Reviews > Stuff Sacks > OR HydroLite Stuff Sacks > Pat Christian > Field Report

  

Backpacking/outdoor experience:   
I was born in San Francisco and now live near Sundance, Utah, where I am a writer & photographer.  I'm also an avid 4-season outdoorsman and some of my stories and photographs have focused on outdoor recreation.  My backpack and my curiosity have taken me into Utah’s belly, to the bottom of 1,165 ft. (355 m) deep Neff’s Cave.  At the other extreme, I’ve climbed 18,405 feet (5,609 m) to the summit of Mexico’s Pico de Orizaba.  But I’m as happy just stepping out the door of my mountain foothills home onto the seemingly endless trails of the Uinta National Forest or driving 25 minutes to the jagged Lone Peak Wilderness Area. I have a diverse backpacking philosophy--as near to naked when mountain running. I’m also a marathoner and triathlete. View some of my stories & photographs on my web page at www.patchristian.com.  I have a diverse backpacking philosophy--near to naked when mountain summit running or day-hiking, ultra-lightweight-to survivalist (may include cache) while solo overnighting and then heavier expeditionary when hiking or climbing with a team large enough to share the carrying of team equipment.

Product:
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research, http://www.orgear.com
Weight: 1.8 oz (51 g)
#4 Dimensions: 9" x 17" (23 cm x 43 cm)
Volume: 1,100 cu (18.03 L)
Color:  blue
Guarantee: lifetime*
MSRP: $15

Product overview:
Outdoor Research's Basic Model is one of multiple lines of stuff sacks made by the Seattle, Wash. company.  This model line comes in five sizes in blue, red and what they call Glacier Blue.  This particular sack that I am testing is the second largest in this line and is the number 4 size with dimensions of 9" x 17" (22.86 cm x 43.18 cm).  The sack has a draw cord top, attached top dust cover and a webbing handle on the bottom.  Unlike some other OR models, the seams of this sack are not factory tape sealed.

Field Test:
Wind blew and heavy rain fell for nearly three daylight hours pelting my sleeping bag.
 
The only thing between it and a good night's sleep was the Outdoor Research basic stuff sack that my sleeping bag had been stuffed in.
  I
t was a dreary March day along the Stanaslaus River east of Oakdale.  Only the light blue color of the stuff sack provided any hopeful color to the dreary gray day.
 
The wind was so strong it blew the bag off the log I had placed it on.

 I had no doubt the waterproofing coated nylon that the bag is cut from would not leak.
 
After all, since receiving the bag for testing in December, I had taken it on about four ski trips in Utah's mountainous backcountry.
 
On these trips, I placed my clothing and other items inside and stuffed this package inside my pack. With this limited use, the stuff sack has so far remained like new.
 
Opportunity to test it in natural rain was now here along this California River. In my tent on my pad sans sleeping bag, I at least was out of the rain. I was intentionally subjecting the stuff sack containing my sleeping bag to the downpour. I suspected the package would leak at the single vertical seam extending from the top to bottom and circular seam circumnavigating the bottom.
 
The sack has a generously large flap at its draw-cord mouth, and I suspected that to be the real vulnerability in a rain storm. The flap does cover the contents of what is inside that is of a shape and consistency to push the flap against the draw-string mouth making some fashion of seal.  Nevertheless relentless rain can still puddle up there and seep inside given enough time.
 
To be fair, Outdoor Research markets other stuff sacks that are designed to be more waterproof and those are available for higher prices. Those other sacks include some with dry bag, roll-top closures and sealed seams. I could swim a river with these with my sleeping bag inside. I would sleep snuggly at night if I wanted 100 percent waterproofing I would be wise to buy a more expensive model.
 
Of course you could seam seal the model I tested.  However if I am right about the biggest vulnerability being the draw-string enclosure, it would be somewhat a waste of time and sealant.
 
In one phase of field testing I placed my sleeping bag inside the stuff sack and placed it in my pack.  For another phase I put my sleeping bag in the stuff sack and placed it on top of the pack opening.
 
I then put the top pack flap over this and tightened it down.  The flap added some protection from the elements.  I placed the horizontal seam of the stuff sack facing down since it seemed most vulnerable to rain.  But since the sack's drawstring closure faced the, it remained exposed to rain, snow and dirt in this configuration.
 
Of course, this arrangement was more vulnerable to rain and moisture than when I stuffed the sacked bag inside my pack.  But in this case and past ones placing it on top and under the flap worked and has worked fairly well for me.
 
While any drawstring closure with flap is vulnerable, this basic sack's very large flap is a feature I like. But any flap closures serves only to be water resistant never waterproof in my experience.
 
After several chapters of reading the book I had been reading, I retrieved the drenched stuff sack and shook all the water off before drying the outside with a bandanna and returning to the inside of my tent with it.

 I was about to find out how the stuff sack protected my sleeping bag.
 
Carefully pulling the sleeping bag out, both my suspicions proved correct.
 
Part of the bag near the opening was just a little wet.  Not enough to destroy a night's sleep, but noticeable to the eye and feel.  I guess I would say damp but not soaked.
 
As I continued to carefully pull the sleeping bag out, I paid particular attention to the part of the bag that had been resting against the seam.  Yes, obviously the unsealed seam had leaked as I suspected it would.  There was a line of dampness about the same size of the length of the seam.
 
It seemed less invasive than that occurring at the flap-protected opening. It was a bit damp, but overall I could sleep in this bag and thus I did.

 I wonder if OR engineers might consider sewing a daisy chain style strip of nylon along on top of the entire length of the seams and see if that retards the invasion of water.  It could also be used to help lash the sack to you pack.  Of course the next model up from the Basic Sack, the Standard Sack, already has factory taped seams and external daisy chain for lashing to packs, etc. The Advanced Sack adds a roll-top closure to the with Velcro attachment. This is the one best suited to jamming into kayak bulkheads and tight wet places. But as for me I find the Basic good enough for my use.
 
When I got it, I filled it full of water and it leaked only at the seams.  What that has to do with a real field test is not much since I doubt it was designed to transport or store water.  I just did it for; well I don’t know why I did it.  That it leaked seems almost unfair to comment about considering that the Basic Sack is being marketed in a line of sacks that includes others that while more expensive, should by design not be expected to leak.  The sack I am testing is the less expensive model for those of us who don’t require the extra weight and waterproofing and can benefit from lighter weight.
 
But my water test did at least show that I could use it for transporting water or snow short distances, or that I might fill it with water, tie it in a tree and take a shower under it.
 
I will continue to test the Basic Sack in normal outdoor conditions, and I am particularly interested to see how it holds up to heavy and more abrasive use in combination with hotter weather.

* Outdoor Research Lifetime Guarantee:
"Outdoor Research products are guaranteed against defects in materials or construction without any time limits. Any items that we determine to be defective will be repaired or replaced depending on what makes the most sense and creates the least waste. Damage due to misuse or improper care is not covered, nor is wear and tear, but we will be happy to repair for minimal cost, any items that are returned to us clean. It is important to keep in mind that materials may wear out rapidly if they are subjected to severe use of uses for which they were not intended."
 

Reviews > Stuff Sacks > OR HydroLite Stuff Sacks > Pat Christian > Field Report