Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Opsak alternatives
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Author | Message Text | ||
straighthairedcurly |
I do NOT like Opsaks due to premature and unpredictable failure of the zip lock. I much prefer Smelly Proof brand and also mylar zip lock bags that are designed for long term food storage (keep out light and air). Both are available in various sizes on Amazon. Smelly Proof are nice because they are clear. But the mylar bags are larger and can be easily labeled with a marker. I alternate them right side up and upside down to fit more into the sack. Be sure to wash and dry bags after each trip if you plan to use them again. Inspect for holes or cuts that could decrease the odor protection. |
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Minnesotian |
butthead: "Owned and used Ursaks for a long time. Never bothered with Opsaks. I have always used sil-nylon roll top bags as liners. Same here, I've been doing the same thing. I tried the Opsaks for one trip and found that the sealing "zipper" was so fine that it took forever to close, not to mention how gummed up it would get from grit and dirt. Additionally, the Ursack, no matter how much I cinched it down, wasn't as watertight as a roll top bag. |
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EddyTurn |
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bhouse46 |
No bear encounter tests but plenty of mice who got only my crumbs. |
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MN_Lindsey |
I have the Major, and the Almitey! This year I was absolutely FOOLISH and left my Major in the garage and the mice got into it and ruined it. Grrr.... My Almitey is super strong as it's reinforced with Kevlar. I've had it a really long time, and I think it will last the ages compared to the Major..... I typically just use zip-lock bags (doubled up) with that. I only bring freeze-dried stuff for the most part because now I'm mostly a hiker in the BWCA/SNF. Another fun tip, just before my BRT trip I learned a new way of tying up the URSAK using the typical double overhand knot... then making two loops, threading them through each other, adding a carabiner, and then adding a square knot on top. Total overkill but back in 2022 that particular bear was being super brazen, and the USFS told us to only take out what we need to eat and hang immediately! |
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timatkn |
The thing you are trying to do is minimize smells as best you can. The stronger the smell the more attractive it is to the bear and the further you might draw them in from a longer distance. For predators it’s more about the concentration and volume of the smell. A bear needs to conserve energy/resources. It can’t afford to expend tons of energy to travel a long distance to try to get a small food source. You are just trying to make your food less attractive—-so any reduction in smell helps in that endeavor. T |
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keth0601 |
Been using the ursacks for around 10 years now and the biggest complaint I have is the annual/bi-annual replacing of the opsaks. They just seem to wear out too quickly. Now that I have some of the larger ursacks as well I'm wondering if there's a better/larger liner rather than using multiple opsaks? |
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AlexanderSupertramp |
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boonie |
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butthead |
I do not believe in the odor elimination of an any form of container or it's necessity. Bears have much better sense of smell than even well trained dogs and odor-proof bags do not hide the odors left from cooking/eating/recent past campers. KenM |