What do you use as a food bag?

[stevage]

The plastic-based bag I used as a food bag for a long time has worn out. I'm thinking I'd prefer something made of cotton or similar. Maybe something with a draw string?

I'm curious what bags others use, and where you got them.

(I'm usually carrying 3-4 days worth of food, plus bowl, spork and cup).

[north-north-west]

Anything that can't be packed as is goes in small (about 2litre) silnylon or DCF roll top bags. It's always best to have a container that can be sealed to minimise the chances of wildlife smelling anything and deciding to chew their way through the tent etc to get at it.

[crollsurf]

I use large plastic zip-lock bags. One for each day. Day 1 bag gets used as a garbage bag for the walk, the others get used again on another walk. Like NNW says, you don't want animals sniffing out your food.

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

A 12l roll top bag for most of the food and a 2l ice cream bucket (minus the ice cream) for the crackers and coco pops. I know you said you prefer a draw string bag but I find it's a lot easier to compress stuff with a roll top.

[Moondog55]

What the others have said but I do often use the stiff and solid bags that ALDI coffee beans come in, sealed with gaffer tape sometimes

[Son of a Beach]

And now for something completely different... On some walks I carry a large plastic tub (with sealable lid). This is because I often have crushable food that needs to be protected (eg, raw eggs, muffins, crackers, fresh cucumbers). I have a few sizes and aim to use the one that wastes the least space depending on how much food I need to carry. The tub itself weighs more than a bag, and does take up a little more space, but not much more. It's not for everyone. And certainly not for people that have boring food.

As the food gets consumed, the space in the tub can be filled with other (non-food) items.

It also doubles as a handy kitchen table - take out what's needed, put the lid back on, then use it as a table to slice cucumber, salami, cheese, or whatever, then lay out the wrap on it and spread butter, and place fillings, all on a nice clean table-top.

food tub.jpg (113.6 KiB) Viewed 8578 times

This is probably the largest tub I've used (and notice the second and third tubs - behind my knee and inside the large tub). This photo is lunch time on day 14, and the Ryvitas and cucumbers were still crunchy and crisp. (On this occasion, I did also have a cotton shopping bag with other sealed dehydrated meals. Could not fit 15 days' worth of food in the tubs!)

Last edited by Son of a Beach on Thu 05 Dec, 2024 7:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Moondog55]

I must admit to using Tupperware at various times to protect the strawberries for the cheesecake

[philm]

A lady in Launceston has just started making possum pouches which are thin mesh wire! Like some of the US made bags but made locally! Price is $110
Her name is Natalie Clark and she has set up a web site overlandoutdoorgear.com.au


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[Bill P]

I use Aldi or Kmart dry bags. Very durable and water resistant. Since a tas devil dragged off a food bag from my tent, I now use my food bag as a pillow.

[Katrive]

I’ve been using a cotton drawstring bag for carrying food for a while now, and it works great. It’s light, durable, and lets everything breathe, which helps prevent any weird smells. I usually pack for about 3-4 days, and it easily fits my food, bowl, spork, and cup. I grabbed mine from a local outdoor store, but I’ve seen similar ones on Amazon too. It's simple, but it gets the job done and is super easy to clean.

[matagi]

And now for something completely different... On some walks I carry a large plastic tub (with sealable lid). This is because I often have crushable food that needs to be protected (eg, raw eggs, muffins, crackers, fresh cucumbers).

You are not alone! We take a plastic tub as well. The size varies according to the number of days. Same reason, stuff that needs to be protected from damage and our "fridge stuff'. In our case we carry carrot and lettuce and sweet biscuits and also (depending on the menu) parmesan, butter and olive oil. The biggest one fits wraps carried flat.

I also take a plastic chopping mat that has been cut down to fit inside the lid, to minimise damage to the lid surface.