Herbie Murray
Adding down to a sleeping bag can improve its performance and increase warmth. This process, known as overfill, involves packing more down into the existing baffles. While some manufacturers overfill their baffles to reduce down movement and maintain bag performance over time, some bags may have room for more down to improve their insulation. The process of adding down to a sleeping bag typically involves cutting small slits in the fabric, adding down through the slits, and then sewing the slits back up. It is important to be careful during this process, as down can be messy and difficult to clean up. Additionally, it is recommended to use high-quality down and to avoid overfilling the baffles, as this can add unnecessary weight to the bag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to add down to a sleeping bag | When feathers are escaping through the fabric or seams, or when you need more warmth. |
| Before adding down | Wash the bag to try to restore loft. Use a specialised down wash. Ensure the bag is completely dry to avoid mildew and mould. |
| Buying down | Get good-quality down, at least 700 fill. Avoid using down from pillows, quilts or cheap sleeping bags. You can buy down from Amazon, Ripstopbytheroll, Tier Gear Tasmania, or your local Michaels. |
| Tools | Seam ripper, dust mask, vacuum cleaner, broom handle or stick, pins, sewing machine, urethane seam sealer. |
| Process | Open seams with a seam ripper, add down by hand, close seams by hand stitching and seal with urethane seam sealer, or use a sewing machine. |
| Overfilling | Overfilling packs down into the existing baffle more tightly, adding a little extra warmth, but it is less efficient than using extra down in larger baffles. |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy down
If you're looking to buy down filling for your sleeping bag, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, it's important to understand the different types of down and their qualities. Goose down has been marketed as a premium product, but quality mature duck down can be just as lofty and long-lasting. Both types of down can produce great sleeping bags, but it's worth noting that the design and construction of the bag are also important factors in maximizing warmth and comfort.
When purchasing down, you'll come across terms like "fill power" and "loft", which refer to the amount of space an ounce of down will fill when allowed to expand. A higher fill power means a lighter product, as less down is needed to fill the same space. You can find down filling with fill powers ranging from 600 to 900. Websites like Ripstopbytheroll offer down-proof material and 850fp down, which you can use to make your own sleeping bag.
- Dutchware: Offers 800 Duck Down for $23 and 850 Goose Down for $35.
- Thruhiker: Provides 900 Goose Down for $50.
- Tier Gear in Tasmania: Sells 800 fill power dry down for A$30.80.
- Ripstopbytheroll: Offers 900 fill power down for US$39.95 and 850 fill power dry down for US$38.
- Amazon: Sells bulk goose down filling power.
- AliExpress: Features cheap down insulation with 850 fill power.
It's worth noting that some manufacturers, like REI, have adopted the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to ensure inhumane practices are eliminated from the industry. Look out for RDS Certification when purchasing down products to support this initiative.
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How to add down to the bag
Adding down to a sleeping bag can improve its performance and increase warmth. The process involves opening the bag, adding down to the baffles, and then sewing it back up. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add down to your sleeping bag:
Step 1: Prepare the Down and Your Work Area
Before you begin, ensure you have high-quality down to add to your bag. Avoid using down from pillows, quilts, or cheap sleeping bags as it may be low quality and not worth the effort. You can purchase down specifically for this purpose, with fill powers ranging from 800 to 900. Create a temporary "down room" to contain the mess by using a small, draft-free room or setting up a dome tent inside your house. Have all your tools ready, including a dust mask and a vacuum cleaner.
Step 2: Open the Sleeping Bag
Turn the bag inside out to locate the baffles. You can either carefully rip the stitching of the baffles or cut small slits in the fabric between the top and bottom of the bag, near the seams. If you choose to cut slits, use a hot knife that has been heated over a flame to make the process easier.
Step 3: Add the Down
Push the existing down to the bottom of the baffle tubes. Then, carefully add handfuls of new down into the tubes until they appear full. You can measure the amount of down needed by weighing it or simply filling until you are satisfied. Be careful not to overfill, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the down.
Step 4: Sew the Bag Back Together
Once the baffles are full, carefully sew the openings closed. If you cut slits, seal them with a urethane seam sealer or gear tape to prevent the down from leaking. You can sew by hand or use a sewing machine if you are confident in your skills and have experience sewing straight lines.
Step 5: Clean Up
Vacuum the area to remove any stray down feathers. Ensure you clean your work area thoroughly to avoid leaving any mess behind.
By following these steps, you can successfully add down to your sleeping bag, increasing its warmth and performance for colder temperatures.
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How to sew the bag back up
Sewing a down sleeping bag requires some careful preparation and technique. Firstly, it is important to note that a regular sewing machine may not be suitable for this task, as it could be damaged by the down filling. An industrial sewing machine is recommended. Before starting, ensure you have all the necessary materials, including the sleeping bag, thread, needle, fabric, zipper, and any desired additions such as leather or vinyl for the soles if you plan to add feet to the bag.
