View Full Version : waterproof stuff sack experiences
AllDownhillFromHere
04-02-2017, 15:46
Hello all,
I'm considering replacing my existing came-with-the-sleeping-bag 8x15 stuffsack with one of these, the 8x18 model, so that I can fit my liner as well.
https://www.rei.com/product/862471/rei-co-op-waterproof-lightweight-dry-sack
Anyone know if the 18" length includes all the triple roll-top/buckle stuff? In other words, is it 8x18, but not all usable space? My local REI brethren are getting a little sick of me returning stuff, so I'd like to get some info beforehand.
I just stuff my quilt into the bottom of my pack inside a trash compactor bag. Seems to work pretty well.
Ditto, except I use a turkey oven bag
fastfoxengineering
04-02-2017, 17:03
Depends on what kind of bag you have. REI is cool. Bring your bag and liner to the store and see which size fits best.
Done.
Or many people just put the sleeping bag in a trash bag and twist it up. Works quite well believe it or not.
Out here in the northeast, it's always so humid/wet/rainy. I put my quilts in a 12L dry bag inside a trash compactor bag pack liner.
My bag has never once gotten wet whilst in my pack. One time I did have a buddy football punt an open water bottle onto my footbox of my quilt. I had cold feet for the remainder of the trip
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I own the 15 L REI dry sack. Going to get a tape measure. Stand by...
Laid out flat the bag measures 22" x 13" from the bottom seam to the top of the nylon bag, not including the black plastic top closure. The 15 L dry sack easily holds my Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Long bag, 32" x 84" with 22 ounces of down.
I hope this helps.
Wayne
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AfterParty
04-02-2017, 21:28
If it was wet on the inside could you have turned it inside out?
Yes of course. I would hope that never happened. Otherwise it wouldn't be a Dry Sack.
Wayne
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Yes of course. I would hope that never happened. Otherwise it wouldn't be a Dry Sack.
Wayne
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It can be turned inside out for drying. Once dry, turn it back.
REI says that you need to roll the closure 3 turns for a waterproof closure.
If you have an REI store handy just go there with your stuff. That's what I did.
Wayne
saltysack
04-03-2017, 07:16
Save your money as others said....compactor has never failed me and even line my "real dry bags" with them for on the water extended paddle trips. Trying to shave a little weight I recently bought a nylaflume bag off eBay which worked great on my last trip where kept all contents dry during a 24 hour drenching....also fills out your pack much better....
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Save your money as others said....compactor has never failed me and even line my "real dry bags" with them for on the water extended paddle trips. Trying to shave a little weight I recently bought a nylaflume bag off eBay which worked great on my last trip where kept all contents dry during a 24 hour drenching....also fills out your pack much better....
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Thanks for the reminder on the nylaflume bags. I've got some stuff in a gear closet I bought for my Ursak and forgot about them.
Gambit McCrae
04-03-2017, 10:52
I just stuff my quilt into the bottom of my pack inside a trash compactor bag. Seems to work pretty well.
I am a splurge and got the zpacks roll top pack liner. After experiences with a syl nylong liner wearing holes due to friction while walking. The zpacks liner has held up very well. I was always skeptical of the compactor back as there is no roll top and snap method but others I hike with seem to like their compactor bags all the same.
I have found that eliminating stuff sacs for singular items makes the pack less bumpy
AllDownhillFromHere
04-03-2017, 11:20
"No, I have never used the REI stuff sacks" was a perfectly acceptable answer.
"No, I have never used the REI stuff sacks" was a perfectly acceptable answer.
Here's another one "I previously used REI stuff sacks and found a lighter, less bulky solution that keeps my sleeping gear and critical items dry."
"No, I have never used the REI stuff sacks" was a perfectly acceptable answer.
What would your next question be?
I consider nylon or cuben waterproof stuff sacks to be highly water resistant, same as a plastic garbage bag. For all in-pack water protection, garbage bags or ziplock bags have worked for decades for me without fail. The price difference allows for new bags on a regular basis, even mid-hike. Pin holes will occur with age in all bags, nylon, cuben, or plastic. The only time I use stuff sacks is for organizing the pack, or for a food bag, when the added strength is needed for hanging, and then I line the stuff sack with a plastic grocery bag.
I agree, just stuffing the sleeping bag into a plastic bag in the bottom of your pack is a MUCH superior way to go. It fills the voids in the pack better and only compresses the sleeping bag to the degree necessary, so is easier on the down (even better if you use synthetic).
REI has some goofy looking spokespeople.
bigcranky
04-03-2017, 16:01
I too have the Zpacks roll top liner. It's lasted for three seasons now, and it's much easier for me to roll it than to twist a compactor bag. My quilt, clothing, and other things that need to stay dry go inside the liner. Easy to repair with duct tape if it ever gets a small hole.
