Ursack Minor Critter-Resistant Bag

I've used this bag for years without an issue, but then again I never had an issue with rodents getting into other bags before. But it is nice to have a little extra insurance. My main issue with it is that it looks like it was sewn by blind third-graders. The stitch-counts are super low, and the stitching around the top velcro area is very uneven, and seems to employ of 'just stitch the hell out of it' mentality, where there are clumps of stitching wadded up. For the price, you'd think Ursack would produce a more refined product.
The weight isn't super heavy, but isn't ultralight either. Have to be somewhat careful reaching in and out with ultralight fabrics so they don't get snagged on the velcro around the top.

The bag seems sturdy and functional. I still have the Minor that came with the draw string top. I have used for going on 6-7 years now. The couple of dozen times I used this it seemed to work. I always had my food in the morning.

However, I am not sure whether that was due to the bag or lack of critters.

This past weekend I know for certain there was a small critter due to the hole on the side of the Minor food bag. With puncture holes all over it from something digging its claws into it while hanging on to the bag and chewing thru it and eating my food.

The other bags may prove useful for bears, and overall, it's a good idea. But I don't see how this is going to really work for small critters after seeing them choose straight through the bag. I wouldn't recommend for critters.

I've used the Ursack Minor for a few years now, and never had an issue with critters getting into my food. I've been pretty careful about bear bagging so I'm not really sure if a critter has ever even tried to get in. I've never used an odor proof liner with it.

There are a few things to note, and which I think could/should really be improved on this one, especially for it's $100 cost. The velcro at the top seals pretty strongly, but can also be a bit of a pain to open, and if your wearing a synthetic long sleeve shirt, it's like playing 'Operation' trying to get your arm in there to get your food out without your sleeve getting snagged (and torn) on the grippy side of the velcro. I wish they'd either find a better solution than velcro, or at least sew some tabs in to help open it.

Speaking of sewing, the stitching of the velcro to the bag looks super cheap. Like it was sewn by a grade-schooler in a sweatshop. Super-low stitch count and sloppy stitching all over the place. I've noticed this on most Ursack bags I've seen in person. For the cost, it seems like the should be constructed a lot better. But overall it's been a good, lighter-weight solution for backcountry travel with food.

For me, this sack is a fantastic combination of light weight and critter deterrent. The two next best alternatives are either a hard canister (heavy) or just an odor proof bag (little protection). For me, this deterrent is worth the cost.

I’ve been using the ursack minor bags since 2011 and have never had it fail. Thousands of miles on the PCT, Midwest trails, east coast mountains and shelters with habituated mice. I’ve had a critter eat the straps off my trekking poles laying right right next to both me and the ursack minor bag on the PCT. I’ve even seen critters eat through a tent and backpack to get to food bags on Mt Shasta - but they could smell the food which was a huge motivator!

I *always* use an OpSak odor proof bag inside the ursack minor for both food and trash. I hang the bag in a shelter or established campsite with habituated critters. I suspect that, if left unattended in an established campsite and full of food smells, a critter might eventually gnaw through.

For me, this is the best insurance policy to protect my food. Nothing is perfect, but this is much better than the next best alternative.

Holy cow, I DO NOT understand how you can call the Minor "critter-resistant". I just got back from my first trip with my new Minor (purchased through Backcountry.com), a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada, and several times I caught, red-handed, a red squirrel eating its way into my Minor. Even hung from an excellent bear-hang, the squirrel held on upside down eating my zip-locked trail mix inside my Minor. I have photos of him caught in the act. After two days, the hole was almost 2" across. I don't think there's anything spectacular about our red squirrels - I really have to wonder if you guys EVER field tested the Minor with an actual squirrel. Really!!! Ironically, to the best of my knowledge, I've never had a problem before using a dry-bag for my bear hang - I bought the Minor because I thought I could put my bear-hang days behind me. Clearly, not yet. Zero star review.