HydroLite Stuff Sacks™
by Outdoor Research
Initial Report
12/20/2003

 

Tester:	Coy Starnes
Gender:	Male
Age:	41
Weight:	230 lb (104 kg)
Height:	6 ft (1.8 m)
E-Mail:	cstarnes@nehp.net
Location:	Grant, Alabama

Tester Bio
 I live outside a small town in northeast Alabama.  I have access to a good hiking area right out my front door, a large tract of woods called Pall-Mill Hollow (pronounced holler).  It has a creek flowing through it with several good swimming holes.  Caves abound in the area.  I spent my youth climbing around the bluffs, swimming in the creek and exploring the caves.  I also enjoy hunting, fishing, canoeing, and most other outdoor activities.

Backpacking is my favorite pastime. I consider myself a knowledgeable backpacker but I am not an expert.  I enjoy hiking with my friends and family or solo.  I limit my hiking to areas fairly close to home, usually within a day’s drive of home.  I hike throughout the year and actually hike the least in the hot humid months of summer.  My style is slow and steady and my gear is light.  However, I will sacrifice weight for comfort and durability.  A typical 3 season load for me is around 20 lb (9 kg) not counting food or water.  I usually sleep in a hammock and cook with an alcohol stove.  My backpacking trips are usually 2, 3 or 4 days in length.

Product Information

Manufacturer	Outdoor Research
Manufacturer URL	http://www.orgear.com/
Year of Manufacture	2003
Size	#4 = 9" x 17" (23 cm x 43cm)
Volume	1100 cu in (18 L)
Weight	not listed
Weight Verified	1.6 oz (45.4 gm)
Color	Red
MSRP	$15 US

Receiving the Product and Initial Impression
The HydroLite Stuff Sacks™ arrived 12/20 2003 via Federal Express.  A quick inspection revealed the stuff sack matches the size quoted and everything appears to be in good working order.  After removing the stuff sack from the mailer envelope, the stuff sack was packaged in a simple clear plastic bag with the information card affixed to the top with a hanging "display" slot in the information card.  Also included were several duplicate OR Lifetime Guarantee cards.  The stuff sack is about what I expected after viewing it on the Outdoor Research web site.     

Product Description
On the surface, the size #4 HydroLite Stuff Sack™ appears to be just a "normal" stuff sack.  It has what looks like normal coated nylon material, a normal dust flap and a normal cordlock closure.  But according to the information provided on the web site and information card, this is not a "normal" stuff sack.  I took the following from the web site.   

"Simply the best when it comes to durable, truly waterproof, ultra-light fabrics, our HydroLite fabric is a coated nylon gossamer that is both ultra-light and ultra-durable. Through laboratory tests of the fabric's seam strength, waterproofness, DWR, tear strength, abrasion, and a full battery of other brutalities involving hours in rotating tubs, golf balls and pea gravel, we could not find a better ultra-light material. In the tried and true tradition of Outdoor Research Hydroseal Stuff Sacks, we incorporated the design and features of the Basic Stuff Sack into the next generation."

The information card reads almost the same with this additional information.

"Each sack has a generous dust flap, and a drawcord that cinches down very smoothly and is held closely by a truly tenacious cordlock.  A webbing handle on the other end aids in carrying and unstuffing the sack."

About the only thing I can add is that upon turning the stuff sack inside out, all seams appear to be secure and the inside color is white.  I don't know if the nylon was white to start with and  then dyed red on the outside or the other way around.  Perhaps the white color is some type of coating?   I can also see a grid pattern when viewing the stuff sack from either side.  As for the HydroLite Stuff Sack™ being waterproof, I don't gather that the bag is designed as such.  Without a way to seal the top opening, whether the bag's body fabric is waterproof or not is really immaterial to a point.  One advantage of the Hydrolite fabric over a non-waterproof fabric would be splash protection.  I will say, the seams do not appear to be taped or seam sealed.  But if the HydroLite fabric is truly waterproof then at least some protection will be afforded.  

Test Plan
It will take a little thought if I plan to use the size # 4 HydroLite Stuff Sack™ to its fullest capacity.  For starters, I crammed my REI O F (-18 C) Downtime sleeping bag and a down jacket inside to see how it held this volume.   It held both fine but as I proceeded to put it in my pack it seemed to take up over half the pack's volume.  The math says it is about 1/4 my pack's volume so I assume the round shape was skewing my perspective.  I may have lots of room to put other gear around it?  Another potential test is using the stuff sack as a water container.  A top handle would enhance this but I imagine it would serve as an emergency water tote?  Other tests will answer the question of what gear is best suited for the stuff sack?  Will the gear in the stuff sack or in the pack next to the stuff sack cause it to wear prematurely?  If used as a pillow with clothing as fill, will my head sweat too bad on the waterproof fabric?  Can the stuff sack serve as a food bag?   Will the drawstring hold up the if tied to and used as the lifting point of said food bag?  I'm sure I will find other situations to test the usefulness and practicality of such a large stuff sack.

Testing will be conducted on my regular hikes.  Location will be in the southeastern US.  Terrain will vary but has little bearing on the stuff sack's usage.

Summary Thus Far
While I would normally choose a smaller stuff sack I can see potential in this size.  It is bigger than any single item I need to stuff but I can keep several similar items in it to help me organize my gear.  Like they say, "My next house will have more storage space".  Well this stuff sack is a step in that direction.