Miya Pearson
Sleeping bags are designed to insulate you from the cold environment by trapping body heat and preventing the exchange of warm and cold air. The bags are filled with down or synthetic fibres, with down being the most efficient insulator available, offering the best warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility. This article will explore how to fill a sleeping bag with down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why fill a sleeping bag with down | To insulate from the cold environment by trapping body heat and preventing the exchange of warm and cold air |
| What is loft | A measure of the 'fluffiness' of down, or the volume taken up by a given weight of down |
| How is loft measured | By placing a given weight of down in a cylinder with a calibrated weight on top and measuring the volume it takes up |
| How to fill a sleeping bag with down | Turn the bag inside out, push down to the bottom of the tubes, unpick stitching, fill with handfuls of down, sew up again |
| Where to get down | Ripstopbytheroll, Tier Gear in Tasmania, Loose Goose Down Supply |
| How much down to buy | 3 ounces (90 grams) of 900 fill power down costs $39.95 at Ripstopbytheroll; 3 oz of 850 fill power dry down costs $38; 800 fill power dry down costs A$30.80 at Tier Gear |
| How to know if down is bad | Look for matting and clotting of the feathers |
| How to care for a down sleeping bag | Wash with Nikwax Down Wash Direct, tumble dry on low for 1-2 hours, add tennis balls to bust up clumps, inspect in bright light, massage baffles to maximise loft |
| How to get the most out of a sleeping bag | Shake the bag and allow it to "breathe" for 30 minutes before bedtime, wear one layer of clothing, preferably wool |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the down
Firstly, it is important to source good-quality down. Look for down that has a high fill power or loft, as this indicates the fluffiness of the down and its ability to trap air and insulate. A higher loft means better insulation. Examine the down for any signs of matting or clotting of feathers, as this could indicate degradation and reduce its insulating properties. If you are using down from an older bag, ensure it is in good condition and has not been washed too many times or contaminated.
Next, you will need to calculate the amount of down required. Measure the volume of each baffle in the sleeping bag and determine the desired fill ratio, typically around 55/45 with more down on the top of the bag for maximum warmth. Calculate the weight or volume of down needed for each baffle, allowing for some expansion as the down will expand to fill the space. You may want to weigh the down using a plastic container to ensure accuracy.
Before filling the bag, it is important to prepare the down by "lofting" it. This can be done by squishing the down into a ball or bunch and then grabbing handfuls to be stuffed into the bag. Some people also recommend washing the down with a specialised down wash and tumble drying it with tennis balls to break up any clumps and maximise fluffiness.
Once you have prepared the down, you can begin the process of filling the sleeping bag. This involves carefully opening the baffles by unpicking the stitching or cutting small slits in the fabric, adding the prepared down, and then resealing the baffles by hand stitching or using a seam sealer.
Remember, working with down can be messy, so it is recommended to be prepared for this. Additionally, always ensure you are using high-quality down and taking accurate measurements to ensure the effectiveness and longevity of your sleeping bag.
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Cutting the sleeping bag
When cutting a sleeping bag, it is important to be precise and careful to avoid damaging the fabric or stitching. Here is a step-by-step guide to cutting open a sleeping bag for adding down filling:
Locate the Seam and Tubes
Firstly, turn the sleeping bag inside out. You will find the seam where all the tubes have been sewn closed. Identify the tube you want to fill and the stitching adjacent to it.
Unpick the Stitching
Using a stitch unpicker, carefully unpick the stitching next to the tube. This will expose one side of the tube. Then, unpick the stitching on the baffle material to expose the other side. Make sure the opening is large enough to fit your closed fist, as you will be filling the tube with down.
Cutting the Fabric
Some people prefer to rip the seam or cut a slit in the fabric to access the tubes. This can be done with a knife, and some sources recommend heating the knife beforehand to make the process easier. However, it is important to be cautious and avoid cutting any stitching or other parts of the bag.
Filling and Restitching
Once you have exposed the tube by cutting or unpicking the seam, you can start adding the down filling. After filling, carefully stitch the tube closed again. Two rounds of restitching are necessary: one to close the baffle and another to close the tube.
It is important to note that cutting or ripping the fabric may deform the shape of the sleeping bag. Therefore, it is recommended to make small cuts or slits and try to hide the raw edge by folding it over twice.
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Filling the bag with down
Filling a sleeping bag with down can be a tricky process. Firstly, it is important to source good-quality down. Look for down that is at least 700 fill power, with limited matting and clotting of the feathers. You can buy down from specialist suppliers, or you can use down from an older sleeping bag, provided it is still in good condition.
Once you have your down, turn the sleeping bag inside out and locate the stitching where the baffles have been closed. You will need to unpick the stitching to expose the inside of the tubes. The size of the opening should be large enough to fit your closed fist inside. It is recommended to use a stitch unpicker for this step.
