Sleeping bag packing
Please could you tell me the best way to pack my sleeping bag back into its carry sack? Steve Young, Ilkley
Trail says If you’ve ever tried to repack your sleeping bag by rolling or folding it first, you’ve likely found yourself on your knees, bent double with the sodding thing jammed between your thighs as you furiously struggle to squeeze it back into its carry sack. After perhaps your tenth failed attempt, you’ve probably then tossed the bag away in a red-faced fit of rage and exclaimed to the skies ‘ There has to be an easier way?!’. Well, as dramatic as you are, the good news is you’re right.
Sleeping bags are commonly sold with a stuffsack and the clue’s in the name as, while it may not seem the most orderly method, stuffing it in is indeed the key.
Firstly, you should always start by stuffing the foot end of the sleeping bag, as it will likely contain the most trapped air that needs to be compressed. You can then stuff in the rest of the bag from bottom to top, turning the stuffsack as you go to ensure it is filled out evenly and all excess air is forced up and out.
As well as maximising compression and minimising pack size, stuffing the sleeping bag should also help to spread out the insulation – whether down or synthetic fill – evenly when packed. To further reduce pack size, buy an additional compression sack with straps.