View Full Version : Drying gear in your sleeping bag?
Abbe Osram
15-02-2005, 08:53
Hi Guys!
I have a question concerning drying wet mittens or other gear overnight in a sleeping bag.
I always thought that this is a no no to take something moist or wet into your sleeping bag and dry them over night. Do you do that? What is your experience with it? I was just reading a travel rapport from a Swedish guy going through the Siberian wilderness and he is telling that he is drying his mittens in the sleeping bag!?
cheers
Abbe
In norway I dried most of my clothing in my sleeping bag without any problems. There is even people that have ½ liter of water in their sleeping bag without any problems. The problems can be if you use a down bag.
Abbe Osram
15-02-2005, 09:24
In norway I dried most of my clothing in my sleeping bag without any problems. There is even people that have ½ liter of water in their sleeping bag without any problems. The problems can be if you use a down bag.
Whow, that I didn't know cool knowledge. Next time I am out in the woods I try it out.
thanks mate!
cheers
Abbe
I have dried wet socks in my sleeping bag but not in arctic conditions! only temperate.:o):
It is very effective and they are nice and warm when I put then on in the morning. :super:
I've also dried damp (not soaking wet) gear in my bag. When you're on exercise you can't exactly set up a washing line. :rolmao:
arctic hobo
15-02-2005, 10:49
Yes, I've dried damp gear in my bag before... at the end of the day it can be the only dry place - and it's certainly the only warm one.
if you are using a sythetic bag and the items you wish to dry are small like mittens or socks then it works.
I wouldn't attempt it in a down sleeping bag though.
Bear in mind that the reason he probably dried these items in his sleeping bag is that if you're in Siberia, anything material that you leave out overnight whilst wet will probably resemble a brick by the next morning. Better to be slightly damp in your sleeping bag for one night than gloveless for the next day! :-)
tenbears10
15-02-2005, 12:24
Buffalo used to list drying wet clothing as a feature of their double bag system.
Stuff put between the two bags would be dry by morning they claimed. They are fairly immune to damp, almost as warm wet as dry is another feature of the bags and clothing.
Bill
Bear in mind that the reason he probably dried these items in his sleeping bag is that if you're in Siberia, anything material that you leave out overnight whilst wet will probably resemble a brick by the next morning. Better to be slightly damp in your sleeping bag for one night than gloveless for the next day! :-)
You dont need to go to siberia to expereince that. I always sleep with all my clothes in my sleeping (even the boots). This way my clothes will be dry and warm when I am getting dressed in the morning. Then the fun begins, getting dressed while in a sleeping bag :o):
bambodoggy
15-02-2005, 13:35
Buffalo used to list drying wet clothing as a feature of their double bag system.
Stuff put between the two bags would be dry by morning they claimed. They are fairly immune to damp, almost as warm wet as dry is another feature of the bags and clothing.
Bill
I LOVE Buffalo gear!!!!
Their website still states that the fastest way to dry their mountain shirt is to wear it :o):
arctic hobo
15-02-2005, 13:52
You dont need to go to siberia to expereince that. I always sleep with all my clothes in my sleeping (even the boots). This way my clothes will be dry and warm when I am getting dressed in the morning. Then the fun begins, getting dressed while in a sleeping bag :o):
Exactly! :biggthump I've always liked the armholes in the Nanok bags, then you can sit and have breakfast in your bag and not get out until you have to leave! :o):
Beer Monster
15-02-2005, 14:02
Yep, the British Army issue bag even has little netting pockets just inside the zip so you can stuff your wet socks in there to dry next to your body! :wink:
Buffalo used to list drying wet clothing as a feature of their double bag system.
Stuff put between the two bags would be dry by morning they claimed. They are fairly immune to damp, almost as warm wet as dry is another feature of the bags and clothing.
Bill
One of the theories behind this was the high wicking nature of pile as a fabric, I can vouch that pile even when damp will keep you warm as long as you have a windproof shell on it and thier system used to have pertex as an outer IIRC which would then disseminate the liquid over a larger area and then evaporate. The only thing with the Buffalo system was that it was huge :wink: Good, but HUGE :o):
simonsays
15-02-2005, 19:12
I LOVE Buffalo gear!!!!
