It doesn't stick well to silnylon. Let it air dry fully before putting it away and store it unrolled with the valve open. Sleeping pads are rated with an R-value. Sweet dreams! The place Canadians trust for outdoor advice. Here are a few tips on how storing your gear for winter hibernation without compromising their next-season performance. If you’re having trouble repairing a mattress, or you’re just not into the whole DIY thing, send us the mattress and we’ll fix it for a minimal fee. Wipe off the excess water with a towel, and let it dry completely before you apply the patch. Like it or not, winter is coming for a visit. It’s summertime, which means it is a great time to go in the wilderness. If you’ve got a big camping or backpacking trip planned, it’s a good idea to test out your repaired sleeping pad before you leave to make sure it hasn’t started leaking air. Amanda will break down the different types of sleeping bags, the pros and cons of each, what an r-value is, and other things to consider when choosing a backpacking sleeping pad. To do this, you can toss a few tennis balls in the dryer will keep the bag moving away from the heater, as well as break up down clusters. How to store a sleeping pad To keep your sleeping pad in top shape after your trip, wipe down the pad with a damp cloth and mild soap. But before you toss your bag into just any washing machine, know this: a top-loading machine with an agitator can destroy your bag. Special Considerations The good news is that it’s not hard to fix. Store it in a place that’s both cool and dry. Our foam sleeping mats feature a multi-function valve so they don't re-inflate as you roll them up. In many ways, sleeping pads are more important than sleeping bags—yet, few campers realize it. Always store your sleeping pad in a place that is dry and doesn’t have the chance of growing mold or other harmful bacteria. An outside-the-box list of gift ideas for skiers, cyclists and more. The higher the R-value, the warmer the pad. Probably does with urethane floors though. Your sleeping pad is an important layer between you and the rocky, rooty ground. Built with hikers and cyclists in your mind, it is designed to have a ... How to Store Self Inflating Sleeping Pads: Some Great Tips. Properly storing your sleeping bag at home is both simple and important to do: Extract it from its stuff sack. My Klymit pad seems to lose air overnight. If it’s sprung a leak, simply repeat the steps to repair it and rest easy. Backpacking basics: How to plan an overnight hiking trip, How to choose trekking poles and hiking poles, About water treatment, filters and purifiers. Put some water and a squirt of dish soap into a bowl. At home: Dry your pad and store it with the valve open in a temperature- and humidity-controlled place. For a quick pinhole fix in the field, you can use repair tape. Then, starting at the foot of the bag, roll it up towards the top. Let the patch set for 2 hours before you reinflate the sleeping pad to test it (it’s tempting to try it right away, but the glue won’t be ready to handle the air pressure yet). Place the glued side of the patch on top of the glued hole. Learn how to look after your sleeping pad once your camping or backpacking trip is done, and how to fix it if it’s sprung a leak. Storing your pad unrolled is especially crucial with foam core pads. Sleeping bags take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to dry completely. The result is that many campers purchase an expensive sleeping bag, and then buy a Big Box Store special sleeping pad. Read more, Privacy policy 1. The cushioning that a sleeping pad offers goes a long way to determine whether it will be comfortable or not. When it’s time to patch, follow the instructions that came with your patch kit. Found a better deal in Canada? Up to 30 days after purchase – we’ll match it. I haven't tried. For more info on how to wash your down or synthetic insulation read this blog with step-by-step instructions. Synthetic and down insulation can be damaged if compressed too tightly during extended storage. Top gift picks from an MEC store specialist with a know-how in gear. Turn the dial to the lowest/coolest setting, and start feeding in the quarters. With that in mind, choosing a sleeping pad should be just as intuitive as choosing your sleeping … But there are a few crucial steps to take before stowing your sleeping bags that will increase their durability and comfort. Sometimes your sleeping pad falls victim to sharp rock or gets snagged on a thorn. But a sleeping pad often comes in wider, shorter, or longer sizes. If you have used a lot of sleeping pads in the past, you will agree that sleeping on poorly-padded ones … Make sure the bivvy bag folds over the end of the sleeping bag and pad. Compress it as you go. Foam sleeping pads are an economical option. Hence, the Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad is equipped with foam that’s a whopping 2 inches thickness. If your garage gets really cold then really warm, those cycles may create moisture. A large industrial dryer is recommended, and care must be taken so that the bag doesn’t expand and get stuck on the dryer’s heater. Keeping your sleeping pad clean and caring for it properly will help it last for years of adventures. Spread this soapy water over the area where you suspect a hole. At Home: For long term storage, make sure your pad is clean and bone dry. Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find room to store your full-size, self-inflating mattresses, here are a few suggestions. Your sleeping pad goes underneath your sleeping bag providing you a cushioned, comfortable surface as well as insulation from the cold ground. 1- Hiking with porterage (mechanical or animal porterage) Cleaning your mattress preserves its life expectancy. Don’t have space to leave your sleeping pad unrolled? The Best Storage Spot to Protect Your Sleeping Pad The safest way for your sleeping pad to ride outside is vertically, down the outside center of the pack. Enter the sleeping pad. When it comes to a sleeping pad for backpacking, there are a lot of options! In fact, by washing a sleeping bag, you’re essentially restoring the sleep system’s warming capacity by removing oils that, if left on, will decrease loft and insulation. This is an adaptation to the classic Ridge-Rest mattress pad by Therm-a-Rest (a Cascade Designs company).These pads have been well loved and used for years and are by far the most common closed cell foam pad sighting on the trail. All sleeping pads use an R-value to measure their ability to insulate and resist the cold. Just make sure to wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt that might be present and make sure it is thoroughly dry before storing it for long periods of time. More information Find this Pin and more on Camping and Outdoor Adventures by Holly Scherer . This R-value tells you how resistant it is to heat transfer. While it’s tempting to lash a pad to the bottom of your pack, and many people do just that, … The sun kills a lot of stuff you don’t want in your bag. All rights reserved. Check out this video for full instructions on repairing your pad. If you already know where the hole is, you can skip ahead to step 4. Using a poor quality sleeping pad—or worse, not using a pad at all—is a recipe for a long, cold night in the wilderness. A simple bedroll consists of a waterproof bivvy bag, a sleeping pad, and your sleeping bag. Free shipping on orders over $50. The standard size of a sleeping pad is 72 inches by 20 inches. After spraying the mattress with a cleaning solution, wipe it down and then rinse thoroughly with water. Backpacking Sleeping Pad Reviews #1 Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress Review. Pro Tip: We also recommend turning your bag inside out and letting it soak up some sun for a few hours after a thorough washing and drying. In its simplest form a sleeping pad … How to Clean a Coleman Sleeping Bag. Use a marker to place a small dot on top of the hole (so you can find it again later). The choice will naturally depend on your intended use. © 2020. If your bag is filled with Nikwax® Hydrophobic Down™ (used in all three and four-season Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags), we recommend washing the bag with Nikwax DownWash™ to maintain the bag’s water-repellant qualities. Standard detergents will leave water attracting residues on your down. Loosely stow it inside a large breathable cotton or mesh sack. But for a more permanent fix, follow the instructions below. Check the Chilly Pad periodically to determine if water should be added to keep the pad soft and pliable. Or you can use a degreaser like BioClean All-Purpose cleaner. Dry it thoroughly. Once your pad is blown up, fold it in half and kneel on it so that there’s plenty of air pressure. Accessibility. Storing your sleeping pad properly is super easy: We explain how to do it so that you and your pad enjoy many peaceful slumbers together. Through research, we’ve discovered that the fatty acids in body oils make the film beneath the mattresses’ fabric gummy. If you don’t have an area to lay or hang your bag it is okay to store it in the provided storage sack. Once the pad is dry, apply the glue over the hole. An open valve will allow any moisture to dissipate inside the pad. In-store pick-up is free. Loosely roll it and slip it under your bed, in a dry closet or tucked away with your camping gear. Let it air dry fully before putting it away and store it unrolled with the valve open. After several washes, however, you will need to restore the bag’s DWR coating using Nikwax Down Proof™. How to Store a Sleeping Pad Your sleeping pad, that miracle of slumber and compressibility, doesn’t take a lot of care and maintenance. We recommend using the storage bag over the winter because the mesh and larger size lets the bag breath and doesn’t compress its insulation. But it’s so often overlooked that we included it in our 10 Tips for sleeping warm outside.In this guide, we describe the 3 types of sleeping pads, the various features of sleeping pads, and the best sleeping pad to choose … When not in use, sleeping pads, especially self-inflating sleeping pads, should be unrolled and left in a dry, cool room. Viewed 1k times 8. Check the bag periodically to make sure the fabric isn't scorching hot and the insulation isn't bunching or clumping. The possibilities for your sleeping pad are almost endless, just make sure to purchase two and a half times the amount of fabric that would cover one side of the foam pad. In other words, it’s time to store your sleeping pads and sleeping bags for the winter season. Delivering the best night’s sleep you can have…that was our goal when we designed our inflatable air sleeping mats and self-inflating foam sleeping mats. Here’s all the beta you need to get your mattress repaired by our professional team. What is an acceptable level of