Ashwin Lewis
When bike touring, it is important to keep your sleeping bag dry. This can be achieved by using waterproof bags, such as dry bags or trash compactor bags, and by hanging the bag up to air dry when possible. If your bag does get wet, you can use a laundromat dryer or a clothesline to dry it. When packing, it is recommended to place the sleeping bag in a saddle bag or handlebar bag, and to balance the weight distribution to avoid overloading. Additionally, it is important to consider the weather conditions and condensation levels when planning your bike tour.
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What You'll Learn
Waterproof your sleeping bag and backpack with a dry bag
Waterproofing your sleeping bag and backpack is essential when bike touring. While there is no guaranteed way to keep your gear completely dry, using a dry bag can provide excellent protection from the elements. Here are some tips on how to waterproof your sleeping bag and backpack using a dry bag:
Choose the Right Dry Bag
Select a dry bag that is specifically designed for bikepacking or bike touring. Look for durable, waterproof bags that can withstand sun, rain, and sand. Consider the size of the dry bag, ensuring it can accommodate your sleeping bag and other gear. Five to six liters is a good volume for storing a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing, and other small items.
Waterproof the Sleeping Bag
Place your sleeping bag inside a waterproof dry bag. Make sure the dry bag has a secure closure, such as a roll-top or twist closure, to prevent water from entering. Some dry bags have urethane windows, allowing you to see the contents, but ensure this doesn't compromise the bag's durability. You can also use a waterproof compression sack specifically designed for sleeping bags, which helps save space.
Waterproof the Backpack
There are several methods to waterproof your backpack:
- Waterproofing Spray and Seam Sealer: Apply a waterproofing spray to the exterior of your backpack and use a seam sealer on areas like seams and zippers to prevent moisture from seeping through.
- Rain Cover: Use the rain cover that often comes with backpacks. While it works well for light rain, driving rain can enter through the sides.
- Pack Liner: Use a sealable, waterproof liner inside your backpack. This ensures that even if your backpack gets soaked, your gear inside the liner stays dry. Trash bags or sturdy garbage bags can be used as affordable alternatives.
- Internal Dry Bags: Utilize individual dry bags to organize and protect your gear. This method is popular among mountain professionals due to its organizational benefits.
Additional Tips
- If you're expecting wet conditions, consider double waterproofing by placing your sleeping bag inside a waterproof dry bag and then into a kayaking/backpacking dry bag.
- When packing, balance weight distribution by placing heavier items near the seat post to prevent swaying and affecting bike handling.
- Dry bags can be strapped to different parts of your bike, such as the handlebars, rack, or under the seat, depending on your setup and preferences.
- Always allow your backpack to dry completely before packing it away after a trip.
By following these tips and utilizing dry bags, you can effectively waterproof your sleeping bag and backpack for bike touring adventures.
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Use a synthetic bag to retain warmth when wet
Sleeping bags are essential for bike touring, but they can be bulky and take up a lot of space. When choosing a sleeping bag, you must consider the type of insulation material—down (animal feathers) or synthetic (polyester). Down sleeping bags are lightweight, compressible, and have an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. However, they lose their insulating properties when wet, making them unsuitable for humid and wet environments.
Synthetic sleeping bags, on the other hand, are heavier and bulkier but offer a significant advantage: they retain their thermal properties even when wet. This feature is especially useful if you anticipate encountering wet conditions during your bike tour. While no sleeping bag can guarantee warmth when soaked, synthetic bags will provide more warmth than down bags in damp or wet conditions.
The ability of synthetic bags to retain warmth when wet is due to their synthetic fibres, which dry quicker than natural fibres. This means that even if your synthetic sleeping bag gets slightly damp, it can still provide some insulation. However, it's important to note that being dry is always warmer than being wet, and the level of warmth retained will depend on the specific bag and its remaining loft when wet.
To maximise the warmth of your synthetic sleeping bag, ensure that it is not completely soaked. Synthetic bags are more affordable than down bags, making them an excellent entry-level option for bike touring. Additionally, they require less meticulous care than down bags, which is another factor to consider based on your specific needs and requirements.
In summary, synthetic sleeping bags are a suitable choice for bike touring, especially in humid and wet climates, due to their ability to retain warmth when wet. They offer a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to down bags, providing a more comfortable and warm experience in damp conditions.
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Choose a compact bag for easier packing
When bike touring, it is important to choose a compact bag for easier packing. This is because you want to keep your bike light and nimble so that it handles well on off-pavement terrain.