Now you can start adding the down. Push handfuls of down into the tubes until you are satisfied with the amount. Be careful not to overfill, as this can affect the performance of the sleeping bag. You can weigh the down beforehand to ensure you are adding the correct amount, or you can simply fill until the tubes appear full. Remember that the down will expand to fill the space.
Once you have added the desired amount of down, you will need to sew up the openings. Restitch the baffles first, and then close the tubes. You may also need to seal the stitches with a urethane seam sealer to prevent the down from leaking.
It is worth noting that adding down to a sleeping bag can be a messy process, and it may not always be the best option. If your sleeping bag has lost its loft, it may be more effective to purchase a new bag. Additionally, down is difficult to work with, and it is important to ensure that the fill ratio is correct. A common fill ratio is around 55/45, with 55% of the fill on the top of the bag for maximum warmth.
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Stitching the bag back together
Once you have added the down filling to your sleeping bag, the next step is to stitch it back together. This process can be done by hand or with a sewing machine. If you are working by hand, a stitch unpicker will be useful for this process.
Firstly, you will need to make sure that the down filling is evenly distributed and that the bag is lying flat. Then, starting from the inside of the bag, you can begin to stitch the bag back together. You will need to use a needle and thread that is strong enough to hold the weight of the down and the bag. Start by stitching the baffle closed, and then stitch the tube closed. Make sure that your stitches are small and even, and that you are pulling the thread tight so that there are no gaps for the down to escape.
If you are using a sewing machine, you will need to set it to a slow speed and use a zigzag stitch. Start by stitching the baffle closed, and then stitch the tube closed. Again, ensure that your stitches are tight and even, with no gaps for the down to escape.
Once you have stitched the bag back together, it is important to seal the stitches to prevent the down from leaking. You can do this by using a urethane seam sealer, or by covering the stitches with Gear Aid Tenacious Tape.
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Weighing the down
When it comes to weighing the down for a sleeping bag, several factors come into play, including fill ratio, fill weight, and loft or fluffiness. Firstly, let's talk about fill ratio. This refers to the proportion of down placed in the top and bottom of the bag. Since most people move in their sleep, simply adding lots of extra down to the top isn't effective. A common fill ratio is 55/45, with 55% of the fill in the top half of the bag for maximum warmth.
Next, fill weight is important. As a rule of thumb, the more down fill a sleeping bag has, the warmer it will be. Warmer bags will also require more shell fabric to contain the increased fill volume. The weight of the down fill is also crucial in determining the overall weight of the sleeping bag, with premium down offering superior warmth-to-weight ratios. For example, the Western Mountaineering MegaLite uses 12 ounces of 850+ fill power down to create a warm and comfortable sleeping bag weighing just 1.5 pounds.
Now, let's discuss loft, which is a measure of the fluffiness or volume taken up by a given weight of down. The higher the loft, the more space it takes up and the more air it traps, resulting in better insulation. To measure loft, a calibrated weight is placed on a given weight of down, and the position at which the weight is supported solely by the down indicates the loft. This test is performed before the bag is made, using new, clean down, as age and cleanliness will impact the down's loft over time.
When filling your sleeping bag with down, it's important to consider the weight of the down and calculate the appropriate amount needed for each baffle or compartment. One method is to weigh the down in a plastic container, squish it into a ball with your palm, grab it between your fingers, and stuff it into the bag. This ensures a precise amount of down is added to each section. Alternatively, you can simply add handfuls of down until the baffles appear full, but this may result in adding more down than necessary and increasing the overall weight of the sleeping bag.
In conclusion, weighing the down for a sleeping bag is a crucial step in ensuring optimal warmth and minimizing weight. By considering the fill ratio, fill weight, and loft, you can create a sleeping bag that provides sufficient insulation while remaining lightweight and comfortable for your outdoor adventures.
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Frequently asked questions
Turn the bag inside out to find the seam where the tubes have been sewn closed. Unpick the stitching adjacent to the tube you want to fill. You can use a stitch unpicker for this.
You can measure the baffle dimensions, approximate the volume, and distribute extra fill proportionally. Alternatively, you can keep adding handfuls of down until the tubes appear full.
Good quality down will have few larger feathers and will last well unless it has been washed many times. Look for matting and clotting of the feathers to determine if the down is bad. Aim for at least 700 fill power.
Make an opening large enough to fit your closed fist full of down. Stuff down by hand through the opening, measuring by handfuls. Don't overfill—you just want enough down to plump out the tubes.
Close the baffles and tubes by hand stitching. Seal with a urethane seam sealer to prevent down from leaking through your stitches.
