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sleeping bag compression
earlier today i was reading a post about how someone had their sleeping bag compressed for about 4 months, and now it wont go back as fluffy. that got me wondering about mine:scared: i have an outbound hiker biker bag http://outbound.ca/lightweight/bike-hike.html and i keep it compressed. i'm wondering if mine will not be as fluffy too over time of keeping it compressed. what are your thoughts?
(for those that don't want to or didn't click the link) it's made of:
Shell 260T rip-stop
microfiber polyester
Lining P5 Pongee
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In my limited experience(I've only got a half dozen sleeping bags so I can't speak to all of them) most synthetic fills retain loft better after compression, Down on the other hand retains much more loft long term if stored uncompressed.
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Storing either one compressed or even stuffed in a small sack is a bad idea. Most good sleeping bags include a big cotton storage bag for that reason. Of course, hanging fully lofted in a closet or something would be best but most folks don't have room for that.
My gear is banished to my storage shed out back. I'm sure the heat isn't good for it but I store everything loose in big laundry bags or in large rubbermaid bins. This keeps the lizards and bugs out of them (I hope). So far so good but I think my oldest bag at the moment is only about 5 years old.
Good luck and don't store your insulation compressed if there's any way to prevent it.
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Your mileage will vary. But I can say this for 20* and 35* bags:
I have always stored my synthetic bags in compression stuff sacks, year round, for about 11 years.
So far, I haven't noticed any degradation in loft or performance.
(I don't crank the compression straps down when they're shelved, just do that when I pack up for the trail. It's easier on the stuff sack that way. But I definitely have to stuff them in the sack!) I always make sure the bags are clean and dry before storage, IMO dirt and moisture are more degrading to synthetic bag life than compression.
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i agree with all of you. i've had it a couple years now and haven't seemed to notice much of a difference, but i've just recently started keeping it compressed. before it just sat in the stuff sack. i guess i'll uncrompress it if possible, and keep it uncompressed, and just see what happens. maybe it's time to go out and sleep in it and see what it's like?
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I have a 5 year old North Face Aleutian 20°. I absolutely love it, but only use it for car camping since it's heavy compared to my down bags. I stored it in the included stuff sack for about two years, then loose in a big pillow case the last 3 years. I just got it out and seems to be like new. I guess I would have to test it sometime to be sure.
This topic reminds me of those like "iPhone vs Andriod" and "Ponchos vs rain jacket/pants" - seems like there will never be a true answer. I sure wish someone had been testing two identical bags stuffed vs. hanging for the past 10 years and gave them a thorough test...just to give some clarity.
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I have a couple of older/less expensive synthetic bags that I store in their sacks. They're fine... but I wouldn't do it with down.
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My Sierra Designs Wildbill from 2005 was compressed for way too long and lost some of its loft.
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I just use a big trash bag, fold the sleeping bag in half and put it in. It's the best I can do with the limited space on hand. No sure where I will store the down top and underquilts once they come in. But the process of loose storage will be the same.
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I use a pillow case to store my down bags.