Best Foraging Bags for Mushroom Gathering
Whether you are gathering wild edibles as a hobby, survival skill, or a side hustle, a foraging bag can make it easier. Sure, you can use any bucket or basket you have lying around, but if you get the best foraging bag, you’ll have a container that will maximize your efficiency and comfort, plus you won’t have to worry about durability. There are many brands and types of bags to pick from.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best foraging bags, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and a belt-carry pick. If you need to gather some wild edibles, one of our suggestions will help with the harvest.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
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Best Foraging Bag
Barebones Foraging Bag
Well-designed, Versatile, and Rugged
The rugged bag was designed from the ground up by mushroom foragers, making it the best by far.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Barebones is known for their gathering bags, knives, and other tools- but this foraging bag really excels for mushroom hunting. With its versatile swappable inserts, multiple ways to carry the bag, and the unmatched durability of waxed canvas, it doesn’t really have any competition except Barebones’ other bag: the slightly larger Harvesting and Gathering Bag.
Specifications
- Carry Position: Hip or shoulder worn
- Material: Waxed canvas
- Features: 3 inserts: foraging mesh, watertight PEVA, and a canvas drawstring sack
- Size: 13″ D x 15″ H
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
We like the inserts that are provided and the bucket-like structure of the bag’s internal frame.
With unmatched durability and a thoughtful design, it’s easy to see why the Barebones Foraging Bag tops the rest.
Budget Foraging Bag
Mesh Foraging Bag
Large, Effective, and Lightweight
This mesh bag has a lot of room and an adjustable strap, making it versatile.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The mesh bag is ideal for mushroom hunting because it keeps them dry and allows them to continue to spore.
Specifications
- Carry Position: Shoulder strap
- Material: Polyester mesh
- Features: Storage bag (8″ x 8″)
- Pouch Size: 15″ W x 17″ H
- Weight: 4.9 ounces
You can also easily stash the bag just by wadding it up, and wash it if you like, since it’s machine washable.
If you need a starter or budget foraging bag, the Mesh Foraging Bag is what you’re looking for.
Belt Foraging Pouch
Canvas Collapsible Pouch
Belt-mounted, Versatile, and Dependable
Technically a ‘dump pouch’, it still works exceptionally well when foraging for mushrooms or gathering wild edibles.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
An expanding belt pouch is a convenient solution for the convenience-oriented forager. If you tend to forage less intentionally on hikes, this dump pouch may be the best solution for you.
Specifications
- Carry Position: Belt loop (1.9″)
- Material: Leather/canvas
- Features: Two outside pockets and a tool loop
- Pouch Size: 8.5″ W x 8.5″ H
- Weight: 2.9 ounces
It is the most versatile option as the pouch can be used for virtually anything, but still performs well for foraging and gathering.
With great versatility, this Canvas / Leather Collapsible Pouch is down to go anywhere.
Comparison Table
| Foraging Bag | Recommendation | Price* | Material | Pouch Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barebones Foraging Bag | Best Overall | $70 | Waxed canvas | 13″ D x 15″ H | 1.8 lbs |
| Mesh Foraging Bag | Best for Beginners | $13 | Polyester mesh | 15″ W x 17″ H | 4.9 oz |
| Cavas Collapsible Pouch | Best for Belt Carry | $7 | Leather/canvas | 8.5″ W x 8.5″ H | 2.9 oz |
| Modern Forager Mesh Bag | $30 | Polyester mesh | 11″ W x 16″ H | 8.2 oz | |
| PNWBushcraft Hip Pouch | $49 | Waxed canvas | 9″ W x 8.75″ H | 3.1 oz | |
| Fiddlehead Medium | $55 | Vinyl mesh | 8.5″ D x 10″ H | 4.8 oz | |
| Barebones Harvesting Bag | $80 | Waxed canvas | 17″ W x 16″L x 3″ H | 2.0 lbs |
The Bags We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to a few brands and types of bags, pouches, and baskets that we compared: Barebones, PNWBushcraft, Fiddlehead, Modern Forager, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We considered a wide range of bags made of different materials.
We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a foraging bag that you love, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can try to get it in the next roundup and see if it will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best foraging bags have a few features to look for:
- Value
- Capacity
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect gathering bag that you can tote along with you on your foraging adventures. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the bags that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a foraging bag shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. There is a wide range of prices, and if you are really strapped, any bag, bucket, or basket could do.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, even when it comes to something you enjoy. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Capacity
No mushroom left behind! If you come across a bounty of chicken of the woods, you don’t want to run out of room in your bag. High-end foraging bags also have some structure to them, so they don’t crush your harvest.
You don’t want anything too big, as they can get heavy over longer distances. There is a sweet spot in the middle where most of our picks fit.
Durability
The woods can be a harsh environment for bags and packs. Twigs, thorns, and branches can pull and tear at bags, so you want something that can easily handle the abuse.
Many foraging bags will be made of thick canvas to help with durability, and some are even waxed. We’ve already reviewed the best wax for cotton and canvas, so pick some up if you want to take care of your higher-end foraging bags.
Size & Weight
When it comes to size, many foraging bags, baskets, and buckets are similar. There is only so much one person can carry and can be expected to find on a gathering hike.
Foraging bags can be all over the place with weight, however. There is a large weight difference just in waxed canvas and mesh materials. Lighter is typically better, but for foraging we want to be careful not to give up durability and versatility.
Versatility
One of the main hallmarks of a well-designed foraging bag is the versatility that it brings.
Some bags are sold as kits, which are great for beginning foragers. Others are constructed using high-quality materials and include key features that help the seasoned forager. Changeable inserts for different harvests, internal frames, and adjustable straps and attachment points help the best foraging bags earn their keep.
The Golden Rule of Foraging
The golden rule of foraging is something everyone respects, whether you are a beginner or seasoned in your woods. It’s about being safe and not over-confident with the many mushroom look-alikes you may encounter.
Golden Rule of Foraging: Never eat or let anyone eat something you can’t identify with 100% certainty.
Many mushrooms are edible, but there are also several toxic (and deadly!) varieties. Many of them have similar appearances, so you want to make sure you can take the time to confidently identify your harvest.
There is the Universal Edibility Test, but that is a lengthy process that should only be used in survival situations.
Adam Haritan (Learn Your Land) knows his stuff and talks about common mushroom finds during Autumn:
Who Needs a Foraging Bag?
If you can get out to do some foraging, you can use a foraging bag.
We don’t consider them essential, but they are definitely useful if you do any amount of consistent foraging.
Many foragers and wild edible gatherers put our top pick on their wishlists, so they can make excellent gifts for those who get out in the woods often or work in the garden.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best foraging bag are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Kaaronen, D. (2023). Mycological rationality: Heuristics, perception, and decision-making in mushroom foraging. Judgment and Decision Making. Volume 15. Issue 5. Pages 630 – 647. (Source)
Li, H., et al. (2021). Reviewing the world’s edible mushroom species: A new evidence-based classification system. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. Volume 20. Issue 2. Pages 1982 – 2014. (Source)
Svanburg, I. (2019). Mushroom hunting and consumption in twenty-first-century post-industrial Sweden. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. Volume 15. Issue 42. (Source)
Conclusion
The best foraging bag is one that you can rely on to handle whatever punishment you and the woods dish out. The most important part is that you get out and enjoy the hunt.
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