Fitting a sleeping bag in an internal frame pack


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Ashokan18

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Hello all,

I just purchased an Osprey Kestrel 68 pack http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/group/multi-use/kestrel_series_-_2011_version and I'm having a very hard time fitting my sleeping bag in the compartment. Whatever I do it doesn't seem like it would ever be able to fit. This is my sleeping bag http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000000104&categoryid=9090&brand=#.TwzkzKWJddw. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on fitting the bag into the sleeping bag compartment. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
I would purchase a compression stuff sack and compress the bag to the size you need.

That said, it depends on the insulation in your sleeping bag. I have a down sleeping bag that packs really small (12" long x 4" diameter). I have a synthetic bag that takes up twice as much space, thus requiring a larger pack.
 
A 68L pack probably SHOULD be able to handle that sleeping bag, but youve got a relatively high end backpack and a pretty entry level sleeping bag. The Osprey is probably designed to handle sleeping bags with higher compression qualities (down or high performance synthetic - Polarguard 3D or ClimaSheild for instance)

You might try getting a REALLY intense compression sack for your sleeping bag.
 
Thanks for all the quick replies! Any recommendations on a compression sack? And my backpack's sleeping bag compartment won't rip, right? (Sorry, I tend to be a bit of a worry-wort.)
 
The bottom of that bag is made to be a kind of stuff sack. That being said, did the bag come with a stuff sack? If so then you need to buy a compression bag that is as big as that then it will compress down. I suggest trying to find one with straps that compress it around as well as from top.
 
Getting a good compression sack or a new sleeping bag are your only real options. Sea to Summit makes a wide variety of stuff/compression sacks and they would be worth checking out. Most outdoor stores should carry their products.
 
I have an Osprey Aether 70 and a North Face Cat's Meow. Inside your bag should be a divider that is adjustable a little. loosen that up, and only have half that sleeping bag compartment open and then stuff. I find that using my knees helps. I also do not use a compression sack for it when I pack it in this bag, as the the compression bag give it does not work as well for me.

Hope that helps.
 
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Without doubt a compression stuff sack is you answer. I wouldn't really know what to recommend. I shy away form the ultralight stuff. Just make sure it is large enough and made form durable nylon.

Worth mentioning, it is called a "stuff sack" for good reason. When stuffing, do exactly that, do not fold or roll your sleeping bag up neatly then try and place it in the sack. This over time can lead to your insulation losing loft due to repetitively storing it in the same manner. It also generally makes thing more difficult and time consuming.

Just literally take it by one end start stuffing it in doing your best to conform to sack's shape and size, close the drawstring, flip it over crush the air out of it and pull the compression straps. They work good for bulk clothing as well.

As an after thought , I have taken gear into a sporting goods store, removed compression stuff sacks from packaging and tested them out right there. I have never been looked as though I was doing something wrong. Then if you can find it cheaper online before hand just let the sales guys who are obviously curious as to what you are up to know that you want to shop around. This is fairly common, and I believe most people avoid it due to making a scene.
 
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Once you get the stuff sack get some paracord, tie a jamb knot in and then compress the sack with those. You can get one pretty dang small by doing that.
Here's Terry's jamb knot video in case you don't know what I'm talking about.
Canadian Jam Knot 1 - YouTube
 
Probably not the answer you want to hear but I was in a similar situation two year ago. I had finally upgrade rucks for the first times since, oh, say 1990. When I bought my new ruck that had a dedicated sleeping bag compartment on the bottom my old sleeping bag would not fit. Putting my old sleeping bag in the main compartment threw everything out of wack and I did not like how the ruck carried all my gear. I almost sold my new ruck. Last year I finally upgraded sleeping bags. My new sleeping bag packs down to maybe nerf football size and fits where it supposed to. Now I really like my new ruck and plan on keeping it.

So it could be time to upgrade gear.
 
I use a Sea to Summit 20L stuff sack. For river trips or winter camping it's hard to beat. Waterproof, durable, and compresses my sleeping bag to about 1/4 it's original size.

http://www.rei.com/product/730882/sea-to-summit-event-compression-dry-sack

stuffbag.jpg
 
One thought: Even though getting a stuff sack and cranking your sleeping bag down to a super dense ball of matter that threatens to explode into the next big bang is a viable option, doing so does put extra stress on the insulation causing it to break down faster. Its also really uncomfortable to hike like that and makes packing around it a chore (though with a separate compartment on a framed pack, this is minimized). I consider "maximum compression" to be analogous to "outdoor store catalog display" and not to be emulated unless you NEED to.

Figure out what minimum amount of compression you need to fit the bag into your pack and then put some sort of mark on the compression straps so you know not to go beyond that point.

You will save wear and tear on your sleeping bag as well as the compression sack and you will have a "fuller" fill to the bag which even with a frame, will improve your packability and handling.
 
A couple things:

1) Take it out of the stuff sack and just shove it into garbage bag and put that into the compartment (to make it waterproof). Stuff sacks often make using all available space harder because they form things into boulders. The gear cannot expand to take up all the room and damages the insulation.

2) Remove and/or cut out the divider between the bottom sleeping bag compartment and the main compartment. Line the whole backpack with a contractor grade garbage bag. Then just put the sleeping bag (without stuff sack) on the bottom and put your gear on top to pack it down naturally.
 
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Yeah, not all sleeping bags will fit in all sleeping bag compartments. They are not universal fit. Sooo many factors. Size of bag, loft, material, insulation amount. Etc. Without taking these things into consideration before purchase then you have make due with what you have and....

Use a compression stuff sack to make the bag smaller! OR and Granite Gear make nice ones.
 
I have the same problem with my kelty red cloud 5600 and Eureka 0 degree bag. The bag is just too big. If I don't use the stuff sack I can just manage to cram it in there. The divider in mine is removable though so i go that route. You need a smaller sleeping bag.
 
Compression bags are for temporary storage only. If you store your bag in it at home then yes, you will damage the insulation. Using one for trips, not a problem at all. Compression bags give me VASTLY more space and is the ONLY way I can pack a weeks worth of gear into my Kelty 3100. If you have a sleeping bag older than 30 years then a compression bag is probably not the way to go. For a modern bag in the 60 dollar range, I'll put it in a stuff sack every time.
 
You got a great pack, Id look at atleast a good sleeping bag. I have a couple montbell spiral down huggers. They compress down in their bags to the size of a football. I have a Gregory Baltoro 65 pack and I can get my sleeping bag, pad, pillow in the bottom compartment and still have room for some sleeping clothes.
 
I don't like compression sacks, they tend to make the bag into a hard ball that is hard to pack.
I use a dry bag with an air valve.
I squash the air out, which reduces the volume to the same amount as a regular compression sack, but the bag remains malleable. this allows you to mould it to the shape of the bottom compartment without any dead space.
 
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