Sleeping bag

redhawk · 10-21-2006, 04:38 PM

I open it up hang it on the line when I get home, but not directly in the sun.

After it is aired out/dried, I zip it up and then lay it on a bed in the spare bedroom. Lacking the bed, if it's placed on a tarp or old blanket under a bed it will keep it's loft. You can also put a fabric softener sheet inside the bag to keep a fresh scent.

I put it in it's stuff sack only when i am packing my gear for trip.

Once or twice a year, I lubricate the zipper with silicone.

Judgeh · 10-21-2006, 04:56 PM

Once I've aired my bag out I keep it losely stowed in a large cotton laundry bag provided by the manufacturer, Feathered Friends. It hangs in a spare closet.

Boreal Chickadee · 10-21-2006, 05:17 PM

Lately, I've been stuffing them up first thing in the morning (usually after a rainy ngiht) so they don't get a chance to dry out the damp air before coming home. I throw them in the dryer for 20 minutes and then store them in king size pillowcases.

NukedRocket · 10-21-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk

I open it up hang it on the line when I get home, but not directly in the sun.

Redhawk, why not in the sun? Is there a disadvantage to this? I know that by putting my boots in sunlight, the UV kills the "stink", does this have a negative effect on bags?

redhawk · 10-21-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NukedRocket

Redhawk, why not in the sun? Is there a disadvantage to this? I know that by putting my boots in sunlight, the UV kills the "stink", does this have a negative effect on bags?

Depends on the outer shell. many of the lightweight materials deteriorate when subject to UV.

JJW · 10-22-2006, 12:38 AM

Sleeping bag care for me are mainly:
Store it un-compressed in large cotton storage bag.
I also try to always use a liner, cotton in the summer, spring, and fall, and I have a hollow fiber/synthetic liner for winter camping (liners are easily washed).
Someday maybe I'll buy a "silk" liner (wooo-wooo).

My sleeping bags last for years and they stay pretty odor free, and clean.

JJW

DuctTape · 10-22-2006, 06:28 AM

My bag is stored hanging on a line in my camping stuff room in the attic.

NukedRocket · 10-22-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuctTape

My bag is stored hanging on a line in my camping stuff room in the attic.

When I bought my bag(synthetic), I was advised against hanging the bag vertically for storage. The reason was, the insulation in each baffle will settle at the bottom of the baffle and "bunch", creating empty spaces in each baffle, which will reduce the effectiveness of the insulation. Perhaps this may not be your best method of storage? Of course,YMMV

dudenchikn · 10-22-2006, 11:53 AM

So why not store them in your bag compressed? What exactly does this do? Is it bad???

Neil · 10-22-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudenchikn

So why not store them in your bag compressed? What exactly does this do? Is it bad???

When you store your bag compressed it takes up very little space and you tend to forget all about it and what it represents. When you hang it uncompressed it's more volumnious and you see it more, it's more in your face. This reminds you of the good times you had on your last outing and motivates you to plan the next trip.

And there's the small detail of storing the insulating material uncompressed versus compressed which isn't good for it.

Hobbitling · 10-22-2006, 04:22 PM

are there any types of insulation more prone to irreversibl compaction during long term storage than others? how does down compare to synthetics?

DuctTape · 10-22-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NukedRocket

When I bought my bag(synthetic), I was advised against hanging the bag vertically for storage. The reason was, the insulation in each baffle will settle at the bottom of the baffle and "bunch", creating empty spaces in each baffle, which will reduce the effectiveness of the insulation. Perhaps this may not be your best method of storage? Of course,YMMV

Never thought of that. I had been hanging em for years, probably because that is the way my dad did it. Hmmm I think I might have ruined my bag and need to go get a new one. Think I can sell that excuse to my wife?

Judgeh · 10-22-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

When you store your bag compressed it takes up very little space and you tend to forget all about it and what it represents. When you hang it uncompressed it's more volumnious and you see it more, it's more in your face. This reminds you of the good times you had on your last outing and motivates you to plan the next trip.

And there's the small detail of storing the insulating material uncompressed versus compressed which isn't good for it.

Wildernessphoto · 10-22-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuctTape

Never thought of that. I had been hanging em for years, probably because that is the way my dad did it. Hmmm I think I might have ruined my bag and need to go get a new one. Think I can sell that excuse to my wife?

It's worked on my wife for years! Remind her bags are seasonal items, you need a new one every spring.

Boreal Chickadee · 10-22-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbitling

are there any types of insulation more prone to irreversibl compaction during long term storage than others? how does down compare to synthetics?

