View Full Version : Equipment storage
c4mailman.pb
11-15-2019, 12:37
I know this topic is a sad one but must be addressed, equipment storage, particularly fabric and insulation storage. I have stored things like tents with spray on type waterproofing and taped seams just to have them be sticky to the touch and tape crumbled. I have stored them in their stuff sack as well as very large mesh laundry bags. I have stored them in climate controlled areas and places like a hot garage. Same problem no matter what. Is this common? Do I need to just figure on periodically treating these fabrics? Finally do I need to store down filled items fluffed or in the stuff sack or does it even matter?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
cmc4free
11-15-2019, 12:45
Most people store their down quilts loosely
- Hanging in a closet
- In a bin (make sure it's completely dry before closing the bin, and/or store with desiccant)
- In a large cotton or mesh sack (some quilts come with one)
- etc.
How much it matters is debatable, but it's a fairly widespread practice.
c4mailman.pb
11-15-2019, 12:49
Most people store their down quilts loosely
- Hanging in a closet
- In a bin (make sure it's completely dry before closing the bin, and/or store with desiccant)
- In a large cotton or mesh sack (some quilts come with one)
- etc.
How much it matters is debatable, but it's a fairly widespread practice.
Thanks. I may try the bins.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
cmc4free
11-15-2019, 13:00
Thanks. I may try the bins.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's what I do, personally.
My down is in the Cotton Bags they came with and simply sit on an open wire shelf.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ATGIRL2028
11-15-2019, 19:53
My down is in the Cotton Bags they came with and simply sit on an open wire shelf.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was wondering the same...when I FINALLY get my topquilt in 4 more weeks (aaarrrggg!!!) how do I store it? Does it HAVE TO hang or can I fold it and put it loosely on a shelf? I really don't have anywhere to hang it, but plenty of shelf space.
cmc4free
11-15-2019, 20:20
Definitely doesn't have to hang. Just don't store it compressed and try to keep it in a dry, climate controlled environment, and you're good.
ATGIRL2028
11-15-2019, 20:23
Definitely doesn't have to hang. Just don't store it compressed and try to keep it in a dry, climate controlled environment, and you're good.
Perfect, ty.
Keeping quilts in large mesh bags has worked for me for the past couple years. I live in a tiny New York City apartment, so hanging my quilts isn't really an option.
OneClick
01-23-2020, 08:45
I would never hang my stuff even though I have the space. Just feels rough. I have a few down coats hanging on padded hangers and they still get a good deal of tension in the shoulders. Just being totally paranoid I'm sure.
I do hang all my TQs, sleeping bags and UQs.
Shug
https://live.staticflickr.com/8460/7933840640_edf026a3d8_c.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/8456/7933843510_f57a6d2244_c.jpg
Most people store their down quilts loosely
- Hanging in a closet
- In a bin (make sure it's completely dry before closing the bin, and/or store with desiccant)
- In a large cotton or mesh sack (some quilts come with one)
- etc.
How much it matters is debatable, but it's a fairly widespread practice.
So if the quilt is totally dry then it is fine without airflow? Currently got my TQ in a large bin but saw someone post on the forums that they needed airflow. Been meaning to circle back and make sure mine was not suffocating! :D
So if the quilt is totally dry then it is fine without airflow? Currently got my TQ in a large bin but saw someone post on the forums that they needed airflow. Been meaning to circle back and make sure mine was not suffocating! :D
These quilt bags from Hammock Gear work great. Breathable.....https://hammockgear.com/storage-sack/
Shug
OneClick
01-23-2020, 10:19
So if the quilt is totally dry then it is fine without airflow? Currently got my TQ in a large bin but saw someone post on the forums that they needed airflow. Been meaning to circle back and make sure mine was not suffocating! :D
I would love to hear the explanation from them on why they need air flow. I'm not being facetious, I just can't think of a reason if it's put away dry and kept in a home.
cmc4free
01-23-2020, 11:30
I've been keeping all my (dry) quilts, sleeping bags, and out-of-season down jackets in bins for years. No mildew or ill-effects of any sort.
