Outsak FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions


Call us (928)526-5774 with Questions

Q. Where can I buy an Outsak bag?

Click on the image below for Authorized Outsak Retailers:

Find an Outsak authorized retailer

Please note: Sizes and colors may vary from store to store. Call the store to see what they have.

All sizes and colors are always available here at SimpleOutdoorStore:

Outsak Spectrum Series available here

Outsak Ultralight Series available here

Comparison Chart

Q. Who makes Outsak bags?

Simple Outdoor Solutions

All Outsak® Animal Proof Storage Bags are made by Simple Outdoor Solutions, LLC.

100% Hand-Made in Flagstaff, Arizona.

More about us can be found here: About Us

Q. What is the purpose of an Outsak bag?

Outsak bags are great for hiking and backpackingcache your food with Outsak bags

Made of lightweight, interlocking, stainless-steel, Outsak bags protect your food and gear from animals chewing or clawing.

The Outsak bags are designed to work as a protective outer shell for food, trash, toiletries, and other scented items.

Common Uses For Outsak® Bags:

  • Backpacking
  • Food Cache
  • Camping
  • Bicycle Touring
  • River Trips

Q. What animals do Outsak bags protect against?

raccoons and rodents

Outsak bags have proven very effective against:

  • Rats, mice, and other rodents
  • Chipmunks
  • Raccoons
  • Skunks
  • Ringtails
  • Coatis
  • Squirrels
  • Cats and Canines
  • Many other small animals

Check Out These Animals Unable to Penetrate the Outsak

deer and squirrel unable to penetrate the Outsak Bag

raccoons unable to penetrate the Outsak Bag

Q. What is the difference between the Outsak UL and Outsak Spectrum Bags?

Every detail of all the Outsak bags are compared here:

Comparison Chart

Q. Do you have to hang the Outsak? How do I cache food or gear for extended periods?

The basic Outsak directions are simple: Stuff it. Seal it. Hang it or conceal it. Your decision whether or not to hang your Outsak Animal Resistant Storage Bag, should be based on which animals you might encounter.

In non-bear country, we have a few techniques to keep out persistent critters. These simple videos are particularly useful in areas with little or no trees, like Grand Canyon National Park.

Outsak Raven Prevention 1

How to Conceal Your Outsak Bag in a Rock Crevice

Outsak Raven Prevention 2

Outsmarting the Ravens at Grand Canyon

Outsak Raven Prevention 3

Outsak Bag in a Nylon Stuff Sack and Stuffed Under a Tree

Outsak Raven Prevention 4

Outsak Bag in a Nylon Stuff Sack and Hung from a Hiking Pole

Outsak Raven Prevention 5

Outsak Bag in a Nylon Stuff Sack and Hung from a Tree

Bear Country

We suggest you hang your Outsak bag in bear country. The Outsak bag will withstand any rodents that climb the down the line, but the Outsak must be kept out of reach of bears. Here is a typical bear hang technique:

Outsak Bear Hang

Q. Should you stake your Outsak bag down to the ground?

No. We do NOT recommend staking your Outsak bag down to the ground. By staking it, you are allowing the animal greater leverage, increasing the chance for a breach. Watch the videos above for more effective techniques.

Q. Is it necessary to use an odor proof bag with the Outsak bag?

An odor proof bag, such as the OPSAK, will greatly reduce the chance of animals detecting your food or scented items. In areas with VERY persistent animals, we highly recommend using an odor proof bag.

Some alternatives to using the odor-proof bag:

  • Nylon Stuff Sack - Contains crumbs, but breathable and not odor proof.
  • Plastic Container - Works well, but weighs more.
  • Plastic Zipping Bag - Contains crumbs, but not odor-proof.

A simple video showing how to stuff Outsak Bags for food storage:

Q. Should I store my Outsak bag in my tent?

For safety, NEVER store your Outsak® Animal Resistant Storage Bag or any other scented items in your tent or near where you sleep. Animals attempting to get into your food and/or scented items MAY put you in danger. Store food and scented items away from where you sleep.

Here are basic safe campsite guidelines:

Basic safe campsite guidelines

Q. How do you determine the capacity or volume of your Outsak Bags

We use the following formula, for the volume of a cylinder:

Pi × radius2 × height

Q. Does Simple Outdoor Solutions, LLC offer discounts?

Discounts are available on occasion. Contact Us for more information.