I'd like add something like Golite's "compacktor" clips to my backpack. Anyone know where I can order in small quantities?

Would something like a mitten hook from Quest work?

Ben,
These are double ended clips. Sew loops where you want them and clip them together. Sometimes I file the "latch" on the free end to make it easier to disengage.



If you're interested, send me an address, and I'll mail them.

As I type, my e-mail server is down, so I won't be able to do anything until it is restored. But, hopefully by the middle of the week.

Let me know here.

Then PM or email direct to greg at smgm dot org

Edited by greg23 on 12/20/2010 16:23:48 MST.

Thanks, Ben and Greg (esp. for your offer to mail).

I find those clips reasonably easy to insert but sometimes tedious to separate. What I prefer is what's shown on the right hand side of the above photo -- or somthing like this. I think I might just buy it from REI -- $7 for a pair -- meaning four plastic hooks plus material -- enough to modify two packs.

Edited by ben2world on 12/20/2010 16:30:03 MST.

Why not just add a small webbing strap across the bottom, with a buckle like the ones on the end of shoulder straps in the middle so you can synch the webbing tighter. Then you could vary the amount of compaction.

I found a pair of Nite Ize plastic size #0 'biners that are about the same size as Greg's, but far easier to clip/unclip something. I use them to clip my quilt cords. They're cheap, maybe 2 for $2. They were near the REI checkout line with all the other various keychain 'biners. But I'm liking the suggestion of a cinch strap--more weight, maybe, but clever and adjustable.

Mountain Laurel Designs has a compactor system on some of its packs. Ron Bell might be able to point you in a direction about where to buy clips.

On my most recent MYOG pack I wanted something similar, but couldn't find the plastic pieces, and I just happened to have some extra guyline adjusters, so I used them and they worked great. I'm almost always carrying spare guyline. I also like this method because I could now use the same pieces (ring, adjuster) to strap something on the bottom of the pack and if I don't need them, there's very little weight added compared to a webbing system.
Now that I've used it a bit, I would maybe use two rings rather than just one.
Hope that helps.

Would the cord hooks shown here work:

http://www.seattlefabrics.com/snap%20hooks.html

Scroll down the page for cord hooks without a gate.

http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/Accessories/Hooks/Carabiner/Pack-Hook-for-3mm-Cord::619.html

How about a small biner?
I almost always have a couple biners hanging on my pack anyways.
The minibiners that MLD sells are pretty solid, and you could also use them for guyline adjusters like this:



I use these for the four corners on my hammock tarp and have never had them slip. I use the MLD liteline though, and it's kind of abrasive. You could maybe just wrap the line one more time for slippier line though?