If your outdoor adventures extend more than a day or two, there is an increased likelihood that you will face rain or snow. Unfortunately, most backpacks and duffle bags aren't waterproof. There's always a chance that rain or wet snow will leak in, getting your gear wet. And this doesn't even consider the possibility that you backpack or duffle bag may fall into the drink accidentally.

I really hate wet gear, so I am fanatical about protecting by sleeping bag and clothing from moisture. While a standard stuff sack will help, they are still not waterproof. Instead, I only use waterproof stuff sacks from Outdoor Research to protect my gear.

Outdoor Research offers a variety of waterproof stuff sacks, but my favorite is the Hydroseal Advanced Stuff Sack. Technically speaking, it is not a drybag, as holding the sack underwater for an extended period may allow some water to leak in. But from the perspective of the sack protecting its contents from moisture above ground, it is 100% effective.

Here's why it provides world class protection:

• The Advanced Stuff Sacks are made out of 4 ounce Antron nylon and coated with Outdoor Research's Hydroseal 200 coating. This makes the stuff sack waterproof to 200 PSI. All seams are factory taped.
  
   
• The stuff sacks are pliable down to about -40 degrees, so they can be used under virtually any condition.
  
   
• While not the lightest possible stuff bags in existence, they are still very lightweight.
  
   
• The stuff sacks come with a roll-down, dry bag-style Velcro closure. This helps to ensure that your gear does not get wet.
  
   
• The bags are tough and durably made. They should last virtually forever if you don't abuse them (too much).
  
   
• The come in a wide variety of sizes to fit almost any gear.

Besides protecting your gear from moisture, they are also good for organizing your gear. You can use a variety of stuff sacks to separate your gear into different categories to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

Using the Outdoor Research Hydroseal Advanced Stuff Sack in the Real World

I use the Advanced Stuff Sacks to protect my sleeping bag, my clothing, and other gear that I don't want to get wet. On the other hand, for my tent and sleeping pad, I do use the sacks provided with them as they don't need to be waterproof.

I use the Advanced Stuff Sacks for my backpack when hiking, or for my duffle bag when I am trekking (when my gear is being carried by someone else). This way, I am virtually guaranteed that my gear will stay dry.

In you are into mountaineering, these stuff sacks are good for protecting your gear inside snow caves or the melted snow that invariably falls into your tent.

Stuff sacks can also make a good pillow, as long as the stuffing is soft.

It is also important not to overstuff the sacks, leaving enough room at the top in order to be able to fold the top of the bag several times in order to provide a good seal for the bag. Also, you will want to be "burp" the air out of the sacks when sealing them in order to make them more packable (you don't want to pack a balloon).

The Advanced Stuff Sacks take lots of abuse and are very durable. I have yet to ever replace one.

Recommendation

If you don't like wet gear as much as I do, then you should consider replacing your current stuff sacks with Advanced Stuff Sacks from Outdoor Research.

Product Notes

Outdoor Research offers eight different sizes of the Advanced Stuff Sack in five different colors. The MSRP ranges from $19.00 to $26.00. If you want stuff sacks that weigh slightly less, Outdoor Research also offers the Basic and Standard Stuff Sacks. I think the extra weight is worth it for the extra convenience and protection offered by the Advanced Stuff Sack.