4 Ways To Fold A Sleeping Bag - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Fold a Sleeping Bag PDF download Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Shake out the sleeping bag. 2 Fold it in half, lengthwise. 3 Tightly roll the sleeping bag. 4 Secure the sleeping bag with the straps. + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by Josh Goldbach

Last Updated: January 14, 2025

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This article was co-authored by Josh Goldbach. Josh Goldbach is an Outdoor Education Expert and the Executive Director of Bold Earth Adventures. Bold Earth leads adventure travel camps for teenagers all over the world. With almost 15 years of experience, Josh specializes in outdoor adventure trips for teens both in the United States and internationally. Josh earned his B.A. in Psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He’s also trained as a wilderness first responder, a Leave No Trace master educator, and a Level 5 Swiftwater rescue technician. This article has been viewed 91,928 times.

Whether you're a seasoned camper or simply going for a sleepover with your friends, learning how to properly fold and roll a sleeping bag is a worthwhile task. Mastering this skill will help to keep the sleeping bag clean and also prevent it from taking up too much storage space when you're not using it. You've come to the right article—we've covered everything you need to know, so you can pack up your sleeping bag in a jiffy.

Steps

1

Shake out the sleeping bag.

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  1. The shaking will remove any crumbs, hidden flashlights, or lost socks. The shaking will remove any crumbs, hidden flashlights, or lost socks. Lay the sleeping bag out flat on a section of clean, dry ground.
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2

Fold it in half, lengthwise.

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  1. Zip up the sleeping bag, all the way to the top, then fold it in half lengthwise. Zip up the sleeping bag, all the way to the top, then fold it in half lengthwise. Make sure the edges and corners are perfectly aligned, otherwise you won't be able to roll the sleeping bag neatly.
3

Tightly roll the sleeping bag.

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  1. Start at the open end of the sleeping bag (where your head goes). Start at the open end of the sleeping bag (where your head goes). Begin rolling the material tightly, keeping it very straight and pressing out any air as you go. As you roll, use one knee to press down on the sleeping bag (in between the rolling motions). This will help to keep it nice and tight. Continue rolling until you reach the opposite end of the sleeping bag.[1]
    • One good trick is to place a tent pole or straight stick across the top end of the sleeping bag and roll the bag around it, instead of around itself.
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4

Secure the sleeping bag with the straps.

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  1. Once you get to the end of the roll, you need to secure it. Once you get to the end of the roll, you need to secure it. This should be relatively easy as most sleeping bags come with cords or elasticated straps attached to the bottom edge.[2]
    • Keep one knee pressed tightly into the center of the sleeping bag while you pull the elasticated straps evenly over the rolled bag or tie the cords around it. If you're using the cords, you can use the same basic knot you use to tie your shoelaces.
    • If the sleeping bag has no straps or cords, simply tie a loose piece of string around both ends of the rolled bag.
    • Once the sleeping bag is secure, you can gently pull the tent pole or stick out of the middle (if used) and pop the perfectly rolled sleeping bag into its carrier bag.

Community Q&A

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  • Question Does it work on all brands? Claire Compton Claire Compton Community Answer Yes, this technique works on all brands. However, if you happen to have a compression sleeping bag, the company might suggest other alternatives for folding and storing it, so be sure to read the company's recommended instructions before folding. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 3
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Tips

  • If you roll the bag too loosely or untidily, unroll it and begin again. It will only cost you a minute or two. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • You should never leave a wet or damp sleeping bag rolled up for too long, otherwise it could grow mildew. Thanks Helpful 20 Not Helpful 2
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about using camping gear, check out our in-depth interview with Josh Goldbach.

References

  1. Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  2. Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  3. http://www.trails.com/how_741_fold-sleeping-bag.html

About This Article

Josh Goldbach Co-authored by: Josh Goldbach Outdoor Education Expert This article was co-authored by Josh Goldbach. Josh Goldbach is an Outdoor Education Expert and the Executive Director of Bold Earth Adventures. Bold Earth leads adventure travel camps for teenagers all over the world. With almost 15 years of experience, Josh specializes in outdoor adventure trips for teens both in the United States and internationally. Josh earned his B.A. in Psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He’s also trained as a wilderness first responder, a Leave No Trace master educator, and a Level 5 Swiftwater rescue technician. This article has been viewed 91,928 times. 98 votes - 65% Co-authors: 11 Updated: January 14, 2025 Views: 91,928 Categories: Camping Gear In other languages German French Italian Indonesian
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 91,928 times.

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Josh Goldbach Co-authored by: Josh Goldbach Outdoor Education Expert 98 votes - 65% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 11 Updated: January 14, 2025 Views: 91,928

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