Reviews > Food Preparation Gear > Smelly Proof Storage Bags > Test Report by Michael Pearl

SMELLY PROOF STORAGE BAGS
TEST SERIES BY MIKE PEARL
LONG-TERM REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - May 14, 2019
LONG TERM REPORT - September 01, 2019

TESTER INFORMATION

I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year-round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Smelly Proof
Year of Manufacture: 2019
Manufacturer's Website: www.smellyproof.com
Made in: USA

The Smelly Proof storage bags are available in five sizes. Smelly Proof lists dimensions and capacity but not weight. I measured each size bag and confirmed the listed dimensions. I did not measure capacities. I will wait till it's time to use the bags and report on items that fit each bag. I did weigh each size bag on my home digital food scale, just in case it is of interest.

Extra Small - 10 bags per package
MSRP: US $7.49
Listed Capacity: 3 fl oz (89 ml)
Listed Dimensions: 4 x 3 in (10 x 8 cm)
Measured Weight: oz (3 g)

Small - 10 bags per package
MSRP: US $7.99
Listed Capacity: 8 fl oz (237 ml)
Listed Dimensions: 6 x 4 in (15 x 10 cm)
Measured Weight: 0.14 oz (4 g)

Medium - 10 bags per package
MSRP: US $8.99
Listed Capacity: 28 fl oz (828 ml)
Listed Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.5 in (19 x 16.5 cm)
Measured Weight: 0.25 oz (7 g)

Large - 5 stand up bags per package
MSRP: US $14.99 (stand up)
Listed Capacity: 80 fl oz (2.4 l)
Listed Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 in (25 x 22 cm)
Measured Weight: 0.7 oz (19 g)

Large - 10 clear bags per package
MSRP: US $17.99 (clear)
Listed Capacity: 80 fl oz (2.4 l)
Listed Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 in (25 x 22 cm)
Measured Weight: 0.7 oz (19 g)

Extra Large - 5 bags per package
MSRP: US $14.95
Listed Capacity: 256 fl oz (7.6)
Listed Dimensions: 16 x 12 in (40 x 30 cm)
Measured Weight: 1.3 oz (36 g)

Details:
- Tear and Puncture Resistant
- Dual-Track Leak-Proof Zipper Seal
- BPA-Free and FDA Approved
- Available in Clear, Stand Up or Black

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I received one package of extra small, small and medium sized bags. I received two packages of large and extra large bags. All the bags are clear plastic. In the large size I also received a stand up bag which as implied has a bottom that allows it to stand. Smelly Proof also makes a black bag. I opened one package of each size to check them out. They are all made of the same rather thick plastic. They are sturdy and pulling on them does not stretch or deform the bag. The edges of the bags are surprisingly robust. There is a 3/8 in (1 cm) "welded" seam on three sides. The opening has a generous edge to grasp and it takes a fair amount of pull to open the bags. It seals like a traditional sandwich bag but with a double-track seal top. They are easy to engage and seal in one slide across the bag. I really like the closure it is solid and secure. I cannot foresee any accidental spillage from these bags. The Every bag has the Smelly Proof name and company website on it. These bags are definitely strong and I can image storing lots of different things in them.

TRYING IT OUT

Wanting the most sensitive nose in the house I called upon Oscar our pet dog. While having a good sense of smell he is not very good at communicating the information he gathers. The best I could think of was to put a piece of cheese in an extra small Smelly Proof bag, a piece in a regular plastic sandwich bag and one loose on the floor. I placed each about 3 ft (1 m) apart and called him in. Oscar quickly sniffed and ate the loose piece. He smelled the regular plastic bag, pushed it around and tried to bite at it. The Smelly Proof bag he sniffed once and went back to the now punctured sandwich bag. I took it away before he could eat any plastic. This might not exactly be a scientific experiment but it is encouraging to me. I intend to repeat this experiment on my first overnight with the Smelly Proof bags.

SUMMARY

The Smelly Proof bags are sturdy well-made storage bags. I like the strong welded edges and seal top closure. The varied sizes will be great for storing a wide range of items from hygiene and toiletries to foods. I am really keen on the abilities to seal in smell or odors to eliminate or reduce attracting unwanted guest to my campsite. However I have witnessed firsthand shockingly crafty mice in some trail shelters. The Smelly Proof bags will have to prove themselves in the woods before I am a believer.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Two day, one night backpack

Mount Waumbek and Cabot Traverse - Jefferson, New Hampshire
Distance and Elevation - 28 mi (45 km) from 1700 to 4167 ft (520 to 1270 m)
Pack Weight - 30 lb (13.6 kg)
Temperature and Conditions - 77 to 55 F (25 to 13 C) breezy drizzle to clear and calm

