What's It For?
The Airstream Lite is a waterproof stuff sac that also works as a compression sac. Thanks to an air-permeable eVent base, it works a bit like a vacuum pack as you can force air through the end of the bag, which makes it ideal for compressible items that need to be kept dry in your pack like sleeping bags, down clothing and fleece.
The Techy Bits
The key to the Airstream Lite is the base panel which is made from eVent breathable and waterproof fabric. Because eVent is genuinely air permeable, when you compress the bag, the air inside is forced out through the eVent panel meaning you can stuff contents down as you would be with a vacuum pack.
The other fabric is equally impressive being a filmy thin, but still very tough Cordura Nylon rip-stop fabric. It's actually translucent, but has proved to be surprisingly robust.
How It Performed
What a brilliant bit of kit. No more struggling with separate stuff sacs and compression spiders, you simply stuff your clothing or sleeping bag into the bag. Use the roll-over dry-bag type seal to close it, then tighten everything up using the side compression cords.
Instantly compressed and waterproof sleeping bag or clothing, done. Seams are sealed, the Cordura fabric seems quite tough despite a light weight and thin feel and the compression system works brilliantly with two of the cords having quick release buckles for easy access.
And the air expulsion means that you can squeeze out as much air as possible - no bubbles, no airlocks - for the absolute minimum in pack size.
Downsides, erm, it has tendency to adopt a slightly rounded, football-shaped profile which isn't ideal for packing and that's about it really.
Verdict
Excellent bit of kit and a proper life saver if you use a down sleeping bag regularly in UK conditions. Light weight, minimum pack size and waterproofing all in one ingenious package. And while the simple eVent-bottomed stuff bags Pod also makes tend to suck air back in, the compression cords mean that once the air is out, it stays out. Result.
Buy if... you want an all-in-one compression, stuff and waterproof sac for your sleeping bag or spare clothing.
