Colin Snow
Rolling a sleeping bag is an essential skill for any outdoor enthusiast, ensuring your gear is compact and ready for your next adventure. It is important to note that most modern sleeping bags are designed to be stuffed, not rolled, back into the sack they came with. However, rolling a sleeping bag can be useful when trying to save space. To roll a sleeping bag, first lay it out on a flat, dry surface and zip it up completely. Smooth it out to remove any air pockets. Once the bag is flat, fold it in half lengthwise, then roll it up firmly from the foot of the bag to the hood, pushing out any remaining air as you go. Finally, use the attached straps to secure the roll, or store it in its bag.
How to roll a sleeping bag with straps
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Lay the sleeping bag flat on a dry surface, zip it up, and smooth it out to remove air pockets. |
| Step 2 | Fold the bag in half lengthwise. |
| Step 3 | Roll the bag upward from the foot of the bag, pushing out any air. |
| Step 4 | Sit on the bag with your knees to keep it tight as you roll. |
| Step 5 | Use the attached straps to secure the roll, or use a separate strap, belt, or rope if necessary. |
| Note | Rolling a sleeping bag frequently can damage the insulation. Most bags are meant to be stuffed into their bag rather than rolled. |
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What You'll Learn
Lay the sleeping bag flat
Laying the sleeping bag flat is the first step to successfully rolling it up. Find a flat, dry surface, such as the floor or the ground, and lay the sleeping bag out in front of you. Ensure that the sleeping bag is completely zipped up and smooth it out to remove any air pockets. The bag should be as flat as possible, so run your hands down the length of it to flatten it.
If you have a mummy sleeping bag, you will need to take a slightly different approach to ensure it is flat. Concentrate on smoothing the bag out from the hood to the narrow foot end. Given its tapered shape, this will ensure the bag is as flat as possible.
Once the bag is flat, you can move on to the next step, which is to fold the bag in half lengthwise. This will make it easier to roll the bag tightly and ensure a snug roll. It will also help to remove any air bubbles that may have been trapped during the flattening process.
If your sleeping bag has a zipper, fold one side over so that it lines up with the zipper. Take your time to ensure the edges are lined up as closely as possible. They don't have to be perfect, but the closer they are, the better.
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Fold the bag in half lengthwise
To fold your sleeping bag in half lengthwise, first lay it out on a flat, dry surface. Make sure to zip it up completely and smooth it out so any air pockets can escape through the top of the bag, where your head will go. If your sleeping bag has a hood, smooth the bag out from the hood down to the foot of the bag.
Once the bag is as flat as possible, fold it in half lengthwise. This is also known as "hot dog-style". Make sure the edges are lined up. They don't have to be perfect, but the closer you can get them, the better. Smooth out the bag again by running your hands along it to push out any air bubbles that may have been trapped during the folding process.
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Roll the bag from the bottom up
Rolling a sleeping bag with straps is a handy skill to have, especially for backpackers and campers. It ensures your gear is compact and ready for your next adventure. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to roll a sleeping bag from the bottom up:
Lay the Sleeping Bag Flat:
Start by laying your sleeping bag flat on a dry surface. Ensure the sleeping bag is zipped up completely and smooth it out to remove any air pockets. The bag should be as flat as possible, so run your hands down the length of the bag to push out any air bubbles.
Fold the Sleeping Bag in Half:
Next, fold the sleeping bag in half lengthwise. Make sure the edges are lined up neatly, especially along the zipper line. The closer the edges are aligned, the neater the roll will be.
Now, start rolling the sleeping bag from the bottom up. Use both hands to roll it up tightly, pushing out any remaining air as you go. This technique ensures that the roll stays tight and secure. As you progress, the width of the bag will increase, making it easier to roll without trapping air.
Secure the Roll with Straps:
Once you've rolled the bag all the way up, use the sleeping bag's built-in straps or separate straps to secure it. Wrap the straps around the rolled-up bag and tighten them to keep it compact. Most sleeping bags designed to be rolled have straps with buckles or velcro for easy fastening and tension adjustment.
Place the Bag in a Sack (Optional):
Finally, if you wish, you can place the rolled-up sleeping bag inside a sack or bag for storage or transportation. This step is especially useful if you're backpacking or camping and need to save space.
Remember that rolling a sleeping bag frequently can damage the insulation, making it less effective at retaining warmth. It's essential to remove the bag from compression as soon as possible and store it loosely when not in use.
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Use straps to secure the roll
Once you've rolled your sleeping bag, it's time to secure it with straps to keep it from unravelling. If your sleeping bag has built-in straps, use those to secure the roll. If not, you can use separate straps, a belt, large rubber bands, or rope to keep it tightly rolled.
If your sleeping bag has attached straps, they are likely meant to be rolled with the bag. Wrap the straps around the bag to keep it secure. These straps usually have a buckle or Velcro, making it easy to fasten and adjust the tension.
If your sleeping bag does not have attached straps, you will need to purchase separate straps or use another method to secure the roll. You can use a bungee cord or a compression sack to keep the bag tightly rolled.
When using separate straps, make sure they are the correct length to fit around your sleeping bag when it is rolled up. You may need to adjust the tension to ensure the bag stays rolled up nicely.
If your sleeping bag has straps located at the bottom, roll it up from head to toe to ensure the straps are on the outside and can be easily accessed.
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Store the bag
Once you've rolled your sleeping bag, you'll want to store it in a cool, dry place. If you're storing it for a long time, it's best to keep it in a loose, permeable bag made of material like canvas or a large mesh or fabric storage sack. This will protect your sleeping bag without compressing it. You can also use a mesh laundry bag, which is cheap and breathable.
If your bag came with a bag but no straps, store the sleeping bag in the appropriate carrying bag and close the top tightly. If you do have straps, use them to keep the bag rolled up tight, and make sure they're positioned roughly one-third of the way from each edge of the rolled bag. If you don't have straps, you can improvise with a belt, large rubber bands, or rope.
It's important to keep your bag dry and free from water. If you're in the backcountry, a wet sleeping bag can be dangerous as water wicks heat away from your skin much faster than air. Keep your bag in a waterproof bag, or improvise one out of garbage bags if you don't have one.
When you return from your trip, air out your bag. Brush out any dirt, twigs, and leaves, and let the bag dry out completely. Mold and mildew will grow if your bag is stored wet, and it is tough to remove once it grows. Let the bag rest outside on a dry day for several hours and brush out any debris. UV light can damage sleeping bag fibres, so take care not to leave the bag in the sun all day.
Finally, do not store your sleeping bag in a stuff sack long-term, especially if it's down-filled. This will compress the down and damage the insulation, making it less effective at keeping you warm.
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Frequently asked questions
Lay the sleeping bag flat on the ground and zip it up completely. Smooth it out to remove any air pockets.
Fold the sleeping bag in half lengthwise. If one side has a zipper, fold it so that it lines up with the zipper.
Roll the bag upward firmly from the foot of the bag. Use both hands to roll it up tightly, pushing out any air.
Use the attached straps to secure the roll. If your bag doesn't have straps, you can use a belt, large rubber bands, or rope.
Keep the bag dry and store it in a breathable fabric bag. Prolonged compression can damage the insulation, so try to store it uncompressed when possible.
