Outdoor Research Airpurge Dry Compression Sack

Can't believe I've had this for over 10 years. It replaced a heavy duty dry bag that I had been using previously (and still have). This has been a fantastic bag that I used while extensively traveling overseas. Perfect for taking on the scuba diving boat and keeping my personal items dry. Perfect for taking to the beach, around town or wherever. When the compression straps aren't needed, they can be used as shoulder straps to wear the bag like a backpack or a sling, freeing up your hands. And when empty, it folds down to nothing. It was also my main way to do laundry... just flip it inside out, load with clothes, detergent and water. Then roll the top closed, agitate the bag and let it soak. It was great and I never had a leak. That said, if filled with water and in a particular climate the bag will "sweat" and could leave puddles on the floor (so when doing laundry I would often set it in the sink, shower or on a towel when it was soaking). I don't think I ever needed it while in the water (e.g., swimming in the ocean) so I can't speak to it keeping things completely dry when submerged or floating on the water for an extended period. But I'm pretty confident that if it fell over into the water and was floating on the top for a little bit that everything would be fine and dry. Not sure why you're still reading this review, just go get one. Only knock is that the price of this bag at the time of writing this review is double the price I paid 10 years ago. Inflation is one thing, but double? How does that work?

Have two 20L that I use for my two 2p backpacking tents. Fits the tent, rain fly, ground cloth, and trekking pole vestibule (when weight is not a concern) with room to spare. When a bear box is not available we usually toss our food in an odor-barrier bag, stuff it in this and hang it in a tree. Have not had an issue yet and everything stays dry. Thankfully haven't given it a true test like an unwanted dunk in a river, but it has held up admirably and proven reliable for 5+ years now. No reason to doubt that I'll still be using them several years from now. Outdoor Research consistently makes solid gear.

I have the larger 15L liter version of this and decided to get a smaller compression sack when I upgraded to a sleeping quilt. Same great quality as my other sack which I used for several years and also used as a food sack to hang at night. In the 10L I can fit my 10 degree down feather quilt along with my Sea To Summit Reactor Thermolite Sleeping Bag Liner and clothes for 2 days. It compresses great and saves me a lot of room in my backpack for other things. It's not the lightest compression sack, but it's probably the most durable "lightweight" waterproof compression sack. My friend has the Sea To Summit eVent bag and after comparing them, I much prefer the OR Airpurge.

This is an awesome bag! I got the 15L and was able to fit an REI Igneo 19 sleeping bag, compression sleeping pants, hiking pants, track pants, a t shirt, and a thick long sleeve for sleeping and it was able to compress down super small! PACKING TIPS: If you break the straps it's because you're doing something wrong. First stuff the bag with all the stuff you want to put in there. Press it all down with your hand as much as you can before you roll the top closed. Once you've rolled the top closed then push slowly but firmly to further release any air through the air purge strip. As you do this you'll begin to notice the compression straps beginning to loosen. THIS IS WHEN YOU START TIGHTENING THE STRAPS. This way there is no stress added to the strap when you're compressing down super heavy loads. The straps are there to hold the top down, not to be used to compress down all your gear. Also, this method allows you to compress your stuff a lot more than just pulling on the straps.

I bought this item because I already own an airpurge system in the military style 30L model. From the picture, it looks like the military version, which I found out has been discontinued. This version, while larger, is much thinner. It's not nearly as tough, and does not do the job of the version that is pictured. While still a decent product, it's definitely a step DOWN from the older model. Very disappointed with OR. Usually a very dependable brand. Will not purchase again.

This bag held my tent and sleeping bag, compressed to 1/2 of their standard volume. After flooding, full submersion, rain, and mud, they were always dry at the end of the day. The compression can be a bit awkward, and the bag doesn't help you out too much to ensure that the top and bottom caps are fully extended and envelope the contents. It's not a hard problem to fix, but it can get a bit tedious after a few repacks.

Just received the compression sack today. First review, the sack looks great. Light and strong. I bought a 35L sack to fit our North Face Dolomite Duo sleeping bag. At first I was not sure if this size would work. I will say that the bag fits great. Definitely helps get a double bag down to a manageable size. I attached a picture of the sleeping bag in the sack with it slightly compressed.

I purchased this as a dry sack for Kayak camping, site unseen. I took the marketing descriptions word at face value However, as soon as it arrived I was skeptical about its water repelancy. The fabric is very light weight. I was expecting it to be heavy nylon/plastic material the way dry sacks usually are, just with added compression straps. This is more like a regular light weight compression sack that you would use for a sleeping bag. as waterproof. I’ve had it about a month and used it on three trips. It held up OK and contents didn’t get wet on the first kayak camping trip I went on. However, my bulkhead also stayed dry. It stayed dry in the trunk of my car and inside my tent on a car camping trip. I am now in training for a major mountaineering trip and i’m Leaving for it next week. Therefore, I’ve been doing some training hikes at low altitude with all of the gear I intend to carry up the big boy mountain. Rain is in the forecast and this products light weight and waterproof nature seemed to be a logical fit for my clothes bag. Well, my bladder leaked about a cup of water, and the inside of my backpack got soaked. Sadly so did a synthetic shirt inside the dry bag, as did a pair of boxers. This concludes my product testing, and confirms the bag IS NOT WATERPROOF as marketing claims it to be. I actually still really like the hybrid design of this compression sack. It opens like a dry sack and compresses. So i’m giving it a two star review. However, it should only be considers water resistant. It’s also probably the lightest compression sack I own, so I’m still using it on my upcoming expedition. I just probably won’t trust in a boat without a plastic bag on it again.

Fantastic stuff/compressor sack. Carries my backpacking tent and footprint, making them very compact for my pack. This is my second OR compression sack and I’ve just ordered a third. Great product.

This product is garbage. I bought a OR compression bag 10+ years ago. Only replaced it because I broke the buckle off. This bag is no where even remotely close to the same quality. I was surprised at how thin it is. The buckles are the lowest of low quality. Overall just cheaply made low quality bag. I've contacted OR for clarification on this items standing.