Vacuum packing on the go?

[Peter_gent]

Hey.

is anyone aware of any mobile vacuum pumps/ways to compress sleeping bags. after spending ages trying to compact my sleeping bag with compression straps etc and not nearly half getting it down to it's original manufactured size I'd be interested in some time saving solutions

 

[Bodge]

Hi Peter,
I think the best you will get is a drybag with a one way valve http://www.surplusandadventure.com/...ource=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=S&A
Shop around to see whats available. Carrying a pump type around would defeat the object imo.
Hope this helps.

 

[ged]

Time saving or space saving? There are pumps that fit into the neck of a wine bottle which extract (some of) the air to help preserve the wine. They're small but I don't know what sort of a vacuum they do.

I'd probably think about a pair of cup-shaped objects (no, don't go there) with a bit of shock cord. If you have many rounds of tight shock cord you can exert enormous forces.

Or you could get a bigger pack.

Man-made fibre fills are undeniably bulkier than down for the same insulation value. I know that to my cost because I'm allergic to feather and down.

 

[John Fenna]

I would go with the bigger pack option!
Repeatedly super compressing your bag could prmaturely age it by breaking down the insulation and reducing its lofting ability...this is why you should store sleeping bags loosely packed as well.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

I did a thread about this solution which works for me, makes for a small bag and a more packable shape
Cheers
SBW

 

[Humpback]

I do my trips by canoe and as such have a pump for blowing up the flotation bags and also use this to extract air from ebay bought vacuum bags (the kind designed to be used with hoovers*). My spare clothes and sleeping bag go into these bags and pack down very small. I don't think the weight of the pump against space saved would work when walking though.
Alan

*other carpet cleaners work too!

 

[Whittler Kev]

You can get the pumps for blowing up air beds etc with a build in battery (one here for £6 - and one from Millets for £10 - Just found this £8 Gelert one as well - £10 for a AA powered turbine one claims to inflate a single bed in 50 seconds ).
If you ever find a bust air bed with a built in pump, maybe you could liberate the pump out of that and connect it so it sucks instead of blows.
Just a thought

 

[rik_uk3]

I doubt you would get a small pump with the power to do the job you ask for to be honest.

 

[Ahjno]

I use a 50 ltr Mountain Equipment dry bag with airvalve. Already used it as a sitting mat, pillow, dry bag (in my backpack, though it can also take my backpack itself). Has eyelets so can be transformed in a small pack. Can be used as floatation aid or a tiny improvised sleeping mat (body torso). Takes my 3 season Ajungilak Kompakt easily, and gives about 25-30% of extra compression compared with the regular stuff bag it came with.

 

[Winston]

I was in a pshop called Tamarack Outdoor at weekend, they have both waterproof bags and stuff sacks that have compression valves in tehm so you can squeeze the air out without a pump and seal them up...

try there web site.

http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/

 

[wedgie]

sea to Summit eVENT Compression Dry Sack
Squash your gear down to one third and keep it dry! eVENTR fabric is totally waterproof and breathable allowing you to compress the air out and not allowing water in.
Product Description
Squash your gear down to 1/3rd and keep it dry! eVENT® fabric is totally waterproof and really actually breathable (you can feel the air coming out!) allowing you to squish the air out and keep water out. Specifications: Extra Small 15 x 35cm / 16 x 14/ 6/2 LitreSmall 18 x 40cm / 7 x 16 / 3.3 LitreMedium 20 x 46cm / 8 x 18 / 4.5 LitreLarge 23 x 50cm / 9 x 20 / 6.7 LitreXL 27 x 58cm / 10.5 x 23 / 10 Litre Features: Air compresses out, water cannot get in Watertight Hypalon® roll top closure Waterproof seams, tape sealed and double stitched

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Summit-...Q5A0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308855863&sr=8-1

 

[Graham_S]

I use a dry bag with a valve in it for my hammock/underblanket/quilt setup.
I generally just sit on it.
That seems to work.