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Watchful Eye Designs Aloksak Bags Long-Term Report
Tester Bio
Name: Evan Cornell
Age: 14
Gender: Male
Height: 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters)
Weight: 105 pounds (47.5 kilograms)
Email Address: llenrocnave AT backpacker DOT com
City, State, and Country: Milan, Ohio, U.S.
Date: May 20, 2004
Backpacking Background: I have been backpacking about a year and a half (fall of 2002), and have been taking weekend and weeklong trips. I am involved in at least one weekend outdoor activity a month through Scouting. I like my pack to be as light as I can make it, but don't consider myself as a minimalist yet. I am in the process of refining my backpacking system, downsizing and simplifying. I am learning to use a tarp, and making my own gear when possible. I am well on my way to falling under the category of ultralight backpacker. I normally hike with my scout troop in Ohio, where the temperature is in the range of up to 90 F (32 C) in the summer, and down to 0 F (-18 C) in winter.
Product Information
Manufacturer: Watchful Eye Designs Inc.
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Manufacturers website: http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/
Listed Weight: weights not listed
Weight as delivered:
s
- 1/4 oz (7 g)
- 3/8 oz (11 g)
- 1/2 oz (14 g)
- 1 1/4 oz (35 g)
- 3 ozs (85 g)
- 3.75 ozs (106 g)
- O.P.SAK- 1 oz (28 g)
Sizes of Bags:
- 4 1/2 in x 7 in (11 cm x 18 cm)
- 6 3/4 in x 6 in (17 cm x 15 cm)
- 9 in x 6 in (23 cm x 15 cm)
- 12 in x 12 in (30 cm x 30 cm)
- 16 1/4 in x 24 1/2 in (41.28 cm x 62 cm)
- 31 in x 16 1/2 in (79 cm x 41.91 cm)
- O.P.SAK- 16 in x 12 1/2 in (41 cm x 32 cm)
- Product Description: The Watchful Eye Designs
The Aloksak Bags are a liquid and airtight storage system, as described on Watchful Eye Designs website. The O.P.SAKs included are odor proof and are made of a slightly lighter grade material than the Aloksaks, and they have a gusseted bottom.
The Aloksak bags are similar to other plastic storage bags, but are constructed of a heavier material. The material feels somewhat like a thin rubber sheet, but is stated on the bags as a Super stretch, high-tenacity, polymer bag material.
The closure of the Aloksaks is a zipper closure, and appears to be made out of multiple layers of the same material as the body of the bags. The actual zipper closing is narrow, and has three ridges on each side of the opening, which closes together to form a tight seal. The edges of the bags are sealed, being hopefully more durable than other, weaker zipper closure bags.
The instructions for use of the Aloksaks are printed on the outside of the bags, along with the Aloksak logo, and volume of the bag, and with other information concerning the company and contact information. The instructions say to seal the bag at least three times to guarantee a proper seal, as stated on the Watchful Eye Designs website. The Aloksak bags are more durable and better suited to backpacking than other, lighter grade plastic bags.
The contents of the bags varied with each trip, depending on what I take, but here is a general idea of what I store in each bag:
- Notebook, small Bible, pen
- single blade pocketknife, compass, duct tape, and black nylon cord; small pocket bible, and a deck of cards
- GPS; personal care items
- clothes
- sleeping bag
- tent
- O.P.SAK- trip food and trash
*A semicolon denotes the use of a second bag of that size
Field Information
I have not had any chances to go on any backpacking trips due to logistics, but I have gone on a few monthly Boy Scout campouts. I have been on six campouts during the long-term testing period, and the Aloksaks have performed well on all. The Aloksaks have gotten a workout on these campouts. One campout I have been on was at Firelands Scout Reservation. The terrain was forested and slightly mountainous (Ohio mountains!). The temperature was around 50 F (10 C) the whole weekend, which made for pleasurable camping weather. On the second night, there was a moderately long thunderstorm, which tested the bags, as they were not under my tarp completely. I have found that the bags wear little after use, but get small dimples in the surface of the material. The bags also cloud a bit in clarity of material, but this is purely cosmetic, not affecting performance any. The zipper problem which is described in my Field Report has been aleviated, as I have learned how to close the bags effectively. The bags do keep moisture out all the time, as long as they are closed. Overall, the bags have stored my gear effectively. They have kept my gear protected from the elements rather well, and I am pleased with their performance.
Pro's and Con's
Con's
- There is no way to tell if there is a proper seal.
Pro's
- The material is tough and waterproof.
- The bags are sized well to fit many different items of gear.
- The bags are more durable than a normal zip closure plastic bag.
Read more reviews of Watchful Eye Designs gear
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