Compression sacks and synthetic sleeping bags

Yes, it’s bad as it causes the insulation to break down – this supposedly happens faster with synths than with down, but it happens with down also.

The rule of thumb is to NOT use a stuff sack smaller than the one the manufacturer provides or recommends.

I see… so what about the REI bags (like the Nooksack) that ship with compression sacks? Are they actually designed to be able to compress that much, or is it just a marketing gimmick by REI?

It’s OK to compress them for short periods of time like when people actually go packing. And, afterall, they are just synthetic bags. Want a small pack then pay the price.

I’m not sure it’s ‘ok’ to compress them for short periods of time. I’ve read that it’s the repeated friction of compressing and forcing the insulation to rub forcefully against itself that causes it to break down. This is supposedly even more damaging than a single instance of long term compression and causes more breakdown of the insulation. I have no first hand experience comparing these two phenonmenon, it’s just what one reads along the way on various websites.

Use the manufacturer’s sack and don’t tighten the compression straps. I’ve done this with a TNF Equinox, i.e. use the sack and don’t tighten the compression straps. In fact, you might want to contemplate cutting them off to save weight if you’re not going to use them.