Cross Bands by Grifiti: When is a stuff sack not a stuff sack?

I’m often surprised about how a simple and cheap piece of gear can not only reduce weight but also eliminate a small annoyance. That’s the case with the Cross Bands by Grifiti, which I recently purchased. It’s basically two heavy-duty rubber bands joined together at two locations opposite each other so that when used it forms an “X”. It’s used to hold a pot and lid together without having to use a stuff sack.

It cost me $1.79, and while it didn’t save a ton of weight over my stuff sack it did save 0.3 ounces (9 grams). This puts all my cooking and kitchen gear for solo trips at just 0.1 ounces (3 grams) over a pound.

Cross Bands by Grifiti Specifications

• Size: 6 inch
• Material: Rubber
• Weight: 0.3 ounces
• Cost: Under $2

Performance

It’s always hard for me to review little products like this, because how in the world do you do a review of the recommended 300 words for a tiny product. Here goes.

This biggest fix for me is that now my pot’s lid doesn’t rattle around while in the stuff sack. That’s not a huge issue for canoeing and kayaking because everything stays relatively stable, but it was annoying for bikepacking and portaging when kept at certain angles. Now, I don’t have to worry at all about packing everything at the perfect angle.

I bought the six-inch size, which fits my Vargo Titanium Ti-Lite 750 Mug perfect. Inside the mug, I keep a fuel canister, a wash rag, and a MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Deluxe. When taken together without the fuel, this combo weighs 7 ounces (198 grams). An empty Jetboil fuel canister weight 3.2 ounces (91 grams). Depending on how you calculate your pack weight, you can add or not as needed.

This stove, pot and fuel combo gives me enough boils for a 10 day trip when doing freeze dried meals for dinner, and oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. The Cross Bands by Grifiti just shaved off a bit more weight.

My biggest concern is the Vargo’s edges wearing through the rubber. I’m not sure if this will be an issue, but I suspect over a year or two it might be. I guess I’ll find out.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

For under $2, the Cross Bands by Grifiti seem to do what they claim they will do. For me, it was worthwhile to purchase. They make them in all kinds of sizes, so if it is something that interests you, you can buy them here.

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