How to Wash and Repair Your Down Gear
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 10
Espen
I got a really cheap (maybe 15, thin, compact, and lightweight synthetic summer sleeping bag which i will use as a liner. It is not even warm enough for most summer nights here in southern Norway - but it should be very efficient in blocking any moisture from reaching the main sleeping bags. I see some cotton liners claim that they can add another 8 degrees C to the bag, but reviews do not agree. This really thin sleeping bag however, will definitely add a decent amount of extra warmth to my other sleeping bags. Im gonna get a few other liners as well (fleece and polyester. This thin sleeping bag may be too warm to use as a liner on summer nights, and too cold to use alone - but with a fleece liner, this thin sleeping bag should be enough for warmer temperatures. And having all 3 alternatives will provide a lot of flexibility and control over temperature vs weight - as well as add a substantial amount of extra heat to my other sleeping bags if i choose to go with all 3.
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I got a really cheap (maybe 15, thin, compact, and lightweight synthetic summer sleeping bag which i will use as a liner. It is not even warm enough for most summer nights here in southern Norway - but it should be very efficient in blocking any moisture from reaching the main sleeping bags. I see some cotton liners claim that they can add another 8 degrees C to the bag, but reviews do not agree. This really thin sleeping bag however, will definitely add a decent amount of extra warmth to my other sleeping bags. Im gonna get a few other liners as well (fleece and polyester. This thin sleeping bag may be too warm to use as a liner on summer nights, and too cold to use alone - but with a fleece liner, this thin sleeping bag should be enough for warmer temperatures. And having all 3 alternatives will provide a lot of flexibility and control over temperature vs weight - as well as add a substantial amount of extra heat to my other sleeping bags if i choose to go with all 3.
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Guitar
Thanks for the advice good stuff! I havent had to wash my down bag yet thank god but i have hand wiped a few spots here and there. I also had a small feather poke out but i did as instructed and pulled it back into the bag from the inside and it worked out perfect. Im kinda dredding the day i have to fully wash my bag. For now i will either use a silk liner while i sleep or wear my sleep clothes to help keep it clean. Im still getting used to my down bag cause ive used synthetic most of my life. I really like the insulation properties of down but my older synthetic bag seems to hold up a bit better in semi wet conditions even though my bag has ultra dry down the synthetic still holds up a whisker better in wet situations. So i use my down bag most of the time and on really damp trips i take my synthetic bag. Hike on!
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Thanks for the advice good stuff! I havent had to wash my down bag yet thank god but i have hand wiped a few spots here and there. I also had a small feather poke out but i did as instructed and pulled it back into the bag from the inside and it worked out perfect. Im kinda dredding the day i have to fully wash my bag. For now i will either use a silk liner while i sleep or wear my sleep clothes to help keep it clean. Im still getting used to my down bag cause ive used synthetic most of my life. I really like the insulation properties of down but my older synthetic bag seems to hold up a bit better in semi wet conditions even though my bag has ultra dry down the synthetic still holds up a whisker better in wet situations. So i use my down bag most of the time and on really damp trips i take my synthetic bag. Hike on!
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SteYuj2020
I've consumed a lot of thru-hiking videos (this is Blue on a joint account. You and Darwin are my two favorites. While I was really sick I watched your videos each day which is how SteYuj2020 went from a fanciful idea to me contacting friends and asking them if they wanted to do a section of the PCT and raise funds for Trevor Project in 2020. Most of my kru aren't backpackers or even people who have camped over night. But, with the help of your videos and the internet etc, we are all spending the next two years preparing for our 460mile trip. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and the knowledge you've gained with the rest of us playing catch up. You're playing a part in saving the lives of lgbt youth. Thank you! :)
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I've consumed a lot of thru-hiking videos (this is Blue on a joint account. You and Darwin are my two favorites. While I was really sick I watched your videos each day which is how SteYuj2020 went from a fanciful idea to me contacting friends and asking them if they wanted to do a section of the PCT and raise funds for Trevor Project in 2020. Most of my kru aren't backpackers or even people who have camped over night. But, with the help of your videos and the internet etc, we are all spending the next two years preparing for our 460mile trip. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and the knowledge you've gained with the rest of us playing catch up. You're playing a part in saving the lives of lgbt youth. Thank you! :)
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ROISL45
I've always (generally)done the bathtub wash, drained the water & refilled with rinse water. After smoosnighg the bag around in the rinse, I'll open the drain with the bag stilo in the tub, and palms spread, smoosh more water out of the bag before pulling it from the tub. This gets rid of a lot of the residual water, makes the bag much lighter to lift, and cuts the drying time.
