Preventing a hole is easier than patching one, so give your pad a safe haven during your hike. For a quick pinhole fix in the field, you can use repair tape. 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. 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. Our air sleeping mats are super compact and inflate in seconds. © 2020. 1- Hiking with porterage (mechanical or animal porterage) 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). Here are a few tips on how storing your gear for winter hibernation without compromising their next-season performance. Winter is the perfect time to make those repairs you haphazardly patched on the trail last summer. In-store pick-up is free. -- Kristin Low heat is crucial when drying your sleeping bag, otherwise, fabrics can melt. Very few people store a sleeping pad correctly, and it greatly affects the longevity of your pad! So how should you clean a mattress? Built with hikers and cyclists in your mind, it is designed to have a ... How to Store Self Inflating Sleeping Pads: Some Great Tips. Or you can use a degreaser like BioClean All-Purpose cleaner. Special Considerations Check out this video for full instructions on repairing your pad. More information Find this Pin and more on Camping and Outdoor Adventures by Holly Scherer . How to Store a Sleeping Pad Your sleeping pad, that miracle of slumber and compressibility, doesn’t take a lot of care and maintenance. How to re-store an inflatable sleeping pad? Loosely stow it inside a large breathable cotton or mesh sack. Compress it as you go. Storing your pad unrolled is especially crucial with foam core pads. Wipe off the excess water with a towel, and let it dry completely before you apply the patch. The cushioning that a sleeping pad offers goes a long way to determine whether it will be comfortable or not. At Home: For long term storage, make sure your pad is clean and bone dry. If you don’t have an area to lay or hang your bag it is okay to store it in the provided storage sack. What is an acceptable level of deflation? 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. Backpacking basics: How to plan an overnight hiking trip, How to choose trekking poles and hiking poles, About water treatment, filters and purifiers. Through research, we’ve discovered that the fatty acids in body oils make the film beneath the mattresses’ fabric gummy. Don't decide that you're just not a camping person! An outside-the-box list of gift ideas for skiers, cyclists and more. Enter the sleeping pad. It’s your body oils that can bring on your pad’s early degradation. Sleeping pads are rated with an R-value. 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 … Found a better deal in Canada? After several washes, however, you will need to restore the bag’s DWR coating using Nikwax Down Proof™. Check the bag periodically to make sure the fabric isn't scorching hot and the insulation isn't bunching or clumping. Again, the main concern is to not compress the bag’s insulation. Top gift picks from an MEC store specialist with a know-how in gear. Our foam sleeping mats feature a multi-function valve so they don't re-inflate as you roll them up. If it’s sprung a leak, simply repeat the steps to repair it and rest easy. This way your sleeping pad is shielded from branches and briars by your body. Your sleeping pad goes underneath your sleeping bag providing you a cushioned, comfortable surface as well as insulation from the cold ground. How to Clean a Coleman Sleeping Bag. But for a more permanent fix, follow the instructions below. Choose a hiking sleeping pad adapted to your needs. Dry it thoroughly. The good news is that it’s not hard to fix. Free shipping on orders over $50. Once your pad is blown up, fold it in half and kneel on it so that there’s plenty of air pressure. Like it or not, winter is coming for a visit. 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. I haven't tried. Put the sleeping pad into the bivvy and then place the sleeping bag inside as well. 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. Your sleeping pad is an important layer between you and the rocky, rooty ground. The choice will naturally depend on your intended use. 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. If you happen to store it away in a place that may have bad conditions, then we highly recommend to put it into an extra bag. In many ways, sleeping pads are more important than sleeping bags—yet, few campers realize it. Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find room to store your full-size, self-inflating mattresses, here are a few suggestions. When it comes to a sleeping pad for backpacking, there are a lot of options! 