Reviews > Stuff Sacks > Compression Sacks > Granite Gear Air Compressor Stuff Sack > Shandra Hunt > Initial Report

Granite Gear Air Compressor Stuff Sack- Initial Report

Name: Shandra Hunt

Age: 25

Gender: female

Height: 5' 3"(1.6 m)

Weight: 145 lbs.(66 kg)

Location: Ben Lomond,California

Email: jns170@yahoo.com

Date: 5/11/04

Biography:

            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

Initial Impression:

I received the Granite Gear Air Compressor stuff sack on May 6, 2004. UPS delivered it to my front door in a plastic pouch, it had a shipping weight of 1 lb (.45 kg). When I opened the package, I was surprised to find a small plastic jar measuring 3.5 in (8.9 cm) in diameter by 2.5 in (6.35 cm) tall, with the stuff sack inside. I was even more surprised when I opened the jar and pulled out the compression sack. This compression sack is unlike any other that I have seen before, and was not at all what I had expected after viewing the Granite Gear website. Most stuff sacks that I have seen or used are made as a one piece sack that sometimes have compression straps. There are two end caps that are attached by the compression straps, with the sack in between. The sack is sewn only to the bottom piece and just hangs over the side when it isn't filled and I immediately managed to tangled up the whole contraption.

Product Description:

The black top and bottom caps of the Air Compressor sack are identical in design and are made from 210 denier nylon. The end caps measure about 8.5 in (21.6 cm) in diameter, with a scalloped rim of the fabric that extends between 1.25 in (3.2 cm) to 2.25 in (5.7 cm) over the sides. There are four compression straps, measuring .75 in (1.9 cm) wide, that extend to 12.5 in (31.7 cm) long and are stitched to the rim on the bottom of the sack. These four straps attach to the top of the sack through adjustable ergonomic buckles that are sewn onto the rim on the top cap. The ends of the straps are doubled over and sewn so that they will not come out of the buckles, unless cut, which would make the top cap completely detachable. When I cinch down the straps, the smallest the sack will become is about 11 in (27.9 cm).

The translucent white stuff sack is made from 30D Sil Cordura nylon with a rip-stop body for added strength but not added weight. The sack measures 8.5 in (21.6 cm) in diameter by 18.5 in (47 cm) in length and has a micro cord with a micro cord lock at the top to close the sack. The sack is sewn only to the bottom cap. The bottom cap has a handle that is 2.1 in (5.4 cm) wide and 8.5 in (21.6 cm)long with a Granite Gear logo tag. The company advertises that the Air Compressor sack is fully finished and has no raw edges to fray and does not have sloppy stitching that will fail. The overall appearance of the compression sack is that it is well made and I can not find any lose threads or seams.

Test Plan:

I will be using this compression sack on several upcoming trips. I will be backpacking for four days near Yosemite National Park at the end of this month where I plan to use the compression sack to store a warm bulky jacket and as much clothing as it will hold. I also plan to try to use this compression sack to store other items, possibly my sleeping bag, tent, or anything else that I made need to condense into a smaller size on various other trips. I will be backpacking and car camping for two weeks in the Utah desert this summer and expect to put the Air Compressor sack to good use on the trip. I will be using it to condense items so that I will have more room in the car to store gear and I will also be using it to make extra room in my pack for the longer trips into the backcountry that I will be doing.

I will be testing the Air Compressor sack for it's durability over extended use. The fabric that the inner stuff sack is made of is very thin and I will be testing to see how it will hold up when packed to its maximum capacity. I will also be testing the durability of the compression straps and buckles during repeated use, whether they begin to fray and how easy they are to use after time. I could not tell when I first viewed the company's website whether the compression sack was waterproof, they do not advertise it as such, and I will be testing for that as well. I will be testing the compression sack for its overall capacity, how much does it actually hold in comparison to its size and weight, and what type of gear or clothing can I fit into the sack. I want to see if this sack will hold its original shape and size over extended use or if it distorts and no longer compresses to its initial size.

I have never really used a compression sack for anything other than a sleeping bag, but look forward to trying this one out. I am not sure how easy the Air Compressor sack will be to use, when it is unfilled I find that it tangles up easily, but I plan to use it as often as possible. I can always use extra room in my pack and at only 3.4 oz (96 g) I won't notice the addition in weight, but I expect to see a big difference in space.

Reviews > Stuff Sacks > Compression Sacks > Granite Gear Air Compressor Stuff Sack > Shandra Hunt > Initial Report