Rolling Your Rothco Sleeping Bag: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to roll rothco sleeping bag

Rolling a sleeping bag is an essential skill for any camper or outdoor enthusiast. It ensures your gear is compact and ready for your next adventure. In this article, we will be discussing how to roll the Rothco sleeping bag, a durable, long-lasting, and high-quality sleeping bag designed for outdoor adventurers. The process of rolling a sleeping bag is generally the same across different types of sleeping bags, but it's important to note that some bags may require specific approaches, such as mummy bags or those with hoods. By following these steps, you will be able to efficiently roll your Rothco sleeping bag and make the most of your outdoor adventures.

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Step 1 Lay the sleeping bag flat on the ground, ensuring it’s fully zipped up.
Step 2 Flatten it out to remove any air pockets.
Step 3 Fold in half lengthwise.
Step 4 Roll tightly from the bottom.
Step 5 Use the attached straps to secure the roll or store it in its bag.
Note Rolling a bag frequently can damage the insulation, making it less effective at keeping you warm.

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Prepare the sleeping bag: Zip it up and lay it flat

Preparing your sleeping bag is the first step to rolling it up. Start by zipping the bag up completely. An unzipped bag is harder to roll evenly. Next, lay the sleeping bag flat on a dry, even surface. If you're outdoors, use a ground tarp or the floor of your tent to keep the bag clean and prevent moisture from getting into the bag.

Now that the bag is zipped and laid flat, you'll want to smooth it out and flatten it as much as possible. Run your hands down the length of the bag to ensure there are no air pockets or air bubbles. Push out any trapped air from the bottom of the bag, where your feet go, to the top, where your head goes. You can also place a heavy object on the top section of the bag to prevent it from unfolding while you smooth it out.

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Fold in half lengthwise

To fold your Rothco sleeping bag in half lengthwise, first lay the bag flat on the ground. Ensure that the bag is fully zipped up. Smooth out the bag, removing any air pockets. This will make it easier to fold and roll the bag neatly.

Once the bag is flat and zipped, fold one side over so that it lines up with the zipper. Take your time to ensure the edges are aligned. You may need to run your hands along the bag to push out any air bubbles that might have been trapped during the process. Flatten out the bag from the bottom, where your feet go, to the top, where your head goes. This will help push out any remaining air.

If you are using a mummy sleeping bag, with its tapered design, you will need to take a slightly different approach. When flattening out the bag, concentrate on smoothing out from the hood down to the narrow foot end. This will help to ensure a snug roll.

After folding the bag in half lengthwise, you are now ready to start rolling the bag from the bottom.

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Roll tightly from the foot

To roll your Rothco sleeping bag tightly from the foot, start by laying the sleeping bag on a flat, dry surface. Ensure that the bag is fully zipped up, as an unzipped bag will be difficult to roll evenly. Smooth out the bag to remove any air pockets or air bubbles, as these will prevent an even, tight roll.

Next, fold the sleeping bag in half lengthwise. This will make the rolling process more manageable. Take your time to ensure the edges are lined up. If your bag has straps located at the bottom, roll it from head to toe. Otherwise, you can roll it from the foot upwards.

When rolling, place your knee on the rolled-up section of the bag to keep it small and tight. As you roll, pause periodically to press down on the bag and expel any trapped air. The tighter you roll, the less space the bag will take up.

Once you have finished rolling, use the attached straps to secure the roll. If your bag does not have straps, you can use a separate strap, a belt, large rubber bands, rope, or a bungee cord to keep it tightly rolled.

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Use straps to secure the roll

Once you have laid your sleeping bag out flat on the ground, zipped it up, and folded it in half lengthwise, you are ready to roll it up. It is important to roll your sleeping bag tightly, starting from the bottom, and pausing periodically to expel any trapped air.

After you have rolled your sleeping bag as tightly as you can, you will need to use straps to secure the roll. Most sleeping bags that are designed to be rolled come with attached straps. These straps cinch around the rolled-up bag and then tighten, keeping the bag rolled up. You should have at least two straps, and they should be positioned roughly one-third of the way in from each edge of the rolled-up bag. If your sleeping bag has straps located at the bottom, roll your bag from head to toe.

If your sleeping bag does not have straps, you can use separate straps, a bungee cord, or improvise with a belt, large rubber bands, or rope. If your bag came with a bag but no straps, store the sleeping bag in the appropriate carrying bag and close the top tightly.

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Store in a waterproof bag

Storing your sleeping bag in a waterproof bag is a good idea, especially if you are camping or hiking. Waterproofing will protect your bag and gear from the elements and any water-based activities you may be doing.

Firstly, it is important to note that you should not keep your sleeping bag in a compressed state for long periods. If you do, it will lose its loft, which is what traps hot air to keep you warm. Therefore, when storing your sleeping bag in a waterproof bag, it is best to stuff it in loosely, rather than roll it. If your bag has a stuff sack, use that, but if not, a large cotton or mesh sack will do.

If your sleeping bag has a waterproof coating, turn it inside out before storing it in the waterproof bag. This is because the coating can create a vapour barrier, trapping moisture inside the bag.

Rothco offers a range of waterproof bags that are fully submersible and meet IPX7 waterproof standards. These include the Waveguard Waterproof Crossbody Bag and the Waveguard Waterproof Duffle Bag. Both bags feature a heavy-duty three-layer waterproof vinyl tarpaulin shell and a waterproof zipper with a secure zipper seal. Make sure to zip the bag completely to maintain waterproof performance.

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