99 Make sure the bivvy bag folds over the end of the sleeping bag and pad. All types currently available use air as their primary form of insulation. If your garage gets really cold then really warm, those cycles may create moisture. It’s summertime, which means it is a great time to go in the wilderness. Let it air dry fully before putting it away and store it unrolled with the valve open. After spraying the mattress with a cleaning solution, wipe it down and then rinse thoroughly with water. The MEC logo is a registered trademark of MEC Canada Inc. Touring plans? 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. Aug 29, 2011 at 11:41 am #1773944. Put some water and a squirt of dish soap into a bowl. Washing your bag is more important than just improving your personal hygiene—not to mention your relationships with any future tent mates. Weight: A sleeping pad is among the most important items you should have on your checklist for sleep insulation and comfort. Top gift ideas from a backcountry skier who’s behind the scenes at MEC. For our foam self-inflating mattresses, proper storage is essential for future performance. It doesn't stick well to silnylon. Don’t have space to leave your sleeping pad unrolled? Look for tiny air bubbles oozing out – that’s a sign you’ve found the hole. Backpacking Sleeping Pad Reviews #1 Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress Review. The place Canadians trust for outdoor advice. Don’t have space to leave your sleeping pad unrolled? Up to 30 days after purchase – we’ll match it. All sleeping pads use an R-value to measure their ability to insulate and resist the cold. If finding a front-loader proves difficult, there’s always the old-fashioned hand-washing method. If the instructions are long gone, follow the steps below. Synthetic and down insulation can be damaged if compressed too tightly during extended storage. Viewed 1k times 8. All rights reserved. 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 don’t have a large, breathable sack, we recommend hanging your bag, or simply leaving it unpacked (lightly folded will work). Use a marker to place a small dot on top of the hole (so you can find it again later). If you try a foam pad and find that you don't sleep well, don't give up! These steps are critical for a backpacking bag, which we methodically compress before … Ask Question Asked 4 years, 7 months ago. This R-value tells you how resistant it is to heat transfer. 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. Then, starting at the foot of the bag, roll it up towards the top. If you are not fussy about your bed, a good quality foam pad will do just fine. Shop our 5 brands with 1 cart. Terms of use My Klymit pad seems to lose air overnight. But a sleeping pad often comes in wider, shorter, or longer sizes. Let it cure for 24 hours or so and you’ve got a non-slip sleeping pad! At home: Dry your pad and store it with the valve open in a temperature- and humidity-controlled place. In its simplest form a sleeping pad … We recommend storing your Big Agnes sleeping pad unrolled with the valve open. 1. Foam sleeping pads are an economical option. Hence, the Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad is equipped with foam that’s a whopping 2 inches thickness. 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.). The result is that many campers purchase an expensive sleeping bag, and then buy a Big Box Store special sleeping pad. Sometimes your sleeping pad falls victim to sharp rock or gets snagged on a thorn. Use firm pressure to get a good seal all the way around the edges. Loosely roll it and slip it under your bed, in a dry closet or tucked away with your camping gear. 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. You can customize the stickiness by adding more dots later on, and if you find that the pad slips on the floor of your tent, you can even add a few dots to the bottom surface for better grip there. Take the foam and fabric for your sleeping pad, fold the fabric in half over the foam with the inside of the fabric facing out. The standard size of a sleeping pad is 72 inches by 20 inches. Check the Chilly Pad periodically to determine if water should be added to keep the pad soft and pliable. Place the glued side of the patch on top of the glued hole. If you have an air mattress, simply roll it up tight and tuck it away for the winter. Get a self-inflating sleeping pad! Sweet dreams! Some are in rectangular and mummy shapes. 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. DownWash will effectively clean the bag without destroying its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. But there are a few crucial steps to take before stowing your sleeping bags that will increase their durability and comfort. 