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  1. #1
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    Question Trying to reduce the volume of my loadout.

    I’m running into an issue with my camping loadout. It’s just too big. I’m not as concerned with weight, I’m just surprised that my loadout for an overnight is filling a 65L pack when other people thru-hike with 40L packs. I’m trying to see what I can do to get the volume down and have more room for extra water.

    Current loadout:
    Hammock (10.5’ taffeta homemade) whoopie suspension, bugnet, and small pillow in one Black Bishop bag.

    Top and bottom quilts are Costco down throws in their own stuff sacks.

    12’ x 8’ silpoly tarp and tieouts/ridge line in a stuff sack.

    Tree huggers in a zip lock bag.

    Change of clothes in a small stuff sack.

    (All of the above are rolled in a 6 mil garbage bag for water proofing.)

    Cook kit (all fits in an Imusa 12cm pot.)

    Food bag (usually has small dehydrated dinner and breakfast, then snacks.)

    Reflectix rehydration cozy.

    2L camelback bladder.

    Poncho (military style)

    This is everything that goes in the main compartment, but I still end up running out of space. I don’t feel like I’m carrying anything excessive, but I’m still cramped.

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    Here is one of my pack loading videos. May give some insight.
    The bladder may be taking up some space. That is why I carry water bottles instead.
    Shug

    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  3. #3
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    Hi SwingingBear and welcome to HF from a neighbor in Westchester county!

    I don't know if you're a donating member yet, but unfortunately a discussion about reducing pack volume/weight is beyond the scope of hammock discussions that are permitted in the open (free) forums. Fortunately it only costs about $10 to become a donating member, and most of us find it is money well spent. Some suggested forums for this for donating members would be Round Table/Off topic, Backpacking or ultra lite gear forums.
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  4. #4
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    How packable are the down throws compared to actual backpacking quilts? I had considered the Costco throws as a budget quilt set but veered away thinking they would be too bulky. No experience with them just seems to me the more you pay for a down camping quilt the smaller it tends to pack (comparing temp ratings).


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  5. #5
    Senior Member jeff-oh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cmoulder View Post
    Hi SwingingBear and welcome to HF from a neighbor in Westchester county!

    I don't know if you're a donating member yet, but unfortunately a discussion about reducing pack volume/weight is beyond the scope of hammock discussions that are permitted in the open (free) forums. Fortunately it only costs about $10 to become a donating member, and most of us find it is money well spent. Some suggested forums for this for donating members would be Round Table/Off topic, Backpacking or ultra lite gear forums.
    Only if the focus of the discussion non-hammock related, like is a military style poncho way more bulky than say a frogg Troogs jacket.

    Since his load out is 90% hammocking related like the costco down insulation then it could be on topic. Are these in compression stuff sacks of just stuff sacks that will take up more space. Is your insulation double costco throws or single? that is one area that sounds bulky to me.

  6. #6
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    #1 Tip: Use a vacuum travel bag to compress the poofy stuff.

    #2 tip: Dont bring it:

    Pillow: Don't take it. Use a jacket or "stuff spare clothes in stuff sack" trick.

    Bladder: Don't take this either. Use any dime-a-dozen water bottles with screw caps instead. These can be stored in side pockets on most packs instead of wasting valuable interior space. Also weighs much less.

    Hammock: Taffeta tablecloth hammocks are admittedly bulky. I use one in the backyard. If you're determined to skinny it down, switch to a lighter fabric hammock.

  7. #7
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeff-oh View Post
    Only if the focus of the discussion non-hammock related, like is a military style poncho way more bulky than say a frogg Troogs jacket.

    Since his load out is 90% hammocking related like the costco down insulation then it could be on topic. Are these in compression stuff sacks of just stuff sacks that will take up more space. Is your insulation double costco throws or single? that is one area that sounds bulky to me.
    I agree, but so many times we've seen that a comprehensive discussion quickly and naturally veers away from hammocks/quilts/tarps to other gear.

    There's just so much more to the topic than hammock-related items. Typically we're about 15-20 posts in when Deb steps in to remind us to stay on topic. (Not a complaint... an observation.)
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by cmoulder View Post
    I agree, but so many times we've seen that a comprehensive discussion quickly and naturally veers away from hammocks/quilts/tarps to other gear.

    There's just so much more to the topic than hammock-related items. Typically we're about 15-20 posts in when Deb steps in to remind us to stay on topic. (Not a complaint... an observation.)
    HAHAHA! Guess I don't need to remind you to keep this on hammock items and not on camping related items since you just did it for me. Thanks
    Deb
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  9. #9
    Senior Member jeff-oh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dkurfiss View Post
    HAHAHA! Guess I don't need to remind you to keep this on hammock items and not on camping related items since you just did it for me. Thanks
    HAHAHA! Yes, that was my subtle hint to stay on topic too. But sneak in a comment on the poncho.

    Guess my real comment to the op is yes you have some bulkier, DIY hammock gear. It will take up more space but if you have gear you are happy with and have a 65 liter pack do you really want to spend $200-$300 per quilt and more on a hammock to get down to a 40L pack? If you do you still will not have any extra space. If you got it and it works.... Or is it you want to free up more space for items you want to bring?

  10. #10
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    If you ever decide to upgrade your quilt set, choosing to have them made in 10D or even 7D fabric can make a big difference with packed volume.
    Changing to a hammock with an integrated bug net would reduce the volume, too.
    I honestly don't know how much space a military poncho takes up, but if you're keeping that in the main pack compartment, maybe you could move it to the mesh pocket.

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