Three day, two night backpack

Chimney Pond and Katahdin - Baxter State Park, Maine
Distance and Elevation - 14 mi (22.5 km) from 1500 to 5267 (460 to 1600 m)
Pack Weight - 35 to 25 lb (16 to 11 kg)
Temperature and Conditions - 80 to 50 F (27 to 10 C) clear and sunny to hot and humid to thunderstorm with hail

Three day, two night backpack

Mounts Wildcats, Carters and Moriah Traverse - Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire
Distance and Elevation - 22 mi (35 km) from 780 to 4830 ft (238 to 1472 m)
Pack Weight - 25 lb (11 kg)
Temperature and Conditions - 40 to 75 F (4 to 24 C) Clear and calm to raining and windy

Three day, two night backpack

Mounts Jackson, Pierce and Hale - Crawford Notch, New Hampshire
Distance and Elevation - 18 mi (29 km) from 1900 to 4310 ft (579 to 1314 m)
Pack Weight - 30 lb (13.6 kg)
Temperature and Conditions - 38 to 70 F (3 to 21 C) Clear and sunny

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I used various size bags on several overnight backpacks. Each size has fallen into a fairly set role for my use. I am impressed with their strength. They can handle being tossed around, brushing against rough surfaces and being squeezed into my pack. I am also very happy with the ease of opening and closed the zip seal. Additionally the seal is secure and thus far has not once failed once.

I find the extra large and large bags work best for my food. The large size bags also work well with my hygiene and toiletry items. The medium fits my cell phone and map nicely. The small is a good size to hold my camera. I carry my phone and camera in my hipbelt pockets for quick access. During this test series twice I was hiking through wet and rainy conditions. My pack cover doesn't conceal my hip pockets and they became wet on the inside. However the contents of the pockets were safe and dry thanks to the Smelly Proof bags. The extra small I have used to hold some loose mixed seeds, nuts and dried fruit I use as oatmeal toppings. I also used the extra small for holding first aid medicines. While my concern for odors only applies to my food and hygiene items keeping things dry applies to all the mentioned items. The Smelly Proof bags are meeting both needs exceedingly well.

All these items are easy to keep organized in the Smelly Bags. Loading and unloading the bags from my pack is easy as the thick plastic slides in and out smoothly. The extra thickness and sturdiness of the material prevents the bag from snagging anything on the way in or out. Additionally they can tolerate being crammed against other objects without developing holes or popping opening. The clear plastic is nice for easily visualizing the contents of the bag. I can reach right for the bag holding the item I am after. I can also see the item easily before even opening the bag. This makes it that much easier to get to the item after opening the bag.


Whenever possible I hang my food bag and other odorous items in a tree overnight. In a large dyneema composite fiber (cuben fiber) bag I hoist my food up a suitable branch. This hanging bag holds my food items when in a tree or my pack. One of my go to dinners is dehydrated refried beans. It is easy and tasty but can leave trace odor behind. When the bean mix is stored in a traditional sandwich bag my hanging bag can smell even after the beans are gone. I had refried beans on two trips and stored them in a Smelly Proof bag. Sticking my face in the hanging bag and taking a big whiff I detected no smell even with the beans in the hanging bag.

On my first hike I picked up on my experiment where I left off in my Initial Report with my dog. This time I left two plastics bags near my vehicle at the trail head parking lot. I didn't want to leave food anywhere on the trail or where someone might potentially camp. I put a few nuts and raisins in a regular seal top sandwich bag and the same in a similar size Smelly Proof bag. When I returned the late the next day the sandwich bag was gone and the Smelly Proof bag remained. This to me was even more evidence that the Smelly Proof was indeed smell proof.

I have found the three largest size bags (medium, large and extra large) the most useful. These fit my most odorous items best some of these are also important to keep dry. The ones that are not odorous but very important to keep dry can fit into these larger ones if needed too. These are the three I have used the most and on every hike. And while they have worked flawlessly the show no wear. I have used only one of each of the sizes and continue to use that very same one. These bags are super strong and I see them lasting me a very long time.

SUMMARY

The Smelly Proof bags work very good for me. Like traditional plastic storage bags I regularly use the Smelly Proof bags are helping to keep my stuff organized and dry. The big difference is the durability of the Smelly Proof bags. They can withstand much more handling and abuse. Thus I don't have to be as concerned about packing them and potential damage and failure. The added bonus of the odor sealing property of the bags provides me additional peace of mind while camping. The attraction of wildlife while I am sleeping in my tent and potential loss of food is a big deal and real concern for me. If the Smelly Proof bags can diminish the chance of this occurring that's reason enough for me to use them.

This concludes my Long-Term Report but not my use of the Smelly Proof Bags. I will continue to use them until the fall apart. At that point I will definitely look into replacing the medium, large and extra large size bags.
I would like to extend my appreciation to Smelly Proof Bags and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these bags.

Reviews > Food Preparation Gear > Smelly Proof Storage Bags > Test Report by Michael Pearl