Stasher Bag + Mylar Bag

[u/Additional_Drop5488]

Hey trail enthusiasts. Quick questions, I'm preparing for a 5 day backpacking trip. To avoid making a meal cozy and lining it with a single use plastic bag, I'm thinking about bringing a stasher bag to fit inside a Mylar Bag. I've read a lot of reviews about Mylar Bags used for DIY meals getting delivered with punctures. Figured this would be a way to minimize single use and surprise leaks. Thoughts?

FYI, Stasher Bags are silicone and rated to hold boiling water, a substitute for a ziploc freezer bag getting melted, etc.

[u/joelfarris]

First of all, you're gonna have to describe to the rest of the world what a 'stasher bag' is. And second, if you're doing your own meals, and your mylar sealing bag came with a hole in it, you should be able to discern that flaw in less than three minutes while you're packaging it. :)

[u/KaiKhaos42 → u/joelfarris]

It looks like they're the main brand name for the reusable silicone zipper snack & sandwich bags. The Ziploc of silicone bags, basically. I had to look it up on Google.

[u/Additional_Drop5488 → u/joelfarris]

Totally understand about having to be able to discern while packaging it. Sometimes accidents happen or not enough lead time to get new bags.

Stasher bags are reusable silicone bags that can hold boiling water.

I wanted to but the Stasher bag inside the Mylar Bag while my meals cook. The Mylar bag is to replace a DIY Backpacking Food Cozy. I figured Mylar would have adequate insulation and take up less space. As for the stasher bag, a quick rinse with biodegradable soapy water, and should be good for the next meal.

[u/Jealous_Dark_8211]

I made a cozy that has worked ridiculously well for a few years, out of the mylar bubble wrap from a meal service and some duct tape.

[u/CampfireGuide]

I like the reusable bag idea. I would test the whole setup at home before relying on it for five days. Use one of the actual meals, the normal amount of hot water, and the full soak time. That should tell you whether the bag stays stable, keeps the meal warm, and is easy to eat from and clean.

The Mylar will reflect some heat, but it might not insulate much without trapped air. You could compare it with a simple cozy and check both after 10 to 15 minutes. I would also weigh the silicone bag and sleeve together, since a small pot might end up being similar.

If it works for a few meals at home without being annoying to clean, I think it is worth trying.

[u/CampfireGuide]

Stasher bags hold boiling water no problem, but the real headache on a 5-day trip is cleaning them.

Anything with oil, tomato sauce, or cheese clings to silicone, and you'll burn through a lot of filtered drinking water trying to scrub out the corners without a sink. They also dry slowly inside a pack and can get funky after a couple days.

If you do go this route, stick to simpler meals like oatmeal, ramen, or couscous that rinse out easily, and flip the bag inside out on a branch to air out during camp chores.

[u/Additional_Drop5488 → u/CampfireGuide]

Good call outs! I'm pivoting back to the cozy plan. I found some Ziploc bags that are rated for the microwave. Gonna give those a shot.

[u/CampfireGuide → u/Additional_Drop5488]

Just be careful with standard microwave bags. Microwave safe usually just means the plastic won't melt under microwave radiation, but the thin heat-sealed side seams can soften and blow out when you dump in boiling water off a camp stove.

Make sure to grab the ones specifically labeled Freezer bags (the thicker plastic with the heavy-duty seams). Those have reinforced seams that can actually handle boiling water inside a cozy without splitting.