A Color Compressed Way to Pack In with a Block Rock!
The Granite Gear Compressor Sack 16 Liters (Medium)

The Story:

After years of camping and never having the right accessories, you give up and finally start splurging as I have and many like me. One simply accessory that will make anyone's life easier is a compression sack. A compression sack is designed for clothes, towels, blankets, and sleeping bags and will reduce the size of items by compression or cinching down the bag and removing voids and air space to provide you with additional space in your pack.

I purchased the medium compression sack by granite gear a little over 5 months ago and I have been using it for camping trips and trunk cargo management. They have designed the compression bags in a square format, hence the model name Block Rock, which makes it easier to stack, move around and organize your gear on your pack. I recommend purchasing a stuff sack as a gift for anyone who goes camping whether they are a boy scout or a veteran – all can use a compression sack for a variety of reasons – continue reading the review for additional details.

The Details:

Model: Block Rock Solid Compression Sack
Brand: Granite Gear
Size: 16 Liters (Medium)
Dimensions: 6.4” by 9” by 18”
Weight (empty): 4 oz

I use mine for mainly two things, a blanket and a mummy sleeping bag. The mummy sleeping bag is reduced in size by over 50% with this compression sack and the blanket is reduced in size by about 30% which saves room in the back of my SUV and when I pack it in for a long hiking trip. I also like the square design which makes it easy to secure to my bikes rack atop the saddle bags when I go on a mountain biking excursion.

They are not waterproof, so this is not ideal for kayakers or boaters – although it will provide immediate waterproofing until it sinks or water gets around the lips of the compression sack. It is ideal for camping and hiking and it is water resistant with its great polyurethane coating and great micro draw cord. If you are still wondering how a compression sack works, its simple, just stuff in your item and pull down on the 4 cords a little at a time until it is taunt and all the air and space voids are gone. It is the same principle that is used to cinch your school backpack on your shoulders.

One last detail that may be a tad techincal for some is about load balancing in a pack. It is crucial to load the pack just like an airplane with equal weights on both sides and also to avoid a top heavy load. A compression sack makes it easier to achieve this equilibrium to avoid throwing your back out or causing a number of other incidents on your adventure.

In The End:

It is a terribly simple product with a moderate price point. Yes, spending $20 to $30 on just a bag may seem like a lot of money but the granite gear bags are of a great quality and will last for years if not decades with the proper care and usage. I highly recommend a compression sack or two for all outdoor enthusiasts!

Recommended: Yes