sleeping bags...to compress or not to compress...

[starbailey]

Compression sack when traveling or hiking then left out loose when not in use at home.

[Special T]

I second Popes statement. Compression sacks for hiking, Laundry bags for storage. If you leave them in a compression sack they WILL lose thier warmth. One of my buddies that I mountain climbed with left his in a hammock when not in use.  He did have 3 high end ones so he took really good care of them.

[ICEMAN]

Granite gear compression sacks for us.....

[jackelope]

Maybe I should clarify...
I've always compressed my bag in a compression bag inside my pack at the bottom just like everyone is mentioning. I was looking into getting another bag to put my tent in, came across a bunch of threads on backpacking forums that mention NOT using a compression bag in your backpack. It got me curious to hear what all you guys think. It seems like just like everything else in the world...there's more than 1 way to do things.
All of my sleeping bags at home are kept in wayyy oversized laundry bag type stuff sacks.  I never leave them in the compression bag when the bag is not in my backpack. The bag I use backpacking is a down bag. Compresses down nice and tiny.
Thanks

[kentrek]

Have ya tried it out ?? You have the icon right ?? I think its really going to depend on what pack ya have an also what other gear....those guys on bpl have pretty minimal stuff with them since there just hiking..

Il tell ya its not to big of diference an if im feeling lazy an heading back to the truck i wont worry bout the stuff sack...just cram it all in an go...I dont have big heavy items like alot of people have been saying tho that need to be on a shelf  not sure whats they're referring to, food maybe

Might aswell give it a shot an see how it works with you/your gear

[fillthefreezer]

i dont use a compression sack anymore and havent for a few seasons. simply a roll top drysack with e-vent. i get just as much compression by simply pushing the air out while being lighter. it also doesnt end up like a bowling ball.

[jackelope]

Have ya tried it out ?? You have the icon right ?? I think its really going to depend on what pack ya have an also what other gear....those guys on bpl have pretty minimal stuff with them since there just hiking..

Il tell ya its not to big of diference an if im feeling lazy an heading back to the truck i wont worry bout the stuff sack...just cram it all in an go...I dont have big heavy items like alot of people have been saying tho that need to be on a shelf  not sure whats they're referring to, food maybe

Might aswell give it a shot an see how it works with you/your gear

I haven't tried it out yet. The pack should be here today.

i dont use a compression sack anymore and havent for a few seasons. simply a roll top drysack with e-vent. i get just as much compression by simply pushing the air out while being lighter. it also doesnt end up like a bowling ball.

I tell you, I don't like the bowling ball feel of the compression bag in there.
 

[swanny]

Compression sack most the time. I have done the stuffed in the bottom method once and don't know if either really saves space one way or another. I am heading out this weekend, maybe i'll give it a go again. If it's dry out, I wouldn't worry to much about making sure you have a waterproof sack around it.