they did fine in my shoes.

I picked up some Kroger brand trash compactor bags only to find that they were heavily scented when I opened them up. Watch out for these. I'm not confident taking them into bear country (even if they smell like fresh laundry and not food).