Zip Lock Bags, Nylon Stuff Sacks, Trash Bags

“When you folks are packing your pack do you use zip lock bags, nylon stuff sacks and/or plastic bags to put your stuff in that you don't want to get wet. Would you use these items in place of a pack cover or use both. Has anyone ever lined there pack with a clear plastic bag to keep gear dry. Also if your in a place where there aren't any bears what do use to hang your food in to keep the other critters from getting to it.”

“Yes, all of the above in various combinations to suit the gear I've packed, the expected weather conditions, and my mood at the time. I usually use a trash bag for a pack cover and I have stopped using a trash bag to line the pack.”

“I use all of them.”

“I have a big lawn and leaf bag in the bottom of every one of my packs as well as a tall kitchen bag. I will use the tall kitchen bag for a pack cover. I like to bring plenty of the plastic grocery bags for things like putting my shoes in to keep the tent clean, pack stuff in them, ect...don't forget the water bucket too.”

“Water bucket!
LOL Nigal!
bacpac is gonna dog ya again now!”

“I can't justify buying a nylon stuffsack when I got Gallon ziplocks around the house.”

“I use a trash compactor bag to line the main compartment of my pack. Everything inside that bag goes in stuff sacks or zip locks. I always bring extra garbage bags 5 or 6. I used to not use a pack cover but I got one after doing some snow camping.

I keep my food and pot in my food bag (just a large stuff sack) and the whole thing gets hung up at night.”

“Oh yeah, and I hang my food with a rope between 2 trees to keep critters out of it. Walkindude once suggested using an old cd with the bag rope threaded through it to keep mice out of it. I'll probably start doing this. I think it might also work on sqirrels and help scare off any scavenging birds that might be tempted. We had trouble with Ravens at the campground when at the Grand Canyon.”

“"Walkindude once suggested using an old cd with the bag rope threaded through it to keep mice out of it."

Now THAT'S a kewl little trick! I like it, I like it!”

“My sleeping bag goes into one of those OR hydroseal bags. I started doing that after seeing what happened to a friend when his water bladder burst inside his pack. Food and small items go into zip-locks, clothing into a compression sack and all other items go into nylon stuff sacks. I like being able to unload my bag without losing everything. I use a nylon pack cover.

I like the CD idea - something to do with all those AOL discs they keep sending.”

“Nigal, I hope you camp close to the water. That 'bucket' would be empty if you had to go too far.

I bet you don't even carry that heavy PUR filter, you ematiated, sickly Ultra-lite freak.”

“I've heard it told that on one trip he actually moved a picnic table into the water so he wouldn't have to far to carry his leaky and irresponsible water bag! I have pictures!!!!”

“Now now! That was NOT an official water bucket bag. That was a beer bag that was carried around and then thrown in the water to keep said beers cool. You have to get two or three new, unused bags from the grocery (sneak a few in when your bagging your own food). Place them inside each other and there ya go. Nay say all ya want but it’s just one of those things ya have to try for yourself to believe.

Bacpac, I absolutely love every ounce of that Pur filter. I had no idea how fast a filter can work til I used that one. It’s one of the best pieces of gear I own in MHO.”

“I am going to skip the $20 go-lite sil nylon stuff sacks and stick with my many ziplocks, trash bags and grocery bags. I use a garbage bag inside my pack rather than a pack cover.”

“I carry all clothes, food, & other items in freezer ziplocks,(industrial strength and a little taller than normal, ziplocks). For my pack and shoes I carry two pack covers that weigh 6 oz. ea. When in the bivy, I leave my pack in one cover and the shoes, fleece in the other for they wont be wet in the morning.”

“We put out food and misc stuff in zip lock bags. We carry our clothes in a garbage bag or grocery sack. We also bring an extra bag to pack out stuff we don't want to leave on the trail.”

“I use ziplock bags quite often. As a matter of fact, if anyone wants a lifetime supply of good quality ziplock bags, be sure to visit PacSmart.com.”

“Man, with all those trash bags going into the woods you would think some would be cleaner!

Steel sacks, gallon ziplocs and smaller, grocery bags. If I can, the pack and everthing else not needed after hours gets wrapped in a plastic bag and strung up.”

“I use lots of ziplock bags of all sizes and strengths. I keep my sleeping bag inside a trash bag in the stuff sack. Stuff is often organized in stuff sacks as well. If my water bladder leaked, I would probably be OK.”

“I'm going to try making some tyvek stuff sacks for my sleeping bag, etc. I'm curious to see how well they'll work out.”

“I did a lil research and asking around. After my thermarest got pretty wet last weekend..i was confuzzled. Thermarest list being waterproof on the bottom and water repellant all over. The valve was closed..and no holes. I also had bought the Thermarest stuff sack...which is urathane coated and listed as 100% waterproof. It was cinched tight..and a small ziploc bag placed right inside the opening to keep any water from sneaking past the drawstring. My question is..why the hell was my pad wet (2 inches of rain) if all this stuff is "waterproof". Rabbittman..what brand pad was yours?...my pad's cover was wet..but not the foam...his foam was soaked and holding water.”

“I agree MOT. My extra bags usually come out of the woods full of other people's trash.

If they can't carry out what they brought in, then they should stay home.”

“Opie I sprayed my thermarest sack with water repellent. It works just fine.”

“Opie, are the seams sealed? It may be treated for water repellency and then leaking at the thread punctures.”

“NIce points guys..i was so caught up looking to see if the bag was waterproof i forgot to check the seams to see if they are sealed...it wasn't a tent or jacket so i didn't look..DOH!!!..and recoating the bag won't hurt either..THANKS...*dabs at a tear*..man i love you guys...LMAO
*reaches for their beer*”

“Back off the beer, mon! I don't want to have to hurt you.”

“I was in Wal Mart yesterday and they had some new Ziploc Heavy Duty bags.
The bags are 24"x 21-3/4" and it says it will hold up to 30 lbs. The bottom was pleated so it will stand up and it says it has a moisture resistant seal. A bag of 4 was a little of $ 6.00. The also had a smaller size, 6 gallon I think. I went ahead and picked up the 12 gallon size, figured I might use one this weekend.”

“*Steve Hiker brings a big Freezer bag and uses that to get water in.
*Sirpete uses those space saver bags for his sleeping bag and one for clothes. You know them bags ya put #&%!$ in and mash all the air out of them.
*I line my pack with a trash bag if I know for sure it'll be raining pretty hard or if I know I'll have a major streem crossing to deal with.”

“I carry an extra heavy duty lawn and leaf bag in my daypack for day hikes. If the weather should ever turn, they make nice emergency windbreakers or raincoats. Poke holes for head and arms.

I break meals down into small freezer bags before the trip. Makes it easy to pull meals out, and you have a little trash bag for whatever scraps or trash you might have.

I also use them to wrap things that need protection: weather radio, wallet, whatever.”

“Dang, those space saver bags seem like they'd crush the life right outta your loft.”