bushmaster
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The mountains are calling, and I must go.
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Post by bushmaster on Nov 18, 2021 6:27:03 GMT -8
I don't own a down sleeping bag, as I keep my pack full, for the most part, except for food, and water, and ready in case someone gets careless with fire here in the mountains, thus needing to hike out. At this time the only sleep system I own is to heavy and bulky to even thinking about taking. I'm older then dirt, but still enjoy wandering around in the bush whenever possible. This might be a stupid question, but can a down bag be stuffed somewhat loose in a stuff sack for long periods of time, rather then a tight stuff, without damaging it's insulating quality. I'm here to learn all this ultralight stuff so pleas bare with me.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Nov 18, 2021 6:42:39 GMT -8
Down bags can be stuffed into a stuff sack. For storage keep it in a lose sack. For when actually using it when camping it can be stuffed into smaller stuff sacks because down compresses really well. I put my 20 degree bag in a compression stuff sack and it fits in the bottom of the backpack. But yeah, for storage a lose sack, like a laundry bag, is fine.
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Post by trinity on Nov 18, 2021 7:19:19 GMT -8
can a down bag be stuffed somewhat loose in a stuff sack for long periods of time, rather then a tight stuff, without damaging it's insulating quality. Good question. I am assuming you want to keep this ready to go at a moment's notice, but don't want to damage the down by keeping it stuffed too tightly. Since it sounds like you are contemplating a down sleep system, largely for emergency use, I would recommend a quilt from Hammock Gear, Enlightened Equipment, Underground Quilts, or some similar company. They will typically provide you with a stuff sack and a long-term storage sack. Keep the quilt in the storage sack, and if you need to leave at a moment's notice, either transfer it to the smaller sack, or just stuff it in your pack as is, letting the pack and its contents compress the quilt. Does that make sense? I don't ever use tight stuff sacks anymore, I just put my down quilt or bag in a loose sack at the bottom of my backpack, and let the weight of the things on top compress it down. |
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Nov 18, 2021 8:37:29 GMT -8
I store loose in a breathable bag, and the down holds up great as long as you otherwise keep it clean, dry and take care of it.
In the pack I don't use a stuffsack (my pack is effectively waterproof), my down quilt is the first thing to go into the backpack, and I put it in as loose as possible, so that it pretty much fills up the pack (but very loosely). Then I put other things on top of it and let it compress down only as much as needed. Not being in a stuffsack means the quilt can spread to fill in the nooks and crannies, no dead space. This also helps to keep the pack filled out even if I'm taking less gear.
You mentioned ultralight. For context, I'm one of the resident gram-weenies. My mild-weather overnighter baseweight is 8.4 lbs, full week in the Sierra baseweight is 13 lbs including bear can. Pack is 52L. I suggest you consider a down backpacking quilt instead of a bag for 3-season, saves weight.
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jazzmom
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a.k.a. TigerFan
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Post by jazzmom on Nov 18, 2021 20:09:52 GMT -8
For what it's worth, this is what a 10-degree down bag (short length) looks like in its storage sack. The sack should be big enough to allow the bag to be fully lofted.  |
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bushmaster
Trail Wise!
The mountains are calling, and I must go.
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Post by bushmaster on Nov 19, 2021 3:04:06 GMT -8
Trinity mentioned quilts. seems like a better option as It seems I could get a lower degree quilt and throw off as needed in warmer temps. I've been looking at the Revelation, but confused with stuffed size. Chart size says sack is 17.5 X8, with a compressed size at 9L which I assume means liter. Reckon I can't visualize 9 liter into inches. unless they mean the same thing. I'm trying to work with a 30 Liter pack which I really like, although I may have to rethink my pack size
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Nov 19, 2021 5:43:10 GMT -8
That's a really small pack, even for ultralighters.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Nov 19, 2021 15:07:46 GMT -8
For what it's worth, this is what a 10-degree down bag (short length) looks like in its storage sack. The sack should be big enough to allow the bag to be fully lofted. The volume of an unstuffed helps keep me from accumulating too many of them. Unlike jackets, I can't put two or three of them on the same hanger. |
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