After using a quilt, I do leave it hung in the garage to air dry for a couple of days before putting it back in the bin. If in any doubt, I might even leave the lid off the bin for an extra day or so.
My thought is that anyone claiming airflow is "needed" is taking extra insurance against putting away a quilt before they know for sure it's totally dry.
justinae
08-06-2020, 15:05
I know the thread is a bit older but I store my down gear underneath my bed all laid out.
I keep all of my topquilts, underquilts, sleeping bags stored in one of those 3 compartment laundry bins. I have 2 of them in my camping gear area.
Keep my UQ, TQ and down sleeping bags in large mesh bags on a shelf. I do not stack them on top of each other though.
dutch_henry
10-01-2020, 16:35
I would love to hear the explanation from them on why they need air flow. I'm not being facetious, I just can't think of a reason if it's put away dry and kept in a home.
I think a lot depends on indoor air quality inc humidity levels. In grad school I had an apartment in the pacific northwest. In the rainy winter, clothing compressed against an exterior wall (eg hanging in one of the closets) would get moldy. The single pane windows in that place, among other things, made it hard to regulate indoor humidity levels.
That's where the air circulation argument comes in. Humidity creates condensation on impermeable layers, especially on colder surfaces in tight spaces (like my exterior closet wall). So you can hang loosely, so air can circulate without trapping moisture/forming condensate. Or you can toss bone dry stuff in a bin, to keep the humidity out to begin with (though when I do use bins, I'll toss some dry cedar in there, with the thought it can absorb moisture if it does find its way in).
My stuff now hangs from a beam in my dry basement. Works well and easy to rack up for a trip.
I know the thread is a bit older but I store my down gear underneath my bed all laid out.
Me too, and just because I didin't have another one to store them at the moment.
OneClick
10-02-2020, 07:45
I couldn't do under the bed. Last week I pulled out the Thermarest mats I keep there...so much dust I could have planted crops on them. Nasty. But they are sitting for months or even a year without use so that matters some.
I meant, inside my bed. It is like a box. :)
182644
OneClick
10-02-2020, 08:42
I meant, inside my bed. It is like a box. :)
182644
Perfect!
tinktheman12
09-11-2022, 15:11
How important is open and loose storing for synthetics? I understand compressing down feather is a big problem. Do synthetics behave different if stored compressed?
(I'm new to hammocks - and backpacking - and have an ENO Ember UQ that I've been storing in the only sack it came with, rather tightly.)
Thanks all!
P.S. kind of jealous about that "bed-box" storage photo!
I use the HG bags for my UQ and full length TQ and hang them in my closet. Have my Yeti, down jacket, down blanket, hang on hangers too. I think the bed he's referring to is called a Captains bed. That's an excellent idea if you have one. Under my bed puts stuff in striking distance of my dogs. Our new puppy would LOVE a chance to chew all my gear to pieces. LOL! Nope.
sideshowraheem
09-11-2022, 18:53
As I recall most synthetic quilts, like apex for example, will suffer a bit if you have them really cinched down in a compression sack but suffer less than down would. Stored somewhat loosely they ought to be fine.
inkaminka
09-12-2022, 03:01
Synthetic insulation loses its R value over time no matter how careful you are with storage.
TrailBlaser
09-12-2022, 10:04
My quilts have been loosely stored in cotton, drawstring bags (some that came with the quilts, others I purchased on Amazon) and placed in a container. I keep the containers in the house (rather than the garage where other gear is stored); this has worked well for me.
barbmill540
12-07-2022, 14:09
My down stuff I keep in pillow cases that I no longer have the matching sheets for. Any camping stuff that could be affected by moisture gets stored in a bedroom closet. I put a shelf unit in there with a sheet draped over top. Half of the closet still gets used for clothing.
Grimesville Assassin
01-18-2023, 12:14
I use Mesh Laundry Bags,for my Down Quilts and such.They seem to be a Hair bigger than provided storage Sacks. Excellent Air flow also.