Evie Summers
A sleeping bag stuff sack is an essential piece of kit for backpackers and campers. It is used to store and carry a sleeping bag, keeping it safe, dry and compressed. Stuff sacks are made from a variety of materials, including cuben fibre, which is known for its strength and durability, and ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric, which is lightweight and spacious. The size of the stuff sack depends on the size and shape of the sleeping bag, as well as its fill. Sleeping bags with down fills are more compressible and require smaller stuff sacks than synthetic-filled bags, which need higher-volume stuff sacks. Stuff sacks are also useful for storing other items, such as clothing, tents and sleeping pads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To store sleeping bags, clothing, tents, and other items |
| Material | Dyneema Composite Fabric, Cuben Fiber, or other waterproof materials |
| Size | Varies depending on sleeping bag size and type; slim or big sacks available |
| Features | Lightweight, durable, water-resistant, compression straps |
| Storage | Important to store sleeping bag outside of stuff sack when not in use to maintain bag's resilience |
| Brands | Osprey, REI Co-op, Sea to Summit, Austin Hangers, Big Agnes, Zpacks, Hyperlite Mountain Gear |
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What You'll Learn
Stuff sack material
Stuff sacks are typically made of nylon, although there are other options available. Commercial nylon is durable and water-resistant, and coated nylon is even more water-resistant. If you're making your own stuff sack, you can use any kind of fabric for your first attempt. However, if you want your stuff sack to be completely water-resistant, you'll need to use special fabrics like silnylon, XPAC, or Dyneema Composite Fabric.
If you're storing your sleeping bag for a long time, it's important to take it out of its stuff sack. Dry it thoroughly, then loosely stow it inside a large breathable cotton or mesh sack. It's also important to dry out your bag between trips to prevent mold and mildew from growing on the surface and inside the insulation.
When making your own stuff sack, you can choose from a variety of shapes, including round-bottomed or square/rectangular-bottomed sacks. The latter fits gear better and stands up when filled. It's also a good idea to add felled seams, which look professional and keep the seams from unraveling.
To make a basic stuff sack, you'll need a sewing machine, webbing, a buckle, and fabric. You can use bed linen for your first attempt, but if you want to make a dry bag, it's recommended that you gain more experience first.
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Sleeping bag storage
A stuff sack is a bag used to store and compress a sleeping bag, making it more portable and convenient for backpacking and camping. When storing a sleeping bag at home, it is important to remove it from its stuff sack and follow these steps:
Dry your sleeping bag
Before storing your sleeping bag, ensure it is completely dry. Avoid drying your sleeping bag in direct sunlight as UV rays can weaken the fabric. Instead, hang it over a line or on a large hanger in a covered outdoor space for 6 to 8 hours.
Use a breathable cotton or mesh sack
Once your sleeping bag is dry, store it in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. This allows the sleeping bag to remain airy and not get damp, which could lead to mould and mildew.
Store in a cool, dry place
Find a storage space that is both cool and dry. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces such as garages and attics. A closet is a suitable option for storing your sleeping bag.
Maintain the insulation loft
The insulation loft is critical to keeping you warm. Both down and synthetic fills need to fluff up (loft) to create small air pockets within the insulation. To maintain the insulation loft, periodically wash your sleeping bag to remove body oils, sweat, and dirt, which can affect performance. Use a low heat setting and check frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting.
Choose the right stuff sack for your sleeping bag
When choosing a stuff sack for your sleeping bag, consider the size and shape of the sleeping bag, as well as the fill. Down sleeping bags are more compressible and require smaller volume stuff sacks, while synthetic insulation sleeping bags need higher volume stuff sacks. For winter applications, a waterproof stuff sack is usually not necessary, but for the coldest trips, choose a model with compression straps that is lightweight and durable.
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Stuff sack sizing
The size of a stuff sack depends on the size and shape of the sleeping bag, as well as its fill. Sleeping bags filled with down are more compressible than synthetic-filled ones and require smaller volume stuff sacks. Synthetic insulation-filled sleeping bags, on the other hand, require larger volume stuff sacks and may even need a compression stuff sack to reduce the amount of space taken up in a backpack.
