Growing up in the Santa Cruz mountains, I have always been an avid hiker and camper. Only recently however, I have evolved into a backpacker. I started backpacking about two years ago. Since then I have done many trips throughout California and I also spent five days packing in the Grand Canyon which fueled my love for the sport even more. I try to backpack as often as possible, I think I may be addicted, and I am constantly looking for more efficient and lightweight alternatives for the gear that I own.

Product Information:

URL: www.granitegear.com/

Manufacturer: Granite Gear

Year of manufacture: 2004

Measured weight: 3.5 oz (100 g)

Listed weight: 3.4 oz (96 g)

MSRP: $26 (U.S.)

Size: Medium (8 in x 18.5 in) (20.3 x 47 cm)

Color: Black and white

Field Information:

I tested the Air Compressor sack in several different conditions. The first backpacking trip I tested the compression sack on was at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where the elevation is about 4000 ft (1219 m). I recently took the Granite Gear sack on a ten day backpacking trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah.

My backpacking trip to the Utah desert involved elevations that ranged from 4500 ft (1372 m) to 9000 ft (2743 m). I experienced a wide variety of temperatures on this trip, some days the temperature reached 100 F (37.78 C) but on other days it dropped into the low 40's F (4.44 C).

Test Information:

My first experience using this compression sack was in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on a four day, three night trip. I packed all of my clothing; thermals, pants, shirts, socks, gloves, etc. into the medium Granite Gear sack. I did not know what type of weather to expect, so I brought extra clothing in case of cold temperatures. With four days worth of clothing, which filled the sack, I could compress it down to 12 in (30.5 cm). I used the Compressor sack as a pillow on this trip, but found that the fabric is a little slippery.

I used the Compressor sack to store my clothing on a recent trip to Zion and Bryce National parks. I had considerably less clothing, in the desert, but found that the compression sack worked well even though it was not full.

General Impression:

I do not usually store my clothing in a stuff sack, but I find that this is an excellent way to pack, and I don't mind the extra weight because there is hardly any. By keeping everything in the Compressor Sack, it is very easy to keep track of all of my clothes. Using the Granite Gear Sack also keeps my tent less cluttered, I usually have my clothing loose in the tent and all over the place.

I have had difficulty with the design of the Granite Gear Compressor Sack. I find that the straps are easily tangled and the top of the Compressor Sack becomes easily twisted. The diameter of the Compressor Sack is also a problem for me. While the vertical dimension of the sack compresses very well, the diameter does not change, producing a fat, short shape that is hard to pack in certain parts of my pack. I find that I can only pack the Compressor Sack in the lower, sleeping bag compartment of my pack, which means that I have to put my sleeping bag somewhere else.

The Granite Gear Compressor Sack provides some water resistance, I often store my camera in it overnight, along with my clothing. I do not notice any wear of the fabric or compression straps since I have begun using this compression sack. The stitching looks strong and durable, even after I have stuffed this thing full.

Good Things:

> Protects the contents (seems water resistant)

> Lightweight

> Compresses well

> Makes a good pillow

Bad Things:

> Bulky in diameter (makes it hard to pack in certain circumstances)

> Tangles easily (very frustrating)

Read more reviews of Granite Gear gear
Read more gear reviews by Shandra Hunt

Field Report

All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson