Enter NAVA Pouches: a universal, compostable alternative that promises to work with any dry herb vaporizer.
NAVA Pouches are disposable, paper-based dosing pouches that let you pre-measure and seal individual portions of dry herb, then drop them into your vape's oven. They're marketed as the world's first universal dosing pouch, designed to eliminate the compatibility headaches and airflow restrictions that often come with traditional metal dosing capsules.
In this guide, I'll break down exactly what NAVA pouches are, how they work, and how they stack up against the metal dosing capsules you're probably already familiar with.
Table of contents
What Are NAVA Pouches?
NAVA Pouches are small, single-use paper sachets designed to hold a pre-measured dose of dry herb for vaporizers. Think of them as the vaping equivalent of a tea bag. You fill them with your herb, seal them with a heat sealer, and drop them into your vaporizer's oven.
Unlike traditional dosing capsules, which are typically made from aluminum or stainless steel and designed for specific vaporizer models, NAVA Pouches are made from natural filter paper. The company claims they're lab-tested safe for heating and inhalation, and they're fully compostable after use.
The universal design is an interesting concept. If you own multiple vaporizers, say, a POTV Lobo, a PAX Plus, and a desktop unit, that means you need multiple types of dosing capsules. NAVA Pouches aim to solve that problem by fitting any vape oven, regardless of brand or model.
How NAVA Pouches Work
The concept is simple: instead of loading the herb directly into your vaporizer's oven, you load it into a NAVA Pouch first. The pouch acts as a barrier between your material and the oven walls to keep everything cleaner while allowing heat to pass through and vaporize your herbs.
Just toss the used pouch when you're finished and load a fresh one.
What's in the NAVA Starter Kit
The NAVA Starter Kit includes everything you need to get started with this new dosing system:
- 100 NAVA Pouches: Enough for weeks or months of sessions, depending on your usage.
- Precision heat sealer: Battery-powered tool that seals each pouch after filling.
- Injector tool: Funnel-like device that helps you fill pouches cleanly and consistently.
- Bamboo pick: For tamping and removing used pouches.
- Travel bags: Small pouches to carry your pre-filled NAVA Pouches on the go.
Refill packs of 100 pouches are available separately once you run through your starter supply. The heat sealer is rechargeable via USB, so you won't need to worry about replacing batteries.
How to Use NAVA Pouches
Using NAVA Pouches is straightforward once you get the hang of the workflow. Here's the step-by-step process I followed when testing them:
Step 1: Prep Your Herb
Grind your material to the appropriate consistency for your vape. I used a 4-piece grinder to get a nice, even texture.
Step 2: Fill the Pouch
Use the included injector tool to grab and fill your Nava Pouch. Each one holds up to 0.5g but should only be filled with the appropriate amount for your specific vaporizer.
Don't overfill. Leave a little room at the top so the heat sealer can create a clean seal.
Tip: Cut the end of the pouch if there's excess material.
Step 3: Seal the Pouch
Slip the open end of the pouch into the heat sealer and press down to seal it shut. No heat sealer? Just fold over the end and crease it.
Step 4: Load Into Your Vaporizer
Drop the sealed pouch into your vaporizer's oven. Make sure it's tucked in enough to seal the oven up.
Step 5: Vape as Normal. Raise the Temperature if Needed.
Fire up your vaporizer and vape as you normally would. Raise the temperature if you find the hits are weak.
Step 6: Remove and Dispose
Once your session is done, let the vaporizer cool for a moment, then use the bamboo pick to lift out the used pouch. Toss it in your compost bin, and you're good to go.
Quick Comparison: NAVA Pouches vs Metal Dosing Capsules
| Feature | NAVA Pouches | Metal Dosing Capsules |
| Material | Natural filter paper | Aluminum or stainless steel |
| Compatibility | Universal (any vaporizer) | Device-specific (e.g., Storz & Bickel, Lobo) |
| Reusable | No (single-use, compostable) | Yes (clean and reuse) |
| Airflow Impact | Minimal (paper is porous) | Minimal (designed for optimal airflow) |
| Heat Absorption | Moderate | Moderate |
| Cleaning Required | None (dispose after use) | Yes (ISO soak, brush, rinse) |
| Capacity | Up to 0.5g | ~0.1–0.3g (varies by brand) |
| Sustainability | Compostable | Reusable |
| Setup | Fill, then seal with heat sealer | Fill, then close with capsule lid |
| Best For | Multi-vape owners | Single-device users, long-term cost savings |
Pros and Cons
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
| Universal compatibility | Single-use only (can't reuse) |
| Compostable and eco-friendly after use | A bit cumbersome |
| Keeps your oven cleaner. No residue buildup | Higher long-term cost vs reusable capsules |
| Zero cleaning required. Just toss it and go | |
| Minimal airflow restriction | |
| Perfect for travel and on-the-go sessions |
Benefits of Using NAVA Pouches
NAVA Pouches offer several key advantages that make them a smart addition to any vaporizer setup.