On another use for waterproof stuff sacks: I like to keep my tent inside my pack, which is great, but a tent is often wet even from a little dew, and it can leak all over the inside of the pack. Which is suboptimal even when using the liner. So I have tried basically every light weight waterproof stuff sack on the market that would hold the tent. All of them except one allowed water to seep out, usually right through the fabric due to the pressure of the fully loaded and compressed pack. The only exception so far has been the Zpacks cuben fiber roll top stuff sack. That fabric has not allowed a drop of water inside my pack from the soaking wet tent. Very happy.
One size fits all Internet advice doesn't always fit everyone.
Sorry folks. I tried. My WM Alpinlite will not behave in a trash compactor bag. It took up half of the Catalyst. It behaved very nicely in the factory stuff sack. I assure you that it occupied every nook and every cranny of the bottom of the pack.
Wayne
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Venchka, thats not a waterproof stuff sack though, correct?
Venchka, thats not a waterproof stuff sack though, correct?
Do you mean the WM stuff sack supplied with the Alpinlite? It's made of coated nylon but I wouldn't call it waterproof.
Why do you ask?
Wayne
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Do you mean the WM stuff sack supplied with the Alpinlite? It's made of coated nylon but I wouldn't call it waterproof.
Why do you ask?
Wayne
.
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Dry sacks are different than suff sacks. Dry sacks are air tight.
fastfoxengineering
04-03-2017, 20:33
Dry sacks are different than suff sacks. Dry sacks are air tight.
None of my dry sacks are completely air tight. Companies won't claim that either. Most don't recommend their dry sacks for submersion.
Will it keep water out while stored in a backpack while on a backpacking trip, certainly.
I can take my Zpacks and s2s dry bags fill them with air. Roll and clip the seam properly. And push out air from the opening. Its very little leaks, but it's not airtight.
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Dry sacks are different than suff sacks. Dry sacks are air tight.
Yes. I'm very much aware of that. I have several of both types. I didn't mention using a dry sack to hold my sleeping bag.
I said that I was unable to stuff my sleeping bag directly into a trash compactor bag in my pack like folks at WhiteBlaze repeatedly insist is the only way to carry a sleeping bag.
Been there. Done that. Didn't work for me.
Wayne
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Secondmouse
04-03-2017, 23:46
Venchka, thats not a waterproof stuff sack though, correct?
Do you mean the WM stuff sack supplied with the Alpinlite? It's made of coated nylon but I wouldn't call it waterproof.
Why do you ask?
Wayne
well, maybe because the thread title is "waterproof stuff sack experiences"?
I don't know, just a thought...
Right. My fault.
Wayne
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eblanche
04-06-2017, 07:56
I used a cuben stuff sack (waterproof minus opening) for my tent system when I through hiked and often packed up a moist tent. My tent went inside my bag on the top of everything and underneath my water bladder. I never had any issues with the moisture effecting anything else in my bag. My system consisted of a compactor bag with a cuben drybag for sleeping bag/quilt, cuben drybag/bear bag for food, cuben drybag for extra clothing, and then tent in cuben stuff sack. I did not use any sort of pack cover. It is could get wet, it stayed outside in the side pockets or back mesh (ULA ohm 2.0). For smaller items and electronics i just used simple plastic zip lock bags.
johne316
04-06-2017, 08:07
Hi how's everyone on the trail today?
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johne316
04-06-2017, 08:08
Hi how's everyone on the trail today?
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What brand is your favorite stuff sacks
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One Half
04-06-2017, 20:02
Hello all,
I'm considering replacing my existing came-with-the-sleeping-bag 8x15 stuffsack with one of these, the 8x18 model, so that I can fit my liner as well.
https://www.rei.com/product/862471/rei-co-op-waterproof-lightweight-dry-sack
Anyone know if the 18" length includes all the triple roll-top/buckle stuff? In other words, is it 8x18, but not all usable space? My local REI brethren are getting a little sick of me returning stuff, so I'd like to get some info beforehand.
Screw them! I am not normally a person who returns a lot of stuff but I have been the last couple of months. Sometimes I buy 2 or 3 items, variation on the same thing like dry sacks, and take them home to see which one works for me the best and return the rest.
I get great customer service every time too. Last time I returned something, a sleep pad 25L for a 25R they said they had, they didn't have it but hooked me up with an Exped SynMat for less than my Nemo I was returning. I felt really bad too as I didn't have the stuff sack that came with it and I always save my stuff sacks! The next day I actually found the stuff sack and called them to make sure they still had my returned pad. They did and I drove back 30 minutes each way to return the stuff sack and the strap it came with to save the pad from the garage sale and so they could put it back out on the floor as new since I never used it.
AllDownhillFromHere
04-06-2017, 20:41
I'm not sure this all translates to "screw them". Why would you "screw" them for doing you a solid? I've returned worn hiking shoes and they took them back w/o question.
Screw them! I am not normally a person who returns a lot of stuff but I have been the last couple of months. Sometimes I buy 2 or 3 items, variation on the same thing like dry sacks, and take them home to see which one works for me the best and return the rest.
