Product care - equipment

Down Sleeping Bags
Synthetic Sleeping Bags
How to pack your sleeping bag
Sleeping Mats
Tents
Rucksacks
Walking Poles
Hydration Systems

Product Care

Down Sleeping Bags

Down sleeping bags need to be cared for properly and if they are, then they will provide you with years of excellent service. It has been said that a decent down sleepin bag could last up to 20 years before it really needs replacing. This could be up to two as long as a synthetic bag, so worth considering when you are making your choice. Please follow the care tips below for your down bag.

Store loose - most down bags come in a large storage bag, use it. If you keep a down bag conmpressed in it's stuff sack thenit will lose it's loft and warmth very quickly
Allow to air - hang your down sleeping bag up after you have used it, this will allow any moisture build up to dry out, keeping the bag fresher and loftier
Use a silk sleeping bag liner - down sleeping bags are more expensive, using a silk liner will help to keep it clean and not reduce the techinical performance of the inner fabrics
Washing -if you need to wash your down sleeping bag (try not to) then use Nikwax Down Wash and use a large commercial washing machine such as those at a laundrette. Then give it a very gentle tumble dry, again in a large commercial drier. Take the bag out regulary and help break up the clumping that will happen in the down. Do not use fabric conditioners as this will damage the down. Ideally, send your bag to a commercial cleaner such W E Franklin Ltd based in Sheffield (tel: 0114 2686161)

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Synthetic Sleeping bags give excellent general use, they are cheaper than down, though will not remain a warm as down over a number of years. Synthetic bags are easy to look after and relaitivly simple to clean. Follow the tips below on how to care for your synthetic sleepign bag.

As with down sleeping bags, store your synthetic sleeping bag loose. If you keep it stored in its compression sack you the bag will lose it's warmth quicker as the fibres will lose their ability to loft.
Again, hang your bag up after using it. This will allow it to dry out comepletly before storing, helping to keep the loft and the freshness of the bag.
Use a sleeping bag liner with the synthetic sleeping. If you have a good quality sleeping bag, then it will have a techincal fabric on the inner that will help wick away moisture. IF this is the case, Walk and Travel recommend you use a silk liner to help with the wicking. A cotton liner is very inneficient at this and could keep you slightly damp through the night, reducign the thermal properties of the synthetic sleeping bag.
Washing - if you want to wash your sleeping bag, use a non detergent washign product such as Nikwax Tech Wash. Wash you bag following the care instructions frm the manufacturer. If it is a large bag, use a commercial mahine. When the bag has been washed it can be either air dried carefully or at a low setting in a tumble drier. Ensure the sleepign bag is totally dry before putting it away. Do not use fabric conditioners as this can impair the lofting of the fibres.

How to pack your sleeping bag

Sleeping bags are always notoriously difficult to get into their stuff sacs. When they are made they are machine rolled to fit them into the bags, this is the easiest way to do this in the manufacturing process.

Walk and Travel recommend that you stuff the sleeping bag into the stuff sack. The best way to pack a sleeping bag is as follows.

Grasp the bag at the foot end and fold the foot in half.
Stuff this into the very bottom of the stuff sack, easiest done by crouching down with the bag between your legs.
Continue stuffing the sleeping bag into the stuff sack twisting it as you go to ensure an even fit.
Keep doing this until it is all in the bag then quickly pull the drawstring at the top so it doesn't pop back out.
Draw down the compression straps so it then packs down to your desired size. The best way to do this is to kneel on the packed sleeping bag so the compression straps are loose then tighten them to take up the slack. Do not force them or pull them too hard as you may damage the stitching.

It is best to stuff your sleeping bag rather than try to roll it for two reasons, it is easier to pack away this way and if you roll the bag in the same way each time then the softie filling will compress the same way in the same place everytime and the you will lose the loft of the bag quicker in those places resulting in cold spots.

