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If you want your sleeping bag to last decades, it’s important to know what you can do to help<\/strong>. A great sleeping bag is worth the effort, especially if you get to use it for the rest of your life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two variables that can play into how long your sleeping bag will last. The first is the quality of the sleeping bag when you purchase it<\/strong>. A high-quality bag can last 40 years or more according to the experiences of some campers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, the way you take care of the bag<\/strong> plays a huge role in how long it will last. If you’re careful with your bag and keep it in good shape, you may only need to replace your bag once in your lifetime at most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If, however, you choose a very cheap sleeping bag with poor stitching and materials, then you might plan on a few summers with it before you start having problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking good care of your sleeping bag can very well mean that you never have to buy yourself more than one – Unless you like to switch it up when the weather changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In some seasons, you may wonder if you even need to use a sleeping bag at all<\/strong>. It’s only fair that you might want to pack lighter in the hotter months. To find out if you actually need a sleeping bag in summer, take a look at our article on the topic here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consequently, it’s important to know what steps you need to take in order to keep your bag in great shape<\/strong>. Follow these steps carefully, and you’re sure to be able to enjoy your sleeping bag for a long time to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best first step you can take is to make sure you purchase a sleeping bag that is made to high-quality standards<\/strong>. Not only is a quality bag more likely to last, it’s also often a better choice for keeping you warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re camping in winter weather, you may need more than just a sleeping bag to keep you comfortable<\/strong>! To find out how to stay cozy when it’s 40 degrees or less outside, take a look at our article on the subject here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although a high-quality sleeping bag might come with a higher price tag, keep in mind that you also won’t have to replace it nearly as often<\/strong> if you take good care of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s possible to find a sleeping bag in the $25-$40 range that will work just fine for a few years. However, it may not be suitable for colder temperatures. Additionally, lower quality can mean problems like holes or flattened filling<\/strong>. On the other hand, something like the Kelty Cosmic<\/a> (REI) may have a higher starting price but will last longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sleeping bags can be tricky when it comes to storage. Most sleeping bags come with a built-in ability to roll up into a more compact form<\/strong>. What many of us may not realize is that storing the sleeping bag rolled up isn’t actually good for keeping the bag in good shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re taking your sleeping bag out on the go, rolling it up for a short is what the sleeping bag is designed for and won’t cause any issues. However, when you’re going to be storing it for weeks or months, you should leave it as loose as possible<\/strong>. Some campers like to simply hang it up. Giving your sleeping bag room to breathe helps to keep the materials from becoming too compressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why do sleeping bags wear out? Well, it’s a matter of friction mostly–the more contact and torque you put on your sleeping bag from tossing and turning is going to wear it out. One way to offset this is by using a liner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sleeping bag liner like REI’s Cocoon<\/a> can help protect your sleeping bag. Even if you’ve made sure to clean yourself up before bed so you don’t put all the grime from the day in the bag, it’s still possible for sweat to get soaked up by your sleeping bag<\/strong>. Investing in a simple sleeping bag liner can help that from happening. It’s not a perfect solution but every bit helps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Liners are designed to go between you and your sleeping bag. Consequently, any sweat or bug repellent or whatever else that might end up in your bed will have to go through the liner before going into the bag<\/strong>. On top of that, liners are much<\/span> easier to clean than an entire sleeping bag and can be replaced at a much lower cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A liner is just one way to keep your bag clean, but you’ll need to know what other options you have as well. That includes knowing how to spot clean your bag, which is likely what you’ll need most often<\/strong>. Second, having an understanding of how to deep-clean your sleeping bag will be very beneficial. We talk about how to clean your sleeping bag here<\/a> in case you want to know more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re careful, you shouldn’t need to give your sleeping bag a full cleaning too often. The more effort you put into keeping your bag clean from the start, the less likely it will be that it needs repairs, down (or other filling) replacements, or deep cleaning. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dirt on the outside is one issue, but dirt and sweat on the inside of the bag can be a much more annoying problem<\/strong>. If too much dampness manages to make its way into your sleeping bag, it can leave the bag smelling very unpleasantly – and getting that smell out can be quite a hassle (again, see our post here<\/a> if you want to see what you can do to clean a sleeping bag)<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can help to avoid this problem by making sure you are clean before going to bed<\/strong>. Take a shower if you can, or use wet wipes if you have no other options. When combined with a liner, this practice can really help to keep your sleeping bag in the best shape possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there’s one thing to remember about taking care of your sleeping bag, it’s that liquid is the enemy. Water getting into your sleeping bag can result in nasty smells and damage to the filling of the bag. <\/strong>As a result, it’s important to keep your sleeping bag dry as best you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, accidents can happen. Knowing how to get your sleeping bag dry safely and efficiently is key if you don’t want to end up having to replace it.<\/strong> Depending on the level of dampness, you may be able to hang your sleeping bag out in the sun, or you may need to spend some time drying it at low heat in your dryer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Probably the most likely culprit of a damp sleeping bag besides the rain<\/strong> is sweat and your own breath. Spending one night in a sleeping bag isn’t likely to cause any real issues, but multiple nights on one trip–all that moisture will accumulate. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The easiest <\/strong>thing to do is to make sure you have proper ventilation in your sleeping bag and in your tent. If you are too warm, unzip the sleeping bag a bit, or take off a layer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you’re extremely careful with your bag, it may still receive some damage accidentally or through regular wear and tear<\/strong>. This is nothing to be ashamed of – and odds are it’s probably something you can fix!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning how to do simple repairs like fixing the zipper, patching holes, and replacing the down<\/strong> can be incredibly useful. Often, you’re likely to find that you can fix your sleeping bag at a much lower cost than it would take to buy a new one. In some cases, you may even be able to fix it for free! <\/p>\n\n\n\n This video is an example of a common problem you might see with a sleeping bag zipper:<\/p>\n\n\nHow Long Does a Sleeping Bag Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
11 Tips For Storing Your Sleeping Bag So It Can Last a Long Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Start With a Quality Bag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use Careful Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Invest In a Liner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep It Clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep Yourself Clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Avoid Dampness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learn How To Repair It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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