Just picked up a Big Agnes Sidewinder, and wow, this thing is huge. I’ve never had this much trouble getting a sleeping bag into its stuff sack. I used to have a smaller sleeping bag that fit perfectly in my Gregory Zulu40, but this one is eating up nearly all my space. Anyone got a suggestion for a compression sack that can shrink this beast down? Or maybe a waterproof option I can strap to the outside of my pack?
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I had the same issue with my Sidewinder. I ended up getting a Sea to Summit eVent compression sack. It’s waterproof and compresses down really well. Takes up way less space now.
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I had the same problem with my bag, but instead of compressing it, I switched to a bigger pack. Not ideal, I know, but it gave me a lot more flexibility. Have you thought about upgrading your pack size?
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Consider a Dry Sack. What worked for me was using a dry sack like the Osprey Ultralight Drysack. It’s not exactly a compression sack, but it’s waterproof, and you can strap it to the outside of your pack to save space inside.
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You could try a combination of both. Use a compression sack to shrink it down, and then strap it to the outside of your pack. That way, you save space inside your bag and keep the Sidewinder dry.
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I’ve run into the same issue and ended up going super minimal with my other gear. It’s a pain, but if you can reduce the bulk of other stuff, you might not need a new sack or pack.
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Have you thought about making your own compression sack? I once used an old dry bag with some straps sewn on. Worked well and didn’t cost much…
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Instead of struggling with a compression sack, maybe carry some of your smaller, lighter items outside the pack? That way, the sleeping bag can take up more space inside.
The struggle is real with these Big Agnes bags, but I love mine too much to switch. I’m using a compression sack from REI, and it’s been decent, but I’m still hunting for something better. Might try one of the suggestions here.