Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2017 8:25:20 GMT -8
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jan 13, 2017 8:45:12 GMT -8
When I used compression bags, I was a big fan of Granite Gear bags. I could seriously crank down the straps without fear of snapping a strap or splitting a seam. I retired them when I switched to Down for my sleeping bag and clothing insulation. I no longer have any need for them.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 13, 2017 11:41:49 GMT -8
Have you considered no compression sack? A compression sack will turn your bag into a hard lump that will be hard to pack around, leaves dead space inside your pack, and could compress your insulation more than is needed. All I do is put my quilt (rather than bag) in the pack first, spreading it around in the bottom to fill all the nooks and crannies, then everything else on top and I push down only as much as needed. Added bonus: no compression sack means I save weight and money (OK two bonuses).
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 13, 2017 21:49:58 GMT -8
All I do is put my quilt (rather than bag) in the pack first, spreading it around in the bottom to fill all the nooks and crannies, then everything else on top and I push down only as much as needed. I know a lot of folks here do that. I just have this vision of it getting dirty, wet, or torn, since some of the stuff in my pack is food, kitchen ware, and water. So I've always liked my stuff sack.
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Post by bluefish on Jan 14, 2017 5:52:59 GMT -8
I've had good service from Sea to Summit ultra sil compression sacks. You need to start with a sack that is roughly equivalent to the one you now have, and cinch it down from there. The specs say 9x17 for your bag. I think you'd need a large which is 9x20 and reduce from there. A medium is slightly less volume than your original sack which makes it a bit more of a pain to stuff back in when you're breaking camp. I used cheaper bags with compression sacks for years. I've never really put it to the leak test with a short duration, full immersion, but they are certainly water repellent and last for years. You probably know this, but don't store your bag compressed at home and it helps to get your camp set up and the bag re-lofting as quick as possible when you need the full low temp. value. I sometimes shake them out and fluff them up to help the process. You can still use them as a pillow,too. Just wrap them in a fleece or spare shirt.
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Post by bluefish on Jan 14, 2017 10:15:56 GMT -8
no compression sack means I save weight and money (OK two bonuses). Having used compression sacks before - but no longer -- I would like to add that you also save time, effort and pack space! While a personal preference, I think I can objectively say that not using compression sack means less time and effort packing (no need to wrestle bag into sack esp. on cold mornings with numb fingers), less pack space wasted (may be counter intuitive but a bag that "self compresses" to occupy whatever pack space as you pack other stuff into the backpack is more efficient than packing a "brick" or "cylinder"), less risk of damage to bag, a bit less weight, and money saved! No real advantage at all to using bag, pad, clothing sacks. But, some people like to keep things "organized" -- so each to his or her own, of course. I found that bulky synthetics like the OP has ,required a little help to get more pack space. The stuff sack is a cheap price to pay when using a 100 dollar bag. If you want to spend the 200 and up on something more compressible..... I used cheap gear for years, as I paid off mortgages and kid's college.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 14, 2017 10:23:25 GMT -8
As a 'princess' of sort, I like to keep my gear pieces clean. And I use a 1-2 gallon size ziplock bag to house garbage and such. Maybe give it a try? Well, I bag the kitchen gear, and garbage goes in an outside pocket anyway. My water bag is inside, though. And to be honest, I keep my gear pretty clean, too. The tent can be an issue, though. Unless it's wet, my share of the tent usually goes inside my pack (I try to keep pretty much everything inside). Maybe I could compromise by putting the (soon-to-be) quilt in a really light pillowcase, which would protect it a little and give me a pillow case (Okay, yeah, I know the pillowcase might end up dirty or wet. But that would dry easily, and I've been thinking about carrying one anyway).
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franco
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Post by franco on Jan 14, 2017 16:12:22 GMT -8
Not using a compression sack does not have to mean not protecting your bag. I use a very light weight sac that is about twice the size my SB can be compressed to, then stuff it inside the pack where the rest of the gear will compress it down into the available space and shape.
