How To Roll A Sleeping Bag: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - 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 Roll a Sleeping Bag PDF download Download Article Easily roll up a sleeping bag for camping or storage Co-authored by Josh Goldbach

Last Updated: April 17, 2025 References

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  • Rolling a Sleeping Bag
    • |
  • Avoiding Common Issues
    • |
  • Video
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  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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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 293,208 times.

Rolling a sleeping bag is an essential skill for any camper. Though bags come in a variety of shapes and storage options, rolling your sleeping bag is easy. Once you've determined how your bag should be rolled, getting it together is simple.

Quick Tips to Fold a Sleeping Bag

  1. Lay your zipped sleeping bag out flat in front of you.
  2. Fold it in half lengthwise.
  3. Roll upward firmly from the foot of the bag.
  4. Use the attached straps to secure the roll or store it in its bag.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Rolling a Sleeping Bag

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  1. Step 1 Do not roll a bag if it comes with a stuff sack and space is no issues. 1 Do not roll a bag if it comes with a stuff sack and space is no issues. Rolling a bag frequently can damage the insulation, making it less effective at keeping you warm. Most bags that come with a storage bag are actually meant to be stuffed into the bag loosely, not rolled. Check your owner's manual if you are unsure how to store your bag.
    • If the bag came with straps, either separately or attached near the head, it is likely meant to be rolled. These straps are meant to keep the bag rolled up.
    • If you need to save space, rolling your bag is the best way to compress it into its smallest shape. However, you should try to remove your bag from compression as soon as possible.[1]
  2. Step 2 Lay the sleeping bag on a flat, dry surface. 2 Lay the sleeping bag on a flat, dry surface. If possible, use your ground tarp of the floor of your tent to roll up the bag, as this will keep it clean and moisture from getting rolled into the bag, where mildew might grow. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Zip up the bag and push any large air pockets out through the head. 3 Zip up the bag and push any large air pockets out through the head. Zip it up completely, as an unzipped bag makes it hard to roll evenly.[2] Smooth out the bag so that you get out as much air as possible, as air pockets will prevent an even, tight roll.[3]
  4. Step 4 Fold the sleeping bag in half lengthwise. 4 Fold the sleeping bag in half lengthwise. Fold one side over so that it lines up with the zipper. Take some time to make sure the edges are lined up. They don't have to be perfect, but the closer you can get them the better.
  5. Step 5 Start rolling upwards, firmly, from the feet. 5 Start rolling upwards, firmly, from the feet. Use both hands to roll the bag up tightly, kneading it with your hands to push any air in the bag up and out the hole at the top for your head.
  6. Step 6 Sit on the bag with your knees to keep it tight. 6 Sit on the bag with your knees to keep it tight. If you are having trouble getting the bag tight enough, crouch down and use your knees to keep the roll tight and push out air. Then roll up another 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm), using your fingers to get the roll tight, and push some more air out with your knees.
  7. Step 7 Use the attached straps to keep the bag rolled. 7 Use the attached straps to keep the bag rolled. Most sleeping bags that are meant to be rolled have straps that cinch around the rolled bag and then tighten, keeping it rolled up. You should have at lease two, and they should be positioned roughly 1/3 of the way from each edge of the rolled bag.[4]
    • If you don't have straps, you can improvise one out of a belt, large rubber bands, or rope.
    • If your bag came with a bag but no straps, store the sleeping bag in the appropriate carrying bag and close the top tightly.
  8. Step 8 Keep the bag dry and free from water. 8 Keep the bag dry and free from water. If you are in the backcountry a wet sleeping bag isn't only uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. Water wicks heat away from your skin much faster than air, so a wet bag can lead to deadly cold temperatures if you aren't careful. Keep your bag in a waterproof bag, or improvise one out of garbage bags if you don't have one.[5]
    9. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Avoiding Common Issues

