Store Compressed or Uncompressed?

**Btdkd** · 08-02-2018, 10:36

Greetings all! I am interested in your experience with storing down bags, quilts, garments. The standard answer I see is, “store your down ‘gizmo’ in the uncompressed state.”

HOWEVER, as a mechanical engineer, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. From an engineering standpoint, I’d wager that is actually the number of compression / uncompression cycles that cause degradation in loft. If that is correct, every time you come home from a trip and decompress your “quilt”.... then compress it again before its next use.... you are essentially running the garment through an unnecessary (and un-handy) compression cycle.

To be clear, the above is completely predicated upon the assumption is that the down is dry. If it’s wet, it clearly needs to be decompressed to allow air circulation for drying. Otherwise... mold and such will do it’s evil work.

I’m very interested in hearing your experience. Often, things that are taken as “the gospel” aren’t necessarily true... just handed down from generation to generation. Thoughts?

**Shug** · 08-02-2018, 10:40

Store un-compressed~~~~~
Either hang it, put in a big bin or use these quilt storage bags.....http://www.hammockgear.com/hammock-gear-storage-sack/

Shug

**snwcmpr** · 08-02-2018, 10:40

http://www.westernmountaineering.com...uct-tips-care/

**OneClick** · 08-02-2018, 10:44

Good thought about the cycles but it's still recommended to store uncompressed. Just make sure you are squeezing the stuff sack or "scooping" the quilt out instead of pulling. Don't just grab the quilt's end and pull it out. I remember seeing that on some sleeping bag manufacturers tags.

**pgibson** · 08-02-2018, 10:45

Uncompressed. Like many things insulations can build up a memory and hold the shape they have been held in for extended times. If stored long-term compressed any and all insulations will want to stay in that compressed form when released from the compression....aka loss of loft...which is loft of insulation.

**P1Scubbs** · 08-02-2018, 16:07

synthetic i think is ok to store compressed but down should be stored uncompressed.

**pgibson** · 08-02-2018, 16:09

Originally Posted by P1Scubbs

synthetic i think is ok to store compressed but down should be stored uncompressed.

Nope, No insulation should be stored compressed. It's not good for any insulation type that needs to loft to insulate.

**QiWiz** · 08-02-2018, 16:32

Originally Posted by Btdkd

. . . I’d wager that is actually the number of compression / uncompression cycles that cause degradation in loft. . . .

I'll take that bet. Buy two down bags. Use them on trail exactly the same way, but store one compressed and store the other uncompressed. Stored uncompressed, no loft lost while in storage. Stored compressed (and the longer its in the compressed storage state), the more the down feathers may not spring back into their uncompressed shape, and then loft is lost. Every time it is stuffed into its stuff sack for a day on trail, it's compressed, but for a relatively short time.

**SilvrSurfr** · 08-02-2018, 16:38

I get "question everything." I just don't get why you want to store insulation compressed. Is there some inherent advantage you see in storing insulation compressed? Saving space?

**snwcmpr** · 08-02-2018, 16:55

When is this excessive cycle of compression/uncompression?
You get home, uncompress, air out, and store. You do not compress again until you go out again.
When is the saving of compression by keeping it compressed?