Sleeping Bags - Restoring Loft?

[Prerylyon]

Does anyone know if its possible to "restore" the loft power of a compression sleep sack?

We have 3 Marmot 40° compression sacks and I noticed last summer being cold in them while camping more often than not in conditions where they used to keep me warm. They are about 3 to 6 years old. We camped twice this month and I noticed the same thing.

I'm a scout leader and have 6 kids, 3 in scouts, so we camp alot and use these bags frequently. I asked the boys and they noticed the same thing about them not being as warm anymore. I know we haven't been the best at unpacking them promptly after camp and storing them uncompressed on a hangar, I understand if they are kept in compression for too long, they loose loft.

Is there a trick to fixing them or is it just time to upgrade?

My buddies say I am just getting old, to cowboy up and deal with the cold and that the boys are just agreeing with me to mess with my mind!

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[Colorado Cowboy]

Take them to a Laundromat and put them in a big dryer at cold temp. Might help.

 

[RICMIC]

Down bags especially should never be stored compressed. The better quality down will come with a large loose sack that you can store them in between trips. You can make a bag cheaply if necessary as long as you know someone who sews. I only put them in a compression dry sack while packing for the trip, and don't compress it down until it is ready to go into the pack. Once in camp, as soon as the tent is up, the bag comes out and has a chance to relax some before sleep time, and don't pile a bunch of stuff on it either. A decent pad is also important to insulate you from the ground since your bag will be compressed beneath you. Some of the bags effectiveness is also lost from being dirty, damp, or infused with body oils. Never wear your outer clothes in the bag, and just layer up if you are too cold. At least once a season, wash your bag in a front loader washer, and dry it in a dryer with a couple tennis balls. You can buy "down wash" soap at cabelas or other outdoor outlet, and I would use that for synthetic bags also. All of this also applies for synthetic bags, they are not as subject to compression, but it is still a factor.
I teach winter camping, and guide scouts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Canada all summer for the BSA High Adventure Base, and I know what you are dealing with. You can tell-em what to do, but you can't make-em. Good luck.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Take them to a Laundromat and put them in a big dryer at cold temp. Might help.

And as RICMIC said don't forget the tennis balls.

 

[BKHunter]

Throw them in a dryer with tennis balls or sneakers.....The impact can add loft back to the back......It will sounds like a construction site in your home though.

 

[JimP]

Throw them in a dryer with tennis balls or sneakers.....The impact can add loft back to the back......It will sounds like a construction site in your home though.

That's why you take it down to the laundromat in town. You do it at home and your wife may put yours into the dryer.

 

[Extractor]

Now that was funny!

 

[Prerylyon]

Thanks folks for the suggestions-we'll give the tennis balls a go.

We use Therma-rest bedrolls under the bags and they make a big difference. I think these bags were kept in compression too long.

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[Bughalli]

I wouldn't wash it unless absolutely necessary. They're never the same and it won't have the same temp rating. I just air the bag out a few days after each trip.

To get more loft place in a big dryer with medium heat. Tennis balls can help if the bag got wet.

Never store compressed. Hang them in a closet or layout under a bed. The high heat in the dryer should be a big improvement.

 

[RICMIC]

I wouldn't wash it unless absolutely necessary. They're never the same and it won't have the same temp rating. I just air the bag out a few days after each trip.

To get more loft place in a big dryer with high heat. Tennis balls can help if the bag got wet.

Never store compressed. Hang them in a closet or layout under a bed. The high heat in the dryer should be a big improvement.

If you use the down wash soap, the bag will seem almost new again. Only use a front load washer, and the dryer on low heat (it will take a long time, but you can't rush it.) If the labels are still attached to the bag, of course heed any instructions given on them.

 

[az.mountain runner]

I agree with with everyone but I think a couple of sneakers do a better job my bag weights six pounds and has a tendency to ball up so the sneakers do a better job of beating it up lol

 

[ivorytip]

this is a good thread, I am so bad about taking care of my sleeping bags, I need to get into that habit.