Dry Bags vs Stuff Sacks for hiking and backpacking
Backpackers and hikers frequently ask us at Hilltop Packs LLC which is the better choice for carrying their gear on trails: Stuff sacks or dry bags?
The answer is simple: It's really up to you.
In the case of clothing, quilts or bulky items Ben McMillen, owner of Hilltop Packs, prefers to use stuff sacks primarily because they compress better inside your pack. Why? Stuff sacks do not hold in air like dry bags do.
However, as he explains in a helpful YouTube video (one of many videos created by Hilltop Packs that offers helpful advice on its numerous products), he understands that choosing a dry bag also makes sense to those who want to make sure that certain items stay dry such as toiletries and electronics.
Although the dry bag offers limited compression (inside your pack) compared to the stuff sack, the dry bag might be a better choice for those adventurers who know for certain they and/or their gear might be submerged in water during their trip.
However, those who are traveling with a more weather resistant pack or pack liner may be more inclined to choose the stuff sack due to the better packable compression.
In another video, McMillen also demonstrates how different degrees of quilts can fit into different sizes of both types of bags.
Fifty-degree quilts (as well as 40- and possibly 30-degree quilts) fit perfectly in Hilltop Packs' Jumbo stuff stack and Jumbo dry bag, with the stuff sack also providing plenty of extra room for amenities.
Twenty-degree quilts fit great in the Jumbo-Plus stuff sack and dry bag, with room to spare.
And zero-degree quilts also fit nicely in the Jumbo-Plus size for both; for the dry bag, McMillen suggests eliminating as much air out of the bag before fastening.
So which is right for you? Dry bags or stuff sacks? It is really personal preference. Just consider the conditions you will be hiking and make the right decision for you.
We encourage customers to contact Hilltop Packs for additional tips and tricks for the trail.
My first HTP product(s)! Love them! Finally got a good food bag, holds it ALL! Tent stake bag is big, but not too big. Great quality and will work perfectly on those “frozen” finger mornings! Highly Recommended! TY Rougarou 2022 AT NOBO
I love these Dyneema bags. Great quality, look and feel. I have the bear bag kit with spoon holder and spool for the rope with the large dog bone. In the larger bag I have a jet boil with pan support and pan. A small thermos to keep things warm and cook rice with hot water. I also have the small bear bag kit for my 750ml Toaks pot with pocket rocket deluxe and 100g propane/isobutane fuel canister inside. Another small thermos, Plenty of room for food or mre's. Other bags for ditty bag and clothes. I would recommend.
I purchased the Hilltop Packs Sit Pad Ultralight because it's description indicated it was substantially lighter than my Thermarest Z-Pad and I was curious how it would compare to the Z-Pad. To begin with, my Z-Pad weighs 59 grams (2.1 oz) while the Sit Pad Ultralight I received weighs 32 grams (1.1 oz). The weight difference is primarily due to the smaller size of the Sit Pad Ultralight. My Z-Pad is 1-1/4 inch wider and 1/2 inch longer than the Sit Pad Ultralight. Additionally, the Z-Pad is slightly thicker than the Sit Pad Ultralight and is made of a more rubber-like material, which makes it a bit more comfortable to sit on when on rocky terrain. I'm not too concerned with the smaller size of the Sit Pad Ultralight. It provides reasonable coverage for my bottom and has proven effective in keeping it free of dirt and debris, which is what I want most from a sit pad. Another difference worth noting is the folded size of the pads. The Z-Pad, when fully folded, is narrower than the Sit Pad Ultralight but it is also thicker than the Ultralight. This may or may not be an issue for you. It hasn't been an issue for me. As a matter of fact, I prefer the wider folds of the Sit Pad Ultralight as it makes it easier for me to set it on edge (accordion-style) and use it as a wind screen for my stove. The only real concern I have with the Sit Pad Ultralight is with the long term durability of the pad's hinge points (fold lines). The fold line material thickness on the Sit Pad Ultralight is less than that on the Z-Pad. Only time will tell if this concern is warranted. Overall, though, I believe the Sit Pad Ultralight is worth considering, especially if you're looking for ways to shave ounces from your pack.