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  1. Step 1 Know that prolonged compression will make your bag less effective. 1 Know that prolonged compression will make your bag less effective. Keeping your bag tightly stuffed or rolled for long periods of time will make it lose loft, which is what traps hot air to keep you warm.[6] While you want to roll your bag tightly to travel with, you should never store your bag compressed or jammed in a stuff-sack.
    • Loosely roll your bag, or let it rest, lightly folded, when it is not in use.
  2. Step 2 Turn wind or water resistant bags inside out. 2 Turn wind or water resistant bags inside out. The layering on the outside of these bags is great at keeping air out when you need to stay warm, but it can keep air in when you need it to escape for packing. Turn these bags inside out, zip them up, and then roll them as normal.
  3. Step 3 Use a stuff-sack for tighter packing. 3 Use a stuff-sack for tighter packing. These bags come with several straps and cinches that let you pull down on the top of the bag and get it even smaller. They are usually waterproof, and you can often get a large enough bag the lets you stuff several other items, like shirts or camping pillows, in with the bag.
    • Always start packing by the tail if you use a stuff sack -- this allows the air in the bag to escape through the top.
  4. Step 4 Air out your bag when you return from your trip. 4 Air out your bag when you return from your trip. While you should never stuff your bag and store it fully compressed, good bag care requires brushing out any dirt, twigs, and leaves and letting the bag dry out completely when your trip is over. Mold and mildew will grow if your bag is allowed to be stored wet, and it is tough to remove once it grows. Let the bag rest outside on a dry day for several hours and brush out any debris.
    • UV light can damage the sleeping bag fibers, so take care not to leave the bag in the sun all day.[7]
  5. Step 5 Gently pull any leaking down feather back into the bag. 5 Gently pull any leaking down feather back into the bag. A few loose pieces of down is not uncommon in new sleeping bags. Gently work the quills back into the bag, pulling from the back side whenever possible. The holes will close back up and the insulation should settle with time.[8]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How can I roll up a Kodiak sleeping bag? Community Answer Community Answer You can always lay it out on the ground and tightly roll it up. If that doesn't work, you can just stuff it in the bag tail first. 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 6 Helpful 8
  • Question How can I make this method easier for young kids? Community Answer Community Answer I would give them a strip of fabric or paper to assist them in rolling up the sleeping bag. Have them start by just rolling up the paper, and then graduate to rolling up the sleeping bag. 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 24 Helpful 13
  • Question I don't know how to roll it up tightly. GirlyGirl36975 GirlyGirl36975 Community Answer Fold it in half, then roll it up as tightly as you can in small movements. If you feel that you need it to be tighter you could put an elastic bang around it. If your problem is that you want it to take the least amount of storage space in storage fold it in half and then again. Then roll it up. 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 6 Helpful 3
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Video

Tips

  • While rolling does help keep your sleeping bag clean, be sure to clean the sleeping bag on a regular basis, to remove sweat, dirt and camping grime. Synthetic bags can usually be machine washed, while down-filled bags must be hand cleaned in a bathtub with warm water. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 6
  • A sleeping bag should be kept loose during storage. Keeping a modern down sleeping bag tightly rolled for too long will damage its lofting properties. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 7
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

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.trails.com/how_1488_compress-sleeping-bag.html
  2. ↑ https://www.trails.com/how_741_fold-sleeping-bag.html
  3. ↑ Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.trails.com/how_741_fold-sleeping-bag.html
  5. ↑ https://gizmodo.com/five-ways-to-sleep-outside-without-a-tent-1598690786
  6. ↑ https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/caring-sleeping-bag.html
  7. ↑ https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/caring-sleeping-bag.html
  8. ↑ https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/caring-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 293,208 times. 4 votes - 50% Co-authors: 24 Updated: April 17, 2025 Views: 293,208 Categories: Featured Articles | Camping Article SummaryX

To roll a sleeping bag, first, lay it out on a flat, dry surface. Make sure to zip it up completely and smooth it out so any air pockets escape through the head. Once the bag is as flat as it can be, fold it in half lengthwise. Then, use both hands to roll the bag tightly going up from the feet to the head. As you roll, squeeze out any air that might make the finished bundle bigger. If you’re having trouble getting it tight enough, kneel on the roll every once in a while. When the sleeping bag is rolled all the way up, use straps, rope, or even a belt to keep it in place as you slide it into a bag. For more tips, like how to air out your sleeping bag after a trip, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Umarah Tauqir

    Umarah Tauqir

    Oct 9, 2018

    "I kept and seeing lots of websites on how to pack your sleeping bag, and they were so confusing. I came across..." more Rated this article:
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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 4 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 24 Updated: April 17, 2025 Views: 293,208 Umarah Tauqir

Umarah Tauqir

Oct 9, 2018

"I kept and seeing lots of websites on how to pack your sleeping bag, and they were so confusing. I came across..." more Rated this article: Kyle Winward

Kyle Winward

May 27, 2017

"Method 1 reinforced my inclination on how to do so, and showed me that a large item can actually fit in what..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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