Stuff sacks for sleeping bags

[Sean Passanisi]

Hello. I recently purchased a ULA Circuit. The stuff sack for my WM Versalite is 16" long, way too wide for the ~10" I have at the base of my Circuit. I'm thinking about buying a smaller, waterproof stuff sack. After searching through the forums here, it seems like most people just shove their bag at the bottom of the pack. But it seems like I'd want to keep it dry, clean, and safe from abrasions in a separate sack. I'd love to hear feedback on whether a stuff sack is a good idea and recommendations on makes/models. Thanks.

[EndoftheTrail]

Sean:

In the olden days, I used to have dedicated stuff sacks for my bag, pad and clothing. But after doing comparisons with vs. without them, I found that I actually save pack space by not using stuff sacks:

1. Pad – I fold the pad in half length-wise, then into thirds to approx. the size of my pack back — and slide the pad in flat. This saves space and also allows the pad to further stiffen the backpack — making for more comfortable carrying.

2. Bag – Next, I stuff my sleeping bag directly into my pack. If rain or river crossings figure in the picture, then first line the pack with a giant trash bag (aka contractor bag) — then pack as normal.

3. Clothing – I then stuff my clothing into the pack — esp. cramming the smaller pieces into the pack's nooks and crannies.

Rarely are we able to ditch gear pieces and end up not just saving weight, but also saving packing time and effort — and increasing pack space and efficiency as well! Never again, will I do something so unproductive as wrestling a bag into a teeny tiny stuff sack at the break of dawn with cold and half-stiff fingers — only to lose instead of gain packing space!

[Travis Leanna]

Sean, when you hear about people shoving their bag into their pack, 98% of the time they also use a waterproof pack liner.

As per your question, I think it depends on how you like to pack. For me, I usually like an ultralight dry sack, like a cuben one. Sea to Summit makes good light ones in sil. That way I know that no matter what, my down bag is safe.

However, I just got a Catalyst and have been playing around with how I pack, and might be moving to a liner. Certain packs seem to lend themselvrs to being packed differently.

Play with many different ideas there's no right/wrong/better/worse way. But I'd suggest that no matter what you pick, make sure your insulating pieces (bag, puffy, etc) are very well protected from water.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I use a Granite Gear compression bag if I need to get a sleeping bag in a smaller pack. I think compression sacks need to be used sparingly and with discretion so the loft isn't destroyed. Avoid trying to create a black hole! The current version is an Air Compressor: http://www.granitegearstore.com/Air-Compressor-P145C52.aspx

My preference is to use a waterproof silnylon stuff sack and just roll it down as far as practical.

[Mike W]

If you get a lot of rain in your area the way I do, you should go with a light weight ultra-sil dry bag for your SB. The So-Cal folks can get away with a trash bag but that has never worked for me. I've found that keeping clothes and sleeping bag in a single bag (trash bag or dry bag) was a problem in heavy rain. The sleeping bag would get damp when I accessed the clothes (from rain, wet hands, drippy rain jacket). I now carry my spare clothes in one small dry sack and my sleeping bag in another small-ish dry sack and that has worked very well for me. The dry bag with my sleeping bag in it never gets opened up until it is in my shelter.

[Nick Larsen]

Personally, I've been using a small trash bag. Put trash bag in bottom of pack, stuff sleeping bag into trash bag. Smash it down as small as possible and work out all the air, then just twist and tie an overhand knot in the trash bag. Fill the rest of the pack with all the other junk.
If rain is the worst I'm worried about, then I'll just twist the trash bag real good and let the weight of my other stuff hold it closed and waterproof.

[michael levi]

Granite gear cuben event dry bags.

There does become a point where if low pack volume is desired then you must compress your sleeping bag. Stuffing it in the bottom can sometimes take up too much volume from it continually lofting up.

[Adam Rothermich]

I just use a pack liner and stuff my quilt loose in the bottom of my pack. Like Ben, I've found that I'm able to pack more efficiently without stuff sacks. In a sense my pack liner acts like a 1.5 oz stuff sack that's large enough to fit all of my gear. Usually I put my sleeping bag in the bottom, my clothes on top, and roll the bag shut. They I put my cook kit, food, and shelter on top to keep it closed.

Adam

[Adam Rothermich]

Sorry, double post.

Adam

[Roger Caffin]

> keep it dry, clean, and safe from abrasions in a separate sack.
Right on!
Ours go first into a plain fabric stuff sack – same material as the shell. Then into a plastic bag inside a silnylon stuff sack. That may sound like serious overkill, but when your pack goes swimming in a big river the value becomes a little clearer.

Ditto for all other 'warm' gear.

Cheers

[Nathan Watts]

I like the eVent bottom Granite Gear ones. Waterproof with roll top. The breathable bottom helps with compression.

