Packing Electronics

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.

What precautions should I follow before packing my GPS/camera/cell phone in a dry sack/TPU Accessory Case?

Be aware that no roll-top dry sack (regardless of manufacturer) is waterproof enough for problem-free storage of sensitive electronic devices. A very small amount of moisture is sufficient to permanently damage or destroy electronics.

If you are going to take electronic devices into very wet environments, double-bag the device: pack it into one dry sack, roll and click the roll-top closure, then pack this into a second (larger) dry sack, and roll and click this closure.

Make sure that the outer dry sack is robust enough for use in a paddling environment. We do not recommend our featherweight Ultra-Sil Dry Sacks, Ultra-Sil View Dry Sacks or Nano Dry Sacks for river, ocean, or any external use.

Also be aware that condensation can form inside a waterproof enclosure. If you are using a dry sack, the air which will be trapped inside it when you seal the roll-top closure will contain moisture vapor. If the dry sack is then exposed to a cooler environment (which is often the case on the water) this moisture will condense inside the dry sack – i.e. it will turn back into liquid moisture. Therefore, it’s a good idea to pack a desiccant (such as the silica gel packs which come in the original packaging with electronics) into the dry sack. This tip applies to other forms of waterproof enclosures including hard-shell cases.

If you are looking for a simple, lightweight, flexible storage system for electronics which is submersible, we would recommend the TPU Accessory Cases / TPU Waterproof Cases for iPhones and SmartPhones / TPU Waterproof Cases for Tablets. All of these products use a triple fold/double-Velcro closure, and the slightly ‘tacky’ TPU film sticks to itself creating a simple watertight seal. The Case for iPhone/Smartphones and the Cases for Tablets also have an additional ziploc® closure for extra protection. Properly sealed, all of the TPU products are waterproof enough for boating use – they are tested to 10 meters of submersion for one hour, earning an IPX8 rating; and away from the testing laboratory, the closure does not ‘pop open’ in real-world use.

As waterproof as the TPU products are, the above caution regarding condensation still applies.