help the newbie

“You won't catch me sleeping outside but my stepson is going trekking in Guatemala and we bought him a new sleeping bag that came with a compression bag. Problem is getting it back in the bag. Seems to require way more than two hands. Any tips. Don't want the kid to look like a fool.”

“Don't use a compression sack. They destroy the loft of the down or synthetic insulation. You want a sack where you have to stuff it in there fairly tight, but not one where you have to cinch the straps to really compress it. If it's too hard to get in the sack then the sack is too small.
last edited: 6/23/08 2:41:32 PM”

“Just stuff it in.”

“i agree with both of them. Don't store the bag for long periods of time in the compressed sack - but it's fine to travel for brief periods with it all compressed. To stuff the bag, start with the foot end of the bag and just cram it in.”

“You have to start packing the bottom of the stuff sack first. Pack the stuff sack hard starting right away. Too many people don't get the bottom of the stuff sack compressed hard enough and then wonder why it won't fit.

Under no circumstances store the bag in the stuff sack. You _will_ destroy the usefulness of the bag. I use old pillow cases for storage sacks.”

“Go with what dayhiker says, he's an expert on lost loft;)”

“Is he using a pack?

Does it have a sleeping bag compartment?”

“He is using a pack with a sleeping bag compartment. I tried the stuffing from the foot end suggestion and actually got it all in the bag. Didn't think it would all go in but it did. Thanks for the help.”

“I'm with Dayhiker. Don't use a stuff sack. Besides ruining the loft, I hate having something as hard as a rock in the bottom of my bag.. It prevents me from jamming other things down in the bag.”

“Use the compression bag, if you need the space. And if so, you just have to shove the stuff in there. Some of those bags can really get small in a compression sack, if that is what you got. I bet its not though. I bet what you have is just a stuff sack. You can always buy new gear when its time, have fun.”

“I've gotten no complaints about my loft, thank you very much.”

“What's all this fluff?”

“Some backpackers are pushier than others. Others are stuffier. But they all like to "jam."

LOL.
last edited: 6/24/08 6:10:46 AM”

“I always use a stuff sack. How else do you keep the sleeping bag dry?”

“what kinda bag did you get him?

sounds like a huge coleman/wallyworld type.

i mean central america is kinda warm, get him a hostel bag, or travel sheet”

“How else do you keep the sleeping bag dry? I stuff mine in a plastic trashbag and then jam it into the nooks and crannies. Saves space.”

“Oddly, compressing the bag saves me space.”

“roll down the stuff sack so only a quarter is showing. Try to stuff the whole sleeping bag into that quarter, and when that quarter is tightly stuffed, roll down another quarter, and try like the dickens to get the whole rest of the sleeping bag in the now half stuff sack. Ditto on the third quarter. Then you get to the 4th quarter, its likely to go in pretty easily.

That is my technique to accomplish what ramblinrev said. Don't STORE the bag in the stuff sack, but for a trip its in use. Also, don't leave it in a hot car in a stuff sack ever.”

“Stuff early and often.

And be sure to let it air out completely.   Mildew is not your friend,   < G >”

“Make sure he has a hanging mosquito net.

Doug
last edited: 6/25/08 12:50:45 PM”