Ursack - recommended

“sarbar, I've come to the conclusion that most bears in our area don't seem to be interested in our food like some national park areas like Yosemite. Why? I don't know. Perhaps Washingtonians have been relatively responisble with food storage in the backcountry historically and the bears haven't been "trained" to mess with our stuff.
But yup, we love our Ursacks! My only problem with it is the fabric is so stiff that I can never cinch it closed enough. I'm sure a little mouse could squeeze his way in the opening and nibble, but it's never happened. *shrugs*
My favorite part about it is it's flexibility. Makes packing the backpack easier and as food is eaten the Ursack gets smaller. Those darn bear cans are a pain! They are always way too big for a weekend trip and they take up the whole interior of most packs. Strapping them on the outside and they throw off my balance. Forget trying to use an ultralight pack with them.”

“Same reason I hate canisters also Pixie ;-)Back when I used a 5500 ci pack, sure, it worked ;-)”

“Somehow I missed this... the HYBRID is now conditionally approved in the Sierra!


October 27, 2005
AMAZING BUT TRUE: URSACK HYBRID CONDITIONALLY APPROVED FOR SIERRA.
The long winter of our discontent is over. The Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) has unanimously approved the use of the Ursack Hybrid in the previously restricted ares of the National Parks and Forests in the Sierra: Yosemite, SEKI, Inyo, Devil's Postpile, Stanislaus. We have not heard from other areas that may not allow Ursack, but we anticipate that they will fall in line with SIBBG.

Specifically, this means that the Hybrid, which is the Ursack with our heavy duty aluminum liner, has been conditionally approved for use in those areas. Conditionally approved means that it has passed all zoo and wilderness testing by rangers, but still must successfully get through the summer of 2006 with actual use by campers. If we pass that test, then the Ursack Hybrid will have full approval. The difference to our customers is inconsequential since even containers that have received full approval can be later banned if bears figure out how to get into them.

The Ursack Hybrid weighs about 20 ounces and holds about 650 cubic inches. The aluminum liner is removable for use in areas where it is allowed.”

“Is it just me or does the liner look like a peice of HVAC pipe?”

“woohoo, I'm getting one for xmas! can't wait to use it.”

“I have been looking at the ursack and there are precious few places that even carry it now. There seem to be none on ebay. I see by their website that 2008 their approval in the Sierra's has been pulled. What is the situation in the Daks? Are they acceptable there or have they pretty much disappeared from the landscape? I like the idea of a soft sided bear bag and I like the idea of not having to hang the bag. So what's the scoop?”

“Long, interesting history our here (out here = California).

This is a CA company that (in my opinion) originally developed this product for use primarily out here since we were the 1st state to have significant criteria for bear-proof containers. (Doesn't mean the product isn't aplicable to all other areas in the U.S. that now have bear-proof container standards, just that it was developed for ours).

Due to all the tourons who have visited a lot of our frequently visited CA places like Yosemite, etc, and not protected their food & therefore created a huge problem not only wth bears but other wildlife, the standrads were developed by the state, and to get your container "approved", you have to meet those standards.

I could go on & on & on about how rediculous the ever-changing standards are, but basically Ursack has met the standards & been approved, then later didn't, then met them, then didn't, etc., etc., etc. It's been very frustrating for those of us who like & believe in the product, I can't imagine how frustrating it's been for the product developers!

I have 3 Ursack's which I LOVE & now basically use as what I call "critter sacks", meaning if I'm bp'ing in an area where I don't have to have a "bear-approved" container then I take my Ursack: If I'm headed into an area where I do need an "approved" container, then I take my Bearicade weekender, which is a GREAT product!

Don't know anything about the DAK's... just thought you'd be interested in the history out here, I'm guessing other states are just following th approval / diasapproval that CA applies to Ursack :(”

“wanderer - has a bear ever tried to eat your sack?”

