I learned the hard way that a festival is basically a 12-hour outdoor endurance test. Coachella’s average attendee spends over 12 hours a day outside, moving between stages, tents, and campsites. That’s a long time for your bag to smell like day-old sunscreen, melted granola bars, and damp socks. Enter the smell proof bag.
I used to think those bags were just for, you know, certain things. But after a few too many mornings with my tent smelling like a forgotten gym locker, I started using one for everything. Here’s what actually goes in mine.
Snacks That Don’t Attract the Whole Campsite
Bacon jerky, cheese sticks, and even that bag of trail mix with dried mango — all of it gets sealed up. Nothing ruins a festival night like a raccoon trying to unzip your tent because it smells your spicy nuts from 50 feet away. A smell proof bag keeps the critters out and your snacks fresh. As of summer 2024, I’ve seen these bags for around $15–$30 depending on size. Worth every penny when your tent doesn’t become a feeding station.
Toiletries That Don’t Leak or Stink
Wet wipes, sunscreen, insect repellent — they all have strong smells. And when you’re stuffing everything into a backpack that’s also holding your hoodie and phone charger, you want those scents contained. I throw my travel-size toiletries into a smaller smell proof pouch inside my main bag. It keeps my clothes from smelling like Off! Deep Woods and my toothbrush from tasting like sunscreen. Pro tip: roll each tube in a rubber band before sealing so pressure changes from walking don’t cause explosions.
The Stuff You Really Don’t Want Smelled
Yes, that too. If you’re bringing something
