Packing UQ, Top Quilt - Shove in backpack or use compression sacks?

[jackleberry]

Compression sacks have the following cons:

1. They weigh more than a stuff sack
2. They don't really compress stuff all that much
3. They leave you with a hard, roughly tube shaped object
4. They are quite expensive

For a long time I've been using the trash compactor bag method. Recently I switched to a single large dry sack (aka pack liner), which serves the same purpose but is easier to keep closed and more durable. It gives me 65L of dry storage for 5.3oz, more than enough for my quilts, clothes, etc. to fit in, with no stuffing required (plus, I save the weight of having individual sacks for these items) and it completely fills as much empty space in the pack as I let it.

[e_2]

Compression sacks have the following cons:

1. They weigh more than a stuff sack
2. They don't really compress stuff all that much
3. They leave you with a hard, roughly tube shaped object
4. They are quite expensive
...

I spent some time with 2mm dyneema cord, LineLock3s, 1/2" Grosgrain and 1.1 ripstop to make a few of my own compression sacks. Very light and custom sized to work with two of my backpacks. Of course I quickly gave away a couple of them to friends that were drooling over them... and have been cloud-packing with a liner bag for a month or so. I like not having to cinch down all of the straps of my 50L pack and still have excess space that I fill with extra clothing and fleeces.

[JTsilverwolf]

I am one of those guys who likes to have everything in it's place in my pack! I use light stuff sacks for almost everything...and different colored ones at that so that I know exactly what I am looking for. It just seems to help me keep from making a mess of things when I am out, it also keeps me from losing stuff!

[Gustavus]

Much easier for me to stuff the quilts in the bottom of backpack in a separate bag, I choose an event backpack liner. It breathes a little, unlike a trash compactor bag. It does seem to take up less room in the backpack, then using separate stuff sacks.

[Charliev]

I started out using stuff sacks then went the compactor bag route. More room with compactor, more waterproof, and much easier and faster packing. I stuff every thing except tarp(i fasten it to outside as is frequently wet or damp). TQ,UQ, Hammock, bugnet, go in firs then clothes press that all down then pile on the diddy bags, food, , twist top of compactor bag then fold over. Then put water if carrying on top.

[Gazelle]

I also have a GG Mariposa and from the start I have been stuffing my UQ and TQ into the bottom of the pack. The last trip I used the GG pack liner and stuffed the UQ/TQ and clothes bag into the liner. Previously I used a 3 mil construction garbage bag. When I break camp I sit on my hammock and stuff the UQ and TQ into my pack. This gives the pack some body and weight to help when loading the rest of the gear. And it's fast.

[keg]

For me it depends on how much I'm carrying.

My last trip was with a bunch of 14 year olds on their first trip so I had to carry lots of extras and the quilts were in a compression bag on the way in. On the way out I made the kids carry anything they borrowed and the food was done so the quilts were loosely packed.

Generally I prefer not to compress them too much but sometimes it needs to be done.

[Theosus]

I use stuff sacks for the quilts, Not the compression ones with straps, just stuff sacks. My quilt set goes in the sleeping bag compartment with my fleece liner. The hammock has its own stuff sack. I don't use compression sacks for anything any more, actually.

[Klanecfsb]

Trash compactor liner gets my quilts and a stuff sack (doubles as pillow) with my spare clothes. I compress it down a bit and twist it closed. Then hammock (in skins), food bag, cook kit, ect sit on top of that. My tarp rides in the out mesh pocket with my rain gear and water filter.

[Syb]

I spent some time with 2mm dyneema cord, LineLock3s, 1/2" Grosgrain and 1.1 ripstop to make a few of my own compression sacks. Very light and custom sized to work with two of my backpacks.

Pics of your version of a compression sack?