let's see a picture of your camping setup and how it all fits on your bike... please

Yeah, 70 liters total. But nothing over the seat, which was my goal.

Can some one post a picture of their quilt in a compression sack like: Sea to Summit Compression Sack.

I am looking to what the pack down size is compared to a mummy bag.

Also, any details on the quilt you have compressed.

Yeah - I don't mind stuff on the seat, but I try to keep everything between the axles. I feel it a little at first but it disappears - heavier stuff low, really heavy stuff in the panniers .

I think having your gear tight and close to the bike has alot to do with it also, i cant feel those loaded mosko's from empty.

I've already said I like my Klymit Static V insulated light r=4.4). I also usually add a Klymit quilted sheet (r=? though it reportedly adds 2 to the pad's r value).

One thing I really like about the sheet is it's more comfortable than just the pad and it has a pillow pocket. This makes it easier to use something else to fill the pillow space. Personally I use a Klymit x pillow. The pad, quilt, sheet, and x pillow are about 3 lbs.

Pad 20 ounces
X pillow 2 ounces
Quilted Sheet 11 ounces?
Quilt 16 ounces?

i actually dont do a compression bag,,, i hear repetedly its not good for the down to really be compressed. i used the stuff sack the quilt came with and then let it compress as needed in the pannier.

just to give you an idea,,, my 0* quilt in its stuff sack is about the size of a basketball, but i can compress that down with my hands almost half,,, maybe a football?

I think if you only compress during the trip and leave it in a loose bag otherwise you should be fine.

That's been my experience as well. But keep in mind that "compress" doesn't mean that you crush it down until it's a rock hard ball - down won't last long if you do that.

My preferred carry method is one 10L bag which holds both my under-quilt and top-quilt. Then once I'm back home it goes into a very loose mesh sack.

When I got my 20 deg top quilt from Enlightened Equipment 4years ago, I asked them about compressing. They said to compress it as much as I wanted as long as its stored in their large bag while home. I've followed that advice for every trip I've taken and my quilt seems to bounce back just fine. I've never washed it, but I've heard that is required to keep insulation value as much as anything else. I regularly use a XS Event compression bag for my quilt no problem.

+2 on this method. That's exactly what Hammock Gear told me and my dad. Very happy with their gear.

i have the big storage bag that i keep them in at home, they also came with a stuff sack rather than the compression bags, with the straps and stuff. the "looseness" of the stuff sack works out quite well for me,,, but its good to know you guys arent having issues compressing should i develop the need for more space.

Sorry, didn't realize I only got the one pic of the setup and it's not very good.



Just did 8 days on the MABDR with this setup both camping and hotels. Nelson-Rigg waterproof saddle bags that are around 54 liters. They even come with liners. I was really impressed with these low cost bags. The KTM tail bag is 20 liter. Wolfman Enduro tank bag, and a 20 liter Sea to Summit Hydraulic dry bag that was strapped on top of the right saddle bag. My hammock, tarp, pad, straps, and top quilt all went into the dry bag. All my clothes, and CPAP in the right bag, all my cooking gear, food, and misc electrical stuff, Helinox chair in the left bag. My Mavic Air (which I never even used), tools and tire stuff in the tail bag. Phone, personal protection, SOG multi tool, snacks, shield cleaning stuff, and my DJI Pocket Osmo in the tank bag.

The load was easy to handle on the 690 even at the times I really pushed the pace on both gravel/dirt and pavement. I think I'll tweak this set up a little bit and should have the perfect setup for when I do a BDR out west.

You compress it to the point that it's fully solid?

I've been compressing my 20 degree bag to a hard ball for travel since I got it and storing in a big loft bag. It is about 15 years old and still too warm most of the time.

I have two more bags that are 45+ years old. They still work for SoCal.

I'm honestly not looking for an argument, so if it works for you, then so be it.

I can see how mashing a down bag would damage the down. Heck even a synthetic bag would eventually lose loft.
And part of that is that my trips are and have been few and far between.

Your point is a good one. I have wondered how a bag would degrade over time with constant use. I bet they would become nearly useless in about two years of, daily use.
Could make an interesting fatigue test.

Now, all we need is a willing tester to sleep in a bag every night, compress it in the morning and repeat until it loses loft and insulation ability and a manufacturer to donate a bag.
Then we need a bike, and other gear. Wouldn't want to confine this to a lab you know.
Well, maybe one in the lab as a control.

But we already had that test mr head, several hiking and climbing forums out there have folks living in bags for months at a time, and the consesus is dont over compress a bag, and wash it when you can cause of body moisture and oils.

Ive taken that info for my use as well, who knows how long my bag will last or when/if i'll need to replace it.

Yes, but we need a motorcycle specific test. Adventure sponsorship. I mean think of the Starbucks.

Maybe Starbucks and BMW could co-sponsor it. Park a GS out front and put the tester in a glass cube of some sort.

Sounds like a marketing opportunity to me.

I'd volunteer to be that tester but someone will complain when i poop behind the paper mache tree.