DURASACK Heavy Duty Burlap Sand Bags with Tie Strings Empty Sand-Bags for Flooding and Erosion Control, 14x26 inches, Pack of 10

Why I reached for burlap sandbags

A few times a year, I need a fast, low-tech way to control water and stabilize things around my property—redirecting storm runoff, firming up a sloped garden bed, or anchoring a temporary canopy. For those jobs, I tested a 10-pack of DURASACK burlap sandbags. They’re the standard 14 x 26 inches with built‑in tie strings, made from natural jute, and marketed as biodegradable. I used them across several tasks over a wet season to see how they fill, stack, hold up to weather, and compare to the more common woven polypropylene bags.

Design and build

Out of the pack, the bags are exactly what you’d expect from classic burlap: coarse, breathable, and fairly stiff at first. The jute weave is consistent, and I didn’t see sloppy stitching or weak corners on my set. Burlap naturally has a bit of a plant-fiber smell; it dissipated quickly.

A few design notes that matter in use:
- Size and capacity: At 14 x 26 inches, you can comfortably fit about 35–40 pounds of sand if you fill them roughly halfway to two‑thirds. Overfilling is a mistake—half-full bags stack tighter, don’t roll, and are easier to carry.
- Tie strings: The integrated ties are more convenient than grabbing separate twine or zip ties. They’re long enough for a double knot when bags are filled appropriately; if you overstuff the bag, you’ll wish for another inch or two.
- Burlap material: Breathable and grippy, which helps stacking and won’t trap water the way plastic can. But it’s also the reason these are intended for temporary use—UV and moisture will break jute down over time.

Filling and setup

I filled most bags with all-purpose sand using a small shovel and a homemade funnel (a cut-off traffic cone works well). The burlap’s texture gives the bag enough friction to stand while you fill, though a second person speeds things up if you’re building a long run. A few tips from my experience:
- Aim for half to two‑thirds full. This keeps the bag floppy enough to mold into place and prevents rolling.
- Tie with a square knot, then tuck the tails. You don’t need to cinch the opening into a tight “neck” like a balloon—just close it and keep the fill from spilling.
- For water diversion, lay the bag with the folded seam down and stomp to flatten; stack in a brick pattern. If you need a very tight barrier, pair the bags with a sheet of heavy plastic on the water side.

Performance in real jobs

• Redirecting driveway runoff: A quick two-high row across a low spot directed water into a garden swale during a heavy storm. The bags didn’t slide on the concrete, and seepage was minimal for a few hours of steady rain. Using a plastic sheet under the first course improved the seal noticeably.
• Stabilizing a garden edge: I filled several with topsoil to build a low, temporary terrace on a slope, then planted native grasses. Over a couple of months, roots began to bind the bags, and the burlap allowed moisture exchange—exactly what I want for a short-term, bio-friendly solution while plants establish.
• Anchoring a freestanding hoop and a pop-up canopy: Filled with pea gravel and some small river rock, the bags held up to abrasion better than I expected. Burlap scuffs more quickly than poly, but the grip on concrete kept things from sliding around.

Across these tasks, the bags behaved predictably. They’re easy to place, they don’t “pill” sand out of the weave, and the tie strings did their job. Weight-wise, half-full bags are manageable for one person without straining.

Durability and longevity

This is the trade-off with burlap: it’s biodegradable by design. In my use through a wet season with intermittent sun, the exterior fibers started to fade and fuzz after a couple of months. Bags that sat in full sun and stayed damp broke down faster than those kept shaded and dry. I’d plan on:
- Short-term water control (days to weeks): Excellent. No reason to avoid burlap here.
- Medium-term landscaping and erosion control (a few months): Good, with visible wear after 8–12 weeks; they’ll gradually soften and lose strength as the jute decays.
- Long-term/permanent barriers (many months to a year+): Not the right product. For longevity, woven polypropylene sandbags with UV treatment are the better choice.

The “military-grade” framing in the marketing language might set expectations too high for lifespan. In my view, these are appropriately tough for temporary deployment but inherently temporary because they’re natural fiber. If you leave them in sun, rain, and freeze/thaw cycles, they will not last a full year intact. Stored dry and used intermittently, they’ll easily make it through a season.

Environmental footprint and disposal

The biodegradability is a real advantage for certain jobs. After a planting area was established, I didn’t need to retrieve every last bag; the jute can break down in place without leaving plastic fibers. If you’re worried about microplastics in your soil or waterways, burlap is the clear winner over polypropylene. Just know that “bio-friendly” here correlates with “won’t last forever.”

Capacity planning and quantity

A 10-pack is enough to redirect a small stream of water across a driveway, shore up a short garden edge, or add ballast to a vehicle bed. For a meaningful flood barrier, plan on more. As a rough guide:
- One linear foot of barrier at one bag high needs about one bag.
- A two-high barrier uses about 1.5–2 bags per linear foot due to staggering.
Buy more than you think you’ll need; it’s far easier to return or store a sealed bundle than scramble during a storm.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Easy to fill, stack, and tie; natural texture helps them stay put
- Biodegradable jute is ideal for erosion control and planting projects
- Built-in tie strings are convenient and reduce setup time
- Versatile: sand, soil, gravel, or even absorbent materials
- Standard 14 x 26 size plays nicely with common sandbagging methods

Cons:
- Limited lifespan outdoors; UV and moisture degrade burlap
- Tie strings feel short if you overfill
- Not the best option for permanent installations or year-round exposure
- Burlap can stain when wet against light concrete or pavers

Best practices from the field

• Don’t overfill. Half to two‑thirds makes a better barrier and is much easier to carry.
• Use a plastic sheet on the water side for flood control. The sheet provides the seal; the bags provide the weight.
• Wear gloves. Burlap is rough, and wet jute can irritate skin.
• Store extras dry and off the ground. Damp storage invites rot and pests.
• For longer life, shade the bags when practical or cover them with soil/gravel.
• If stacking high, brick the pattern and tuck ties inward to avoid snagging.

Who they’re for

• Homeowners seeking a quick, eco-friendly solution for short-term flood diversion and erosion control
• Gardeners and landscapers building temporary terraces or planting berms
• Anyone needing temporary ballast for vehicles, hoops, or canopies
• People who prefer biodegradable materials and accept the trade-off in longevity

Who should look elsewhere:
- Those needing a semi-permanent sandbag wall over many months
- Users in intense sun exposure with minimal maintenance
- Situations where bags will be dragged frequently over rough surfaces

Recommendation

I recommend these DURASACK burlap sandbags for temporary flood management, erosion control, and general anchoring tasks. They’re easy to work with, the integrated tie strings save time, and the biodegradable jute is an asset in landscaping contexts where you don’t want plastic lingering in the soil. Just set expectations correctly: they’re tough for short-term use but not built to endure a year of UV and weather. If you need a barrier to last season after season, go with woven polypropylene. For everyone else who values ease of use and an environmentally friendlier footprint, this 10-pack is a practical, effective choice.