I get great customer service every time too. Last time I returned something, a sleep pad 25L for a 25R they said they had, they didn't have it but hooked me up with an Exped SynMat for less than my Nemo I was returning. I felt really bad too as I didn't have the stuff sack that came with it and I always save my stuff sacks! The next day I actually found the stuff sack and called them to make sure they still had my returned pad. They did and I drove back 30 minutes each way to return the stuff sack and the strap it came with to save the pad from the garage sale and so they could put it back out on the floor as new since I never used it.
iAmKrzys
04-06-2017, 23:27
I am actually thinking about Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack that can serve double duty as a water-resistant bag and small backpack for short side-trip e.g. when you don't want to leave all your valuables at the shelter when leaving for an hour or two. Unfortunately it is not available at REI, but I see it at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Ultra-Sil-Pack-22-Liter/dp/B005RY3NP8
poolskaterx
04-07-2017, 16:51
I have to second the cuben roll top dry sack from zpacks; had a water bladder that leaked out 50oz and fill up the bottom of my arc zipp backpack and found my sleeping bag nested in a pool of water but it was still dry as it was stored in the dry sack. I no longer carry water bladders inside my pack:)
Love my Zpacks stuff.
Danversport
04-21-2017, 16:49
I like my Cuban fiber stuff sacks, but use a heftier one (still lightweight) for my winter quilts. Come summer I might be looking to use a contractor bag to save some weight, but I appreciate that all my stuff is water that now.
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muzzo909
04-21-2017, 19:10
I just went to using ZPacks Cuben Fiber Dry Bags and a S2S ultra Sil compression sack for my quilts.
Great for organizing your stuff and keeping it water tight.
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I love the Sea to Summit waterproof compression sacks with the E-vent panel. It really helps save space in my pack as well as providing a nice waterproof barrier as well. Having a vent in the compression sack really lets you pack it small. At one point I was struggling with pack volume: I just didn't have enough room for everything plus a 4 day food supply. Now I use those compression sacks for my quilts and clothes bags and found enough space for everything.
One size fits all Internet advice doesn't always fit everyone.
Sorry folks. I tried. My WM Alpinlite will not behave in a trash compactor bag. It took up half of the Catalyst. It behaved very nicely in the factory stuff sack. I assure you that it occupied every nook and every cranny of the bottom of the pack.
Wayne
Same.
I've tried stuffing my bag into my pack (in a compactor bag) and it basically sucks up all the room - works much better for me in a stuff sack. Also, I have found that if I'm hiking in extended rain water eventually even works its way into the trash compactor bag so I wouldn't be comfortable with that solution anyway.
AllDownhillFromHere
04-25-2017, 22:29
My "problem" with the zpack cuben stuff is that the free bag that came with my sleeping bag is 2oz, and the 1oz Zpack drybag is $35. Granted its waterproof, but I'm paying $35 to save an ounce.
Same.
I've tried stuffing my bag into my pack (in a compactor bag) and it basically sucks up all the room - works much better for me in a stuff sack. Also, I have found that if I'm hiking in extended rain water eventually even works its way into the trash compactor bag so I wouldn't be comfortable with that solution anyway.
Thank you. It's nice to know that I'm not alone.
This is one of several "Internet Gospel Truths" that isn't true for everyone.
Wayne
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muzzo909
04-26-2017, 09:27
My "problem" with the zpack cuben stuff is that the free bag that came with my sleeping bag is 2oz, and the 1oz Zpack drybag is $35. Granted its waterproof, but I'm paying $35 to save an ounce.
The weight savings for me wasn't a factor is choosing the CF dry bags. I got tired of trying to "stuff" my stuff around a compactor bag. I know it's a cheap and effective way to "waterproof" your gear but I favor using the dry bags. I like that everything is waterproof, organized and easily packed. I cover my pack with my Dutchware silnylon pack cover and I'm good to go!!
Also, the price of a Silnylon dry bag, which is another lightweight, waterproof option, isn't much cheaper.
... but I'm with ya on the hole that's left in my pocket....!!!! Lol
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A good drysack can be a good compression sack as well... or vice versa actually. Personally, I would not get a non-breathable sack that didn't have something to grab it by at the bottom of the sack. Otherwise, they are a PITA. Looks like the REI example in the OP doesn't have one.
Mareekie
05-03-2017, 22:58
I agree; I've tried leaving the sleeping bag loose in a compactor bag in the bottom of the pack, and then the bearikade weekender sticks out the top (Z pack). In a stuff sack everything fits
A good drysack can be a good compression sack as well... or vice versa actually. Personally, I would not get a non-breathable sack that didn't have something to grab it by at the bottom of the sack. Otherwise, they are a PITA. Looks like the REI example in the OP doesn't have one.
I use the Granite Gear CFT bags with eVent bottom. These are waterproof, plus you can squeeze any remaining air through the bottom to reduce pack volume.
They are expensive though, at around $40 for a 13L bag.
The_John_Muir_Way
05-04-2017, 18:09
I love REI, but their prices are a bit high. I love the end of the year dividend check :)