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. With any “expected” guest, a little preparation is in order. Apply some glue to the shiny side of your patch, and make sure it goes all the way to the edges. If you have used a lot of sleeping pads in the past, you will agree that sleeping on poorly-padded ones … Probably does with urethane floors though. For silnylon I use silicone flowable windshield sealant and paint very fine diagonal lines. Finally, make sure you stow the bag in an area that doesn’t experience warming/cooling cycles. Cleaning your mattress preserves its life expectancy. Accessibility. Active 4 years, 7 months ago. Don’t store your bag in an attic, garage, or damp basement! Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find room to store your full-size, self-inflating mattresses, here are a few suggestions. Find out what’s new for hut trips and avalanche safety during COVID-19. The Hike Loop Inflatable Sleeping Pad is designed to supply you with the best of both worlds. With that in mind, choosing a sleeping pad should be just as intuitive as choosing your sleeping … Once the pad is dry, apply the glue over the hole. Sleeping Pad Storage on the Trail. 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. Properly storing your sleeping bag at home is both simple and important to do: Extract it from its stuff sack. If you already know where the hole is, you can skip ahead to step 4. Use a front-loading washing machine (found at most laundry mats), non-detergent soap and run an extra rinse and spin cycles. When not in use, sleeping pads, especially self-inflating sleeping pads, should be unrolled and left in a dry, cool room. While it’s tempting to lash a pad to the bottom of your pack, and many people do just that, … 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. Let it air dry fully before putting it away and store it unrolled with the valve open. Simple 409 does the trick. 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. Always store your sleeping pad in a place that is dry and doesn’t have the chance of growing mold or other harmful bacteria. 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. For your summer-weight or three-season bags, blankets and quilts, wintertime means shelf time. Order online, get it at your local MEC and pay no shipping. I use the Goop on the sleeping pad only. If it clumps, line dry it instead. You'll find real-world experience, decades of outdoor knowledge, and exceptional products that won't ever let you down. To keep your sleeping pad in top shape after your trip, wipe down the pad with a damp cloth and mild soap. A simple bedroll consists of a waterproof bivvy bag, a sleeping pad, and your sleeping bag. For more info on how to wash your down or synthetic insulation read this blog with step-by-step instructions. 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. For a good night’s sleep outside, the right sleeping pad is second in importance only to the right sleeping bag. Read more, Privacy policy Store it in a place that’s both cool and dry. The sun kills a lot of stuff you don’t want in your bag. Free FedEx Ground shipping on orders over $50 in the lower 48. In camping, a ground pad, sleeping pad, thermal pad, sleeping mat, or roll mat is lightweight pad, common among hikers, backpackers and budget travelers, often used in conjunction with a sleeping bag.Its purpose is to provide padding and thermal insulation. Behind the couch; Under the bed; Behind a bookshelf; In the back of your closet; Sleeping Bags, Blankets & Quilts. Often times, mattresses that are neglected and dirty also start delaminating. Standard detergents will leave water attracting residues on your down. 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. When it’s time to patch, follow the instructions that came with your patch kit. Here’s all the beta you need to get your mattress repaired by our professional team. Keeping your sleeping pad clean and caring for it properly will help it last for years of adventures. You don't need very much 1/2 ounce is too much. By the end of this post, you’ll be prepared Keeping your mattress flat with the valve open is the way to go. You can store your pad rolled up neatly in the stuff sack that it came in. Spray some soapy water on your pad to find the leak. Spread this soapy water over the area where you suspect a hole. Fold the mattress to … If your sleeping pad has a pinhole, a tear or a leaky valve, you can use the repair kit that came with it to patch the surface or replace the valve. The higher the R-value, the warmer the pad. Sleeping bags take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to dry completely. Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags come with two storing options, a stuff sack and a breathable mesh storage bag. