Trash Compactor Bags

[Hikingmaddie]

Quick question that I can't seem to find the answer to, one im sure is fairly obvious haha. Do you all line your pack with the trash compactor bag the whole time you hike? Or is it just folded up somewhere in your bag until you think its gonna rain and you pull it out then. Thanks for humoring me

[saltysack]

Always keep all dry things in it...bag,sleep clothes etc...no need for extra wt of stuff sacks and fills pack nicely


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[BirdBrain]

Always line my pack with 2 mil bag. You don't need rain to get wet. You might fall where there is water.

[rhjanes]

always in it.....when bad weather moves in, keep going. You won't have time to stop, unpack, repack in the trash compactor....

[Hikingmaddie]

makes sense to me! ~thanks

[soumodeler]

All the time, every time!

[Mr. Bumpy]

Always protect your junk.

[Starchild]

It's not about 'just in case' it's about if you are using a trash compactor bag it's just darn easier to use it all the time.

[rjjones]

If your going to carry the weight of the bag,you may as well use it?

[Redrowen]

Always and forever...

[garlic08]

For a dissenting opinion, I only use the plastic bag when it's raining. I like to let my insulation "breath" a bit during the day.

[Hikingmaddie]

For a dissenting opinion, I only use the plastic bag when it's raining. I like to let my insulation "breath" a bit during the day.

I had been reading a blog of someone who appeared to do the same, which is why i got confused in the first place, wasnt sure if it was widespread or not :P thanks everyone

[shelb]

My bag is a permanent fixture.... If a sudden rain came on, there would never be enough time to unload, put bag in place, reload....

[garlic08]

I had been reading a blog of someone who appeared to do the same, which is why i got confused in the first place, wasnt sure if it was widespread or not :P thanks everyone

Judging by the posts here, it's not widespread. It must be a personal quirk. You'll develop your own style in time.

I stop for a break every couple of hours (and usually air things out if there's sun) and if the weather looks like it's changing, I'll repack in plastic. Or the reverse.

[Berserker]

I use one and have it lining the pack all the time. One other thing that wasn't mentioned was sweat. When it gets hot like it's starting to get here on the East coast I actually sweat enough to get my pack wet.

For a dissenting opinion, I only use the plastic bag when it's raining. I like to let my insulation "breath" a bit during the day.

I could see this working well in a dryer environment like on the West coast. I don't know that I'd do it on the East coast unless there's a big high pressure system in place with several forecasted days of no rain...even then it might still rain.

[poolskaterx]

I always pack into a plastic bag but leave the top open; gives it a little breathing and is really easy to close up if it starts raining. I think the bag also helps in loading items into your pack.. slides in a bit easier. Just my .02

[Hosh]

I hike in a more arid environment, at least from a relative humidity standpoint. A turkey size oven bag works well, couple ounces lighter, for storing sleeping gear and clothing. I never felt it was necessary to use a total pack liner, who cares if your cook pot gets wet.

On longer hikes, in a humid environment a compactor bag is probably a better choice due to durability. The oven bags are pretty tough, but the bottom seam can split with too much pressure. You could cut the compactor bag to the necessary length and save an ounce or so.

[shelb]

Pack ALL your stuff in a garbage bag of some sort.... or chance it.... now worth it = IMO

[cmoulder]

Pack ALL your stuff in a garbage bag of some sort.... or chance it.... now worth it = IMO

Depends on the pack. I have a Zpacks Arc Blast and it has endured moderate rain and a couple of deluges with nary leak. Never been in a situation where I might be floating downstream for a while, so that might affect the decision, but these packs are pretty darn water resistant.

There is also the option of Nylofume bags which are more durable and more pliable than trash compactor bags.

[Hosh]

Pack ALL your stuff in a garbage bag of some sort.... or chance it.... now worth it = IMO

To each his own, but not sure why I want to put my damp or wet rain fly/tent next to my down quilt. So then I can two or more garbage bags to keep my damp/wet rain fly/tent from getting wetter?