Gina Johnson
Rolling a sleeping bag is an essential skill for any camper. However, modern sleeping bags are designed to be stuffed, not rolled, back into the sack they came with. Stuffing the bag instead of rolling it will usually remove more air and allow for a smaller packed size. If your bag did not come with a stuff sack, you can roll it up neatly and put it in a compression bag. To do this, lay your zipped sleeping bag out flat in front of you, fold it in half lengthwise, and roll it upward from the foot of the bag. Use the attached straps to secure the roll.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rolling technique | Roll from the bottom towards the head area to let the air escape |
| Rolling technique | Place your knee on the rolled-up section to keep it small and tight |
| Rolling technique | Place a heavy object on the bag where it starts to unfold |
| Rolling technique | Use straps to secure the roll |
| Rolling technique | Store in a bag and close the top tightly |
| Rolling technique | If the bag has no straps, use a belt, large rubber bands, or rope |
| Storage | Keep the bag dry and free from water |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry place |
| Storage | Use a large mesh or fabric storage sack to protect the bag without compressing it |
| Storage | Dry the bag thoroughly before storing |
| Storage | Do not store in direct sunlight as UV rays can weaken the fabric |
| Storage | Do not store in damp basements, unheated spaces, or car trunks |
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What You'll Learn
Flatten the sleeping bag
To flatten your sleeping bag, start by laying it out flat on the floor. If your bag has a zip, make sure it is fully unzipped. Then, run your hands down the length of the bag to flatten it as much as possible. This will ensure that the following steps go smoothly and that you end up with a tightly rolled sleeping bag.
Next, fold your sleeping bag in half lengthwise, also known as "hot dog-style". Again, use your hands to flatten out the bag and push out any air bubbles that might have been trapped during the folding process. It is helpful to smooth the bag out from the bottom to the top, as this will push the air out.
If your sleeping bag has a footbox, pay extra attention to this section as it often contains added insulation to keep your feet warm while sleeping. This means that more air can get trapped in this area compared to the rest of the bag. Use your arms to firmly sweep across the footbox section to remove any excess air.
Once you have flattened and smoothed out your sleeping bag, you can proceed to the next steps of rolling or stuffing your bag.
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Fold the sleeping bag in half
To fold your sleeping bag in half, start by laying it out flat on the floor. Ensure that the sleeping bag is fully zipped up. Then, fold the bag in half lengthwise, sometimes called "hot dog-style". Make sure to flatten out the bag and push out any air bubbles that might have been trapped during the folding process. Smooth the bag out from the bottom, where your feet go, to the top, where your head goes. This will help to push out any air that remains in the bag.
It is important to remove excess air from the bag, as the air in the insulation creates loft and keeps you warm while you sleep, but it is unhelpful when you are trying to pack up your bag. Air takes up valuable space and can prevent your sleeping bag from fitting into its bag. It can also prevent your sleeping bag from being as tightly rolled as possible.
Once you have folded your sleeping bag in half, you can continue the process of rolling up your sleeping bag for camping or storage.
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Roll the bag tightly
To roll your sleeping bag tightly, start by laying it out flat on the floor. Smooth out any bumps or creases by running your hands down the length of the bag. This will ensure that your sleeping bag is as flat as possible and will make the following steps easier.
Next, fold the sleeping bag in half lengthwise. Again, smooth out any bumps or creases with your hands to ensure that the bag is flat and that any air bubbles are removed. This will help to reduce the amount of space the bag takes up when rolled up.
Now you're ready to start rolling. Begin at the bottom of the bag and roll upwards towards the head area. This will allow any remaining air to escape as you roll. Use your knees to apply pressure to the rolled-up section of the bag, which will help to keep it tight and compact.
As you roll, the top part of the bag may start to unfold. To prevent this, place a heavy object on top of the bag to keep it flat. Continue rolling until the entire sleeping bag is rolled up as tightly as possible.
Finally, use the attached straps to secure the roll. If your sleeping bag does not have attached straps, you can use a belt, large rubber bands, or a rope to keep it securely rolled up.
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Secure with straps
If your sleeping bag has straps, these should be positioned roughly one-third of the way from each edge of the bag. Once you have rolled your sleeping bag, you can use the straps to secure the roll. If your sleeping bag does not have straps, you can use a belt, large rubber bands, or rope to secure the roll.
The straps should be wrapped around the bag to keep it rolled up tightly. This will also make it easier to put the bag into a stuff sack or compression sack. If you are using a separate strap, make sure it fits around your sleeping bag when it is rolled up.
If your sleeping bag has separate straps, lay your sleeping bag out flat on the floor and flatten it as much as possible by running your hands down the length of the bag. This will ensure that you end up with a tightly rolled sleeping bag. If your sleeping bag has attached straps, you can skip this step.
Once you have flattened your sleeping bag, fold it in half lengthwise (also known as "hot dog-style"). Again, you will need to flatten out your bag by running your hands along it to push out any air bubbles that might have been trapped during the folding process. It is helpful to smooth the bag out from the bottom, where your feet go, to the top, where your head goes, as this will push the air out.
After rolling the entire sleeping bag up as small as you can, grab the straps and wrap them around the bag. If your sleeping bag has attached straps, they will likely be located near the head of the bag. These straps are meant to keep the bag rolled up.
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Store in a cool, dry place
Once you've rolled your sleeping bag, it's important to store it in a cool, dry place. This will help to maintain the bag's insulation loft, which is key to keeping you warm.
Firstly, you should avoid storing your bag in places where temperatures fluctuate or damp environments. This is because the insulating material can be damaged by warm air over time, and damp can cause mould to form. The attic, cellar, basement, and garage are all susceptible to damp and/or temperature changes, so it's best to avoid these places.
Instead, opt for a dry, well-ventilated cupboard, like a walk-in wardrobe. If you must store your bag in an attic, basement, or garage, there are some precautions you can take. In an attic, store the bag near the attic hatch or eaves, where it's cooler. If your basement is insulated and well-ventilated, you may be able to store it there without damage. In a garage, find a container that keeps the bag ventilated while preventing damp. You can also store the bag inside out, as the waterproof coating can prevent moisture from escaping.
Another option is to hang your bag over a clothes airer in a dry room, using a fan to keep the air moving. This will help the bag to dry out and prevent any moisture from festering.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to stuff sleeping bags into their storage sacks instead of rolling them up. This is because rolling a bag can damage the insulation, making it less effective at keeping you warm. To stuff your sleeping bag, flatten it out first to remove excess air, then stuff it into the sack, starting with the foot box.
If your sleeping bag has straps, it is likely meant to be rolled. First, lay your zipped sleeping bag out flat, then fold it in half lengthwise. Roll it upward from the foot of the bag, then use the attached straps to secure the roll.
If your sleeping bag does not have straps, you can use a belt, large rubber bands, or rope to secure it.
While rolling, place your knee on the rolled-up section of the bag to keep it small and tight. If the top part starts to unfold, place a heavy object on top of it. Once you are done, use the straps to secure the roll.
