This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hippo Sak®. All opinions are 100% mine.
I’m willing to bet that you use trash bags on a daily basis, but never stopped to consider the dozens of ways you can use a trash bag as part of your active lifestyle. A trash bag can be an excellent substitute for some fairly expensive items, especially in the hiking and backpacking world.
Some trash bags just aren’t tough enough to handle the heavy lifting needed to be put through the wringer during a long day hike or camping trip, so naturally, once we received our Hippo Sak® we were intrigued and ready to put them to the test. Could the extra-large handles, special puncture proof material, and the reinforced bottom really hold up to the ruggedness of a trail? We were skeptical…I mean, how can something that costs less than $1 replace an item that costs $30 or more?
So, we took a few bags on our last hiking adventure to test them out. You guys, we were both blown away by the strength of these bags. We had quite a few tests that we performed on the bag and it passed with flying colors!
Let me back up just a bit and explain why a bag like this should ALWAYS be in your pack, right along with your essentials like water, snacks, and first aid kit.
To pick up trash.
We pack a bag with us each time we go hiking. Unfortunately, there seems to be more and more trash on each trail we explore and we do our best to pick up the trash on the trail, in the parking lot, and in the surrounding area. Let us share a few more reasons why you should always pack this bag.
Early Saturday morning we woke up excited to do a hike in North Georgia that we had never done before (surprisingly). We were caught off guard a bit because we thought we were hiking 6.5 miles, but the trail ended up being 8.5 miles…oh well, it was gorgeous! We passed by two beautiful waterfalls before climbing the summit to the top.
Thanks to the reinforced bottom, our first test went amazingly well. Scott filled up the Hippo Sak with at least 10 liters of water. We hung it from a tree to see if it would hold up and IT DID. NO PROBLEM! We also feel a bit silly because we spent $30 on a “kitchen sink” that literally serves this same exact purpose – hold water at camp so you can treat it for drinking or just use it to wipe down and clean items before you put them back in your pack.
Not only can this bag do the heavy lifting when needed but it can also serve numerous other uses.
We tested it out as a rain cover for our pack (even though it was sunny and 75 degrees), a poncho, and a cover for our shoes (in case we need to cross a small creek and don’t want to take the chance at getting our feet wet). It was perfect for all 3!
We were so impressed that we just started brainstorming other ways the Hippo Sak could be used while hiking. Here’s what we came up with, including the ones we already discussed:
- Seat (why sit on the wet or dirty ground when you don’t have to?! Just fill it with leaves for a little cushion!)
- Poncho
- Rain cover for your pack
- Shoe covers
- Water storage for camp/camp sink
- Picking up others' trash and/or packing out your own trash
Honestly, we could go as far to say that a trash bag could help save your life by acting as a shelter or jacket. It could be used to protect you from sunburn if you’re stranded in an exposed environment and collect water for drinking if you get really creative!
In closing, we leave you with a friendly PSA - remember to always tell somewhere where you are going, when you’re starting, what your destination is, which trail(s) you’re taking, and when you plan to return. Please treat the outdoors with respect and leave no trace!
Farrah says
I've never heard of the Hippo Sak before this but it sounds awesome--love how versatile it is! :]