“I have one and have used it. I have no clue if it works because no bear has made a grab for it. It seems well made.

The careful and often (intentionally?) vague language on the Ursack web site was something I found frustrating.”

“is it approved for the Daks? not that I am going to be heading up there soon, but it might make a difference.”

“oops - meant to say "your ursack".”

“The careful and often (intentionally?) vague language on the Ursack web site was something I found frustrating.”
Yogisan

I think that's attributable to the fact that these poor folks have to adhere to ever-changing California standards! They probably don't know what to say because the standards will change depending upon the season, phase of the moon, etc., etc., etc! (This is California, the worst place in the world to be if you want consistent & depebndable criteria to use to build / grow a company!)


wanderer - has a bear ever tried to eat your sack?”
moonglo

No, but that may be because I try very hard to NEVER camp anywhere where Tourons camp who have created the bear problems we have here in CA! I am basicaly a Backpacker, NOT a "CAMPER" who spends time at public campsites... (that's where the problems with bears are, public campsites (thanks to the tourons), the problems aren't in the backcountry!

I am happiest, for many reasons, when I'm in the backcountry! :)”

“There's good info on the ursack site. Sierra has withdrawn approval and Ursack is challenging.”

“Ok... For the record... I have seen the ursack in use. I know some of the history. I like the product. I am just wondering if 1) they are still being sold and where. 2) Are they approved for the Daks. 3)Has anyone given up on theirs and wants to get rid of it?

I did a froogle search and got only two hits for a web site that looked like it might be several years old.
last edited: 4/06/08 2:20:25 PM”

“you buy them online (ursack.com). call the "Daks" and ask if they are approved.”

“Thanks yogisan. I kind of figured it might come down to that, but thought I would inguire anyway. Collective wisdom is a wonderful thing.”

“well you never know if someone is selling one. i have seen them sold on ebay as well in the past.”

“I have one of these....the bears will actually smell the electric charge before they nose into it and turn away.
http://www.wilderness-solutions.com/index.htm


click the PRODUCTS link
last edited: 4/06/08 3:29:12 PM”

“If I had $250 to spend on a bear deterent I would probly hire someone to stand guard. Just for the company.”

“Rev - the Ursack isn't approved in the Eastern High Peaks region of the Dacks, unless they made a recent change. That said, I like the Ursack and use it everywhere else in the east, including areas in the Dacks not in the eastern high peaks zone.”

“Thanks pennsy.... I knew that had been the case but didn't know if it had changed...”

“damn... two hundo fifty and you won't know until spring 2008 (soon?) if it will be IGBC and SIBBG approved.”

“well I am a gear slut”

“can't blame you. the video of the thing was wicked cool if i recall correctly.”

“I have a bear fence I am working on weight 4 lbs 8 oz and will carry 6000 voltz. I'll be meeting a guy on thursday who says he can make me some carbon fiber rods to carry the poly wire. I'll let you know.”

“We used Ursaks on the JMT last summer, and had no prob with bears, but little critters did get in and chew thru the plastic bag I got with the ursak that supposedly helps conceal smells. Knew it couldn't but hoped for the best. We had the aluminum liner necessary to have it approved, and felt confident about the bear issue. If anyone has tips for sealing the top better, let me know. We tried and tried but couldn't get it tight enough. The ranger told me it was designed by a pissed off lawyer.”

“at one point i had heard that the ursack was sierra-approved if it had the aluminum insert. so this is no longer the case?”

“also, wasnt the material used to make the ursack (kevlar) changed to something else, or was the way it was produced changed due to a shortage of kevlar which was due to the war of terrorism?”

“It is no longer made of kevlar.... _and_ the construction technique was changed

The bottom is gusseted now instead of sewn in. There are two fabrics that are being used now. One green and the other yellow. Spectra and something else.

