Although I have a zpack CF pack liner, I've found the simplicity of stuffing UQ/TQ and hammock into a trash compactor bag into the bottom of my pack is the easiest option. This makes it easy to compress, yet it will "rebound" expand to fill voids.
i picked up a 13L S2S eVac dry bag. works pretty good if you ask me. i'm also using it for a inc/burrow 20* combo.
Please note that parts of the pack and pack contents WILL get wet in prolonged rain even WITH a pack cover. Rain won't ignore the gap between the cover and your back! Newbie mistake I made early on.
I quit carrying pack covers for this reason, but they help. I use a trash compactor bag for my quilts and insulated jacket, etc. A Packa or poncho takes care of the rest, if needed.
I just use Sea to Summit ultra-sil dry sacks. Yes, they are probably heavier than some alternatives, but I'm not a gram weenie, so I can afford a small bit of extra weight in exchange for the convenience. I don't bother with a pack cover - I hike in heavy rain a lot (western Oregon) and I've never noticed an issue with the pack cloth getting saturated and taking on more weight. I guess that might be a different matter with a different pack.
For reference I use a Gregory Baltoro 75 or an Osprey Exos 58, depending on the weight I'm carrying. And I put both quilts in one bag, my hammock in another, and my fly isn't in a bag at all.
"Every human being holds something holy. We can all have some respect for that." - Omar Marzouk
Yes, NEVER rely on a pack cover to keep things 100% dry. I still carry mine to help keep most items dry, but the dry bag inside is what's guaranteeing dry quilts and a warm nights sleep. BTW, I use a big dry bag (45L I think) with a roll top closure; problem is getting the air out. I compress it down then just roll the top but only enough so air can still escape. Then I pack other items on top to keep it from "reinflating"
I just have Lukesultralite make me a dry bag the same width as my pack is when it lays flat. When I got a bigger pack for winter I had to go taller than expected to get all my down in. I also put my hammock and puffer jacket in the same dry bag.
Someday I'll get one of those cuben pack covers. :
David
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