Choosing and Caring For Liners

Q: What are the different kinds of sleeping pads?

Two main types: self-inflating pads (foam core draws itself full of air when valve is opened) and air pads (need to be inflated). Self-inflating Sleeping Pads: comfortable, relatively inexpensive but heavier and bulkier than air pads. Air Sleeping Pads: lighter, smaller but higher cost.

Q: What is a "pump sack"?

A pump sack is an inflator bag which can be connected to an air sleeping pad for quick and easy set up. Sea to Summit air pads have a pump sack which is integrated into the stuff sack. The pump sack helps with easy inflation and reduces moisture from condensation in the sleeping pad.

Q: How thick should a sleeping pad be?

In a self-inflating sleeping pad, the thicker the foam core, the more comfortable it is. 2" is comfortable, 3" is luxurious. In an air pad, stability (not thickness) is key. The more points of suspension, the more stable the pad.

Q: How do I care for my sleeping pad?

Store a sleeping pad with the valve open to dry out any moisture from condensed breath. Store the pad unrolled (perhaps folded once or twice) so the foam of a self-inflating pad or the insulation of an air pad is not compressed.

Q: How do I keep a sleeping pad from sliding?

Certain tent floors are slippery - if your mat slides, add some squares of (3M) non-slip tape to the hip/shoulder areas.

Q: What's the difference between a synthetic and down sleeping bag?

Synthetic Sleeping Bags: still insulates when wet. Up-front cost is lower, but heavier and bulkier and have a shorter lifespan. Down Sleeping Bags: not ideal in very wet environments. Higher up-front cost, but lighter, packs smaller and lasts much longer.

Q: Can you sleep on your side in mummy sleeping bag?

The cut of mummy sleeping bags varies between brands - some are really tight. Sea to Summit Spark & Flame fit snugly but still allow side sleeping. Ascent, Altitude, Trek, Journey, Traverse and Venture sleeping bags have a broader mummy cut that is perfect for side sleepers.

Q: Is this sleeping bag machine washable?

Do not wash a sleeping bag in a top-loader washing machine - a front-loader with a wool or silk program is OK. Use down soap (supermarket detergent residue sticks insulation fibers together). Dry the bag in a dryer (cool or warm) with a couple of clean tennis balls.

Q: How do I care for/ store my sleeping bag?

Make sure your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing (in a cool, dry place) in a bag or pouch that will allow the bag to loft up. Pro tip - use a liner to reduce frequency of washing.

Q: How to pack a sleeping bag in a backpack?

Pack bulkier sleeping bags in a compression sack (compression dry bag for wet environments). Pack compact sleeping bags in an eVac Dry Bag. Pro-tip: always have your sleeping bag inside your pack at the bottom: mounted externally, they can snag on branches.

How do I care for my Sea to Summit Reactor, Adaptor, or Silk Liner?

Liners can be washed in a home washing machine using normal detergent (referred to as laundry 'soap'). Please note if using a top-loader washing machine, we would strongly suggest putting the liner inside a pillowcase to prevent the impeller (the spiral plastic rotating column in the drum of the machine) possibly snagging the drawcord.
Wash on the delicates or gentle cycle.
Do not use fabric softener. It will decrease the wicking performance of the fabric.
Air dry the liner. Drying the liner in a dryer will expose it to excessive heat that can damage the fabric.

Can I use the Reactor/Reactor Compact Plus/Reactor Extreme/Reactor Fleece Liner as a stand-alone sleeping bag?

If you are using the Reactor/Reactor Compact Plus/Reactor Extreme Liner/Reactor Fleece Liner as a stand-alone bag outdoors (rather than, say, in a hostel), the principal factor to be aware of is moving air. The knit fabric of the Reactors allows air to pass through quite easily, which in their normal use - inside a sleeping bag - helps ensure a comfortable sleeping environment. However, when used as a stand-alone bag, cooler air passing through from the outside will rob you of the warm layer of air you have generated inside the bag.

If you are inside a tent, this is less of a factor; if not, you may need something to cover the bag (perhaps a poncho, or a lightweight bag cover). As far as temperature is concerned, a rough 'rule of thumb' would still put the minimum air temperature at which you would remain comfortable at around 60F / 15C. If you use a lightweight bag cover over the liner (which prevents heat loss due to moving air) a reasonably comfortable temperature rating would be 50F / 10C. The Reactor Extreme would probably be your best bet for this kind of use.

How much additional temperature performance will a thermal liner add to a sleeping bag?

There is an extensive blog post which deals with the add-on thermal performance you can expect from a liner.

It helps to explain the factors involved in heat loss through different sleeping bag designs and through different sleeping pads - and it encourages you to think of a liner, a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad as a layered system. By doing so, you will have much greater chance of creating the right system for your use - and therefore getting a good night's sleep.