Gina Johnson
Packing a sleeping bag efficiently is crucial to a comfortable outdoor adventure. The first step is to flatten the sleeping bag to remove excess air, then stack it bottom-up, with the footbox at the bottom and the hood at the top. Next, use a stuff sack to compress the bag further. A compression sack with cinch straps can be used to reduce volume, but it adds extra weight. Alternatively, you can simply stuff the bag into your pack, letting it fill the empty spaces. To protect your bag from water, consider using a pack cover and lining your pack with a trash compactor bag. Always pack your sleeping bag at the bottom of your backpack to reduce strain on your back and knees. With these tips, you'll be able to pack your sleeping bag like a pro and save space for other essential gear.
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What You'll Learn
Using a stuff sack
Prepare the Sleeping Bag:
Before you start stuffing, it's essential to flatten the sleeping bag to remove excess air. Spread the bag out and use your arms to firmly sweep across it, ensuring it's flattened. This step is crucial because the air in the insulation creates loft to keep you warm, but it's unnecessary when packing.
Start Stuffing:
Grab the bottom of the sleeping bag, near the footbox, and start stuffing it into the sack. Focus on stuffing the bag from bottom to top, ensuring the footbox ends up at the bottom of the stuff sack and the hood at the top. This method prevents the bag from getting twisted or wrapped tightly around itself, reducing the risk of tears when you pull it out.
Compress the Sack:
Once your sleeping bag is inside the stuff sack, it's time to compress it further. Pull the cord on the stuff sack as tight as possible, aiming for an opening no larger than a quarter. If you're using a compression sack, cinch the straps to tighten the bag even more. The compression sack's straps help compact your sleeping bag without requiring extra effort.
Protect from Water:
It's crucial to keep your sleeping bag dry. If you're using a garbage bag inside the stuff sack, twist the excess ends and secure them under the edge of the drawstring to prevent water from entering. Alternatively, you can use a pack liner to keep your sleeping bag dry.
Pack at the Bottom:
When placing your packed sleeping bag into your backpack, put it at the bottom of your pack or the bottom of the top compartment if there are two compartments. This positioning reduces strain on your back and knees since the sleeping bag is relatively lighter than other gear.
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How to compress your bag
Compressing your sleeping bag is a great way to save space when packing for your outdoor adventure. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do it:
Flatten and Stack Your Sleeping Bag
Start by spreading out your sleeping bag and flattening it firmly with your arms to remove excess air. The air in the insulation creates warmth but is unnecessary when packing. Next, grab the bottom of the bag, where the footbox is located, and begin to 'stack' it by pushing and stuffing it from bottom to top. This stacking method ensures your bag doesn't get twisted or wrapped tightly around itself, reducing the risk of tears when unpacking.
Use a Compression Sack
A compression stuff sack is a valuable tool for reducing the volume of your sleeping bag. These sacks have straps that help compact your bag without you needing to exert much energy. They are heavier than regular stuff sacks but are very effective in saving space. If you opt for a regular stuff sack, push your sleeping bag in foot-first, then tighten the straps.
Protect Your Bag from Water
It is crucial to keep your sleeping bag dry, especially in cold weather. Use a quality pack cover, and consider lining your backpack with a trash compactor bag or a regular garbage bag. If using a garbage bag, twist the excess ends and tuck them under the drawstring to ensure a tight seal.
Pack at the Bottom of Your Backpack
Since you won't need your sleeping bag during the day, place it at the bottom of your pack, underneath everything else. This reduces strain on your back and knees as the bag is relatively lighter than other gear. If your backpack has two compartments, store it at the bottom of the top compartment.
By following these steps, you can effectively compress your sleeping bag, making the most of the space in your backpack and ensuring a comfortable outdoor experience.
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Keeping your bag dry
When packing a big sleeping bag, keeping it dry is a challenge. While it is impossible to keep a sleeping bag completely dry in certain conditions, there are several steps you can take to minimise moisture. Firstly, consider the fabric of your bag. Synthetic bags are more water-resistant than down bags, as they are made from tightly-wound plastic fibres. Synthetic bags also dry faster than down bags, so they are a good option for wetter climates. Down bags are not ideal for wet conditions as the down will clump together when wet, losing insulation. However, down bags are lighter, warmer, more compressible, comfortable and durable. If you do opt for a down bag, you can treat it with water-resistant chemicals, but this won't protect against heavy rain or full submersion.
