What size stuff sack?

**Mouseskowitz** · 10-21-2013, 18:44

I just made some down UQs and now need to make some stuff sacks for them. I have no idea how to figure what size they need to be though. Anyone have any thoughts on how to figure this out?

**Redoleary** · 10-21-2013, 19:22

Take a pillow case and roll or pin along the long side to find a good width and try to stuff it in, do the same to figure how tall to make it.

**dangerous** · 10-21-2013, 19:29

I stuff my quilts into a walmart bag and compress it down however much I want it to be. Then I wrap that bundle in my fabric to help figure out how much I need. Don't forget about how much fabric the bottom takes up and seam allowances. If in doubt, go big.

**pizza** · 10-21-2013, 19:34

Are you set on using stuff sacks? I just line the pack with a heavy duty trash bag or one of those jumbo ziplock garment bags and push the quilts down good into the bottom of the pack. Then stack all of my other gear on top. Much easier and quicker way to go for me.

**grannypat** · 10-21-2013, 19:48

Originally Posted by pizza

Are you set on using stuff sacks? I just line the pack with a heavy duty trash bag or one of those jumbo ziplock garment bags and push the quilts down good into the bottom of the pack. Then stack all of my other gear on top. Much easier and quicker way to go for me.

This is what I do except I use a trash compactor bag.

**Wanderlost** · 10-21-2013, 19:53

Add another to the list who don't use stuff sacks. I always like the adage that an amorphous pile of fluff is easier to fit in a pack than a dense bowling ball. Everything dry goes in my pack inside a trash compactor bag.

**TallPaul** · 10-21-2013, 21:02

Really... Check out the trash compactor bags :-D who likes to stuff their sleeping bags into a small stuff sack anyway.

**Mouseskowitz** · 10-21-2013, 23:53

I'll have to try the pillowcase idea. Right now I mainly car camp and don't have a pack. We use a Christmas tree bin to pack our gear and then just put it in the car. When I do start using a pack I will probably use the stuff it in the bottom technique mentioned.

**FLRider** · 10-22-2013, 06:47

Also, if you're still not sure once you try the pillowcase trick, use what're called basting stitches to hold together the sack before checking (essentially, set your stitch length to the longest setting so you have to seam rip less if/when you need to make an alteration).

Once you're sure of the size, go back and hit those seams with a second stitch line, this one at an appropriate length (for sil, I usually use 4mm; for 1.1 ripstop, 3.5 mm; note that I am not a pro at this and these are just guesstimates on my part as to appropriate stitch lengths) to keep 'em from coming apart down the road.

Hope it helps!

**OneClick** · 10-23-2013, 11:51

+1 on one big stuff sack/trash compactor bag. I use an Outdoor Research pack liner, basically it's just a big 40L (I think) dry bag. My UQ, sleeping bag and down jacket go in here. This makes things easy and saves weight, but the main reason I use this is because it lets your pack "fill out" by eliminating odd sizes and wasted space multiple dry/stuff sacks can create.