To sew the bag back up, begin by laying the bag flat and unzipped. If you are repairing a tear or hole, cut open the seam along the affected area to create a neat line to work with. If you are adding a liner, follow a similar process, but take care to measure and cut the liner fabric to fit the bag, allowing for a comfortable width and ensuring the length reaches from selvage edge to selvage edge, or to the sleeping bag zipper if it is shorter. Pin the pieces together to prevent seams from puckering, and consider using a zig-zag stitch to add durability and prevent ripping.
When sewing the bag back together, start by backstitching and then stitch along the length of the opening, ensuring you are sewing with a consistent seam allowance to hide any raw edges. If you are adding a zipper, place it near the top right edge of the bag, with the right side of the zipper facing the right side of the fabric. This will look upside down but will create a neater finish. Pin the zipper in place every 4 inches, then backstitch and stitch down to the zipper head, maintaining a consistent distance from the edge.
If you are sewing a liner, the liner zippers will be sewn directly to the sleeping bag, either next to or on top of the bag zippers. Start by pinning the liner zippers at the bottom center, with the pin-and-box pullers facing the center bottom of the bag, and the 'teeth' of the zipper facing down towards the outside shell. Curve the zippers around the corners of the bag and pin them in place along the length of the bag. Sew the liner zippers to the bag, then attach the liner fabric to the zipper tape, using a zig-zag satin stitch for added durability.
Finally, enclose the bottom of the bag by pinning along the bottom edge, ensuring the edges are lined up. Sew along this edge, pivoting at the corners to continue along the length of the bag.
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How to avoid a mess when adding down
To avoid a mess when adding down to a sleeping bag, it is important to carefully follow the steps outlined below:
Firstly, it is essential to work in a contained space to prevent feathers from flying everywhere. Consider working inside a tent or a large plastic bag to contain the down and make cleanup easier. Alternatively, you can wet the down first to make it clump together and reduce the chances of it spreading.
Before adding down, carefully inspect the sleeping bag and identify the areas that require additional filling. Look for gaps between the down or sections where the insulation has degraded. Turn the bag inside out to locate the stitching where the baffles have been closed.
When adding down, use a small tube or a paper towel tube to contain the down and help direct it into the designated areas. Pack the down densely into the tube, and then insert the tube into the slit or opening in the sleeping bag. Use a rammer, such as a wooden spoon handle or needle-nose pliers, to push the down from the tube into the baffles. Make sure to wear clean clothes and use clean tools to avoid getting dirt or debris into the sleeping bag.
After adding the desired amount of down, carefully seal the openings. You can use a combination of sewing and repair tape to securely close the slits and ensure that the down remains contained. If you are working with a seam, you may need to rip or unpick the stitching, add the down, and then restitch the seam.
Finally, it is crucial to clean the sleeping bag after adding down to remove any residual feathers or down clusters that may be left inside. Follow the manufacturer's instructions or specialised cleaning guides for sleeping bags to ensure a thorough cleaning without damaging the bag.
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What type of down to use
When choosing the type of down to use in a sleeping bag, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the type of down can be duck or goose. While goose down has been marketed as a premium product, quality mature duck down can be just as lofty and long-lasting. Both types of down can produce great sleeping bags, and the bag's design and construction are also important factors in determining its overall quality.
Secondly, the fill power of the down is significant. The fill power number, such as 800 or 900, indicates the quality of the down. Higher fill power means the down has more insulating air pockets, resulting in a warmer sleeping bag. For example, 900 fill power down is superior to 800 fill power down.
Thirdly, the amount of down required depends on the desired temperature rating of the sleeping bag. If you're aiming for a bag rated to −20°C, you might need to add 100 grams of down. For a bag rated to −14°C, approximately 3 ounces of 900 fill power down could be sufficient.
Additionally, the type of baffle in the sleeping bag should be considered. Baffles are designed to control the placement of down and prevent it from shifting, creating cold spots. Different baffle types, such as box baffles or sewn-through construction, are suitable for various temperatures. Side block baffles, for instance, are useful for preventing down from moving from the front to the back of the bag.
Furthermore, it's essential to ensure the down is treated humanely. Look for RDS (Responsible Down Standard) Certification when purchasing down products. This certification ensures that inhumane practices, such as force-feeding or removing down from live birds, are not used in the production process.
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Frequently asked questions
You can add down to your sleeping bag by making small slits in the shell and pushing down into the hole. You can use a pencil eraser or your fingers to stuff the down in. Then, sew the slits together and go over them with a sealant to prevent the down from leaking.
The amount of down you should add depends on the bag's original temperature rating and the desired temperature rating. For example, adding 3 ounces of down to a bag rated for 0C can convert it to a -20C bag. Adding 12 ounces of down to the upper tubes of a sleeping bag can reduce the comfort temperature by over 7C.
You can buy down from outdoor gear retailers such as Ripstopbytheroll, Tier Gear, and Dutchware. You can also reuse down from old clothing or other sources, but avoid using down from pillows, quilts, or cheap sleeping bags as it is usually low quality.