To keep your bag dry while camping, ensure your tent is well-ventilated. This will help to prevent condensation, which can dampen your bag. Avoid sleeping with your face buried in the bag, as your breath will add moisture. Similarly, try not to sleep with damp hair or clothes, as this will transfer moisture to the bag. A silk or cheap sleeping bag liner can help to protect your bag from condensation and body moisture. If your bag does get wet, wring it out before placing it in a stuff sack, as this will prevent the moisture from spreading. Always use a stuff sack when storing your bag, and opt for a water-resistant one if possible. You can also place your bag inside a plastic bag before putting it in the stuff sack for added protection. If your bag gets very wet, dry it out in the sun if possible.
When storing your sleeping bag at home, keep it in a cool, dry place. Use the jumbo cotton storage bag that often comes with sleeping bags, as this allows for air circulation without compressing the fill. Avoid storing your bag in damp basements, unheated spaces, garages, attics or car trunks, as moisture and temperature extremes can damage the bag.
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Where to place it in your pack
When placing your sleeping bag in your pack, consider the following:
Firstly, if your sleeping bag is synthetic, it will be less compressible than a down bag. Down bags are more compressible and therefore may be a better option if you are looking to save space. The warmer the bag, the bulkier it will be, so if you are camping in a warmer climate, you may be able to save space with a lighter bag.
Secondly, consider using a compression sack. These are heavier than a regular stuff sack, but they save space and can protect your sleeping bag from tears. If you don't want to use a compression sack, you can simply stuff your bag into your pack and let it fill the empty spaces. Alternatively, you can try the 'jam it in the bottom' technique, where you compress the bag into the bottom of your pack.
Thirdly, if your pack has two compartments, store the sleeping bag at the bottom of the top compartment. If your bag does not have two compartments, place the sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack, underneath everything else. This will reduce strain on your back and knees as the bag is relatively light.
Finally, if your pack is too small and your sleeping bag is too large, you may need to attach it to the outside of your pack. If you do this, try to centre the bag on the pack and cinch it as tight as you can. If you have to attach other items, such as a tent, to the outside of your pack, strap the sleeping bag to the top, so that the tent is in contact with the ground when you set your pack down.
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Removing excess air
The first step to removing excess air from your sleeping bag is to flatten it. Spread the bag out and flatten it by firmly sweeping your arms across it before you attempt to stuff it. This will help remove the air in your sleeping bag's insulation, which keeps you warm while you sleep but is unhelpful when packing up your bag.
Next, grab the footbox and start stuffing the bag from the bottom up. The footbox section of many sleeping bags contains added insulation to keep your feet warm, meaning more air gets trapped in this section. By starting with the footbox, you can carefully 'stack' your sleeping bag to prevent damage when you unpack it.
If you are using a compression stuff sack, this next part will be easier, as the sack will do the work of compacting your sleeping bag. However, if you are not using a compression sack, you will need to stuff the bag in the stuff sack by hand. No folding, no rolling, just take one end and start stuffing it into the bag until it's all in.
Finally, if your sleeping bag has a waterproof shell, turn the bag inside out before stuffing. The outer shell can act as a balloon and trap air, which can be frustrating when trying to stuff your sleeping bag.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a stuff sack to pack your sleeping bag into a smaller volume. Flatten the sleeping bag before stuffing it to remove excess air. Starting with the footbox, stack your sleeping bag by grabbing and stuffing the bag from bottom to top. This will prevent the bag from getting twisted or wrapped tightly around itself. Place the stuffed bag at the bottom of your backpack.
To prevent mildew, remove your sleeping bag from its storage sack and air it out every once in a while, especially if you live in a damp or humid environment. Additionally, improper packing can damage your sleeping bag, so be careful not to split the seams of the stuff sack or sleeping bag when packing.
Waterproof your sleeping bag by using a quality pack cover and lining the interior of your backpack with a trash compactor bag. Alternatively, you can use a waterproof stuff sack or rucksack, but these can be expensive and unreliable.
