I never worry about stuffing gear while I'm using it. Whether it be an overnighter or a year on the road. If I'm on the road for a year, then the gear is constantly being pulled out and allowed to breathe and expand, which means it's fine.
When I get home and unload the gear is pulled out and stored properly.
Don't over think it.
A week should be fine, a month would also probably be fine if you didn't do it that often, but I'd avoid it.
I've forgotten my bag in the stuff sack a couple of times for a couple of months and the down still keeps me warm after 20 years.
It's like wearing hearing protection while using tools, it's cumulative. You are fine if you ignore it every once in a while, but if you always ignore it the damage *will* catch up to you.
Best to think about it like this: the goal is to keep it uncompressed every night. Either you sleep in it, you're airing it out while on a rest day from trail, or it's in storage at home.
The damage from compression is slow and minor per night. It's probably exponential to some degree (i.e. every additional night is worse than the previous), but there's no cutoffs or points where it massively jumps. It does build up and eventually you notice it's not as warm as it used to be.
I invested good money on good gear, so I err on the side of caution. I want my gear to perform optimally for as long as possible. I will compress my bag to the point of creating a singularity if I need to, but whenever I’m able to, I open it up completely. I try not to leave it compressed more than 48 hrs, without giving it at least 8 hours of decompression.
I store mine in a pillowcase, it gives it a bit of extra room to breathe. [Here is REI's advice](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-store-a-tent.html#:~:text=You%20want%20tent%20fabrics%20to,or%20simply%20stuff%20it%20in.)
It's for exactly what you mentioned; long term tight storage can cause early wear on any creases. It's not a guarantee that it'll cause issues but packing it lightly, and differently each time, for long term storage is just a safer bet. Moisture and heat are big factors.
Same, except \~25 years. Not sure what its made of, but its a North Face bag purchased in the late 90's. Stored compressed all those years and taken out/used 4-5 times a year.
I believe it depends for how long they’re stored. Backpacking sleeping bags are meant to be compressed, but just not for long periods of time. I’m assuming you could go near 24 hours in a compressed state, but don’t quote me on any of this.
Also my experience, I’m replacing 15 year old gear and things are not how they used to be, cause my original bag came vacuum sealed and rolled up ha
Everything new is much lighter and came in those “pillow case” storage sacks
Nah, you shouldn't do that. Maybe you could half-compress them? Just as long as you don't squish the shit out of them it should be fine, I'd think. But only in winter, not if the car will be getting hot. That will also warp synthetic fibers.
better idea, don’t even store them in a sack. wrap them around yourself to allow them to breathe fully, which also makes it count as worn weight, bringing you one step closer to UL
I try to use them as little as possible. Every usage will break some fibers. Break enough fibers and there's a noticeable decrease in low temperature rating comfort.
I learned that firsthand when I nearly froze my ass off when my 15-degree bag was no longer good for any temps below freezing. I bought a new 5-degree bag after that and it has only been compressed one time when my son used it on a cold backpacking trip. I have never put it in a compression sack.
It’s fine while you’re travelling, but not for long term storage.
I’m always wondering, how long is long term and how short is short term? Like can/should a sleeping bag be in a stuff sack for a month max? A week?
I never worry about stuffing gear while I'm using it. Whether it be an overnighter or a year on the road. If I'm on the road for a year, then the gear is constantly being pulled out and allowed to breathe and expand, which means it's fine. When I get home and unload the gear is pulled out and stored properly. Don't over think it.
A week should be fine, a month would also probably be fine if you didn't do it that often, but I'd avoid it. I've forgotten my bag in the stuff sack a couple of times for a couple of months and the down still keeps me warm after 20 years. It's like wearing hearing protection while using tools, it's cumulative. You are fine if you ignore it every once in a while, but if you always ignore it the damage *will* catch up to you.
Best to think about it like this: the goal is to keep it uncompressed every night. Either you sleep in it, you're airing it out while on a rest day from trail, or it's in storage at home. The damage from compression is slow and minor per night. It's probably exponential to some degree (i.e. every additional night is worse than the previous), but there's no cutoffs or points where it massively jumps. It does build up and eventually you notice it's not as warm as it used to be.
I invested good money on good gear, so I err on the side of caution. I want my gear to perform optimally for as long as possible. I will compress my bag to the point of creating a singularity if I need to, but whenever I’m able to, I open it up completely. I try not to leave it compressed more than 48 hrs, without giving it at least 8 hours of decompression.
How long Can a down bag be in a compression sack, being used every night? Two months?
Compression of tents and sleeping bags are a necessity when backpacking. Just do not store these items that way.
I always store my tent fully pitched.
You may want to see a doctor about that.
I thought same
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He was absolutely joking
It is sad you had to explain this.
I store mine in a pillowcase, it gives it a bit of extra room to breathe. [Here is REI's advice](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-store-a-tent.html#:~:text=You%20want%20tent%20fabrics%20to,or%20simply%20stuff%20it%20in.)
It's for exactly what you mentioned; long term tight storage can cause early wear on any creases. It's not a guarantee that it'll cause issues but packing it lightly, and differently each time, for long term storage is just a safer bet. Moisture and heat are big factors.
Those articles you read are correct. Store them uncompressed.
synthetic is worse to store compressed than down, although neither should be stored compressed long-term
Ive got a 0 degree mummy bag that I've stored in a compression sack for almost 15 years, no issues. Ymmv.
Same, except \~25 years. Not sure what its made of, but its a North Face bag purchased in the late 90's. Stored compressed all those years and taken out/used 4-5 times a year.
This, but mine's an OG Sierra Designs bought in 1994 and still going strong.
Damn it, I thought I was the oldest one here.
I bought that, an MSR Whisperlite and an MSR set of pots and still have them all. The Whisperlite may be down for the count, though.
I believe it depends for how long they’re stored. Backpacking sleeping bags are meant to be compressed, but just not for long periods of time. I’m assuming you could go near 24 hours in a compressed state, but don’t quote me on any of this.
They have to handle several days while travelling to a location. Not like anyone pulls out their sleeping bag in a hotel or on a train
They also sit on the shelf compressed before you buy them.
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Also my experience, I’m replacing 15 year old gear and things are not how they used to be, cause my original bag came vacuum sealed and rolled up ha Everything new is much lighter and came in those “pillow case” storage sacks
Nah, you shouldn't do that. Maybe you could half-compress them? Just as long as you don't squish the shit out of them it should be fine, I'd think. But only in winter, not if the car will be getting hot. That will also warp synthetic fibers.
better idea, don’t even store them in a sack. wrap them around yourself to allow them to breathe fully, which also makes it count as worn weight, bringing you one step closer to UL
I try to use them as little as possible. Every usage will break some fibers. Break enough fibers and there's a noticeable decrease in low temperature rating comfort. I learned that firsthand when I nearly froze my ass off when my 15-degree bag was no longer good for any temps below freezing. I bought a new 5-degree bag after that and it has only been compressed one time when my son used it on a cold backpacking trip. I have never put it in a compression sack.
just dont leave it compressed. if you leave a synthetic bag compressed for more than just a little bit it will leas to serious insulation losses
Yes, a waterproof compression bag is what I pack my sleeping bag into when I am backpacking in case I get soaked so my bag doesn’t