Sleeping Mats

Sleeping mats are fairly simple to care for. But still need to be cared for. Follow the sleeping mat care tips below to ensure you get years of use out of gear.

if you have a closed cell foam mat, then ideally this should be stored flat. Keeping it rolled and stored won't damage it, but makes it easier to unroll when you are at camp
To clean, just wipe down with warm water and dry off afterwards. If you use a soap, ensure you rinse thoroughly.
If you are using a self inflating sleeping mat, it is important that they are stored with the valve open and that the mat is flat. If you store it rolled up the foam will lose it's memory and won't expand as well, reducing the warmth and comfort it will provide.
To clean wipe down with warm water and dry off afterwards, if you are using a soap, thoroughly rinse after.
Be careful of where you are putting down your self inflating sleeping mat, they do puncture, so clear all stone and twigs from where you are going to use it. If you do get a hole in it, use a recommended repair kit, or a sealing glue such as Seam grip.

Tents

Tents and bivi bags provide you with all the shelter you need in the outdoors and need looking after to ensure they can provide you with this protection. They can get muddy groundsheets, UV degradation from the sun, birds can use them as toilets and the waterproofness can diminish the more they are used, and of course, they can get soaking wet while keeping you dry. Following the care tips below will help your investment to last.

Storage. it is imperative that your store your tent dry, as you would with all your other outdoor gear. When you get back from your camping trip or expedition, pitch your tent in the garden (if it isn't raining) and allow it to dry. If not spread it out or hang it up somewhere to allow it to air and dry completely. If you pack a tent away wet, it will go mouldy, smell and rot.
Cleaning. If you need to clean your tent, pitch and wash it down with warm solution of Nikwax Tech Wash water and thoroughly rinse in clean water. Always clean bird poor off as quickly as possible as this can really damage the fibres. If it is easier, then wash and rise your tent in the bath.
Re-proofing. To reproof your tent, again pitch it, clean it and use a spray on tent proffer such as Nikwax Tent and Gear Proof. If you are using a single wall, waterproof breathable tent or bivi bag then use Nikwax TX Direct Spray On. Spray the product on generously onto the outside of the fabric, rubbing into the surface with a clean damp cloth. If you need to re waterproof proof a cotton tent, use Nikwax Cotton Proof, following the instructions on the bottle.
Tent repairs. If you damage your tent on the move, then products such as McNett Seam Grip and McNett Tenacious Tape can be used. When you return, get in touch with the supplier or manufacturer, they can usually repair their products at a reasonable cost.
Poles and pegs. Always clean these off after use, the mud you get on the pegs can damage the tents fabric, replace bent pegs when you get back so it is ready for the next time you use it. Dry out the poles and check them over for cracks and faults. If they are damaged most manufacturers will sell you a replacement set. If you break a pole when you are on a trip or expedition, make sure you take a pole sleeve with you. This is a small piece of tubing that fits over the break and is taped in place. Most tents come with these. Remember fibre poles are easier to break than alloy ones.

Rucksacks

As with all outdoors gear it is important to care for your rucksack, day sack or travel bag. When you are back from a trip or expedition, dry your bag out, brush the dirt off and wipe it clean with a warm damp cloth. If you have torn it the manufacturer will recommend a repair centre. If you have lost or damaged a buckle or clip replace it as soon as you are back, so you know it is ready for next time you need it.

Walking Poles

Walking poles need looking after, follow the care tips below to keep them in peak condition.

Always dry them out if they get wet, take them apart into their sections, wipe them dry then allow to air dry. If you don't do this, then they can corrode and each section can get stuck in the other.
Wash off any build up of mud
If you are using them on stony ground or pavements use a rubber tip on the end. This helps prevent the pole slipping and reduces wear on the tip.
Do not oil the poles at all, they work on a friction locking mechanism, so this will be ineffective if they are oiled.

Hydration Packs

Hydration packs will slake your thirst on the move, but can become quite disgusting if not cleaned of looked after properly. This can cause bacteria growth in the bladder or tube giving an unpleasant taste and smell or even making the water undrinkable causing stomach upsets. There are many theories on the best way to keep them clean. We feel that the following is one of the best ways

When you are back from your trip, wash all parts thoroughly with a solution of sterilising fluid. Rinse the tube through with the fluid several time, then rinse, ideally with hot water.
Leave the tubes and bladders out to dry thoroughly, ideally somewhere warm like an airing cupboard.
To care for the rucksack part of your hydration system follow the care advice above.

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