Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ page for For The Trail.
Frequently asked questions
What are DirtBags?
DirtBags are the first, ultralight, reusable and compostable zip bags
designed to organise and carry your fuel and essential items for long
days out on the trail.
They have been made and can be used as
direct replacements to single energy gels, enerty powder packets and
chew/bar packets as well as plastic ziploc bags.
What is a seasonal pre-order?
We use seasonal pre-orders to capture orders for DirtBags over the span of a few weeks. We then only manufacture what has been ordered (and a little more just in case), which is then sent to you early on in the new season.
When will I get my order?
We work on a seasonal production run, when you order at the beginning or middle of a season, we aim to have them manufactured and shipped to you at the beginning of the next season.
If you order in early or mid winter, this is part of the Spring Drop (the next season) as this is when we will ship them to you.
We will keep you up to date with the progress of the pre-order every couple of weeks with any new updates.
Can they be used for energy gels?
Yes, absolutely. Small DirtBags (14×6cm) are perfect for energy gels. You can buy gels in bulk bottles or make your own at home, then portion exact amounts into DirtBags. The double zippers keep thick gels secure, and you can portion anywhere from 20-40g of carbs per small DirtBag depending on your fueling strategy.
Can they be used for energy powders?
Yes, certainly! Small DirtBags can hold upwards of 45-50g of carbs in the form of energy powder. Decant your favourite powders in to them depending on how many you need and pour them in to your soft
silicone flasks with water.
Large DirtBags (16×18cm) can hold even more of powder - enough for many hours of adventure and you can choose to decant from this in to your soft flasks with a spoon if you prefer.
Can they hold chews and solid foods?
Yes. Small DirtBags can fit energy chews with 25-40g of carbohydrates.
Large DirtBags can carry even bigger snacks like energy bars, biscuits, or trail mix.
Will gels leak out?
DirtBags have double zips for extra security but we can't guarantee they won't leak. Unlike energy gels which come in heat sealed packets, DirtBags are made to open and close. The zips have been designed for ease of use and will eventually fail or a hole may appear in the DirtBag itself.
in the 1.5 years of testing our prototype DirtBags we only ever had a couple fail, open and leak.
It is best to put small DirtBags with your fuel of choice inside a large DirtBag just in case.
How do I clean them?
Rinse with cold water immediately after use (prevents sticky residue
hardening). Use eco-friendly soap if needed. Air dry completely before
storing.
How many times can I reuse them?
Thats the million dollar question! We've personally had the prototypes used for over a year of continous adventures and trail runs.
The great thing is, the longer you use them, the lower their environmental impact.
Are they food safe?
Yes, fully food-safe certified. You can safely store gels, powders, chews, bars, and any nutrition directly in contact with the bag
material.
Whats the difference between a Small and Large DirtBag
A Small DirtBag is about the size of a large energy-gel packet, 14x6cm and can be used for fuel and food portions for your nutrition
plan. You can carry small bits of gear in them too if you want.
A Large DirtBag is 16x18cm in size and slightly wider than a large phone and great for putting a few items in to keep them organised and together, like a foot management kit, or big snacks like sandwiches.
They can both be used for fuel and gear, they're just different sizes for convenience.
Can they keep my phone dry?
Yes. Large DirtBags are fully waterproof. Perfect for phones, electronics, money, maps, or anything you need to keep dry when out adventuring in the rain.
What else can I carry in them?
Small: Electrolyte tabs, medications, spare batteries, emergency gel, money, etc
Large: Socks, gloves, first aid kit, toilet paper, headtorch, spare watch charger, buff, small microfiber towel, etc
Can I use them in races?
Absolutely. Pre-portion your fuel at home, carry small DirtBags in your vest, pockets or waistbelt and fuel just like you would with
single-serve energy gels, powder packets and chews. We usually put 30-40g of carbs in a small DirtBag and consume every 30 minutes when racing.
At aid stations, use large DirtBags to grab extra snacks to carry between checkpoints or bring your favourite home-made snacks
with you, like potatoes, energy balls, sweets, crisps, etc
Do they work with soft flasks?
Yes. Fill small DirtBags with energy powder, then at aid stations or water stops pour directly into your soft flask.
What happens at the end of their life?
When worn out, they're TÜV Home-Compostable certified. Put them in your
home compost bin or industrial compost facility if you have one and they'll break down completely into water, CO2, and biomass within 12 months.
Can I portion exactly how many carbs I need?
Yes, this is one of the main benefits. Fill a small DirtBag with exactly 30g of gel/powder/chews, and you know each bag = 30g carbs. No guessing from squeezing a soft flask and use just like you would with a
single-use gel, powder or chew serving from a nutritional brand.
Do they smell after use?
Not if cleaned promptly. Rinse immediately after using. If you let gel dry inside, it can leave odor and even stain the DirtBag, just like any reusable container.
Will they work for multi-day adventures, cycling, other endurance activities?
Perfect for fastpacking, thru-hiking, triathlons, cycling and more. Keeps nutrition and gear organised and reduces packaging waste as well!