[Ken Bennett]

"Sean, when you hear about people shoving their bag into their pack, 98% of the time they also use a waterproof pack liner. "

Right, this. I use a cuben pack liner from Zpacks in my Circuit. My 30-F bag just gets shoved into the bottom of the liner, with my clothing bag on top and my ditty bag, then the liner gets rolled over and closed.

For my winter bag I use a Granite Gear compression stuff sack so I can fit my 5-F bag inside my Circuit. Works fine for a weekend hike, but I expect I would run out of room for food on a longer hike and thus need a larger pack.

[Stephen M]

I hace to use a compression bag for my winter sleeping bag, It means I can use a 60ltr pack.

[Ian]

I have a fairly light stuff sack which is oversized for my quilt. It protects my quilt but still allows for me to mold it around gear in the bottom of my ruck. I've tried the compression systems and I felt that it was an inefficient use of space.

[Sean Passanisi]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Does the use of an internal pack liner negate the need for a proper external pack cover?

Are there significant pros/cons to the different materials: silnylon, eVent, cuben? If purchasing cuben, does it makes sense to spend a bit more and have the pack made out of cuben? Of course, this cost can be avoided with the trash liner idea.

[Travis Leanna]

>Does the use of an internal pack liner negate the need for a proper external pack cover?

Yes and no. If used properly, a pack liner will keep everything inside of it dry, even if the pack is soaked. However, a soaked pack weighs more–possibly more than a very light pack cover–and anything not in the liner will get wet. This may or may not be of concern to you depending on your packing style.

Cuben is lightest and absolutely waterproof, but expensive. Sil is much cheaper and plenty waterproof for a pack liner and cheaper. Event is heavier and more expensive than sil, and not really needed for a liner.

A properly made cuben pack can be waterproof enough for rain, but I still would use another liner or drybags if you're going to be packrafting or crossing many deep streams. There are some packs that are essentially a big dry bag, so you'd be pretty good with one of those.

[Rodney]

I use a trash bag for the liner and have never had any issues. However, I need to clarify that the trash bag is a trash compactor bag. It is much thicker and more durable than an ordinary trash bag.

Rodney

[Max Dilthey]

I went looking for trash compactor bags and my local Stop N' Shop didn't carry them.

:(

My e-Vent 35L pack liner from Sea to Summit weighs an ounce or so more than a trash bag, but I find both a pain to use. I keep it around for wet weather but don't use it unless I'm sure they'll be some.

[Sean Passanisi]

By the way, if I'm not using a stuff sack for my sleeping bag, should I also avoid using a stuff stack for my Exped Downmat UL 7? It's a pain in the ass to get that thing back in the bag.

[Ben C]

I have used baking bags recently and prefer them over compactor bags. They are available at local groceries. For me, there are several advantages. First, they are clear and you can see your stuff. Second, they are smaller; a compactor bag is bigger than I need. Third, it feels lighter; I should weigh it to confirm. Fourth, it feels more durable subjectively. Fifth, it has a slippery feel so it slides better in the pack.

[EndoftheTrail]

@ Sean, who wrote, "By the way, if I'm not using a stuff sack for my sleeping bag, should I also avoid using a stuff stack for my Exped Downmat UL 7? It's a pain in the ass to get that thing back in the bag."

By ditching the pad stuff sack — you save effort, save time, save weight — and actually increase packing efficiency! Just let the air out, fold down flat more or less to the size of your backpack — slip into your backpack — then pack over it — starting with your bag, and then your clothing, etc.

Again, if rain or river crossing — play it safe. Use a liner first — then pack normal as described above.

[Stephen Barber]

Sean, you say you're using an Exped down mat. If you have or use the Exped dry bag schnozzle pump, it makes a pretty good sleeping bag pack liner. I put my sleeping bag, down sweater and anything else I want protected from water in the schnozzle bag, then either just fold over the top if I'm expecting a dry day, letting the weight of the rest of my gear compress the down, or if I'm expecting a wet day, I roll down the top in dry bag fashion.

[michael levi]

These are awesome drybags, there made of 15d. And pretty cheap.

also I use a 20L for my down bag and clothing, it best to get it way oversized so it conforms to every crack in your pack.

I dont even seal it, there is enough excess to just fold it over and put the rest of my gear on top of it to compress it.

[Stephen M]

As Stephen mentions the Exped Snozzle is great, It makes a nice pillow also.

If carrying my winter bag I end having to use a Sea To Summit event compression sack as its so bloody big.

[Jared Baker]

I found that compression sacks are great on paper, but in real life application do not work well most of the time. I ended up getting rid of all of mine.

However, I still like the idea of protecting my gear, so I use an oversized STS bag so that it will conform more to the corners and nooks in my pack.

[Author]

Posts