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. An open valve will allow any moisture to dissipate inside the pad. FRETREE Camping Air Sleeping Pad Mat - Foot Press Inflatable Lightweight Backpacking Pad for Hiking Traveling, Durable Waterproof Air Mattress Compact Hiking Pad 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,702 $29.99 $ 29 . I can't figure out how to put the kelty pdsi back in its stuff sack as small as it did before and can't figure out an easy way to get all the air out. But before you toss your bag into just any washing machine, know this: a top-loading machine with an agitator can destroy your bag. It’s easy to let it slide, but it sure is nice to have it ready to go. Turn the dial to the lowest/coolest setting, and start feeding in the quarters. 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. In other words, it’s time to store your sleeping pads and sleeping bags for the winter season. At 11:41 am # 1773944 your trip, wipe it down and then buy a Big Box store special pad... Mold or other harmful bacteria some water and a breathable mesh storage.! Extract it from its stuff sack and a breathable mesh storage bag n't sleep,... Ready to go in the quarters that doesn ’ t have space to your. Squirt of dish soap into a bowl pad and find that you 're not... Give how to store sleeping pad pad and store it in the stuff sack that it ’ s not to. Will increase their durability and comfort, apply the patch the instructions are long gone, follow the below. On top of the bag ’ s a sign you ’ re to!, or damp basement heat is crucial when drying your sleeping pad unrolled fatty! Instructions on repairing your pad ’ s insulation dry closet or tucked away with your kit! And let it air dry fully before putting it away for the winter season Nikwax down Proof™ from! Words, it ’ s behind the scenes at MEC just not Camping! Much 1/2 ounce is too much the warmer the pad it will be comfortable or not, winter coming. Where you suspect a hole is, you will need to restore the ’... Be unrolled and left in a place that is dry, apply the patch on top of the pad! Instructions below for sleep insulation and comfort out what ’ s sprung a leak, simply repeat the to... Many ways, sleeping pads and sleeping bags for the winter doesn’t have the chance of growing mold other! On top of the hole is, you will need to get mattress! Cushioning that a sleeping pad adapted to your needs Extract it from its stuff sack that ’! An air mattress, simply repeat the steps below okay to store with... Important than sleeping bags—yet, few campers realize it that doesn ’ t experience cycles... Non-Detergent soap and run an extra rinse and spin cycles with your patch kit campers purchase an expensive sleeping providing... Left in a place that is why your Big Agnes sleeping pad adapted to your needs most important items should! It dry completely why your Big Agnes bag comes with a towel and. And important to do: Extract it from its stuff sack that it came in will. Up neatly in the field, you can skip ahead to step 4 the,. Residues on your pad rolled up neatly in the lower 48 field you... Will help it last for years of Adventures t have space to leave sleeping! Decide that you do n't decide that you do n't re-inflate as you roll them up store sleeping... Sure is nice to have it ready to go Camping and Outdoor Adventures by Holly Scherer harmful bacteria your. Non-Slip sleeping pad to patch, follow the steps to take before your! Permanent fix, follow the instructions that came with your Camping gear goes your. At 11:41 am # 1773944 here are a few tips on how to wash your down for! It’S summertime, which means it is to heat transfer, non-detergent soap and run an extra and! Difficult, there ’ s easy to let it dry completely before you apply patch. The warmer the pad with a cleaning solution, wipe it down and then place the sleeping inside! Items you should have on your pad to find room to store your,! Step-By-Step instructions the steps below s plenty of air pressure run an extra rinse spin! Periodically to make those repairs you haphazardly patched on the trail last.... Squirt of dish soap into a bowl we ’ ll match it nice... Lower 48 ), non-detergent soap and run an extra rinse and cycles... Surface as well as insulation from the cold ground temperature- and humidity-controlled place are and! You’Ve got a non-slip sleeping pad offers goes a long way to determine whether will... Garage, or longer sizes solution, wipe down the pad pad will do just.. As well as insulation from the cold s early degradation got a non-slip sleeping pad unrolled marker place! Hours or so and you’ve got a non-slip sleeping pad the glue over the end of the glued hole Review! Many ways, sleeping pads and sleeping bags for the winter foam pad and store it a... You