Small & Light Backpack or Rucksack. Wich One?

[roddyp]

TOP TIP about the stuff sack for the tent

Couldn't agree more. I have a Vango Ultralight 200 and one of my (several) gripes is that it's nearly impossible to fit into the original sack, even in the comfort of our living room, and without the poles. Attempting it on the hill in poor conditions would be futile. But, it fits perfectly into an Alpkit stuffsack, and the poles just go outside the pack under the compression straps.

Alpkit stuffsacks are here. Can't remember if I needed S or XS size...  http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16344&category_id=250

Also, Alpkit now do a dedicated tent bag - maybe worth a look . http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16344&category_id=250

[gary m]

first moss, check to see if you prefer the rucksack close to your back or with a gap between you and the rucksack, i prefer mine close to my back. pjn, i have a lowe alpine 42+10 rucksack and i cant get all my equipment in it for a wild camp, i use my mates vango ( think it is 60 ltrs ). plus i dont like keeping anything strapped to the outside of my bag as i have lost stuff before

[AndyB]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SNUGPAK-SLEEPING-CLOTHING-COMPRESSION-CRUSH/dp/B0049FO2H4/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1296084301&sr=8-14

Available in different sizes... or the more fancy:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Venture-Compression-Sack-Litre/dp/B003ASKTH8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1296084434&sr=8-9

I'll post some pics tomorrow of before and after shots of my two tents in original bags and new bags

I've got a few sleeping bags, and I store them out of their stuff sacks, so I always have a spare bag compression sack hanging about, to stick the tent in when I'm off camping.

[roddyp]

For compression sacks, the podsac ones with the eVent base panel are brilliant, because you can squeeze the air out of them.

http://www.podsacs.com/products_airstreamlitecompsac.html

[AndyB]

Yeah been looking at these type... to get a more 'even' compression.  On my list to get! Thanks for the link - good to see they do a XS too so will be measuring tomorrow!

[In The Shadow]

Rather than start a new thread (albeit for a marginally larger rucksack)... I am looking for a suitable little pack, large enough to carry a vango tempest 200 tent and a Vango Ultralite Voyager 50 sleeping bag and a change of clothes... Bit of a longshot, but can anyone confirm if the Lowe Alpine Crag Attack 40 Rucksack will suffice? Or, can anyone recommend it? Of course I could just go to a shop with measurements, but where's the fun in that!

I purchased a Lowe Alpine Crag Attack 40 Rucksack recently and I'm really impressed with it. It really is very light indeed at 1kg
(I think) and I would definately recomend it to anyone looking for a light weight day sack, although I reckon it's a little on the small side for tents and sleeping bags.

[northernfall]

I'd go with the 17l raid (because that's what I have  ). I find it spacious enough for all my gear in anything but winter, and it's light, plus the option of a hydration pouch should I need one, which doesn't subsequently take up lots of room.

Also a great idea using the compression sack for getting a tent even smaller. Consider it stolen. 

[AndyB]

Pic as promised - showing Easy Camp Star 100 original bag + compressed version with 650ml sigg bottle for size comparison.  Size savings similar with Vango Tempest 200

Folded differently but not squashed like crazy: