Stuff sacks may look like some of the simplest bags around, but they make for some of the best on-the-go organizing solutions. When packing a suitcase for travel, for instance, stuff sacks offer one of the best solutions to sort out your stuff, giving you a way to separate your casual clothes from your business attires and your electronics from your toiletries. Same when you’re organizing gear for a camping trip, as they give you an easy way to keep food supplies, camping supplies, and first aid gear in their own compartments.
Stuff sacks come in a wide range of sizes. Smaller ones make perfect storage for toiletries and small electronics. Bigger ones, on the other hand, can be used to pack sleeping bags, tents, and other bulkier gear you will need to bring along. Some stuff sacks even offer compression, allowing you to maximize the amount stuff you can fit in a backpack, luggage, or travel case, while some offer waterproofing, giving you an extra layer of protection for water-sensitive gear.
Many stuff sacks employ drawstring closures, since they’re simple and easy to use. They also tend to enable for the lightest and most packable designs. Waterproof stuff sacks, however, normally use rolltop closures for their better moisture protection, while compression stuff sacks typically use lids that have adjustable straps you can tighten for compressing the contents. There’s also the occasional stuff sack with zippered closure, although they tend to be heavier and bulkier than other solutions.
These are the best stuff sacks for organizing your gear on-the-go.
ZPacks Stuff Sack
Pros
- Dyneema composite fabric makes it lightweight but strong
- Water-resistant
- Translucent, so you can see some items from the outside
Cons
- Thin material is less durable than typical dyneema fabrics
Sizes:wallet, stove, 0.9L, 1.7L, 3L, 4L, 5.6L, 8.5L, 10.7L, 12.3L
Material: Dyneema composite fabric
Closure: Drawstring
If you want to use stuff sacks to organize your gear without having to add a whole load of weight in your bag, you might want to check out Zpacks’ range of ultralight stuff sacks. Available from small EDC sizes to large 12.3-liter containers, these stuff sacks are made from a Dyneema composite fabric that boasts extreme lightness and strength, ensuring it adds very little heft while keeping your organized for a long time. While the Dyneema is pretty watertight and the seam on the side is taped shut, it does use a drawstring closure, so moisture can still seep in from the top. They’re also pretty translucent, so you can see some of the stuff inside, which can help when you’re trying to find specific items.
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Dry Sack
Pros
- Fully waterproof
- Very lightweight
- Plenty of color options
Cons
- Not suitable for sharp items, as they might damage the thin fabric
Sizes:3L, 5L, 18L, 13L, 20L, 35L
Material: 30D Utra-SIL Cordura nylon
Closure: Roll-top
Sea to Summit makes a wide range of stuff sacks with all sorts of different materials and functions. Their waterproof line made from 30D Ultra-Sil Cordura nylon is one of our favorites. They pair that waterproof material with tape-sealed seams and a Hypalon roll-top closure to ensure there’s no way for moisture to get in, along with double-stitching at stress points for added durability. It’s not quite as translucent as the Zpacks ones above, although it does allow some light through, so you can see a little bit what’s inside each bag, but you’ll still have to check each for the most part, especially for sacks that contain a whole lot of items. We also like the fact that the buckle is designed to be easy to replace, although you’ll need to purchase replacement ones from the outfit (they’re pretty cheap).
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring
Pros
- Dyneema composite fabric makes it lightweight but strong
- Water-resistant
- Premium feel
Cons
- Seams are only laminated, not stitched
- Expensive
Sizes: 0.3L, 1L, 2L, 3L, 4L, 9L, 13L
Material: Dyneema composite fabric
Closure: Drawstring
Just like Zpacks’ stuff sacks above, this is made from a Dyneema composite fabric, so it’s incredibly lightweight and durable. Their fabric here is also pretty translucent, especially during daylight, making it easy to see the contents of each sack (no more guessing which bag holds what items). Being made from Dyneema, this exhibits really impressive abrasion-resistance, so you can be more rugged during use without much worries. It uses a drawstring closure, which might allow some moisture through, although the sack itself should keep water out very well. We like their size selections, as they have plenty of smaller options, while offering one as big as 13L, which should handle plenty of larger items. Do note, they only offer three colors, which limits your color-coding options.
REI Co-op Lightweight Compression Stuff Sack
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Well-made and durable
- Compresses items well
Cons
- Limited size options
Sizes:10L, 15L, 20L
Material: 30D Utra-SIL Cordura nylon
Closure: Buckled rolltop closure
Compression stuff sacks tend to be on the pricier end of the scale. It’s understandable, considering they can cut down your total volume to half or even a third, in some cases. If you want a compression stuff sack without the premium cost, check out REI’s offerings. Granted, they only offer limited sizes in two colors, although it’s definitely one of the most economically-priced options you’re going to find in the category. It’s made with a 30D ripstop nylon with DWR finish, so it’s reasonably durable and water-resistant. Of course, the compression is the big selling point here and it does it well enough although it might take some effort on your part to really get all the air out. For the price, though, this stuff sack is an amazing value when you consider the water-resistance, durability, weight, and compression capability it brings.
SealLine Blocker Compression Cinch Sack
Pros
- Unique rectangular shape maximizes bag space
- Solid build
Cons
- Heavier than others
Sizes: 5L, 10L, 20L, 30L
Material: 70D PU-coated nylon
Closure: Rolltop closure with cord lock
Most compression stuff sacks use a rounder, more cylindrical shape. Not this one, which packs into a boxier rectangular shape with flatter sides. According to SealLine, this enables the stuff sacks to nestle more tightly together when placed in your backpack or luggage, enabling a more efficient use of space. It uses the outfit’s continuous compression system that alleviates strain on the seams, while a cord lock offers easy access to the bag’s contents. To keep out water, it uses PU-coated nylon construction and fully-welded seams, although it’s not completely waterproof, so it’s still a good idea to minimize water exposure.
Sea to Summit Evac Compression Dry Bag UL
Pros
- Compresses effectively for a waterproof bag
- Surprisingly light, despite all the features
Cons
- On the pricier end of the scale
Sizes:3L, 5L, 8L, 13L, 20L
Material: 30D Utra-SIL ripstop nylon and eVent fabric
Closure: Buckled roll-top closure
Some people need a compression stuff sack. Others need one that’s fully-waterproofed. This stuff sack comes with both, so it can help you maximize storage space while keeping your gear dry the entire time. It’s made from the outfit’s 30D Ultra-SIL ripstop nylon, which is reinforced by a DWR finish and tape-sealed seams to really keep any hint of moisture out, allowing it to keep your gear dry even in the fact of torrential rain. While waterproof fabrics are usually harder to use for compression because they keep out air, the use of eVent fabric along with the nylon provides the necessary layer of air-permeable waterproofing, so air can easily escape when you compress the bag – it’s a pretty clever solution that works nicely. Do note, it’s not submersible, so be careful handling it when you’re on the water (water can seep in if it sinks).
