Backpacking with a KAQ

[SCGobbler]

I got my New River the other day and the first night was nice and cozy. My question is how can I get it to pack down smaller,

Does it compress well? Was thinking about trying a compression sack but I don't want to ruin it.

[gunner76]

I use a compression sack and have not seen any damage from using it.

[jlink79]

I use a Trash Compactor Bag and stuff it. I have toyed with a mesh compression bag to help limit maximum lofting. My though is if I can get close to compressed then it would be easier to get that last bit out if needed. This also helps if you have to go in for clothing or something and don't want to fight getting everything to fit again.

[jlink79]

If you aren't hurting for the extra room letting the insulation loft to fill the bag helps with stability and structure of the bag. Even packs with stiff frames and lots of compression straps will be better off. This also allows the insulation fast relofting in camp.

2 ways to do the stuffing.
1 All insulation, clothing, and other small stuff in TCB or liner/drybag. Compress, seal off bag, then load the rest of gear on top. Remember heavier items against your back.

2 load food bag against back/frame panel place other gear, not going in TCB, to each side of food bag. Insert TCB and stuff in all insulation and such. Then seal TCB. This is thought to help secure the heaver load to the back and the lofting holds everything in place.

[SCGobbler]

So you are proposing:

1. Pack your stuff as normal in dry bags/TCB, etc...
2. Pack Hammock
3. Pack bulky UQ in a TCB after everything else is packed
4. Let the UQ expand and lock in the other items so nothing shifts around.

Interesting. I hadn't thought about that. So not even in a stuff sack, just pack it down into all the nooks and crannies and let it expand, its like reuseable "Great Stuff"!

[pgibson]

So you are proposing:

1. Pack your stuff as normal in dry bags/TCB, etc...
2. Pack Hammock
3. Pack bulky UQ in a TCB after everything else is packed
4. Let the UQ expand and lock in the other items so nothing shifts around.

Interesting. I hadn't thought about that. So not even in a stuff sack, just pack it down into all the nooks and crannies and let it expand, its like reuseable "Great Stuff"!

That's kind of what I do myself.

I put my Compater bag into the pack, cram in my quilts, jacket, down socks, hat, and any other clothes that I will not need on the hike. Press it all down then fold and tuck one side of the TCB inward over the gear, then the other side doing the same. That makes 2 layers of TCB on the top side and a good seal. Then goes on my food bag agains the back of the pack, add on any bulky items that I might need during the hike to stabilize around the food bag, then my hammock towards the front of the pack. Above that goes items I need should the weather go to crap...tarp, rain jacket and so on. The weight of the heavy gear and food help to push down the TCB and lofty gear and they fluff to fill the shape of the pack out so there is no dead space.

[scoffman]

Just using cheap straps with clip buckles from wally world, I can get mine to compress down to the size of a cantaloupe.