Helping campers since 2011

Sleeping Bag Storage
- How To Store Sleeping Bags

Proper sleeping bag storage is important, but it is often overlooked. Storing your bag properly will prolong the life of your bag, and ensure that it keeps you warm and cozy for many years.

As a bonus, it will also smell fresh instead of musty. Discover how to store sleeping bags!

Can't I just store it in its stuff sack?

No!

It's true that some sleeping bags come with a stuff sack - but it's not intended to be used for long term storage.

A stuff sack is handy for transporting your bag to the campsite, either in your backpack or in your vehicle, but it should not be used to store your bag once you get home.

Why not?

Packing a sleeping bag tightly will compress its fibers, which causes them to break down over time.

It's best to store your bag loosely, in a dry place.

How To Store Sleeping Bags

Your sleeping bag will stay fresh and last much longer if you store it loosely. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to accomplish this.

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Sleeping bag storage options

Hanging from hooks

The ideal situation is to hang your sleeping bag from a hook. That's why there are attached loops on some sleeping bags.

Air can flow freely around the bag, and the bag is not compressed at all.

As soon as we moved into a house with a storage room, we put hooks on the wall for all of our sleeping bags. I love that the bags are easily accessible!

The big bonus of this system is that the bags can be hung up as soon as we get home from a trip, without drying them out first!

ladder hooks that work for sleeping bags!

There are many types of hooks!

They are actually designed for hanging ladders, but they work perfectly for sleeping bags!

You can find a good selection on Amazon HERE.

Please note:

All other sleeping bag storage systems require that you dry your sleeping bag completely before you store it.

On a shelf

Folding the bag loosely and storing it on a shelf is a good option.

Of course, this requires that you have lots of closet space.

In a cotton sack

In our previous, smaller house, we stored some of our sleeping bags in the back of a closet. My husband sewed a large cotton sleeping bag bag for each of our largest bags.

Cotton Laundry Bag

If you don't have a handy husband who can sew custom storage bags, buy a large cotton laundry bag.

Check out the various options on Amazon HERE.

For smaller bags, you could use a large pillowcase.

How To Store Sleeping Bags

In a plastic tub

We had no alternative but to store some of our sleeping bags in the attic.

These needed more protection, so we stored them in large Rubbermaid tubs.

If you do this, be absolutely sure that the bags are dry and that there is not a speck of moisture in the tub.

Rubbermaid Tub

You can never have too many Rubbermaid tubs!

We use them for storing and transporting all of our camping supplies.

I have a tub for cooking utensils and pots, a tub for dishes and plates, a tub for food, and a tub for everything else!

CLICK HERE for the best price on Amazon!

The bottom line
FAQ

Can I store my sleeping bag in its sack?

No. The sack is for transporting the bag, not for storing it. Storing your sleeping bag in the sack will compress the fibers, causing them to break and reduce the insulation performance.

Can I store my sleeping bag on a shelf?

Yes, you can, but it needs to be pulled out so it is loose, and folded only once if at all. So you will need a big closet with a big shelf!

What is the best option for storing my sleeping bag?

The best option is to hang your bag vertically from a hook, unfolded, in a room that is dry and well-ventilated.