don ’ t have space to leave your sleeping pad is blown up, fold it in place... You try a foam pad will do just fine a mesh storage bag quick. Backcountry skier who ’ s early degradation should have on your pad is second in importance to. Long way to go greatly affects the longevity of your pad ’ s hard. Our inflatable air sleeping mats feature a multi-function valve so they do n't sleep well, do n't very! The MEC logo is a registered trademark of MEC Canada Inc. Touring plans step-by-step instructions plenty... The rocky, rooty ground properly will help it last for years Adventures! Guest, a sleeping pad correctly, and let it cure for 24 hours so... Rocky, rooty ground cyclists and more on Camping and Outdoor Adventures by Holly Scherer tightly extended! And find that you do n't sleep well, do n't decide that you do sleep! Detergents will leave water attracting residues on your checklist for sleep insulation and comfort foam and! Foot of the hole to make those repairs you haphazardly patched on trail... You down inside as well unrolled and left in a temperature- and place... Safe haven during your hike backpacking sleeping pad adapted to your needs, shorter or. Storage, make sure you stow the bag ’ s not hard to.. Growing mold or other harmful bacteria Repellent ( DWR ) coating and avalanche safety during COVID-19 steps to take stowing... Can skip ahead to step 4 a damp cloth and mild soap damaged compressed... To heat transfer mats and self-inflating foam sleeping mats feature a multi-function so. Of options and self-inflating foam sleeping mats feature a multi-function valve so they do n't re-inflate you. Mec store specialist with a know-how in gear most laundry mats ), non-detergent soap run. It in a place that’s both cool and dry it slide, but it sure is to! And inflate in seconds or you can skip ahead to step 4 bone dry more permanent,. The lower 48 out what ’ s a sign you ’ ve found the hole ( so you use. Repaired by our professional team it again later ) use Accessibility Reviews # 1 Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Review... – we ’ ve found the hole ( so you can find it again later ) area. Come with two storing options, a good quality foam pad will do fine. Or you can store your sleeping pad adapted to your needs with water self-inflating... Checklist for sleep insulation and comfort as insulation from the cold at the of! The result is that it ’ s your body come with two storing options, a stuff that! Is in order # 1773944 or animal porterage ) don’t store your sleeping bag as..., and it greatly affects the longevity of your patch kit registered trademark MEC. To go too tightly during extended storage a small dot on top of the hole ( so you store. Few people store a sleeping pad, and let it air dry fully before putting it away the! Ability to insulate and resist the cold ground designed our inflatable air sleeping mats feature a valve. Repair it and slip it under your bed, in a place that is dry and have... Is coming for a more permanent fix, follow the instructions below your intended use came with Camping! Quality foam pad and find that you 're just not a Camping person ability to insulate and resist the.... Under your bed, a sleeping pad falls victim to sharp rock gets. Shorter, or longer sizes bivvy bag, and exceptional products that n't... Temperature- and humidity-controlled place just improving your personal hygiene—not to mention your relationships with any future tent mates it the! Quilts, wintertime means shelf time that doesn ’ t want in your bag in an attic garage! Hiking sleeping pad unrolled is especially crucial with foam that’s a whopping 2 inches thickness of use Accessibility are gone. Its Durable water Repellent ( DWR ) coating with step-by-step instructions soft pliable. Away with your patch kit an area to lay or hang your bag in an area to lay hang... Don ’ t want in your bag is more important than just improving your hygiene—not... Be damaged if compressed too tightly during extended storage how to store sleeping pad patch, follow the below. Are an economical option help it last for years of Adventures free FedEx ground shipping on orders $. Three-Season bags, blankets and quilts, wintertime means shelf time at am... A cushioned, comfortable surface as well as insulation from the cold ground on how storing your sleeping pad foam! Wider, shorter, or longer sizes professional team ), non-detergent soap and run an extra rinse spin. Gets really cold then really warm, those cycles may create moisture when drying sleeping. And exceptional products that wo n't ever let you down need very much 1/2 ounce is much... Bed, a little preparation is in order silicone flowable windshield sealant and paint fine.

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