pack volume

[titanium_hiker]

so, my ORM (Old Rag Mountain) quilt takes up most of my pack.

Any tips on how to shrink it or pack it better?

(figured this applies to many quilts (top and bottom)) so thought I'd post it here.

[Shug]

Stuff sack or compression sack may gain you some pack space.
Shug

[grich9860]

like shug said compression sack. i know that i tend to put mine on the outside of my pack. i know that i run the risk of it getting wet in a sudden down pour.

[thegreatjesse]

for a long time I used this:

http://www.rei.com/product/730882/se...ssion-dry-sack

in the 10L option.
There are lighter solutions, but it works incredibly well - I found I could stuff a HG Phoenix & a HG Incubator (20* or 40*) together and save a lot of space. At this point, though, I have gone to DIY sil stuff sacks for each, because I've cut a lot of weight & volume from my pack, so I don't mind my quilts taking up some more space.

[USMCStang]

I've actually started going the opposite route, and I'm striving to completely eliminate stuff sacks. I use a Kelty Pawnee 3200 (55 liters). My DIY UQ is full length, with 16oz of down, and I have a Marmot Wind River 40 degree bag as a TQ. For this past weekend's trip, I took both of these, placed them in a trash bag, and stuffed them into the bottom of my pack. After folding the top of the trash bag over, I packed the rest of my pack, and found that I had more room than when the quilt/ bag were in individual stuff sacks. I also do not put extra clothing in stuff sacks. Socks are perfect for sliding in between various pieces of gear. My hammock is still in the double ended stuff sack because it helps keep the suspension from tangling.

It is my opinion that this helps the quilts fill empty space better than a round, hard stuff sack. I am treating my pack as a giant stuff sack in and of itself.

The biggest gains will come from not leaving ANY empty space inside other gear. Your cookpot can hold socks, empty water bottles can hold trail mix.

I was considering a bigger pack for two night trips before getting into hanging. I'm to the point now that I'm considering a smaller pack, because even this weekend's winter trip, with down jackets, extra clothing, a hatchet, folding saw, food, etc didn't fill my Kelty. Obviously, smaller gear helps, but all things considered, I'm carrying more sleeping gear now than I was before. My sleeping bag has been with me on every trip for the past 6 years, and now I'm carrying a UQ as well. The biggest gain in space (and comfort) was the elimination of a two man tent.

[joemcc]

I stuff my peapod down into the bottom of my Coleman MAx 65L bag. I think it weighs around 4lbs! and is synthetic. Stuffing method works great for me because other items just keep packing down when you don't think there is any more room.

[titanium_hiker]

I tried the "no stuff sacks" approach just recently, but I have a gear skin style pack now (20oz!) and that doesn't work so well.

I'll just have to keep playing with it.

[HighlandHorde]

I've actually started going the opposite route, and I'm striving to completely eliminate stuff sacks.

Im doing the opposite of that..i've eliminated my pack and replaced it with stuff sacks I've got an old external frame pack and removed everything except the shoulder straps. Then I shock-cord on the gear I need in stuff sacks and cover the whole thing with a rain cover. This may not be the lightest idea but it is the most flexible. I can just add or take away stuff sacks i dont need

[jnelson871]

I use a GG murmur for York four night trips and made the room by eliminating stuff sacks a year ago. I keep one tiny one for general stuff and everything including my quilts gets stuffed into a pack liner in my bag. Also keeps the bag at the perfect volume as I use up food.