Has anyone had any experience with this ursack? It’s suppose to be bear proof and mice proof. It’s made of some tuff fabric. It’s only weighs 7 oz or so but it’s pretty pricey. I hear these stories about the mice in the shelters being so bad, I was wondering if this would work for them as well.
Angie
I’ve been using one for over a year with no problems so far. I haven’t hung my food in that time, but there’s no guarantee that voracious critters have or haven’t tried to eat through it. I don’t really use shelter areas anymore, and that in itself is the biggest factor, I think.
Lots of people like them, lots of people say they’re the biggest waste of money/weight they’ve ever bought. I’m of the first group, personally.
-Howie
Hungry Howie
I make Howie carry my food. Just use and old stuff sac and hang it right. Even that’s a maybe if they know how to get in it. In the Smokes we saw a possum walk right over the bear cable and mouse deflectors and proceed to chow down while we watched.
Bushwhack
I used one for 3 months on the AT last year.
No bear abuse, and the mice chose easier options.
Scamp
Scamp
Thanks everyone for your input.
Eric did a mouse really eat a hole in yours? or is that trail humor?
Angie
No, really! I was tarped in northern MA and had the ursack sitting beside my head. In the night, a mouse ate a hole through the side and munched about 1/4 of an Oreo. By that point in the hike (northbound AT), the bag was much more supple than it was initially, which might have made things easier for the mouse.
On additional ursack consideration: the bag is not waterproof. So if you tie it to a tree and it rains in the night, you’ve got soggy a ursack in the morning. Perhaps wise to put an outer bag of silnylon or plastic around it.
Eric
For the price of those bags I would think that they would automatically be waterproof. Thanks for tips. I’m doing a long backpack with someone who purchased one these. I hope it works for her. I’ll be watching closely.
Angie
Angie: I’ve owned the URSACK for about 3 years now & used it on some “overnighters” & section hikes on the A.T. (Smokies, Blue Ridge Mtns,etc)…its made of KEVLAR…a strong synthetic woven fabric…never had any mice, raccoons or bears eat mine…in fact, i see now the URSACK is even stronger (according to their ads)…as for waterproofing…i’ve always sinched mine super-tight…& never had any water get inside…
how old was that URSACK Eric had anyway??? hehehehehe!:lol
www.trailjournals/JaybirdandJigsaw
“Jaybird”
I have been using an ursack for a number of years now and like it. To my knowledge however it has never been assaulted by a bear and I have only hiked in areas with black bears. I do not hang it, but simply tie it according to suggestion by the manufacturer. I do have complete confidence in it with respect to other critters. I purchased the larger size so as to be able place any odiferous items in it. I hang my pack on a tree with rain cover with all zippers open and have nary a chew whole in it. I am fastidious about a clean camp and have separate sleeping equipment that never comes near any thing that woud draw animals. I am then free to sleep on a consistent cloud night after night in my “silkies” down bag and hammock. In winter I swear by a vapor barrier liner in the bag.
dad
dad
Is all you’ll have left after a bear gets done stomping your food in an Ursack. Hang it or canister.
Cracker