OK - I feel silly but anyway. Do you think that there is any difference in (a) storing a sleeping bag flat under a bed (on a sleeping pad) or (b) in the storage sac, folded in three (and obviously not further compressed. Any version better?
Thanks!
Sven

I have 2 Sierra Designs 20 deg 3-D bags that I've stored in their cotton storage sacks between hikes for 11 years now. I'd estimate that the storage sacks compress the bags approximately 20%-ish. I haven't noticed any decrease in loft from storage.

The bags have lost about 25% of their original loft over the 11 years, but the loses all seemed to happen on hiking trips so I assume the loft loss is from stuffing them. I used their included stuff sacks until last year when I switched to just stuffing them into the bottom of the pack without stuff sacks.

Of the two choices you present, I like the idea of having them laid out under the bed- as long as it's less dusty under your bed than under mine.
It seems that having the bag laid out full length would HAVE to be better than being at all confined in the storage bag- I don't like the idea of folding carefully in 3rds, I know there's not agreement on this (or anything other than that Cotton is Death) but I was brought up in the stuffing-randomly-causes-less-wear-than-folding-along-the-
same-lines-all-the-time school. I've been thinking of switching to having them hang full length somewhere- if I can think of the good 'where'- but I've always just had them stuffed loosely in their storage bags on a dry and roomy shelf.

Thanks Liz and John - I was also wondering about the dust ...
it gets dusty under a bed indeed. Not sure if the "hurts" the bag. I do put something underneath them, but not on top (to protect them). Not sure if I should. BTW I think that I need a third bed to lay all of our bags flat ... (we have six).
Cheers,
Sven

Thanks Liz and John - I was also wondering about the dust ...
it gets dusty under a bed indeed. Not sure if the "hurts" the bag. I do put something underneath them, but not on top (to protect them). Not sure if I should. BTW I think that I need a third bed to lay all of our bags flat ... (we have six).
Cheers,
Sven

I have only observational perception to support this, but my GoLite Ultra 20 top bag seems to loft much better when hung by its footbox loop than when stored flat. Perhaps a placebo controlled double blind crossover study should be performed :)

Bags are best stored by hanging from the little loops at the foot. That said, I store my synthetic bags, loosely rolled, in their storage sacks and stood on end. My 900 fill down, North Face Beeline, is stored by hanging and lightly wrapped in a sheet.

Washing down bags (with Nikwax down wash or the granger's product) will restore a lot of the loft that has dissipated over time, often due to the down getting grimy with body oils and dirt and such. I used downwash on my 0 degree SD bag after 4 years of use and it was like the bag was brand new afterwards.

I don't think you will find any significant difference whether stored flat, hung, or kept in an oversize storage sack like most manufacturers supply.

I don't have room to lay out my bags anywhere but the attic. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of attic storage?

It's not super dusty up there, but I could put a sheet over the bags. It's dark and dry in the attic, and I've never seen any sign of rodents, but it is hot up there.

Your feedback and insights appreciated. :)

I store all my bags in the 54 gal bins, the biggest I could find. They are doubled over in the bins and well protected from dust or anything else. They loft almost fully in these using a 10 degree bag. Also, I can stack the bins so I have more places where I can store them.

Compare a brand new Versalite to a FF Lark. The Lark is about 11 years old. I do not see any loss in loft.

And where do you store the bins? Attic? Closet? Garage?

The stacking concept sounds really good.

Jim,

They are currently in the basement. But I have had them in all the places you mentioned. The storage bins keep the dust and bugs out no matter where I store them but the basement is probably the best place in my house compared to the garage or attic. I have never used the cotton storage bags.

If I had the closet space, I might hang them....but for $20/bin I can put them where ever I have space. And protecting the expensive sleeping bags is worth it.

Thanks; good info. 54 gallons? I'll look for those. Hopefully the heat in the attic won't hurt them.

Thanks again!

http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/product.jhtml?prodId=HPProd2949118

I think the one I bought for my new versalite was $20 at Walmart.