Care and Cleaning of Sleeping Bags.

Sleeping Bags Tips and Advice As you shop for a sleeping bag, think about the weather conditions you’re apt to encounter when you’re fishing. You’ll want a bag that will keep you comfortable in different climates. If you don’t plan to fishing in extreme cold, a three-season bag that will handle night temperatures down to 30 degrees is probably a good choice. Keep in mind, though, that temperature ratings are more a rule of thumb than an exact science. In fact, no industry standard exists. Your best bet is to buy from a reputable manufacturer. Also, if you “sleep cold” and tend to need extra blankets at home, buy a colder-rated bag than you think you’ll need.

Whether you purchase a rectangular, taped, mummy or hybrid sleeping bag depends on how you intend to use it. For general-use fishing, rectangular bags are the most versatile. They can be opened flat for warmer conditions or mated to form a double bag. Tapered and mummy bags are among the warmest. They’re compressible and pack up in a minimum of space. Hybrid bags combine additional warmth with more leg room.

Cover materials, liners and insulation materials vary depending on the temperature rating and quality of the bag. Some feature options to consider when purchasing include:

Cover material – Nylon is lightweight; ripstop is the most durable. Cotton is rugged and a good choice if weight is a nonissue.

Liner material – Nylon, usually a feature of mummy bags, is lightweight and durable but doesn’t feel as warm against your skin. Cotton flannel is soft, warm and durable and feels good against your skin on cold evenings. Cotton bi-blend isn’t as warm as flannel but feels more like a bed sheet.

Insulation – Synthetic nylon or polyester are the most common. Price is generally a good indication of insulation quality. Weight is also a factor. High-quality insulation material usually provides greater warmth and loft with less weight than less-expensive varieties although a few extreme models may have heavier insulation and still offer the same quality. Down bags are lightweight and warm, but they’re more trouble to maintain than synthetics and much more expensive for the same warmth and loft.

Zips – Look for zip guards to keep fabric from catching in zip teeth and a strong nylon zip that slides easily and allows rectangular bags to open flat.

Construction – A well-made bag should be quilted so that insulation stays in place and won’t lump up or shift around in the bag, forming cold spots. Look for one you can wash in a commercial washing machine.

Sleeping mats, air mattresses and bedchairs – These make sleeping outdoors a lot more comfortable. Which you choose to put under your sleeping bag comes down to a matter of personal preference and budget. Sleeping mats pack more compactly than bedchairs and don’t have to be inflated like air mattresses. Some mats self-inflate to provide a mat/air-mattress combination. Air mattresses are usually the most comfortable and economical. Just make sure to buy a good-quality mattress so it doesn’t mysteriously develop holes in the middle of the night. Bedchairs are more bulky but if your swim is rocky or uneven the legs are adjustable to keep you level. In cold temperatures and winds you’ll appreciate being off the ground.

 

Care and Cleaning of Sleeping Bags
Proper care of your sleeping bag will keep it looking better and lasting longer. Follow these simple suggestions to care for your sleeping bag during the years to come.

Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning is NOT recommended see washing instructions.

Washing Instructions

Use only oversized commercial front loading washing machine with a rotating drum action - DO NOT use top loading agitator style machines.

Wash warm, rinse cold on gentle cycle using ¼ mild detergent.

Use a fabric softener in wash. (Do not use detergents with bleach).

Tumble dry at low temperature in oversized commercial dryer.

Alternate method: hand wash in bathtub, follow instructions as in No.2.

Bag must be thoroughly dry before being stored.

Rolling

Zip up sleeping bag.

Fold in half, lengthwise.

If applicable, fasten toggle and loop to ensure bag stays in folded position.

Start rolling snuggly from opposite end of ties, loops or straps (whichever applicable). Have ties lying directly on the ground.

After rolling bag completely, secure ties, loops or straps. If bag has Wrap 'N Roll feature, continue rolling into attached carrier, tie and transport.

Storing

For longtime storage, it is not recommended to store sleeping bags in its stuff sack or carrier, since it can reduce the loft, or puffiness, of the bag over time. Unpack the sleeping bag and hang it a wardrobe or cupboard.