At least according to the website. Not sure which is "better"

SIBB has withdrawn its approval for the entire design in temrs of 2008. The compnay is contesting it. The latest news I saw was that Yosemite has had more failures of deterents than ever recently. They have found that people are just simply non-compliant with the deterent products, not that the products themselves fail. Ursack is suggesting that more emphasis be placed on overcoming the non-compliance than putzing with standards that aren't being followed in the first place.

sunnydayz... the FAQ on their website has a response to the closure issue.
last edited: 4/06/08 7:27:06 PM”

“if they ever get approval for the ursack WITHOUT the aluminum insert, i may get one. having a much lighter alternative to a canister would be a plus”

“according to their statements on the website, the aluminum insert does not improve the deterrent value, it protects the contents from being crushed. Like I care if my ramen noodles get crushed.”

“exactly!”

“The problems you guys have (Crash, Ramblin REv, etc.) is that you're trying to apply COMMON SENSE to the GOVERNMENT! YOU FRIKKIN IDIOTS!

The problem with Ursack & it's approval / non-approval is that those poor folks (Ursack manufacturers) are dealing with THE GOVERNMENT! (Yes, STATE government, but CA State Gov't still as unreasonable & ever-changing as the Federal Gov't, maybe even more-so in some respects!)

That's why "it's approved", No, it's "not approved", etc., keeps changing on their website. The requirements are ever-changing.

Personaly, I LOVE my Ursacks, and if someone is too stupid to figure out how to close the ##^@&* bag then, IMHO, they DESERVE to have their food eaten by a critter! :)”

“You can see how they supposedly "approve" or DON'T approve bear-proof containers - there's a bear near me @ the Folsom zoo (Fisher) that they use to test new containers submitted for approval.. Here's one of the video's, just do a search if you're interested & you can find a number of others!


http://video.aol.com/video-detail/black-bear-vs-ursack/2310835421?icid=acvsv3”

“i'm still thinking about getting it even if it doesnt get approval. its not expensive, and is worth saving several ounces vs the bearikade. then i would only take the bearikade into places where approval is required”

““i'm still thinking about getting it even if it doesnt get approval. its not expensive, and is worth saving several ounces vs the bearikade. then i would only take the bearikade into places where approval is required”
crash bang

WOW... THIS IS FREAKY! A Common-Sense post, here on TrailTalk?

Whew! What's next?

(Off the record, CB, since no-one yells at me about it... I take my Ursack in areas that are non-bear-approved container areas... whenever I go into the Yosemite & related areas that require an "approved" bear-proof container then I take my BeariCade.”

“thats the plan, stan”

“Actually, I'm thinking about getting one of these too. Backfire, who I traveled with from New York through Maine on the AT, used an ursack on his entire trip. It worked fine until one night in Maine when either a deer mouse or squirrel chewed a small hole through it. We couldn't believe it. He had it lashed to the trunk of a tree about chest high. He never had any problems with the rodents going in through the top.

The deer mice were really bad in Maine last fall . . . even the locals commented on how bad they were. We battled those suckers almost every single night in Maine. Sometimes we would win, and sometimes they did.

BTW, I finally got my AT journal started on trail journals. I'm writing one entry a day, one year later . . . lol!”

“i finished my journal last year. 3 years after the hike. beat that!

that sucks about the mice. i never even saw or heard a single one in 04. i have a ratsack. maybe you should take that, too”

“Hey wanderer!! Ouch!! I'm not stupid, but do admit to inexperience. I loved the ursak for the weight, and have much to learn about most things--working on sealing the top just didn't seem a priority before the trip--figured we'd figure it out. I was just happy the tarp held up great, my homemade sleeping quilt performed marvelously, my homemade dehydrated food was passable, and I did 80 miles in 10 days on the JMT at 50 yrs old for my first ever backpacking trip. My 20 yo daughter was with me, our packs averaged 21-22 lbs. Eventually I'll figure out how to close the top of the Ursak. I don't give up easily. I met Jackstraw and Gem at VVR, and they told me about this site.”