Sleeping bags take up too much space

[Spencer-SC]

I have a Mountain Hardware sleeping bag, but my backpack is only 50L, and I have never found a good way to store it. It takes up too much space. At present, I can only buy a backpack of about 100L to fit it.

 

[Mike Islander]

Compression sack.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Stuff sack, and/or switch to a down bag. I used a mountain hardware synthetic bag for a while, it was enormous in the pack

 

[Spencer-SC]

Got it，I have lots to learn on how to pack, thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LongWayAround]

Get an Event (material) compression sack. The material allows you compress the air out, but doesn't let it back in.

 

[Spencer-SC]

Get an Event (material) compression sack. The material allows you compress the air out, but doesn't let it back in.

Thanks, I saw Sea to Summit has a eVent compression sack, I will do some research on that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[accountantsanonymous]

Thanks, I saw Sea to Summit has a eVent compression sack, I will do some research on that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep, that one works well. There are some folks that don’t compress their bag and stuff it at the bottom of their pack to fill all the empty space. Works better with a down bag

 

[Wrench]

I don't like my bag on the bottom because of gravity. It will catch every leak there.

 

[TaperPin]

You also might experiment with strapping it outside the main bag. Some packs have straps to reduce main bag volume down low so a bulky bag can be strapped on the outside - I’ve had a few that did that and didn’t like how it carried.

I’ve also seen guys with long skinny stuff sacks and the bag is strapped to the side of a pack, but that’s usually an odd bulky solution.

A good stuff sack that matches the size and shape of your pack should be the first option. It makes no sense to use a compression sack that leaves weird space around it, or turns the bottom of the pack into a perfectly round weird doughnut. Don’t think the bag can only go down low - I’ve used a relatively large stuff sack that was longer than the factory bag and it strapped on top of the pack quite well.

 

[Spencer-SC]

You also might experiment with strapping it outside the main bag. Some packs have straps to reduce main bag volume down low so a bulky bag can be strapped on the outside - I’ve had a few that did that and didn’t like how it carried.

I’ve also seen guys with long skinny stuff sacks and the bag is strapped to the side of a pack, but that’s usually an odd bulky solution.

A good stuff sack that matches the size and shape of your pack should be the first option. It makes no sense to use a compression sack that leaves weird space around it, or turns the bottom of the pack into a perfectly round weird doughnut. Don’t think the bag can only go down low - I’ve used a relatively large stuff sack that was longer than the factory bag and it strapped on top of the pack quite well.

I will buy a Kifaru Straight Jacket backpack and I will try to put my sleeping bag in the middle outside.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TaperPin]

Also, don’t store a bag highly compressed or it damages the loft.

 

[5MilesBack]

You also might experiment with strapping it outside the main bag.

This ^^^^. I put mine in a Sea to Summit water proof bag and attach it to the outside.

 

[Mike Islander]

Also, don’t store a bag highly compressed or it damages the loft.

Storage = weeks, months, years. Daily storage in a highly compressed sack is fine while camping.

 

[dirtshooter]

I just stuffed my MH lamina bag into my pack to fill up the empty spaces. Yeah it didn't have it's own bag but it stuffed a whole lot better.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

My down bag in a stuff sack is a little bigger than a nalgene bottle

 

[zfeldma]

I haven't used a synthetic bag in 25 years for that reason.

 

[westsloper]

The best place for a huge sleeping bag is in a huge pack. Compression sacks are useful, but I hate having to strain to fit something in my pack.

The nice thing about old external frames was the area beneath the bag for strapping a big sleeping bag.

If space is at a premium, though, I prefer down.

 

[jazzturkey]

I use a down quilt not a bag but I just shove it into my pack and let it take up any empty space. I find this to be easier and more comfortable than trying to deal with stuff sacks, I do the same thing with my clothing. I do use a pack liner to keep everything dry of course.

 

[Macchina]

I have a Mountain Hardware sleeping bag, but my backpack is only 50L, and I have never found a good way to store it. It takes up too much space. At present, I can only buy a backpack of about 100L to fit it.

Low temp synthetic sleeping bags primary drawback is their pack size. The difference between a synthetic 0 degree bag and a quality down bag of the same rating is about 200-300%. A quality 0 degree down sleeping bag will compress to the size of about 4-5 Liters, a synthetic compresses to 10-20 liters.

They’re great for car camping but it’s nearly impossible to bring a synthetic on a low-temp backcountry trip. The issue is you need to bring so much other bulky stuff in the cold that you have less space for a sleeping bag than in the summer.

 

[WeiserBucks]

A quality 0 degree down sleeping bag will compress to the size of about 4-5 liters

Which ones? Mine sure doesn't.