Reader Reviews

Rating: 2 / 5

This large size is listed for use in bear cannisters. It could very well be user error but this didn't work for me. The root of the problem was a combination of the inevitably lumpy way food items wind up being stored in the sack inside a bear cannister and the fact that, because of its length, the zip closure couldn't be maintained in either a straight line or a gentle arc. It always wound up with some tightish curves. After a few days out when I opened the bear cannister I could immediately smell my food and a couple of times I could see open sections of the zip closure. I did test the bag as instructed before going out and in use I was always careful to slide my fingers tightly along the seal a number of times.

Rating: 4 / 5

I have found them to be quite effective in the Sierras the past two summers.

I have a Bearikade Expedition, and if you're not careful, the metal edges around the latches can slice an OP sak when you put it in or take it out. Consequently, I won't use them in the can. An Ursack could be an entirely different story.

I use them for trash bags and to hold any extra freeze-dried meals that won't fit in the bear canister. At night, I leave them out on the ground, away from camp and the bear canister. I've watched bears walk right past them (in the dark) and never notice them; wouldn't try that during daylight hours when they can see it.

Bear canisters are (supposedly) impervious to bears so I don't care if they are not odorproof. I put my canister away from camp in a spot where Yoggie might find it, but can't roll it away if he does.

The smaller OP sacks make fair dry food containers, but they don't have the puncture-resistence of the Aloksaks.

Rating: 1 / 5

I almost dispise Aloksaks for their lack of durability. Why pay so much for something that hardly lasts more than a few uses!

Edited by sabme on 08/29/2007 14:04:58 MDT.

Rating: 4 / 5

They do last a looooooooooooong time when used as a map case, though.

JRS

Rating: 2 / 5

I also had difficulties securing the seal on the on the OP Sak in both a Bear Vault and an Ursak (w/aluminum liner). The OP Sak is square and the bear containers are round. Perhaps a better design would be a gusseted bottom and/or sides so it sits in the container properly.

I know that the seal is supposedly some sort of patented, waterproof design but it doesn't seal as well as a typical double zip freezer bag. It might be airtight when sealed but it doesn't stay sealed as well. I've observed this on both the OP Sak and smaller sized Aloksaks. Obviously, this is an issue where moisture is a concern. The Aloksak design seems in need of an update in my estimation.

Rating: 4 / 5

Yes it does take effort to seal the bags properly and not cut or tear them, I do wish they were more durable and their diameter is slightly smaller than Ursack, Bear Vault and Backpacker's Cache so it takes 2 side by side to fully utilize the volume of these devices.

Despite these significant short comings, I still swear by this product because it keeps bears away from my Ursack and my car. I've had no encounters in the field over the past 2 years and I've left a car full of food (covered by a tarp) for 120 days in prime bear habitat (Whitney Portal and Yosemite Valley) with no bear problems.