Many sleeping bags come with their own sleeping bag compression sack custom built for their particular size. But if your sleeping bag doesn’t come with its own compression sack, it’s a little piece of gear that is definitely worth investing in. One of the best things about sleeping bags, after all, is that they compress down very small, so that when you need to stuff your sleeping bag in to your backpack in the morning, you can do it with as little bulk as possible.
Sleeping Bag Compression Sack
What to look for when you want a sleeping bag compression sack.- Size – Obviously, a bigger sleeping bag will require a bigger compression sack. You should try and find a size that you think will more or less fit your sleeping bag. Keep in mind, of course, that a compression sack that is slightly too big is workable, but a compression sack that is slightly too small isn’t going to be of much help to you.
- Waterproof – Many compression sacks are also waterproof, which is never a bad thing. You definitely do not want to get the insulation inside your sleeping bag wet, after all, because wet insulation wont keep you as warm as dry insulation. Even a water resistant compression sack is better than nothing.
Best Sleeping Bag Compression Sack
Some of the very best sleeping bag compression sacks.- Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Compression Sack - This is a nylon, siliconized compression sack, which makes it a tough, water resistant option. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from 6 liters all the way up to 30 liters, so there is a size that will work with whatever size of sleeping you have. It uses a drawcord enclosure on top, and the 15 liter version weighs 3 ounces, or 85 grams.
- Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack - eVent makes an ideal fabric for a sleeping bag compression sack, and this is a very good one. It won the 2007 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award, for starters. It also comes in 5 different sizes, the smallest being 6 liters and the largest being 30 liters. It uses a roll top enclosure and the 14 liter version weighs 5.2 ounces, or 147 grams, to give you an idea of weight. But what really makes this an ideal choice for sleeping bags is that eVent is both waterproof and breathable, so you can be sure your sleeping bag will stay dry.
- Granite Gear Round Rock Solid Compression Sack - The Round Rock Solid is a good, if basic compression sack. It's made with just straight nylon, so it's not waterproof or even water resistant. It does come in 7 different sizes, however, the smallest being 7.8 liters and the largest being 57 liters. The 16 liter version weighs 5.1 ounces, or 144 grams. So no protection from water, but it will at least do the job of compressing your sleeping bag.
