Storing sleeping bags.

Since my local REI stores their sleeping bags vertically, I was wondering if this was the accepted way of storing a sleeping bag. Is it ok to store it rolled or should I leave it hanging? Do they last longer when they are stored open?

IRC.

Laid flat, like under a bed, is a great way to store them. I hang mine, as in the outfitters, because of space resrtictions. The large cotton storage sacks is ok too.

Of course many of us have restricted closet hanging space! If the sleeping bag is hanging up, be careful not to leave your clothing shoved against it after searching for a green shirt to wear tomorrow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I would also reverse the hanging direction periodically to prevent the down from bunching up and would keep the bag covered with a sheet or something similar (breathable, not plastic) to keep dust out of it. It's even more important to keep the bag covered if you keep it under your bed.

I prefer to store mine in the cotton storage bag that came with it, on a closet shelf. I occasionally turn the bag the other way up. Note that if you live where it's damp in the winter (like my part of the country) it's a good idea to keep the closet door slightly ajar so drier air from the heating system will circulate a bit inside the closet. If the closet is against an outside wall (colder), I'd keep the closet door open all the way.

Hi Mouse, Et All
Here on the east side of the cascade is high desert. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I put my down bags in large cotton stuf sacks and throw them up into my gear loft <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />which is the highest point in the house <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> and always the warmest and lowest humidity. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

BUT as Mouse said - if you have any option for mold <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> forming then you should be very careful where you put it, but right side up or up side down or on its side or rolled or stuffed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> (loosely) makes no difference, just don't store a damp down bag and don't store them compressed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> You can pile a bunch of them up, the weight on the bottom one won't damage the insulation, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> its compression stuff sacks that ruins bags, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> especially damp bags. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

A much bigger problem is: What if your bag is wet when you get up <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> and you have a tiny backpack <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> and need to crush your sleeping bag to get your gear into it it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I hate tiny backpacks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />