What do you use to store your winter sleeping bag on trips?

"Can anyone recommend a lighter option than the Sea to Summit one or is that as good as it gets?"

I'm guessing that you are already pretty close to the limit.

My winter bag is rated for -20*F, and it takes up a lot of space. In the winter, I am normally using a bigger backpack and eventually everything goes in there.

I use some variation of a compression stuff sack, and I crank it down pretty tightly. However, I don't leave it compressed for any longer than necessary.

I've accepted the fact that things are just heavier in the winter.

–B.G.–

Cheers Bob,

The Xl stuff sack does have a small bit of space left over to put socks and down booties in but that's about it.

I was just checking to see if there was possibly a lighter alternative, definitely a long shot but worth asking :-)

Much appreciate the reply.

Just came across this on Outdoor Gear Lab, turns out for winter bags they think the event dry bag I am using is as good as it gets according to them.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/a/11100/The-Best-Sleeping-Bag-Stuff-Sacks

I was a bit worried when I first got my WM Puma, and found it took up so much space in my pack (McHale LBP36). I wound up doing this: A few items to fill out the bottom of the pack-then a trash compactor bag, and just stuff the sleeping bag in free. I have found that a compression sack will create a more rigid "ball", stuffing the bag in free allows it to fill the pack. It did compress as more things were stuffed on top, and I was able to get all my gear in the pack.

Hi Michael,

I tried that myself and it did not seem to be any better.
Also I don't trust compactor bags to fully protect a sleeping bag, I want my sleeping bag as waterproofed as possible.
I am not so much bothered by the volume of my existing setup, just seeing is there is a lighter alternative.

If you’re willing to sacrifice full waterproofness, you could go with a Silnylon compression sack like REI’s store brand. You’d cut about half the weight, depending on what size you need. Given the tension on the waterproof endcaps, I bet this would be able to handle any water exposure short of submersion.

Thanks Michael for the recommendation.

Unfortunately full waterproofness is must for me, its possibly not needed for Michigan winters but a throwback from living in Ireland most of life (where it rains a lot)

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You can try these:

http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/packsacks/waterproof-compression-bag-m
@ 4 oz

or
http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/packsacks/waterproof-compressionbag-ulv-m
@ 2 oz.

I have not used them, but know someone who has been very happy with the former.

Hey Rog,

What brought this question on in sunny June was I got some Zpacks CF dry bags in the post today and I thought the Puma would fit in their largest one.

I am back in Ireland for a wedding in July so have a week in the mountain planned, in fact just back from Lake Placid which was very nice indeed :-)

Looking forward to some trips with you in the Autumn :-)

Talk soon,

Thanks Ivo,

I was replying to Rog when you posted, will check those out.

I have the same sleeping bag and the same stuff sack. The sack is nice but HEAVY. Zpacks does custom work, and I have been thinking of getting them to make me a custom sized drybag. I will be interested in your solution.

It is indeed an amazing bag its about 10oz heavier than I like carrying in winter but so worth it.
As a test when I first got it I used it on a 35f trip and I did not find it too warm at all, next trip was -5f and it was just as comfy.

Thinking about it this bag needs some kind of compression to stop it taking up half a pack.

Sea to Summit also makes eVent dry bags in ridiculous sizes (up above 35L) that don't have compression straps. If you can sit on your sleeping bag and get it to roll closed, you'll be sure it's 100% waterproofed and you don't have the weight of the lid or compression straps. Plus, the eVent bottom means it's still easy to compress,

Cheers

Nice one Max,

I have an older style of one of those somewhere and will poke it out a give it a try.

I'm mostly a 3 season camper so my "wintriest" bag is a 15 deg. It fits nicely in a 10L Granite Gear Uberlight CTF3 Event dry sack. They make a 13L and a 18L version that should handle a fluffier bag. The event bottom lets me smoosh my bags down pretty tight and they are tough for how light they are.

I use the 7L version most frequently for my summer bag. I've never had it fail me but I have not (thankfully) done any unintentional dunking.

Claimed Weight of the 18L is .74 oz. And on sale now at backcountry.com.

(edited to correct that my 15 deg fits in a 10L not 13L)

Thanks Linda, that could be a contender.

It looks like you're getting plenty of good advice about the lightest sack material already so I'll skip that and suggest alternatives for lightening your compression straps.

I purchased 2 sets of Big Agnes UL compression straps a few years back. They were half the weight of anything else I could find. I just checked on their website and sadly they don't seem to carry them anymore.

I had slightly modified them to lighten them farther when I got them by changing out the cinch cords with gutted 2mm cord. It slipped a little too easily when compressed for my taste, so I went up to 3mm gutted cord.

The end caps (of sort) are made from 1/2 inch widths of grosgrain ribbon and are 5 1/4 inches across the square. The strap adjusters are made from lineloc 3's.

The compression strap weighs 21.3 grams.

I second S Long. Joe at ZPacks does custom gear. I'm willing to bet he'd make you a CF waterproof roll-top to whatever specs you wanted.

Thanks David and Heather.

A custom Zpacks bag and external straps may fit the bill.

I can measure off my current bag.

Stephen,
I'm still not clear from your initial description… did the trash compactor bag not work? If it fit your bag, then it sounds like you have your answer. I think your concerns about durability are unfounded as well. It's actually hard to tear those things and if you do manage to poke a hole, it couldn't be easier to repair: just apply tape.

To be honest, it sounds like your sleeping bag is simply larger than you want it to be, but there's not really anything you can do about that right? Winter gear is bulky.

I suspect that you might need a larger pack, but that you just really don't want a larger pack, so you are stuck with this sleeping bag that won't fit.

Hi Derek,

I am not worried about getting holes in a thrash bag, more so worried about water working its way during torrential rain as often on trips where it can be 35f during the day and get down to near 0f or below at night.

My winter pack has enough room for it using the Xl Sea to summit compression sack, I was just checking out lighter options or maybe slightly less bulky.

Its not a big deal, just a question that popped in to my head over the weekend.

Thanks for your advice.

Cheers,

Stephen