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Post by hikerjer on Jan 14, 2017 17:05:42 GMT -8
I use a very light weight sac that is about twice the size my SB can be compressed to, then stuff it inside the pack where the rest of the gear will compress it down into the available space and shape. Exactly. Stuffability (is that a word? - should be) along with a little added protection. Colin Fletcher makes this point in The Complete Walker.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 14, 2017 19:55:28 GMT -8
A compression sack will turn your bag into a hard lump ... The hipbelt on some backpacks performs better when the sleeping bag still has some give to it.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 14, 2017 21:09:07 GMT -8
You guys are convincing me! Especially since I'm guessing I can make a loose sack that would be a nice pillowcase for about the same weight as the stuff sack.
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mk
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North Texas
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Post by mk on Jan 15, 2017 11:55:38 GMT -8
I line my pack with a giant garbage bag, then stuff everything in systematically. I tried this once and it made me a little crazy -- I think I was being a little too perfectionist about it. Any tips? I've looked for but so far haven't found trash compactor bags, which I assume would be more shaped like a backpack. I just found the garbage bag to be too big and bulky (and slippery) and awkward to load. At some point, I think I just used the bag as a very large dry bag for the sleeping bag and loaded the rest of the gear in on top of the trash bag. And while I do have a dry-bag compression sack for my sleeping bag, I don't like to pack it that way -- I found it too awkward to pack around. (Full disclosure -- I am terrible at loading my pack. It usually takes me a few tries the first day. Then I give up ...)
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Jan 15, 2017 13:17:40 GMT -8
Once tried the Granite Gear compression stuff sack. A few thoughts: - Expensive - Reduced my WM Badger to the size of a cantaloupe - rock hard, but it took too long for the down to recover. Stuffing your bag that tight cannot be good for expensive down equipment. - Adds an extra 6 - 8 oz to your weight, which also seems counter-productive. - Maybe the small stuff sack (the one that came w/ the sleeping bag) was designed to not harm the down when stuffed? - Stuffing a garbage bag inside of your backpack - Rookie! Maybe a waterproof pack cover instead? I carry an older model Gregory Deva, 60 lit pack...size medium. www.ebay.com/itm/Gregory-Backpack-Deva-60-Size-Medium-/252701696888?hash=item3ad631e378:g:05AAAOSw7aBVENT6which IMHO, one of the greatest pack designs ever. Even though it says designed for women, who cares if it fits you well. FYI, I'm 6', 225 lbs...like a well-worn glove. The Deva has one large top compartment and a separate zippered sleeping bag compartment below...also has two large outside side pockets. My TT Rainbow folds up small, especially when you take out the poles (one beak pole and one long ridge pole), which then you can strap to the outside of one side of the pack, (right along side of your fishing pole). Even wet, the pole-less Rainbow fits nicely into one of the outside side pockets. BTW, the tent is the second thing taken out of my backpack, and the second to last thing packed too. I also carry a thin, plastic-sheet ground cloth...(~8'/3')...used under the tent. There is always some room left in the full backpack - in the very top of the lower compartment...a hole just under the bear can (bottom of top compartment) and just above the sleeping bag in the lower one. This tarp is the last gear item packed and the very first thing out. Waterproof and carried anyway (nothing more to add to your weight), you fold and drape the plastic ground cloth (in the top of the lower compartment), over and around the sleeping bag. Then no need to carry a pack cover either. just my 2¢
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Jan 15, 2017 14:24:18 GMT -8
BTW, you might have noticed the super realistic green trout, tied on the back of my backpack. Why you ask? Three reasons: - At 15" long, an accurate measuring device for any future trout caught. - Showing a fish separates and identifies me as a dirt bag fisherman (IMHO, the highest category of all backpackers)...one small step above the plain old "dirt bag"...BTW, a term of great respect too. - Also serves as my secret bong holder!
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Post by cweston on Jan 15, 2017 14:50:27 GMT -8
All I do is put my quilt (rather than bag) in the pack first, spreading it around in the bottom to fill all the nooks and crannies, then everything else on top and I push down only as much as needed. I know a lot of folks here do that. I just have this vision of it getting dirty, wet, or torn, since some of the stuff in my pack is food, kitchen ware, and water. So I've always liked my stuff sack. I also really prefer for my down bag to be well protected from getting wet when it's my pack. I stuff it in a sea-to-summit dry bag, which compresses it down pretty small and also serves as a pillow (with my down jacket in it). So I don't really see the utility of dropping the dry sack just to lose a few ounces. EDIT: Oops--I guess I should have read the whole thread before posting this.
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