deflation? It’s your body oils that can bring on your pad’s early degradation. -- Kristin Some are in rectangular and mummy shapes. The Hike Loop Inflatable Sleeping Pad is designed to supply you with the best of both worlds. Very few people store a sleeping pad correctly, and it greatly affects the longevity of your pad! Use firm pressure to get a good seal all the way around the edges. These steps are critical for a backpacking bag, which we methodically compress before … Apply some glue to the shiny side of your patch, and make sure it goes all the way to the edges. But if you’re not sure what’s causing the air leak, you need to do some simple detective work to find the hole in your sleeping pad. If you have an air mattress, simply roll it up tight and tuck it away for the winter. Top gift ideas from a backcountry skier who’s behind the scenes at MEC. You need to make room for this cold-hearted traveler and all of the skis, boots, boards, sleds, ice axes, jackets, beanies, and other stuff he brings with him. You'll find real-world experience, decades of outdoor knowledge, and exceptional products that won't ever let you down. Weight: A sleeping pad is among the most important items you should have on your checklist for sleep insulation and comfort. Behind the couch; Under the bed; Behind a bookshelf; In the back of your closet; Sleeping Bags, Blankets & Quilts. If you try a foam pad and find that you don't sleep well, don't give up! How to Store a Sleeping Pad Inflatable air mattresses and closed-cell foam pads can simply be stored rolled up or folded and tucked inside a stuff sack. Don’t store your bag in an attic, garage, or damp basement! Preventing a hole is easier than patching one, so give your pad a safe haven during your hike. Washing your bag is more important than just improving your personal hygiene—not to mention your relationships with any future tent mates. Don’t have space to leave your sleeping pad unrolled? Related ... Place the top on the storage tube and store the Chilly Pad in a cool location where it will not be in direct sunlight or excessive heat. Often times, mattresses that are neglected and dirty also start delaminating. Sleeping Pad Storage on the Trail. You don't need very much 1/2 ounce is too much. Order online, get it at your local MEC and pay no shipping. Get a self-inflating sleeping pad! It’s easy to let it slide, but it sure is nice to have it ready to go. With so many choices, it is often difficult to choose your future sleeping pad (according to the types of pad, the weight, the price, etc.). Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find room to store your full-size, self-inflating mattresses, here are a few suggestions. Our air sleeping mats are super compact and inflate in seconds. For silnylon I use silicone flowable windshield sealant and paint very fine diagonal lines. With any “expected” guest, a little preparation is in order. For self-inflating pads, it’s a good idea to store these unfolded and loosely rolled up (with the valve open), rather than fully compressed. Fold the mattress to … If finding a front-loader proves difficult, there’s always the old-fashioned hand-washing method. Aug 29, 2011 at 11:41 am #1773944. This way your sleeping pad is shielded from branches and briars by your body. Choose a hiking sleeping pad adapted to your needs. Jim Meyers, former Senior Copywriter at Therm-a-Rest, is a recovering camp counselor, ski bum and climbing addict, The Ultimate Guide to Therm-A-Rest Sleeping Bags & Quilts, Understanding EN/ISO Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings, Every Corner Considered: Designing a Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Bag, Video: How to Choose the Perfect Camping Mattress, Backpacking TV: Choosing the Right Sleeping Bag and Mattress. Active 4 years, 7 months ago. Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags come with two storing options, a stuff sack and a breathable mesh storage bag. Winter is the perfect time to make those repairs you haphazardly patched on the trail last summer. Finally, make sure you stow the bag in an area that doesn’t experience warming/cooling cycles. To keep your sleeping pad in top shape after your trip, wipe down the pad with a damp cloth and mild soap. For your summer-weight or three-season bags, blankets and quilts, wintertime means … That is why your Big Agnes bag comes with a mesh storage sack. If you are not fussy about your bed, a good quality foam pad will do just fine. Terms of use Put the sleeping pad into the bivvy and then place the sleeping bag inside as well. All types currently available use air as their primary form of insulation. We recommend storing your Big Agnes sleeping pad unrolled with the valve open. The MEC logo is a registered trademark of MEC Canada Inc. Touring plans? DownWash will effectively clean the bag without destroying its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. So how should you clean a mattress? For a good night’s sleep outside, the right sleeping pad is second in importance only to the right sleeping bag. Find out what’s new for hut trips and avalanche safety during COVID-19. The Therm-a-Rest people recommend that you store the pad flat and with the valve open, somewhere such as under a bed or perhaps upright in a closet. If the instructions are long gone, follow the steps below. Keeping your mattress flat with the valve open is the way to go. 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