It’s all about choice while taking the right sleeping bag with you. Either you can go for a more comforting sleeping bag for camping, or go for the lighter one, which will make your walk easier. Its all depend on the kind of camping you are going to have.
So, we will not waste the time on what bag to choose, rather we will discuss the tips and guides to keep the sleeping bag in better use during the camping.
Sleeping Bag for Camping: Tips and Guide
Here are some sort tips that will make your camping easier and more comfortable:
Clothing tips for a sleeping bag in camping
Sometimes we forget the most important part while, camping – and that is taking proper clothing. With a proper tent for family or single people, you need proper clothing. A good idea for a pillow when you’re backpacking is to take your extra clothing and rain gear that is not in use and stuff it into the stuff sack that you carry your clothes in, or your sleeping bag stuff sack.
Use a cotton T-shirt or a pile jacket for a pillowcase instead of the sack’s coated nylon.
You can boost the efficiency of a sleeping bag by wearing long underwear to bed, by doubling up sleeping bags or by using a liner, by sleeping in a jacket and inside a tent, and by eating and drinking before you go to sleep.
Wearing clothes inside the bag
Wearing clothes inside your sleeping bag will not only keep you warmer, it will keep your bag much cleaner and add to the appearance and life of your bag. While camping, it can be a great way to keep your body warm.
You can get a whole lot more warmth out of your bag by fluffing and shaking it before you go to sleep to increase the loft because the trapped air in the fibers is what is really keeping you warm.
Tips sleeping bag hacks for cold weather
In the cold months of winter, during the cold camping, sleep can be greatly improved simply by using two closed-cell foam pads instead of one. Understand the area and weather of your camping and hiking area before planning the trip. For cold weather sleeping, look for a storm collar in your sleeping bag and a zipper draft flap.
If you find yourself shivering in your sleeping bag as the temperature drops unexpectedly, put on your rain gear or cold weather clothes to act as a vapor barrier and warm you up.
Sleeping bag for rainy camping
Camping in the rain with hammock and sleeping bag comes with some hassles which we need to address here. If the rain stops and the sun comes out during the course of the day, pull out your sleeping bag and tent and let them dry in the sun.
Line your sleeping bag stuff sack with a garbage bag to make it more waterproof, especially if your pack is designed for carrying your bag on the outside.
Also Read: Setting Up a Campsite Properly
Organizing & repairing the bag – tips and hacks
For on-the-camping-trail repairs of a punctured sleeping bag (especially down), use a piece of rip-stop tape from your repair kit or a piece of surgical tape from your first aid kit until you can get home and sew a patch on.
On the trail, stuff your sleeping bag rather than roll it, because rolling compresses the fibers at the same place again and again and will break them apart. Once in camp, remove your sleeping bag from its sack, gently shake it out so the fill lofts up, and lay it out in the tent.
Keeping the bag clean and safe
To use the sleeping bag for camping in a safer way, one must take the hygiene factor seriously. Doesn’t matter if you are camping with family and kids or not, clean clothing is a must for safe pleasure.
Your sleeping bag will stay much cleaner for longer periods of time if you wash yourself up before climbing into it. Even quick sponging of cool water will lessen the amount of soil and body oil that will collect on the fabric.
Changing out of your “hiking clothes” and into “camp clothes” will also cut back on dirt accumulation. Excessive dirt will eventually make its way into the fill, breaking down its ability to insulate.
How to store it properly
After a trip, thoroughly air dry your bag before storing it. Hanging it from a line could stress the baffles and the seams. Lay it flat, by drying it on a hammock or spreading it over several lines. Never store your bag compressed in its traveling sack, for this breaks down its lofting qualities and compresses the fill. A large sack of uncoated material where it can be loosely stored is best.
When not in use, store your sleeping bag in a burlap bag, not wadded up tightly in its stuff sack. The burlap bags are roomy, breathe well, and are fairly rugged. Cut holes along the top of the bag and string them with a cord. Tie the cord ends and hang the bag up. To purchase one, inquire at a feed store.
How to clean the sleeping bag properly?
Once your bag gets extremely soiled, it’s time to wash the sleeping bag for re use. Polyester-filled bags are considerably easier to clean than down-filled bags. Never dry clean a synthetic bag, for the chemicals can destroy the fibers.
Instead, wash in a machine with a bar of mild soap and warm water. Commercial front loaders are best, for they agitate less than a home washer. If you must wash it at home, set only on a gentle cycle. Hand washing is preferred over top loading, agitated washers, for the amount of agitation can be controlled.
Here are some important tips for cleaning it
- Fill the bathtub or sink with warm water and mild soap and gently squeeze and soak the bag for about half an hour. Once the tub/sink is empty of water, press excess water out of the bag with your hands while it lies flat on the bottom.
- Gently lift the bag out with both arms underneath for support so the weight does not tear the seams. A synthetic bag can be dried in a large commercial dryer but home drying reduces internal strain. Dry over several lines or on a hammock, out of direct sunlight.
- Cleaning a down-filled sleeping bag is a very touchy procedure. Only the largest dry cleaners specializing in cleaning down should be considered if you choose to go that route. They must use Stoddard Solvent instead of standard dry cleaning fluids such as per ethylene and perchloroethylene, which will strip the down of its natural oils.
- After dry cleaning, sleeping bags should be aired for several days to remove any cleaning solvent that may remain in the bag. It can deteriorate the down and be toxic to humans sleeping in it.
- For home cleaning, use only a bathtub, never a machine. Use a very mild soap or a soap made especially for cleaning down. Only a minimal amount is recommended and extra care must be applied to make sure the soap is rinsed out completely.
- Never twist or rub, but gently massage for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the tub is drained, push softly on the bag. Do not lift or squeeze it. Lift the bag out with the support of a large towel or blanket placed beneath the bag. Use additional towels to gently press out excess water.
Drying it properly for re-use
Dry the same way as a synthetic bag. Once it is damp dry and not heavy from water, place the bag in a large dryer on the very low heat with a pair of clean sneakers or tennis balls to break up the clumps of down. If you are going to camp with car, you can keep the soaked sleeping bag on the window when not driving. The air will help to dry it quicker.
Before a trip, inflate your air mattress to check for leaks and faulty valves. If you find a hole, repair it with your mattress kit. On the trail, electrical tape or duct tape may work in an emergency.
Last tips on the sleeping bag for camping
Store your air mattress deflated between trips. Unroll foam pads or roll loosely in storage and avoid setting heavy and sharp objects on top, which could compress and puncture the foam.
If your foam pad becomes heavily soiled, wash it on the lawn with a mild soap and a sponge or soft cloth. Air dry it thoroughly before storing.
Looking at the bluest sky, I forget all my stresses. Going through the green I try to breathe, more than I do in my reality. So, that’s why I love camping.
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