The discussions on VfTT seem to tend towards more permament damage to synthetics from long term storae stuffed.

I know down is easily refluffed. If I've accidetnally stored it stuffed then a quick 15 minutes in the dryer restores it lovely loft.

Neil, isn't that the 'In Your Face" model of sleeping bag? Your hiking record will attest to it's reliability.

NicksMaint · 10-25-2006, 11:18 AM

We only keep any of our bags in stuff sacks while actually out on the trail.

When we get home, I let them dry in the air a few days (out of sunlight) and then I store them individually in contractor garbage bags with the tops open.

I am fortunate to have a loft in my garage (unheated) that is dedicated to our outdoor stuff, so room is not much of a problem.

Dick · 10-25-2006, 12:23 PM

I currently own three bags. Two (one down, one synthetic) are draped over a clothsline in the basement. The third (down) is in a "laundry bag." Never had a problem.

brians · 11-27-2006, 01:57 PM

Wiggys for me - wash it and store it anyway you want. Fibers are statically charged and repel one another to retain loft.

fingerlakeshiker · 06-15-2008, 09:38 PM

My bag is in the stuff bag only when on the trail. At home it stays in the large sack that came with it.

mikevdm · 06-17-2008, 08:22 PM

my bag has assumed an oder that is driving me nuts. Is there a reason not to wash them.

10-21-2006, 04:38 PM	#1
redhawk Senior Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In My Memories Posts: 10,931	Sleeping bag I open it up hang it on the line when I get home, but not directly in the sun. After it is aired out/dried, I zip it up and then lay it on a bed in the spare bedroom. Lacking the bed, if it's placed on a tarp or old blanket under a bed it will keep it's loft. You can also put a fabric softener sheet inside the bag to keep a fresh scent. I put it in it's stuff sack only when i am packing my gear for trip. Once or twice a year, I lubricate the zipper with silicone. __________________ "If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. Johnson

10-21-2006, 05:17 PM	#3
Boreal Chickadee Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,648	Lately, I've been stuffing them up first thing in the morning (usually after a rainy ngiht) so they don't get a chance to dry out the damp air before coming home. I throw them in the dryer for 20 minutes and then store them in king size pillowcases. __________________ Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.

10-22-2006, 11:53 AM	#9
dudenchikn Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 28	Huh? So why not store them in your bag compressed? What exactly does this do? Is it bad???

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10-21-2006, 04:56 PM	#2
Judgeh Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,291	Once I've aired my bag out I keep it losely stowed in a large cotton laundry bag provided by the manufacturer, Feathered Friends. It hangs in a spare closet.

10-22-2006, 12:38 AM	#6
JJW Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: near Rochester NY Posts: 282	Sleeping bag care for me are mainly: Store it un-compressed in large cotton storage bag. I also try to always use a liner, cotton in the summer, spring, and fall, and I have a hollow fiber/synthetic liner for winter camping (liners are easily washed). Someday maybe I'll buy a "silk" liner (wooo-wooo). My sleeping bags last for years and they stay pretty odor free, and clean. JJW

10-22-2006, 06:28 AM	#7
DuctTape Out of Shape Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,908	My bag is stored hanging on a line in my camping stuff room in the attic.

10-22-2006, 04:22 PM	#11
Hobbitling spring fever Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester area Posts: 2,239	are there any types of insulation more prone to irreversibl compaction during long term storage than others? how does down compare to synthetics?

10-25-2006, 11:18 AM	#16
NicksMaint Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY/Elizabethtown, NY Posts: 124	We only keep any of our bags in stuff sacks while actually out on the trail. When we get home, I let them dry in the air a few days (out of sunlight) and then I store them individually in contractor garbage bags with the tops open. I am fortunate to have a loft in my garage (unheated) that is dedicated to our outdoor stuff, so room is not much of a problem.

10-25-2006, 12:23 PM	#17
Dick somewhere out there... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: avatar: Patagonia Posts: 2,822	I currently own three bags. Two (one down, one synthetic) are draped over a clothsline in the basement. The third (down) is in a "laundry bag." Never had a problem.

11-27-2006, 01:57 PM	#18
brians Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 19	Wiggys for me - wash it and store it anyway you want. Fibers are statically charged and repel one another to retain loft.

06-15-2008, 09:38 PM	#19
fingerlakeshiker Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Auburn N.Y. Posts: 143	My bag is in the stuff bag only when on the trail. At home it stays in the large sack that came with it.

06-17-2008, 08:22 PM	#20
mikevdm Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 12	my bag has assumed an oder that is driving me nuts. Is there a reason not to wash them.

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