Armored Outdoor Gear Ratsack Cache Bag

This bag will save the rodent population from me.

So I've been an avid backpacker for 20+ years and never knew these existed.

I've never had rodent problems where I've been until this last year where I've had two campsites bothered by relentless deer mice in Joshua Tree and a tent ruined by squirrels eating the zipper in Malibu.

So while planning a 30-mile trip in the Grand Canyon I became aware that rodent-proof wire mesh bags are required just like bear cans are required in the Sierras.

Apparently all the backcountry sites are overrun with rodents and ravens trying to jack your precious freeze dried meals and yummy jerky and trail mix.

A little research led me to this bag.

(Basically I Googled wire mesh food bags and the few that came up were all very similar in weight, price, and construction) But I found this one on REI so I picked it up there due to the ease of returns if unsatisfied.

I always hang my food in a bag or use a bear can but JT had 0 trees to hang from and I had to stay up all night fighting off these little Speedy Gonzalez mice with my trekking pole. (I swore I was going to kill them at which point my friend swore he'd kill me if I did). I then swore I was bringing a slingshot or BB gun next time to eradicate the pests.

So this bombproof Rat Sack from Armored Outdoor Gear is going to save many lives in the backcountry.

It's basically a wire mesh bag with very thick webbing stitched on the top (sealed with Velcro) and a metal grommet to hang.

The bottom is sewn together with more thick webbing but on the inside so it's not a weak point.

The velcro is very thick and strong.

It weighs 13 ounces, but that's nothing compared to the value of saving my food from pesky varmints.

I bought the large, which has ample room for four days worth of food for myself and my girlfriend and all of our trash and toiletries.

I'll be using this everywhere from now on.

It can keep my mountain margaritas and tequila cold in the river.

It can protect against raccoons.

And they guarantee it to be rodent proof for up to $100, which we all know is probably how much food will be in it (damn $7 freeze-dried meals).

Happy trails! 

Best solution to store and protect food if you are not using a bear can.

I have purchased the large and small sizes and have been using both for over 6 years. Have had birds and rodents get into fabric and nylon bear bags but have not had any problems with these.

The large rat sack will hold enough food items to challenge you when hanging it in a tree. The single rope hanging method works very well but you need to have a rope that will support the weight and slide over your branch. The rat sacks will roll up easily but do not compress or fit well inside a backpack when full. I keep the small rat sack full when packing a backpack but have to empty the large rat sack and pack the contents separately.

I prefer a rat sack over a bear canister because I can see all the contents and can get to the bottom if I decide to change the menu.  With a bear canister you have to unpack it to do the same. 

Recommend purchasing a large and small rat sack together.