How to size a stuff sack

**SteelPlayer** · 08-12-2018, 13:57

I want to make a stuff sack for my new UQ.

What is the proper way to calculate the size sack I will need?

UQ is 50"x83" and 3.6 Climashield.

Hand compressing appears to be about 12"x8" so I know I can go smaller than that. For storage I'll probably just leave it loose in the closet.

**XJ35S** · 08-12-2018, 14:57

These two links from Jellyfish should help you out entirely. I am trying to make a stuff sack for my down jacket. It doesn't seem to compress and let the air out. Maybe it's waterproofed ?

http://jellyfishreport.blogspot.com/...alculator.html

**SteelPlayer** · 08-12-2018, 15:32

Great tutorial and instructions.

But that's not what I'm asking. The question is "How do I determine the size bag I need to make" NOT How do I calculate the materials for a specific size bag".

**Shug** · 08-12-2018, 15:35

Cram it in a sack or bag of some sort and then measure from there. Should give you a starting place.
Shug

**Kroma** · 08-12-2018, 16:09

Originally Posted by SteelPlayer

Great tutorial and instructions.

But that's not what I'm asking. The question is "How do I determine the size bag I need to make" NOT How do I calculate the materials for a specific size bag".

Email Paul from Arrowhead. He should be able to advise you on a stuff sack size given your dimensions. He works with climashield quilts extensively.

**SteelPlayer** · 08-12-2018, 16:12

Originally Posted by Shug

Cram it in a sack or bag of some sort and then measure from there.

My overly complicated brain tends to go to the most complex solution to the simplest question.

Leave it to shug to K.I.S.S.O.F.F.

Or be the Karl and start with. "Aint got no gas in it"

**jellyfish** · 08-12-2018, 17:43

I usually just smash everything into a tight wad, hold it as best I can in one arm and then wrap my tape measure around it with my free hand.

**TallPaul** · 08-12-2018, 18:09

Or skip the stuff sack and move to a trash compactor bag setup. It’s liberating not stuffing things anymore.

**MikekiM** · 08-13-2018, 05:16

Originally Posted by TallPaul

Or skip the stuff sack and move to a trash compactor bag setup. It’s liberating not stuffing things anymore.

^^^ That there ^^^^

Don't get me wrong..I have tons of stuff sacks. And I've used Jelly's tutorial and calculator repeatedly. However, for quilts I just press them into the compactor bag.. skip the stuff sack.

**cmoulder** · 08-13-2018, 06:04

Originally Posted by TallPaul

Or skip the stuff sack and move to a trash compactor bag setup. It’s liberating not stuffing things anymore.

+2 for this... stuff it into the bottom of the pack and let items above compress it. Far and away the most efficient use of space, reduces weight a little, and it makes packing up much quicker.

My only diversion from this is, ironically, when I'm going really light and using my Zpacks Zero, which is frameless. Stuffing the quilts into the bottom of the pack makes it sausage shaped and not as comfortable to carry, so I stuff both TQ and UQ into a medium sized DCF roll-top sack (20 grams) and roll the top down to scrunch them down.