Stuff Sack vs Compression Sack

[AceShooter]

Seems everyone uses a stuff sack for their hammocks and tarps. Is there a reason not to use a compression sack?

My wife has an idea for a very minimalistic type compression sack just not sure if there is a reason not use one?

[hawghangar]

Seems everyone uses a stuff sack for their hammocks and tarps. Is there a reason not to use a compression sack?

My wife has an idea for a very minimalistic type compression sack just not sure if there is a reason not use one?

I use both from time to time depending on load and pack. I use the E-vent dry bag compression bags when I have the need for compression. Use of compression bags can make it difficult to fill out the corners, nooks, and crannies of your pack relative to stuff sacks which can take the shape of your pack voids

[AceShooter]

Good point about filling out bag. Might have make a set along with a stuff sack and use accordingly.

Thanks!

[Bama Man]

Hey man, Welcome to HF! I keep my hammocks in the stuff sacks that they came in. It's been my experience that the hammocks pretty much fill up their respective stuff sacks and they fit well into my pack without being compressed. My tarps are stored in snakeskins for ease of deploying quickly. I use a full length ridgeline with my super-fly tarp, which has some Dutch bling affixed. I see no need to compress my hammock or tarps, ymmv. If you are like me and leave some bling attached to your hammock or tarp, I would consider any damage that could occur to them by being compressed. Some folks keep their stakes in the sack that holds their tarps too. To me it's just not worth the possibility of tearing or poking holes in my gear. I am not a UL hammocker but try to get my pack as light as I can and still have the things that I feel are needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. The only reason I might use a compression sack would be to maybe put quilts and spare clothing in if I was going out for longer trips. I usually only go out for 2-3 nights. It's been a while since I posted but I saw your post and jumped back in again. Take care and HH.

[AceShooter]

Good points Bama_Man. Didn't think about the hardware damaging the hammock or tarp.

Also, RollTide!

[wgiles]

Hammocks aren't very compressible and the draw string closure allows one end of the suspension to stick out. I use either a Black Bishop bag or a double ended stuff sack for my hammocks. I've started making roll top stuff sacks for most of my compressible gear. Once I get the stuff in the sack, I roll the top down to compress it and then fasten the buckle. Since I make most of my stuff sacks, they are sized to fit the stuff that I put in them. Another good option for very compressible stuff is an extended collar with a draw string that allows you to get the stuff in the bag and then push the collar into the bag. A roll top closure finishes the job.

[hutzelbein]

Use of compression bags can make it difficult to fill out the corners, nooks, and crannies of your pack relative to stuff sacks which can take the shape of your pack voids

That's the main reason for me not to use compression bags. My compression bag is my backpack. I cram it until it's near exploding. I can put far more stuff in it that way than when using compression bags.

[IK_]

There's no benefit from using compression sacks for tarps or hammocks.

[OneClick]

I pretty much agree with everything already said. My Warbonnet BB hammock can be compressed to about half it's size, just pushing my hands together. But I never use anything other than the sack it came it. It's pretty loose in that sack and all the gear around it in my pack smashes it flat it to fill any voids. Same with the tarp.

For other gear, I'll use compression sacks on rare occasions where something it just too big to even fit or it fills half the backpack like a big down winter sleeping bag. Even then, the included stuff sack works sometimes.

[Nodust]

Also, RollTide!

I was going to give advice until this

Just kidding. I just keep hammock in original stuff sack. Quilts just get stuffed into trash compactor bag in bottom of pack. Now by next year I may change things up but for now that is how I roll.