Their website still states that the fastest way to dry their mountain shirt is to wear it :o):
Certainly is. I've owned a special 6 mountain shirt for years and it works brilliantly. I just wish I could afford (and fit into) their sleeping bags.
simon
This way my clothes will be dry and warm when I am getting dressed in the morning. Then the fun begins, getting dressed while in a sleeping bag :o):
Ah yes! The old 'Contortionists shuffle'. :rolmao:
........ There is even people that have ½ liter of water in their sleeping bag without any problems. The problems can be if you use a down bag.
:roll: :lol:
dchinell
16-02-2005, 22:40
I'd like to add this wrinkle -- not sure if it makes any difference, but I put socks or mittens in my pants pockets to dry them. I'm not in a bag, but usually under a quilt. Works very well.
Could someone point me to this Buffalo gear website?
Bear
pants pocket?
is anyone else thinking that?
It came to me to check where he comes from.
I normaly put my kit in the bottom of my sleeping bag. Boots go between the sleeping bag and bivi bag
I'd like to add this wrinkle -- not sure if it makes any difference, but I put socks or mittens in my pants pockets to dry them. I'm not in a bag, but usually under a quilt. Works very well.
Could someone point me to this Buffalo gear website?
Bear
Hi mate, this is their homepage (http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/index.htm), I'll warn you now Buffalo isn't cheap, but they are well respected over here.
not sure if it makes any difference, but I put socks or mittens in my pants pockets to dry them
Bear
had me confused for a moment as my pants don't have any pockets :shock: but then I realised your in the US.
in the UK the word 'pants' refers to underwear, not trousers as in the US
bambodoggy
17-02-2005, 10:23
I don't know if this really applies here as it's not done to dry clothes in sleeping bags as such....but when I was in the TA I was shown to sleep dressed and ready to bug out in a hurry...that included wearing my boots.... we were further shown to carry a couple of hessian (jute) sandbags and to put them on as over boots before getting into our bags.... this meant we were dressed and ready to go at a moments notice but didn't get mud and stuff all over the inside of our bags.... might be useful if you wanted to sleep in your boots while out in the woods..... actually now I've typed this I can't see why you'd want to but hey, I've typed it now :o):
tenbears10
17-02-2005, 10:51
I'll warn you now Buffalo isn't cheap, but they are well respected over here.
Well Leon, you say that it's not cheap......but, a buffalo mountain shirt can be worn next to the skin (and works best) and doesn't need a waterproof shell over the top (as warm wet as dry like they say). You can use it through 3 seasons in the UK.
This means that for £90 you can replace:
Thermal top £25
Fleece jacket £75
Goretex shell £200
I make that £210 cheaper than the alternative.
Now if you are talking sleeping bags then yes they are pricey but they are also specialised due to the size and weight, you have to really need one but still the whole system costs less than Stuarts phd down bag so again not necessarily expensive.
:rolmao:
Buffalo is top kit though and lasts a long time. I've had a pertex windshirt which transforms a normal fleece into a windproof and almost waterproof layer for 15 years now and it makes a great towel as a bonus.
Bill
giancarlo
17-02-2005, 12:32
we were further shown to carry a couple of hessian (jute) sandbags and to put them on as over boots before getting into our bags
The Nanok Endurance bags have a removable foot well section so you can do that too.
Good idea..... if you've got a weak bladder and up and out the bag a lot in the night ;)
The Nanok Endurance bags have a removable foot well section so you can do that too.
Good idea..... if you've got a weak bladder and up and out the bag a lot in the night ;)
Better to have a wee bottle in your sleeping bag and your feet will feel much better if you sleep without your boots on.
arctic hobo
17-02-2005, 17:49
The Nanok Endurance bags have a removable foot well section so you can do that too.
Good idea..... if you've got a weak bladder and up and out the bag a lot in the night ;)
Weak bladders? I've a better idea. You know those armholes... :rolmao: