Save space by vacuum sealing your sleeping bag

This post was originally published on jcutrer.com (WordPress) and has been migrated to the archive.

I’m getting ready for a 4 day, 3 night kayaking trip down the Devil’s River.  Space is limited on the kayak so I needed a way to maximize the use of space.  While ordering a few items on Amazon I came across these ziplock vacuum seal bags.  As you can see from the photos below, vacuum sealing my sleeping bag will save a considerable amount of space.  I also plan on vacuum sealing a couple of clothing items as well.

I debated buy a hand pump for these bags but I was able to deflate the bag just fine using my lungs.  So, if you are a backpacker or kayaker these bags are worth looking into.  The set I purchased contains 2 XL bats, 5 L bags, 4 M bags, and 4 travel sized bags.  The bag I used for the sleeping bag is a Large bag measuring 21.5” x 33.5”.  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ME6IVXQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ME6IVXQ&linkCode=as2&tag=jcutrer-20&linkId=L4KLRAKPRUICUGCY).

!(http://jcutrer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_0981.jpg) My Rolled Sleeping Bag

!(http://jcutrer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_0980.jpg) My Rolled Sleeping Bag Side View

Vacuum sealed sleeping bag

!(http://jcutrer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_0978.jpg) Vacuum sealed sleeping bag laying flat

!(http://jcutrer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ziplock-vacuum-space-bags-1024x685.jpg)