View Full Version : Does vacuum packing clothes (socks, hats, etc) ruin the insulation value?
I normally use a foodsaver to vacuum pack socks and a stocking hat, etc. that get stashed in a go bag or car kit. In theory that keeps them dry and shrinks down the amount of space needed to stash them. But I got thinking tonight - does it end up "ruining" them like keeping a sleeping bag stuffed all up in a tight bag ruins the insulation value of the bag? I'm talking nice thick wool socks or a big thick stocking cap here, not cheapo walmart cotton socks.
I normally use a foodsaver to vacuum pack socks and a stocking hat, etc. that get stashed in a go bag or car kit. In theory that keeps them dry and shrinks down the amount of space needed to stash them. But I got thinking tonight - does it end up "ruining" them like keeping a sleeping bag stuffed all up in a tight bag ruins the insulation value of the bag? I'm talking nice thick wool socks or a big thick stocking cap here, not cheapo walmart cotton socks.
Tha is a great idea! I don't know why I haven;t though of that... I foodsaver up custom "mre's" for my get home bag, I think I'll do that for the extra wool socks and gloves I have in the same bag.
I wouldn't think it would hurt as much as compressing down, but I honestly don't know. Why don't you compress a pair of socks now, and on the coldest day in December, wear one compressed sock and one non-compressed sock, then you tell us. That way it will be scientific.
I wouldn't think it would hurt as much as compressing down, but I honestly don't know. Why don't you compress a pair of socks now, and on the coldest day in December, wear one compressed sock and one non-compressed sock, then you tell us. That way it will be scientific.
Or do said thing and but put in 2 ziplock bags of water at a predetermined temp and see which one looses the most heat in a certain amount of time
That all sounds like work. :)
More of a problem though is I'm likely to pack them up in the bag and forget about them until spring, when I won't remember that I was thinking about it. LOL.
I wouldn't think it would hurt as much as compressing down, but I honestly don't know. Why don't you compress a pair of socks now, and on the coldest day in December, wear one compressed sock and one non-compressed sock, then you tell us. That way it will be scientific.
I wonder if I'd feel like I was walking on a peg leg, with one leg longer than the other. haha.
Good idea!
I don't think it will have any bad effects; wool fibers have quite a bit of air between the fibers. Socks and stocking caps are constructed differently than clothes and sleeping bags with fiberfill between layers, so I think it will work out. :)
Here's a link I found on Foodsaver-related storage: http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/2013/11/vacuum-seal-clothes.html
Good idea!
I don't think it will have any bad effects; wool fibers have quite a bit of air between the fibers. Socks and stocking caps are constructed differently than clothes and sleeping bags with fiberfill between layers, so I think it will work out. :)
Here's a link I found on Foodsaver-related storage: http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/2013/11/vacuum-seal-clothes.html
Cool, sounds like I'm good. It does mention the issue with down, I figure they would have mentioned something about wool, etc. too if it was an issue.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not vacuum seal articles of clothing or sleeping bags with real down filling in them. The compression will permanently damage the feathers and the items will never regain their loft! Synthetic down should be fine – but real down should not be vacuum sealed.
That all sounds like work. :)
More of a problem though is I'm likely to pack them up in the bag and forget about them until spring, when I won't remember that I was thinking about it. LOL.
I always carry wool articles in my BOB or get home bag. Usually a few sets of socks (in which you should have several sets of socks if you are hiking anywhere anyways), some wool gloves, wool watchcap, and an extra wool shirt (https://www.mainemilitary.com/productcart/pc/USGI-Wool-Field-Shirt-396p2537.htm) in which one wool shirt is with me as part of my EDC anyways.
This is the reasons:
- Nights in Colorado can get cool even in the summer, and I do not know where in colorado I am going to be when I am out and about.
- In Colorado even if it is fairly nice out if it were to be a day where it rains
- If I were to actually USE my "bug out bag" or "I'm Not Coming Home" bag, do I think I will be back when summer ends? Nope, so some wool articles will be useful.
I have no idea why I didn't think about vacuum sealing these things, but I will be doing this now.
Ive been doing this for years. It doesn't hurt them at all. The problem is that the vac bags get holes rubbed in them so you need to pad them from anything sharper than a ziplock
My experience is that some items stay smashed flat and lose insulation value. Specifically, I had some socks that got squashed pretty hard and never recovered. I had some poncho liners vac packed, and I cut them out of the bags for precisely this reason. I'd test the items before depending on them.
jerrymrc
11-07-2014, 15:30
Been doing the vacuum trick for years to get more items in the A-B bag for deployments. Also helps because they never would leave a truck or pile of duffel bags out on the tarmac to get rained on right? [LOL]
Been doing the vacuum trick for years to get more items in the A-B bag for deployments. Also helps because they never would leave a truck or pile of duffel bags out on the tarmac to get rained on right? [LOL] Or pack your duffel bags on the wrong pallet and tell you to go get your bags and put them on the other pallet because they don't have anyone to do it.
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