Compression Bag for travel

[huntersdad]

I know some of you travel, so I hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

I am going to Alaska in August for the bears. One of the pieces of gear I have to bring is a sleeping bag and pad. This needs to be carried in a compression bag for space conservation purposes.

What do you guys use and how do you go about judgung what size is needed?

[RandyS]

I use a Granite Gear compression sack (http://www.granitegearstore.com/Round-Rock-Solid-Compression-Sack-P69C52.aspx) in my kayak & on my bike. Probably a slightly different model than the one in the link, but I'm only saying that because I've had it for so long (easily 8-10 years). I got the size right by discussing what I was using it for with the salesperson @ REI where I bought it. And it's very much as small a bag as I could use for my sleeping bag. Things get really tight in there.

For my sleeping pad, I just use an older Therma Rest they no longer make. Lighter weight foam in it along with an only 3/4 length. A pad like this isn't really for everyone - kind of minimalist - but it sure packs up small. I don't use a sack for it, but compression straps really help to coax it into rolling up in as little a space as it can.

[minhi]

have you already picked the sleeping bag and pad? I think a pad is really up to a persons comfort level/tolerance. i use an alps engineering one that self 'inflates' its like a foam pad with some air in it. but it rolls up like a yoga mat so it's not small.

[huntersdad]

I have a thick sleeping bag already but not sure what the rating is, so I'm gonna have to do a little research on it. Still not sure on the pad, as we are sleeping on cots (not sure of the need).

[Mocows]

I'd head to a store and check out their options (REI is good in the states as stated above). You'll want to balance personal comfort with pricing and it's nice to get into a bag or onto a pad as everyone's personal preferences are different.

Down bags are great if you want packable as they'll compress smaller then synthetics (Montbell comes to mind as a great quality down, has a good stretch to their fabric thus roomy-ish, and fair price). I'm not sure about the temp or conditions of where you will be, maybe check how much moisture is in the air as if the down gets moist or wet, it'll start to loose heat (you could get one with a weather resistant coating or go for a packable synthetic).

As far as pads go, if you are on a cot, it maybe ok. Keep in mind they are meant to keep you off the ground as it sucks heat away from your body so having one on a cot is more comfort then anything IMO. I have an older thermarest regular which works nicely everywhere, the prolite series is a bit thiner and rolls smaller.

[Mike22487]

Try a sea to summit eVent compression dry sack, they sell them on amazon in different sizes, I have seen some good reviews from them, they are kinda expensive but they are good at what they do.