Posted: 11/28/2011 6:31:40 PM EDT
| I just got some stoic compression sacks for my BOB. Is it better to leave the clothes and stuff folded or to unfold it all and stuff it in the bag? I'm trying to save as much space as possible. |
It depends on the compression sack. I have found the telescoping kind to be the best because they maintain a constant diameter and compress the most. Try to steer clear of the vertical ones that require a top to be fit like this because they can get tangled easily:
I prefer the kind that just cinch at the top and you're good to go, like this: 
For this kind, have the SO fold everything nicely and try to fill the entire sack from the bottom up. Pull down on all four corners alternately and at the end, sit on it or lay on it with your chest to help out for the final compressing. I can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes easily in to an tube 10" in diameter and about 18" high. The order of packing seems to matter as well. Try to keep items that won't compress much (like jeans, heavy pants, etc) at the bottom of the sacks and put the 'fluffiest' items (socks, shirts) on top. I use them for packing for long trips, you'll wonder how you ever did it before without these things. |
|
I always found folding to work best. Not to mention it is easier to dig stuff out when things are folded and layered in a bag rather than just chaotically stuffed in every which way.
Another option, which I found works once you get the hang of it, is ROLLING stuff. You can then stack everything in a sack like logs. The advantage is they compress great as a bundle and stuff is easily accessed from the opening of the bag. Only downside is the bundles don't compress great legth-wise. So I wouldn't recommend it for a telescoping style compression sack. |
|
Quoted:
I have the type with an air valve that you press all the air out. If you get a few spare $$s, I would recommend checking out a telescoper. This style/brand has been my favorite for the last 5 years. It will compress way more than the air valve kind and last a lot longer. Of course when you compress more, your stuff will be more liable to be wrinkled, so if space savings isn't your only concern, the air valve kind are nice. Just my opinion 
|
|
Actually rolling them is how I fold, its a by product of the army. It doesn't really seem to compress that well though which is what made me wonder.
I just got this type because.I assumed it would compress more than that type. I might order one or two of those though to experiment a bit. |
|
Quoted:
I actually vac seal bulky clothing to save space. Compression has not been an issue. Clothes need to be stretched out a bit, and are wrinkly as hell when unpacked but a few hours wear seems to restore them to normal. How do you put them in the bag before you back them? Do you fold them or just stuff them? |