Western Mountaineering stuff sack

[jmez]

I picked up a Western Mountaineering Alpinlite over the winter. Took it camping over the weekend and was surprised at how big and bulky the bag is in the stuff sack. Anyone using these bags put them in a smaller stuff sack than the one they come in? I've got a cheap Eureka bag and it compresses down at least half the size of this WM bag.

 

[boom]

i have the same bag. i can really lay into it and scrunch it down in the stock bag. i've often told myself to attempt to get it into a smaller stuff sack. i am gonna use a ladies marmot stuff sack..

thanks for the reminder.

 

[Rick Leathley]

I picked up a Western Mountaineering Alpinlite over the winter. Took it camping over the weekend and was surprised at how big and bulky the bag is in the stuff sack. Anyone using these bags put them in a smaller stuff sack than the one they come in? I've got a cheap Eureka bag and it compresses down at least half the size of this WM bag.

I have always felt like I could use a smaller stuff sack or a compression sack. I am not sure if its a legitimate concern but I am worried about over compressing the down though so I just use the regular size.

 

[colonel00]

How are you loading it in your pack? If you use the "standard" method of putting it in the bottom of the pack then it should compress more with other stuff sitting on top of it while still taking up some space at the bottom. Personally, I like to keep my sleeping bag/quilt in a dry bag and I usually use Sea to Summit compression dry bags. You could also rig up some simple compression lines like in the link below.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?16937-DIY-5-String-Compression-Bag

 

[jmez]

My concern was over compression as well. Not sure that is possible? I put it in the bottom of the bag but in the factory sack it over twice as big as my Eureka. It isn't going to compress that much without a different sack.

 

[Rick Leathley]

My concern was over compression as well. Not sure that is possible? I put it in the bottom of the bag but in the factory sack it over twice as big as my Eureka. It isn't going to compress that much without a different sack.

I have read internet post where people think, or say you can, or say they have damaged down from over compressing. ( have to love the internet ). Myself I'm not sure. Not to belittle your trusty Eureka Sleeping bag but I think trying compare your Wm bag could be misleading. Just guessing I bet the WM has a few more inches in girth over the Eureka.

I too have an Alpinelite and its a 6'6" so definitely not a small bag. Another route to try. Get a really big dry sack and just stuff the whole bottom of your bag then let all the gear on top compress the bag. I keep meaning to try that technique.

 

[jmez]

WM bag is the regular model, not long. Eureka is long model so dimension wise is bigger than the WM bag.

 

[Solitude]

JMez,
I have the same bag (love it!) and put it in a much smaller sack for my extended trips. If I had to guess I would bet its 70% the size if the standard sack the bag came with.
I also picked up a Kifaru 5 string (med I believe) which allows a guy to micro manage the size of the stuff sack, but it's a coin toss to me each trip which one I grab. Shoot me a PM if you want the exact size and I will dig it out for you.

 

[Eagle]

Post up what sizes y'all are using. I bought a virtually new, but used alpinelite and need to get a stuff sack for it as one didn't come with it.

 

[jmez]

Not sure on the sizes but I measured them. The sack that comes with the WM bag is 15.5 inches long and 8 inches in diameter. Has a drawstring top.

The Eureka sack is 13 inches by 7 inches. Has a draw string top and also 4 nylon straps that you tighten to compress further end to end. You can pull the straps about 4 inches with the Eureka bag in the sack.

I haven't stuffed the WM bag in the smaller stuff sack as I was worried about over compression.

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

I'm using a much bigger WM bag, the sequoia, and stuff it into a 10L OR dry compression sack. Works pretty well but Im paranoid about leaving it stuffed for a couple days or more. Usually I don't pack it until the night before and as soon as I get to camp it gets unstuffed and fluffed. Prob overkill but I love that bag so much that babying it is no problem