Compressing old military sleeping bags?

[AngelWings]

In a few weeks I am heading off to a field exercise requiring sleeping bags. I would LOVE to reduce the size of my ECW sleeping bag (the old green military one) down to as small as possible. It takes up a ridiculous amount of room on the rucksack. Has anyone made some sort of compression technique (that doesn't require a compression stuff sack that costs an arm and a leg) with simple supplies?

[Eclipse]

Some bungie cords will help, but that's the problem with those olde-school bags.  They are too heavy and bulky.

[AngelWings]

Some bungie cords will help, but that's the problem with those olde-school bags.  They are too heavy and bulky.

I'll give that a try! I can already picture how I could make a rig out of a few bungee cords.

[tsrup]

Some bungie cords will help, but that's the problem with those olde-school bags.  They are too heavy and bulky.

I'll give that a try! I can already picture how I could make a rig out of a few bungee cords.

I imagine something like this:
http://www.compacc.com/p/Bungee-Nets-Cargo-Nets-15-x-15-inch
would work pretty well for your needs.

[AngelWings]

Some bungie cords will help, but that's the problem with those olde-school bags.  They are too heavy and bulky.

I'll give that a try! I can already picture how I could make a rig out of a few bungee cords.

I imagine something like this:
http://www.compacc.com/p/Bungee-Nets-Cargo-Nets-15-x-15-inch
would work pretty well for your needs.

That looks perfect!

[PHall]

Best technique I've used was roll the bag as tight as you can on a hard surface and use nylon gear straps (mini belts) to cinch the bag down.
Bungies are nice, but they have too much stretch in them.

Just don't forget to shake the bag out to fluff it back up before you sleep in it or you will have a very cold night.

[SarDragon]

Keep in mind that if your bag is down/feather filled, rolling it too tight will crush the filling, and no amount of shaking/fluffing will restore the loft.

[Cliff_Chambliss]

have you considered using a poncho liner (or two) inside a poncho as a sleeping bag? For temperate climes it's more than sufficient.

[AngelWings]

have you considered using a poncho liner (or two) inside a poncho as a sleeping bag? For temperate climes it's more than sufficient.

No, but that sounds like a great idea for a sleeping bag in a pinch. I only own one poncho and the event I am heading to requires one military poncho be ready for use as shelter.

[PHall]

have you considered using a poncho liner (or two) inside a poncho as a sleeping bag? For temperate climes it's more than sufficient.

No, but that sounds like a great idea for a sleeping bag in a pinch. I only own one poncho and the event I am heading to requires one military poncho be ready for use as shelter.

The poncho liner sleeping bag works best at temps of 40 degrees and above.

[AngelWings]

have you considered using a poncho liner (or two) inside a poncho as a sleeping bag? For temperate climes it's more than sufficient.

No, but that sounds like a great idea for a sleeping bag in a pinch. I only own one poncho and the event I am heading to requires one military poncho be ready for use as shelter.

The poncho liner sleeping bag works best at temps of 40 degrees and above.

In the worlds end known as MA, that won't work for winter at all.