How small should you compress a down bag (850+ fill WM bag)? How long is it safe to keep it compressed?
Are there some guidelines somewhere or is it pure superstition and old wives tales? I read nothing about it on the Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering websites.
I plan on keeping mine either hanging up in the closest or in the storage bag, but I wasn't sure what the guidelines were when actually on a hike or in luggage enroute.
Thank ya'll again,
Nitrosteel
I don't have any evidence to support this, but I think that "compression" is a matter of degrees. I think you can squish it a bit by hand and not break down the fibers, but if you're standing on it or using a compression sack you're going to do some damage. I compress mine as little in my pack as possible and store it uncompressed. It packs small anyway and I have plenty of room. Also, a mushy marshmallow packs easier and fills gaps better than a slightly smaller bowling ball.