My favorite sleeping pad is comfortable, warm, robust, well-made, and nearly impossible to fit back into its tiny little stuff sack when I’m packing up camp and heading for home. Come to think of it, same with my tent. Because I’ve experienced so much grief trying to cram stuff back into stuff sacks, I thought I’d put together a guide to help the frustrated packer recognize the stages of stuff sack trauma. Those SOBs never, ever fit in their freaking sack. Do engineers never have to actually put the things they design into the stuff sacks they design? Honestly, I don’t think any of these people have ever been camping at all.
Denial
Oh, this is totally going to fit, even though I’ve rolled this (tent, sleeping pad, tarp, hammock, whatever) into, somehow, the shape of a bloated croissant because I’m in a hurry and impatient and it’s trapping all sorts of air inside, but surely it’ll just slide right on in there. I’ll just stretch the opening a little bit here…
Anger
Why the f@#@! isn’t this thing fitting in the sack? In this stupid, stupid sack? What sadistic engineer thought this would fit, anyway? Let me just *grunting noises* scrunch…it…down…smaller…*gasping sound* oh, you piece of [blank]. FIT!
Bargaining
Okay, okay, okay, I’m going to take a step back here. Hey, little sack, I promise if you let me fit this sleeping pad in you nicely, I’ll stow you right at the top of the pack, no crushing. And next time, you better believe it, I’ll make a real serious effort to fold and roll the pad properly, swear to god, and we won’t have to go through with this, okay? So will you please fit now?
Depression
God, I’m such a crappy packer. So messy. How could I let this happen? I just had to have that third cup of coffee and stare out at that stunning, snowy mountain pass while everybody else at camp was carefully packing up and now I have this mess of a tent half in, half out its sack, dirty and filthy. I probably bought the wrong tent anyway. Everything is terrible.
Acceptance
You know what? Who cares? I’m just gonna stuff this whole thing deep into the pack, cram everything else on top of it, and deal with it when I get home. It’s going to be fine, really, it is. Backpacking isn’t about the best-packed bags, right? It’s about the adventure! Even the adventure of getting this POS pad back in the sack. Oh, to hell with it. I’m having another coffee.
I have experienced all of these stages of stuff sack grief! You nailed this so perfectly. Thanks for the laugh!
Probably one of the most useful of all outdoor posts! Amen, brother. I suspect we’ve all been there, but you have finally put words to our suffering.
I just get a bigger stuff sack.
Shhh! Don’t let “big camping equipment” know that you’re onto their plan. They’ve made people disappear for less!
I was delighted to find that the sack which came with my North Face VE25 was visibly baggy upon receipt.
Subsequent packings at various less than wonderful conditions, have consistently allowed me to shove that bloated, air filled, soaking wet croissant, into it’s nylon support system, with nary a wink of trouble.
THANK YOU NORTH FACE ENGINEERS!!!!!
I have gone beyond stage 5!! I’ve thrown the dam sacs away. Just roll the tent or pad up cinch it down with some fabric straps and hang it on the outside of your pack. It’s dirty anyway. My issue is with those makers of fine jackets who write “and you can stuff it in its own pocket “ Ah ya… hang it on your pack as well. So you look like a slob backpacker your emotional being is cool!
How about stage #6. Almost calling the respective company and demanding an answer, better bag, design and compensation for all my spiraling?
Stuff it!
Knew a guy who would try to roll his sleeping bag. Had to tell him why it’s called a STUFF sack:)
Kelty products dont have this problem any longer.
Last month I decided to borrow a 10# tent. Due to continual rain in MN in April, I spread it out in the garage to make sure all parts were there. Everything was, except the stakes. So I rolled it up and tried to repack it. The stuff sack started splitting. And, when I tried lugging it up to my 3rd floor flat, the stuff sack handles began ripping off. Looking for an inexpensive viable solution.. maybe the stuff sack for that broken camping chair will work.. or, maybe buy a full size bag of turf seed, dump it out.. use that.. or maybe just a garbage bag? I like best Dave’s solution, discard the sack, roll it up bottom side out and secure it with straps..
So funny- yet so true!
Love it Justin, we’ve all been there! Seems like gear mfrs are getting better in this regard lately. Our Big Agnes tent and Klymit pads slip right into their sacks.
I thought I was the only one who couldn’t get things restuffed! Glad to know I have company. Thanks for the laugh.