compressing bulky gear

“The volume that clothes for winter take up in my pack promted me to get some of those zip/lock type bags that let you get most of the air out of clothes.

My down pants are GREAT but took up a ton of room. I use a smaller pack by choice (4800) to force me to stay lite.

Any of you use some sort of system to "smash" your gear to a size that fits your packs better?”

“My old-as-the-hills synthetic used to require a Granite Gear compression sack, but I've since dumped the bag and gotten REI's Sub-Kilo (so far, so good).

Granite Gear, however, was rock-solid, and I stressed it out to it's limits, and I mean really torqued down on that sucker. I'd trust GG completely to mash whatever you need mashed.”

“I was referring to the type that looks like a heavy zip-lock with a little valve on them. Eagle creek makes a type, I'm sure others are around

I used to use a compression "sack" but it was like a bear canister in the pack. Hard to pack around.”

“I think Compression sacks are so bulky that you'd be better off not using them at all. I bought one thinking it might be a good idea. HA! I was better off just cramming stuff in a smaller stuff sack.”

“How about running it over with a D-9 Cat?

HI, DIDJ!!!”

“Hi Mel. The D-9 would help me the first time, but what about finding one on the trail? Don't remember seeing any in French Canyon.

These "Vacuum" bags are not compression sacks really. The end results is a FLAT, airtight, and dry solution,taking up far less space. Almost like a "seal a meal" effect for clothes.”

“Didj, I bought all these little mesh bags from our local outfitter, and although they're not waterproof(hmm, wonder why?), they make great little stuff sacks!

That way too, you can arrange like items together. You know, undies(for those who wear 'em!) in one, socks in another, etc... I've found they stuff really well into those awkward spaces you sometimes get inside the pack and even larger items when rolled up or just plain stuffed into 'em fit pretty nicely! Anyhow, FWIW that's my $.02.... :-)”

“I have one compression sack for my big winter sleeping bag. Works wonders, does make it alittle funky(odd shape) to pack but it is better than nothing. I bought a few straps along time ago that double as compression straps for my exsisting stuff sacks. They work in a pinch and are a cheap alternative to the real things. I normally have used the 1 gallon ziplocs for clothes and other items, the main problem is squeezing out all the air and keeping the seal tight.

Another than that, leave behind what you won't use, and learn to improvise with what you take.”

“Get a bigger pack. Compression does not reduce the weight. Many people I know have a ?winter pack? just because of the extra bulk. The extra weight of the larger pack will likely be about the same as the compression sacks.”

“I have heard a rumor, which I cannot prove, that compressing down permanently reduces loft, more drastically with the higher volume (more expensive) down. Seems to make sense.

The point was, if you buy a $300+ bag and put it in a compression sack, after a few times you'll have the equiv. of a $100 bag...”

“Le Subtil, from what I know you're correct. Compressing PERMANENTLY does have an effect, which is why we sould all store our down bags & related gear in an un-compressed state, and why the bags all come with a large storage bag. However, just compressing for the trail does not permanently alter their insulation capability. It only reduces the volume required to haul your gear. 10 pounds is 10 pounds, compressed or not. I find I can get by with a smaller (read: lighter) pack by reducing the amount of clothes I take along, and compressing those that I do take.”

“You could shove it all in your pack and then run it over with a steam roller thingy. That should compress it nice!”

“wanderer's crazy. If your bag's too heavy, mash it down to the size of a softball. Then it's light!
Hey, who can't carry a softball?”

“They make two gallon freezer zip bags.
I bought polartec power stretch top and bottom. They are as warm as the 200 but they take up a lot less room and they are sooo very softy.”

“I heard that it's easier to pack around the big items if they aren't so rigid. takes up more room, but is but reduces air pokets.

I remember that old motivation trick were the guy fills a clear jar with rocks, and ask if there is any room left in the jar. Then he fills it with pebbles, and ask again, then sand, then water.

So why not carry the same weight and stuff, but have the pack be less compressed?”

“'Cuz when you're scrambling or going up that odd rock face because the trail is covered in blowdown, the smaller pack will help you keep your balance better.”