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. The result is that many campers purchase an expensive sleeping bag, and then buy a Big Box Store special sleeping pad. Active 4 years, 7 months ago. 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 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. If you already know where the hole is, you can skip ahead to step 4. But before you toss your bag into just any washing machine, know this: a top-loading machine with an agitator can destroy your bag. The MEC logo is a registered trademark of MEC Canada Inc. Touring plans? If you don’t have a large, breathable sack, we recommend hanging your bag, or simply leaving it unpacked (lightly folded will work). I use the Goop on the sleeping pad only. Keeping your mattress flat with the valve open is the way to go. An open valve will allow any moisture to dissipate inside the pad. 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. Find out what’s new for hut trips and avalanche safety during COVID-19. The sun kills a lot of stuff you don’t want in your bag. Backpacking basics: How to plan an overnight hiking trip, How to choose trekking poles and hiking poles, About water treatment, filters and purifiers. 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. Place the glued side of the patch on top of the glued hole. I haven't tried. Don’t have space to leave your sleeping pad unrolled? After several washes, however, you will need to restore the bag’s DWR coating using Nikwax Down Proof™. 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. 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. Your sleeping pad goes underneath your sleeping bag providing you a cushioned, comfortable surface as well as insulation from the cold ground. Look for tiny air bubbles oozing out – that’s a sign you’ve found the hole. -- Kristin Order online, get it at your local MEC and pay no shipping. Put some water and a squirt of dish soap into a bowl. 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. We recommend storing your Big Agnes sleeping pad unrolled with the valve open. 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. It’s easy to let it slide, but it sure is nice to have it ready to go. Found a better deal in Canada? These steps are critical for a backpacking bag, which we methodically compress before … Check the bag periodically to make sure the fabric isn't scorching hot and the insulation isn't bunching or clumping. Fold the mattress to … Accessibility. 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. A large industrial dryer is recommended, and care must be taken so that the bag doesn’t expand and get stuck on the dryer’s heater. Spray some soapy water on your pad to find the leak. An outside-the-box list of gift ideas for skiers, cyclists and more. Here’s all the beta you need to get your mattress repaired by our professional team. At Home: For long term storage, make sure your pad is clean and bone dry. A simple bedroll consists of a waterproof bivvy bag, a sleeping pad, and your sleeping bag. Sleeping pads are rated with an R-value. 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. Spread this soapy water over the area where you suspect a hole. Store it in a place that’s both cool and dry. Don’t have space to leave your sleeping pad unrolled? Get a self-inflating sleeping pad! Built with hikers and cyclists in your mind, it is designed to have a ... How to Store Self Inflating Sleeping Pads: Some Great Tips. Washing your bag is more important than just improving your personal hygiene—not to mention your relationships with any future tent mates. 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. Loosely roll it and slip it under your bed, in a dry closet or tucked away with your camping gear. Dry it thoroughly. Your sleeping pad is an important layer between you and the rocky, rooty ground. © 2020. 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. If you don’t have an area to lay or hang your bag it is okay to store it in the provided storage sack. 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.). Wipe off the excess water with a towel, and let it dry completely before you apply the patch. Low heat is crucial when drying your sleeping bag, otherwise, fabrics can melt. 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