Bikepacking-specific bags are part of what differentiates bikepacking from bike touring. These bags are minimalist in design, allowing you to carry essential gear while keeping your bike light. When choosing a bikepacking bag, you should consider factors such as ease of attachment, stability, packability, durability, and weatherproofness.
There are a variety of bikepacking bags available in the market, each serving a specific purpose. Here are some options to consider:
- Seat packs – These are key pieces of equipment in bikepacking, offering a convenient place to store bulky yet lightweight items like sleeping bags and coats. Seat packs are more streamlined than racks and panniers, making it easier to ride on narrow, technical trails. When choosing a seat pack, consider the volume, water resistance, and sway (how secure the attachment is to minimize side-to-side movement).
- Handlebar packs – These are available in one-piece or two-piece harness systems. One-piece bags are sleek and easy to attach, while two-piece systems offer more versatility for holding large items. Ensure you pay attention to the fit, especially the space between your front tire and the bottom of the pack.
- Stem bags – These small pouches attach behind your handlebars, providing easy access to small items like snacks, water, phones, or sunglasses while riding.
- Top tube bags – These are slightly bigger than stem bags and attach to the top tube of your bike, providing additional storage space.
- Frame bags – These bags utilize the main triangle of the bike, providing more space for larger items. They often feature multiple pockets for better organization.
When choosing a compact bag for easier packing, it is important to consider the size and space requirements of your gear. For example, a 5-liter dry bag is often sufficient for storing an ultralight sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, and a combination of clothing. Additionally, consider the durability and weatherproofness of the bag, especially if you anticipate riding in various weather conditions.
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Dry your bag in the sun or a dryer
If your sleeping bag gets wet, you can dry it in the sun or a dryer. If you choose to dry it in the sun, hang the bag up unzipped in a well-ventilated area, or spread it out on a flat surface, such as a picnic table. Ideally, do this in the morning while you pack, or in the afternoon while you set up your tent or make dinner. If you're unable to do this during the day, you can also do it in the middle of the day while you take a break.
If the bag is still wet, or if you don't have the opportunity to dry it in the sun, you can use a dryer. If you're at home, you can use a regular clothes dryer on a low setting. If you're on the road, you can take your sleeping bag to a laundromat and put it in a dryer on air or low heat. To avoid damaging the bag, you can place it in a pillowcase or other fabric enclosure before putting it in the dryer. Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer to dry the bag, but this may take longer.
If you're expecting wet conditions, it's a good idea to invest in a dry bag to protect your sleeping bag and other gear. Dry bags are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and can be strapped to your bike or carried as a standalone bag. Look for a bag that is durable and has a capacity of around 5 litres, which should be enough to fit your sleeping bag and other essential items.
In addition to using a dry bag, you can also waterproof your sleeping bag and backpack or pannier. This will provide an extra layer of protection and help keep your gear dry. You can use a waterproof spray or coating to create a barrier that repels water. By combining these techniques, you can effectively keep your sleeping bag dry while bike touring.
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Store your bag at home without its stuff sack
When storing your sleeping bag at home, it is best to keep it out of its stuff sack. This is because prolonged compression can damage the down in your sleeping bag and cause it to lose its lofting ability.
Firstly, ensure your bag is completely dry. If you've been camping, your bag may have absorbed moisture from your body or condensation from your tent. Hang the bag up, unzipped, in the sun, or spread it out on a table. If possible, do this in the morning while you pack up your gear. If the bag has gotten wet, you can also put it in a dryer on a low heat setting.
Once your bag is dry, you can store it in a large breathable cotton or mesh sack. If your bag didn't come with a large storage bag, you can use a king-size pillowcase or purchase a cotton or mesh sack (90L is a good size). Store your bag in a place that's cool and dry, like a closet, and avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are packing a sleeping bag for a biking tour, it is best to use a waterproof bag. You can use a waterproof stuff sack or a dry bag. If you are using a saddle bag or handlebar bag, place the sleeping bag at the base to make the most of the space.
If your bag does get wet, you can hang it up in the sun to dry, or spread it out on a table. You can also use a laundromat dryer on a low setting. If you are expecting wet conditions, you can use a kayaking or backpacking dry bag to keep your sleeping bag dry.
Condensation from your body or inside your tent is not a big deal if you have a few dry days each week. You can hang the bag up in the sun, unzipped, to dry it out.
If you are expecting wet conditions, you can use a heavy-duty trash compactor bag to protect your sleeping bag. You can also use a kayaking or backpacking dry bag to keep your sleeping bag dry.
