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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 12:47:00 AM

Title: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 12:47:00 AM
Not sure how to pack my sleeping bag...into elk/muley camp.

I have a Stone Glacier Sky 5100 pack, Big Agnes lost ranger sleeping bag w/therma rest neo air pad, Shires Stratospire 2 tarptent, a tripod w/head and one of those crappy therma rest zlite pads for when I'm glassing.

Not sure how to pack everything. Thinking the zlite and my tent strapped to the bottom of my bag, just not sure what to do with the sleeping bag. Strap to the side maybe?

I'm thinking it will throw the balance way off. May stop into Stone Glacier one of these days after work and have the masters recommend something. 

In the meantime anybody have any ideas?
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Biathlonman on September 01, 2015, 03:04:00 AM
If at all possible I like the bag inside my pack. On rare occasions that doesn't work I've put in on top in a sea to summit event compression stuff sack.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Daz on September 01, 2015, 10:27:00 AM
Hmmm...5100 is a big multi day pack. Everything should fit inside (unless you are doing 10 plus days or just packing too much stuff in general).

Sleeping bag is always at the bottom (lightest weight lowest). Then pad and tent. If you don't want to carry tripod inside, use outer straps to lock it down, or hit up Kurt at SG for a spotter bag to dock on the outer lock straps.

SG makes a great rig.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 10:31:00 AM
My sleeping bag doesn't pack down all that small unfortunately, I am sure it could fit inside my pack. I'll see if I can get some pictures rounded up this evening.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Orion on September 01, 2015, 10:44:00 AM
A compression sack for your sleeping bag should help reduce its size.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: lt-m-grow on September 01, 2015, 11:29:00 AM
I too really like my sleeping bag inside.   I will sometimes strap the tent and/or sleeping pad on top and bottom, but never the sleeping bag.

Rain happens...Everything in my pack is also inside a heavy-duty/thick garbage bag.  The garbage bag is worth it for this and other purposes.

Really though, that is a big pack.  Should fit. I don't know your bag, but Big Agnes has a big following.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 11:49:00 AM
nice thing about my sleeping pad is that it fits in the sleeping bag perfectly. the z-lite pad is strictly for torture/glassing purposes only as that thing is horrible to sleep on!

I'll take a look into a compression sack for my bag, any particular brand work well?
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 12:03:00 PM
Last time I tried to put my bag into it's "compression sack" it was like pulling teeth haha.

major struggle to get it in there, but once it was I was able to strap it to the bottom of my pack. Didn't try to get it in the pack, maybe I'll try that.

my sleeping bag is a treated down mummy bag so it's quite fluffy I guess is the word.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: DarkTimber on September 01, 2015, 01:23:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Iowabowhunter:
nice thing about my sleeping pad is that it fits in the sleeping bag perfectly. the z-lite pad is strictly for torture/glassing purposes only as that thing is horrible to sleep on!

I'll take a look into a compression sack for my bag, any particular brand work well?
I use a Granite Gear Air Compressor and really like it.   With a 15 degree down bag and a compression bag you should be able to easily fit it in your pack.

If you're just using the Z pad for glassing I'd also consider ditching that and just bringing a small pad to sit on. That's a lot of bulk to be taking when you really only need something for your butt to fit on. Thermarest sells a Z-Seat pad for $10 that I use and can fit it in the lid of my pack.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 06:12:00 PM
I'll take a look @ a smaller pad, thanks for the heads up!
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 01, 2015, 06:21:00 PM
Do you put the sleeping bag into a compression bag and then put it in the granite gear deal? feel free to pm/email me if that's easier
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Tim in Wa. on September 02, 2015, 09:09:00 AM
might take a look at Kifaru compression bags.They tend to take a long skinny shape as opposed to round like a ball.The former is easier to pack for me anyway
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: DarkTimber on September 02, 2015, 09:12:00 AM
Jacob,

The granite gear compression sack replaces the stuff sack that came with your bag.   It is basically a stuff sack with reinforcing on each end and straps in the middle to suck it down as small as possible.

I use the extra small size but my bag is 850 fill and a much narrower cut than yours.   650 down isn't going to compress down quite as small so you may need to go a size larger.  The best thing to do is to put your bag in the factory stuff sack then measure it's dimensions.  Then buy a compression sack with similar dimensions.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 02, 2015, 09:31:00 AM
Sounds good, picked up a sea to sum mm it compression sack similar to that granite gear, haven't gotten to play with it yet but thanks for the idea!
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 02, 2015, 10:00:00 AM
I was told that rather than trying to roll my bag up n then putting it in the stuff sack, it is better to literally stuff the sleeping bag unto the stuff sack, anybody heard of this?

I always rolled my bag up n then tried to jam it into the sack
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: wingnut on September 02, 2015, 10:11:00 AM
Just stuff it.  That's why it's called a stuff sack.

Mike
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Matty on September 02, 2015, 10:15:00 AM
I have a lost ranger, and it packs pretty small. I put it in my bag FIRST toward the bottom. Worst case you can put it at the top of the bag under the top flap portion.
Oh ya don't roll it.  My dad taught me to roll it years ago, then some friends taught me better. STUFF THE SUCKER. works waaaayyyy better.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 02, 2015, 10:18:00 AM
Hence the name "stuff sack" I suppose huh!

Forgive my ignorance on this issue guys, still a backcountry newby
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Matty on September 02, 2015, 10:20:00 AM
Pm me with your cell number I'll show you 2 ways I pack it when I get home this afternoon.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 02, 2015, 10:39:00 AM
Thanks sir, PM on the way!
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Kevin Dill on September 02, 2015, 11:27:00 AM
Suggestion:

Go easy on a good sleeping bag. The ultralight down bags tend to be constructed with very light fabric baffles which enhance the lofting effect. If you get rough while jamming it in a stuff bag you can possibly tear things internally. I've seen guys jam them in very roughly and it's not the way to go. I like the Granite Gear and Sea-To-Summit compression bags. Push a good down bag into it and then evenly compress with the cords or straps. The best eVent bags are absolutely watertight and can be carried externally if needed. I have no problem leaving my bag on the top or bottom. I most recently placed it on top of my loaded pack and cinched it down with top straps.
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Iowabowhunter on September 02, 2015, 11:37:00 AM
Thanks for the heads up Kevin, definitely don't want to damage my bag as it certainly wasn't cheap!
Title: Re: packing in question
Post by: Orion on September 02, 2015, 12:16:00 PM
Regardless, stuffing is the way to go.  Just be gentle.   :goldtooth: