Compressing insulation

Hey Niall,

I hope my bad English isn’t so bad (because I’m from Germany).

I get so many ideas to go light from Ray Jardine too. Often, the durability of the fabric must suffer. Everyone must balance.

To the synthetic insulation:
The factory (compression) sack should be the ideal volume. The optimal size for compression for D-I-Y bags should the size of a similar factory bag.

I usually stuff my bag loose into my pack. Above my other gear. By this way, my pack doesn’t need a (internal) frame. The insulation will be prevent from damage.

If you look for new insulation technology (and a creative sleeping bag system), then take a look at KIFARU:
http://kifaru.net/regulator.htm
The “Climashield Combat Insulation“ is probably analog to the Polarguard insulation.

…hope, this helps a little!

Keiler

This has been discussed in the forums, and if I recall, Richard N. said synthetics stabilize at about 50 to 70% their original loft. No less, and no more. So buy accordingly. If you need 2cm of loft, buy a 3cm thick jacket.

But personally I compress all my insulation without mercy in my pack, as tight as possible; synthetics and Down both. They recover just fine and I can't detect any loss of loft. (down, exceloft)

Even my Montbell down bag was tightly compressed, like a down brick, for two years, between manufacture, and when I bought it. Fluffed up to specification just fine.

In the long term, store it all uncompressed.