Stuff Sacks When Backpacking?

[HammyDavisJr]

Quick question.

When backpacking with a top quilt/underquilt, what are your experiences with using the stuff sacks vs just stuffing the quilts into your pack (in a waterproof liner of course). I can see some benefit to skipping the stuff sack in favor of being able to conform the quilts to the pack much easier. I received my HG Econ 20 under and 30 top quilts this week. Fantastic pieces of kit...really impressive and shockingly warm. When they are in the stuff sacks I can see their compressed size/shape being difficult to work around if they ride in the bottom of my pack.

Thanks everyone!

[Kroma]

When they are in the stuff sacks I can see their compressed size/shape being difficult to work around if they ride in the bottom of my pack.

I think you just answered your own question!

for myself, I don't use individual stuff sacks and life is good. if life is not good when you use stuff sacks you may want to consider something different...

enjoy yourself

btw...I use Zpacks Large Rectangular Dry Bag to stuff my TQ/UQ in. This stays at the bottom of my pack.
http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/dry_bags.shtml

[alifeoutdoors]

I use stuff sacks because I don't like to even take the remotest chance of my quilts getting wet, even with a trash bag liner. Maybe overkill but I just can't do it. I can generally get both quilts into one dry sack which fits moderately well in the bottom of my pack. It's not going to fill the corners quite as well as straight stuffing them in there but it's never caused a packing issue for me.

[TrailSlug]

I hate taking the time and effort to stuff my quilts back into those tiny stuff sacks so I just jam them in the bottom of my pack in the trash compactor bag and go. It's a lazy thing in my case.

[Ranc0r]

I made a silpoly stow bag for my quilts. It goes in the bottom of my pack, then the quilts, cinch it down and roll the top flap. Clothes bag goes on top of that, followed by hammock/suspension and food bag.

[HammyDavisJr]

I made a silpoly stow bag for my quilts. It goes in the bottom of my pack, then the quilts, cinch it down and roll the top flap. Clothes bag goes on top of that, followed by hammock/suspension and food bag.

Do you have any details on the dimensions of the bag you made that can fit both quilts?

[sidvicious]

i only use stuff sacks IF it benefits me volume-wise. i use smaller capacity packs, and sometimes a sack makes sense; most of the time, it doesn't.

[Kroma]

A cuben fiber dry bag 17" wide by 19.5" contains my 3-season quilts perfectly with room to spare. For my winter set I use a similar cuben dry bag but 24.5" long to accommodate the extra bulk.

[Shrewd]

I've been on the AT since March 12th, and abandoned my stuff sacks after the first week. No real reason at first, it wasn't like they caused a problem...more like why stuff it into a sack then stuff the sack into a pack

I just cram them into the bottom of my pack liner with my little down pillow then cram my hammock (also no sack, rolled up) down on top.

No issue and nothing has ever gotten wet or given me cause to be cranky

Well, ok, the AT gives you plenty of reasons to be cranky, but you know what I mean


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[TrailSlug]

I've been on the AT since March 12th, and abandoned my stuff sacks after the first week. No real reason at first, it wasn't like they caused a problem...more like why stuff it into a sack then stuff the sack into a pack

I just cram them into the bottom of my pack liner with my little down pillow then cram my hammock (also no sack, rolled up) down on top.

I'm guessing it depends on the length of hike as most people on the AT cram and go and I'm all about that. Many weekend hikers like to stuff them and then stuff them again You know what they say - HYOY.