Spending quality time in the outdoors is all about being prepared. Asking important questions like what size compression sack for sleeping bag, how to pack your backpack, and how to pick the right sleeping bag liner can have a huge impact on the success of your adventure. Compression sacks are essential items in the gear of every hiker or camper. They allow you to carry and transport your sleeping bag, even if it is a big one by reducing its size significantly.
Choosing the right compression sack for your sleeping bag is not easy. Most of the sacks that already come with sleeping bags don’t do the job quite well. This is why you will have to pick a product that will help you reduce the volume for more portability and easy storage.
What Size Compression Sack for Sleeping Bag Should You Pick?
A compression sack’s main job is to reduce the volume of your sleeping bag. This way you can guarantee that it won’t occupy much space in your backpack. You will be able to travel carrying your gear comfortably.
Compression sacks come in different shapes and types. Some compression sacks are designed to be dry bags. These are made of PVC or are urethane-coated so they are very suitable for canoeing or river hiking. These bags are designed to keep your sleeping bag dry even when it is submerged in water. There are other dry bags that are made of corduroy. These are suitable for campers who want to make sure that their sleeping bags are dry if it rains. However, they are not designed to be submerged in water.
Stuff sacks are lightweight and more affordable. However, they don’t provide much compression or water protection. You can go for a stuff sack if you have no problem traveling with a big sleeping bag. These will help you keep your gear well organized but will not reduce the size.
Which Factors Affect the Size of Compression Sack?
The size and the fill of the sleeping bag will play a crucial part in picking the right compression sack. If your sleeping bag is filled with down, it will be more compressible. This means that you can go for a smaller sack as you don’t need much volume. Synthetic fill doesn’t compress that much and you might need to buy a bigger compression sack to keep your gear organized.
The temperature rating is another factor that you need to take into consideration. Warm sleeping bags can be compressed more easily than cold sleeping bags. When your sleeping bag is designed to be used in extremely cold weather, you will most likely need more volume. This means that you need to get a bigger compression sack.
How to Pack a Sleeping Bag in a Backpack?
Improper packing can have a huge negative impact on your outdoor adventure. You want to make sure that you are able to carry your gear comfortably and that your sleeping bag will always stay dry and ready for use.
Investing in a compression sack is a smart decision. It is definitely a little bit heavier than a regular stuff sack but it will help you organize your gear conveniently. After placing the sleeping bag inside the sack, use the straps to tighten the bag further. Avoid folding the sleeping bag as this can damage the fill. If your compression sack is not waterproof, you can always invest in a protective cover.
Since you won’t need your sleeping bag during the day, you should pack it at the bottom of your backpack. If you don’t have enough space, you can attach the compression sack to the outside of your backpack. Try to attach it to the center to evenly distribute the weight for more comfort while hiking.
How to Wash a Sleeping Bag in a Washing Machine?
Cleaning your sleeping bag is essential to keep it clean and ready for your upcoming adventure. You should, however, follow the right procedures to make sure that it stays in perfect condition.
Using a front-loading machine is more suitable than using a top loading machine. The latter can be too harsh for your bag and might damage the insulation. You should wash one sleeping bag at a time but you can add some lighter items to maintain the balance of your washing machine.
If you are using a cheap silk sleeping bag liner for more comfort during the night, you should carefully remove it before starting the wash cycle. Make sure that all the zippers and Velcro straps are secured and don’t use hot water. Use a mild detergent and run an extra rinse and spin only cycle to make sure that your bag is as dry as possible. Leave your sleeping bag to air dry as the fresh air will keep it light and fluffy. Using a dryer might affect the quality of the outer shell or insulation.
How to Make Your Sleeping Bag Warmer?
If you are camping or hiking, you are not in control of the weather. You might not have access to a very well insulated sleeping bag that can keep you toasty at night. Nevertheless, there are a few tips that can help you make your current sleeping bag warmer and more comfortable to use.
Taking care of your sleeping bag guarantees that it will do its job perfectly. Pick the right compression sack to have your gear ready for your next adventure. It is always a good idea to think about you actually need and not the most popular products to make sure that your money is well-spent.