If you are backpacking, you will want to compress your sleeping bag as much as possible to save space in your backpack. In this case, a compression sack is recommended. The smallest size that fits your bag is ideal, as sleeping bags, especially down sleeping bags, can compress a lot. However, if you are car camping, getting a regular stuff sack instead of a compression sack will suffice.
When storing your sleeping bag at home, it is recommended to keep it in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. This allows the sleeping bag to breathe, which is crucial for down sleeping bags. It is also important to ensure that the bag is thoroughly dried before storage.
To determine the appropriate size of a compression sack, you can measure the volume of your sleeping bag. Press the sleeping bag down firmly in a box until the upper surface is roughly level. Then, measure the average depth that the bag occupies in inches and multiply the length, width, and depth to obtain the volume in cubic inches. This value can be used to select a compression sack of the appropriate size.
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Waterproof stuff sacks
A stuff sack is a bag used to store and compress a sleeping bag, reducing its volume and making it easier to pack. They are usually made from lightweight and durable materials such as Dyneema Composite Fabric or Cuben Fiber, which is highly resistant to water and abrasion.
- The ZPacks Dry Bag: Made from Cuben Fiber, this sack is lightweight, durable, and highly water-resistant. It comes in various sizes and can be used for three-season sleeping bags and general adventuring.
- Sea to Summit eVent Compression Sack: This sack offers a great balance between low weight, water resistance, and longevity. It is suitable for down and synthetic sleeping bags and features compression straps to reduce volume.
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Pack: A versatile option that can be used as a stuff sack or a backpack. It is available in two different materials and features a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
- Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack: Ideal for weight-conscious water sports such as packrafting, this sack provides a balance between durability and weight savings.
When choosing a waterproof stuff sack, it's important to consider the size and shape of your sleeping bag, as well as the fill type. Down sleeping bags, for example, are more compressible and require smaller volume stuff sacks compared to synthetic-filled bags. Additionally, for extremely cold trips, a waterproof stuff sack may not be necessary as water is rarely in liquid form, and winter bags typically have a waterproof shell fabric.
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Stuff sack brands
A sleeping bag stuff sack is a bag used to store your sleeping bag in a compressed form, reducing the volume it takes up in your backpack. They are usually made of lightweight and durable materials such as Dyneema Composite Fabric. Stuff sacks come in various sizes and shapes to accommodate different sleeping bag dimensions and types.
Zpacks
Zpacks offers a range of lightweight and durable stuff sacks made with Dyneema Composite Fabric. They have different sizes available, from slim sacks that can fit into external pack pockets to supersized sacks that can accommodate larger sleeping bags, clothing, and other bulky items. Zpacks also offers specialised sacks for storing tent poles, stakes, rocks for bear bagging, and canister stoves.
REI Co-op
REI Co-op offers a selection of quality stuff sacks for outdoor adventures, including options for backpacking, camping, and sleeping bags. They provide various types of stuff sacks, such as compression sacks, dry sacks, and storage sacks, catering to different needs and preferences.
Amazon
Amazon provides a wide range of stuff sack options from various brands, including Sea to Summit, Coghlan's, BeeGreen, Outdoor Products, PATIKIL, M-Tac, Liberty Mountain, REDCAMP, Hikenture, and Earth Pak. With Amazon, you can find stuff sacks for different budgets, preferences, and requirements.
Hyke & Byke
Hyke & Byke offers insights into choosing the right size stuff sack for your sleeping bag. They explain the difference in compression between down and synthetic-filled sleeping bags, helping you select the appropriate volume stuff sack. They also mention the option of using a regular dry sack for a down sleeping bag, except in the case of winter weather bags.
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeping bag stuff sack is a bag used to store and compress a sleeping bag, making it more convenient to carry.
There are various types of sleeping bag stuff sacks available, including roll-top, drawcord, compression, and storage sacks.
The type of sleeping bag, the volume of compression required, durability, weight, and water resistance are important factors to consider when selecting a sleeping bag stuff sack.
The Sea to Summit eVent Compression Sack and the ZPacks Cuben Fiber Dry Sack are popular choices for backpacking due to their lightweight and water-resistant properties.
It is recommended to extract the sleeping bag from the stuff sack and dry it thoroughly between uses. Store it in a cool, dry place inside a large breathable cotton or mesh sack to maintain its insulation and prevent mould or mildew.
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