I dry it in the dryer, on low running a bunch of cycles to get it fully dry. I also don't put tennis balls in the dryer, just let the bag bounce around and I've never had an issue with clumping, or loft in a cleaned bag.
YMMV.
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I've always (generally)done the bathtub wash, drained the water & refilled with rinse water. After smoosnighg the bag around in the rinse, I'll open the drain with the bag stilo in the tub, and palms spread, smoosh more water out of the bag before pulling it from the tub. This gets rid of a lot of the residual water, makes the bag much lighter to lift, and cuts the drying time.
I dry it in the dryer, on low running a bunch of cycles to get it fully dry. I also don't put tennis balls in the dryer, just let the bag bounce around and I've never had an issue with clumping, or loft in a cleaned bag.
YMMV.
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Strickensavage1
Very good video. Great info. I mostly use a product called Nikwax Down Wash It can be purchased from Amazon for like 8 bucks. We've hammock camped for years and our under quilts are 850 fill down as well as our sleeping bags (which we unzip and just use as a top quilt) So, I usually wash all our down stuff at the end of the season or basically once a year. All the information you gave is right on. Keep up the good work: ) p. s. my wife and I have watched all your vids. Their Absolutely great
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Very good video. Great info. I mostly use a product called Nikwax Down Wash It can be purchased from Amazon for like 8 bucks. We've hammock camped for years and our under quilts are 850 fill down as well as our sleeping bags (which we unzip and just use as a top quilt) So, I usually wash all our down stuff at the end of the season or basically once a year. All the information you gave is right on. Keep up the good work: ) p. s. my wife and I have watched all your vids. Their Absolutely great
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Milo
If you're washing your bag with a down waterproofing treatment and have extra, I had it recommended for use on GoreTex rain gear as well. It does not seem to have affected the breathability appreciably but has been considerably more effective than using the GoreTex specific washer treatments, roughly doubling the time to wet out. Still best if paired with a spray before drying.
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If you're washing your bag with a down waterproofing treatment and have extra, I had it recommended for use on GoreTex rain gear as well. It does not seem to have affected the breathability appreciably but has been considerably more effective than using the GoreTex specific washer treatments, roughly doubling the time to wet out. Still best if paired with a spray before drying.
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vanilla50
Great video! Some people tend to get tangled up in bag liners so a loose fitting LS top and bottoms of a weight corresponding to expected temps may work for most, pair up with Acorn fleece socks. A pillow or fleece for the head of the bag to protect from facial sunblock and hair oils, some of our old bags look pristine except the head region.
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Great video! Some people tend to get tangled up in bag liners so a loose fitting LS top and bottoms of a weight corresponding to expected temps may work for most, pair up with Acorn fleece socks. A pillow or fleece for the head of the bag to protect from facial sunblock and hair oils, some of our old bags look pristine except the head region.
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Kattdogg
Hey Dixie, love the videos, planning to hike one of the trails before i am 40 but i have a question! Do you have any insight on theft on the trails? Example if i have to use the bathroom is it safe to set your pack down and walk off to do your business or take your pack with you? Also can i tak my dog with me the entire PCT, or CDT?
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Hey Dixie, love the videos, planning to hike one of the trails before i am 40 but i have a question! Do you have any insight on theft on the trails? Example if i have to use the bathroom is it safe to set your pack down and walk off to do your business or take your pack with you? Also can i tak my dog with me the entire PCT, or CDT?
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Charlie
I used superglue on some small holes in a coat works for a while I tried to wash and lay it on my picnic table but every bird in my county thought it was a litter box LOL so I just put on top of my dryer and a fan when I washed clothes and that seemed to work better for me
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I used superglue on some small holes in a coat works for a while I tried to wash and lay it on my picnic table but every bird in my county thought it was a litter box LOL so I just put on top of my dryer and a fan when I washed clothes and that seemed to work better for me
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Pvk
i use baby shampoo on all my merino and im sure it would work the same. the idea is that synthetic cleaners destroy the natural fibers in merino so i bet it is the same on down but i cannot say that for sure, but i would risk researching it
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i use baby shampoo on all my merino and im sure it would work the same. the idea is that synthetic cleaners destroy the natural fibers in merino so i bet it is the same on down but i cannot say that for sure, but i would risk researching it
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