Universal Compatibility
This is the biggest selling point for many. I own a few vaporizers, and finding the right dosing capsules for each can be a pain. NAVA Pouches work with all of them.
Cleaner Oven, Every Time
The pouches contain all your herbs and keep your oven walls spotless. That means less frequent deep cleaning and longer-lasting performance from your vaporizer.
Consistent Doses
Pre-packing your sessions with NAVA Pouches means you can dial in the exact dose you want and replicate it session after session.
Travel-Friendly
Pack a handful of sealed NAVA Pouches in the included travel bag, and you're set for a day out or a weekend trip. No need to bring your grinder or loose herbs. Just drop a pouch in your vape, and you're ready to go.
Zero Cleanup
With NAVA Pouches, there's no ISO soak, no scrubbing, no waiting for them to dry. Use it once, compost it, and move on.
Eco-Friendly Option
The compostable design aligns with a growing trend toward sustainable, eco-friendly packaging. If reducing waste is important to you, NAVA Pouches offer a guilt-free single-use solution that breaks down naturally instead of sitting in a landfill.
Who Are NAVA Pouches For?
Multi-vape owners: If you own more than one dry herb vaporizer, NAVA Pouches are a perfect fit. One universal solution for your entire collection.
On-the-go vapers: Travelers, hikers, and commuters will love the convenience of pre-packed, sealed pouches that drop right into your vape.
People who hate cleaning: If the thought of scrubbing out dosing capsules makes you want to skip them altogether, NAVA Pouches eliminate that chore entirely.
Eco-conscious users: If sustainability matters to you and you want a compostable alternative to reusable metal capsules, NAVA Pouches deliver.
Who Are NAVA Pouches Not For?
Budget-conscious users: If you vape daily and want the lowest long-term cost, reusable metal dosing capsules will save you money over time. NAVA Pouches are single-use, so you'll need to buy refills regularly.
Home-only users: If you mostly vape at home and don't care about faster reloads or travel convenience, the benefits of NAVA Pouches might not outweigh the added cost and prep time.
Minimalists: If you prefer to keep your vaping setup simple and don't want to deal with heat sealers, injector tools, and batch-prepping pouches, stick with direct packing or traditional capsules.
Heavy hitters: If you prefer large, massive hits, you may find yourself wanting something more.
Tips for Best Results
Here are a few things I learned while testing NAVA Pouches that'll help you get the most out of them:
Don't overfill: Leave a little space at the top of each pouch so the heat sealer can create a solid, flat seal. Overfilled pouches can leak or fail to seal properly.
Check your seal: Before you toss a batch of pre-filled pouches in your travel bag, double-check that each one is sealed completely. A bad seal means loose herb and a messy oven.
Cut away excess material: Cut the end of the pouch if you load a small dose, and there's excess material.
Raise the temp: Increase your temperature by about 10°F / 5°C to compensate for heat absorption.
Batch-prep for convenience: The real magic of NAVA Pouches happens when you fill and seal a bunch at once. Spend 15 minutes prepping a week's worth of sessions, and you'll have grab-and-go pouches ready whenever you need them.
Use the bamboo pick: Don't try to dump out a hot pouch or dig it out with your fingers. The included bamboo pick makes removal quick and safe.
Store in a cool, dry place: Keep your pre-filled pouches in the travel bags or an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the paper from absorbing moisture.
Bottom Line
✅ Main Takeaway: NAVA Pouches are a universal, compostable dosing solution that works with any dry herb vaporizer. They eliminate device-specific compatibility headaches, keep your oven cleaner, and remove the need to clean reusable capsules.
If you own multiple vaporizers or hate the cleaning routine that comes with metal dosing capsules, NAVA Pouches are worth checking out.
That said, they're not the most cost-effective option for daily, long-term use. If you're on a tight budget or only own one vaporizer, traditional reusable capsules will save you money over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are NAVA Pouches safe to use in any vaporizer?
A: NAVA states their pouches are lab-tested and safe for heating and inhalation. They're made from natural filter paper designed to withstand vaporizer temperatures. However, always start at a moderate temperature and monitor your first session to ensure compatibility with your specific device.
Q: How many times can I reuse a NAVA Pouch?
A: NAVA Pouches are designed for single-use only. After one session, the pouch and herb inside should be composted.
Q: Do NAVA Pouches affect vapor quality or flavor?
A: Most users report minimal impact on flavor and vapor quality. Some users find the vapor slightly lighter at first, but adjusting your draw technique or temperature usually solves that.
Q: Can I use NAVA Pouches with desktop vaporizers?
A: Yes. NAVA Pouches are universal and will fit any dry herb vaporizer oven, including desktop units.
Q: What's the capacity of a single NAVA Pouch?
A: Each pouch holds up to 0.5 grams of ground herb, similar to most traditional dosing capsules. The exact amount depends on your grind consistency and how tightly you pack it.
Q: Are NAVA Pouches really compostable?
A: NAVA markets its pouches as fully compostable. The natural filter paper is designed to break down in compost settings.
