Question 1

What are the different kinds of sleeping pads?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What is a "pump sack"?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How thick should a sleeping pad be?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

How do I care for my sleeping pad?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How do I keep a sleeping pad from sliding?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Can you sleep on your side in mummy sleeping bag?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Is this sleeping bag machine washable?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

How do I care for/ store my sleeping bag?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How to pack a sleeping bag in a backpack?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

What is a sleeping bag liner?

Accepted Answer

A liner is a layer used inside a sleeping bag to keep the bag clean and enhance performance or is used as a hygienic bedsheet when you're traveling.

Question 12

What is the point of a sleeping bag liner?

Accepted Answer

A liner keeps your sleeping bag clean. It can also manage moisture when it's warm & humid (Adaptor, Silk) or add warmth when it's cold (Reactor).

Question 13

What's the difference between silk liners and other liners?

Accepted Answer

Silk sleeping bag liners are light, compact and wick moisture well - great for travel. Adaptor Coolmax sleeping bag liners are stretchy, easy care and wick moisture very well. Reactor Thermal sleeping bag liners are stretchy, easy care and add warmth to a sleeping bag.

Question 14

Does the liner have to be the same size as your sleeping bag?

Accepted Answer

The sleeping bag liner does not have to be the same shape as the sleeping bag - a knitted liner (Adaptor, Reactor) has so much stretch, it fits any shape.

Question 15

How do I store my sleeping bag liner?

Accepted Answer

No special care is needed for liner storage (except making sure the liner is dry beforehand).

Question 16

What are dry bags used for?

Accepted Answer

Ultralight (UL) dry bags are used for color-coded storage in backpacks/duffels. Lightweight (LW) dry bags are used for gear storage in wet environments/paddling. Heavy Duty (HD) dry bags are perfect for demanding environments: off-road motorcycle touring whitewater etc.

Question 17

Are all dry bags air tight?

Accepted Answer

Roll-top dry bags (all brands) are not completely airtight - if you squeeze a sealed dry bag, you can squeeze air out of the closure.

Question 18

Are all dry bags waterproof? Can they be submerged?

Accepted Answer

Roll-top dry bags (all brands) are not designed to be submerged - they will keep gear dry inside a boat, but if the closure is held under water deep enough/long enough water will seep through the closure.

Question 19

Will a packed dry bag float?

Accepted Answer

If enough air is trapped inside a dry bag (and the contents are not too heavy) it should float - add a buoyancy device if you expect possible unplanned immersion in water.

Question 20

What's the best way to secure a dry bag?

Accepted Answer

Paddle-compatible dry bags have a 'D'-Ring next to the buckle - use this to secure a dry bag to a boat or to haul a bear bag/critter bag into a tree. Big River Dry Bags have webbing 'rails' on the sides which offer multiple attachment points.

Question 21

What size stuff sack is good for sleeping bags?

Accepted Answer

This depends on how warm the bag is, how compressible the insulation is and how light the fabrics are. Rough guide: summer down bag 8-10 L | 3-season down bag 10-13 L | 3-season synthetic bag 13-15 L | 4-season down bag 20 L | 4-season synthetic bag 30 L.

Question 22

What is a stuff sack?

Accepted Answer

A stuff sack is a storage sack which has a drawcord closure and untaped seams (a dry bag has a roll-top closure and taped seams).

Question 23

What size stuff sack is good for a down jacket?

Accepted Answer

A down sweater will fit in a 3-5 L stuff sack. A down parka will need a 5-8 L stuff sack.

Question 24

What size stuff sack works for clothes?

Accepted Answer

The most common sizes of stuff sack / dry bag used for clothing storage are 8 L and 13 L.

Question 25

How do you clean a stuff sack?

Accepted Answer

It's better to hand wash a stuff sack / dry bag (rather than machine wash) - use a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

Question 26

What size compression sack is best for a sleeping bag?

Accepted Answer

This depends on how compressible the insulation is and how light the fabrics are. Rough guide: summer down bag 10 L | 3-season down bag  13 L | 3-season synthetic bag 13-20 L | 4-season down bag 20 L | 4-season synthetic bag 30 L. Cold-weather use: if in doubt, size up.

Question 27

Are compression sacks waterproof?

Accepted Answer

If the model name includes the term 'dry', it is waterproof. Compression sacks without the word 'dry' in the name are only water resistant.

Question 28

How do I clean / store a compression sack?

Accepted Answer

Hand wash a compression sack / compression dry bag (rather than machine washing) - use a mild soap and rinse thoroughly. Do not dry in a dryer. Store in a cool, well-ventilated dry place.

Question 29

Can dry packs be submerged?

Accepted Answer

Roll-top dry packs are not designed to be submerged - if the closure is held under water deep enough/long enough water will seep through the closure. The Hydraulic Pro Duffle has a watertight zipper and can be submerged.

Question 30

Is the Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack suitable for paddling?

Accepted Answer

No. The featherweight fabric is not suitable for the sharp/abrasive elements found in paddle environments.

Question 31

Is a hipbelt available for the Hydraulic Pro Duffle?

Accepted Answer

There is no hipbelt available for the Hydraulic Pro Duffle.

Question 32

Can these utensils be used for cooking?

Accepted Answer

Cutlery can be used for cooking (take care around hot surfaces with Delta Cutlery, and with Teflon coatings with Alpha Light or Titanium cutlery). Folding Spatula and Serving Spoon are perfect for camp cooking.

Question 33

Are there sets available?

Accepted Answer

Delta Cutlery and Alpha Light cutlery both come in sets. Utensils are available in our do-it-all Camp Kitchen Tool Kit.

Question 34

Will it fit in my backpack?

Accepted Answer

Alpha Light and Titanium cutlery will fit in your pack; Delta Light cutlery is compact enough to fit inside certain cookpots.

Question 35

Does it collapse?

Accepted Answer

Our Folding Spatula and Serving Spoon fold in half and will fit inside small cookpots - then unfolds into full-function kitchen utensils.

Question 36

How do I clean/store the cookware?

Accepted Answer

X-Pots and Alpha Cookware should not be washed in a dishwasher. Hand wash with dish soap/hot water. Do not use the scouring side of a sponge on X-Pots. Ensure pots are dry before long-term storage.

Question 37

Is this cookware compatible with open-flame cooking?

Accepted Answer

X-Pots and Alpha Cookware should not be used over an open fire.

Question 38

Will it work on an induction stove?

Accepted Answer

Induction stoves require pots made of magnetic materials. Neither the X-Pots nor Alpha Pots will work on an induction stove.

Question 39

Is this cookware food safe?

Accepted Answer

All Sea to Summit cookware and tableware is made of EU-food grade materials.

Question 40

Are these microwave-safe?

Accepted Answer

We do not market X-Tableware and Delta Tableware as microwave safe - please see our FAQs for details. Alpha Light cutlery should not be used in a microwave.

Question 41

How do I clean/store the dinnerware?

Accepted Answer

X-Tableware and Delta Tableware can be washed in a dishwasher; Alpha Light cutlery cannot. Do not use the scouring side of a sponge on X-Tableware. Ensure items are dry before long-term storage.

Question 42

Is it safe to eat hot meals from?

Accepted Answer

It is perfectly safe to eat hot foods from X-Tableware and Delta Tableware. If using X-Bowls / XL Bowls, hold the bowl by the base (not the flexible sidewall).

Question 43

Does it collapse?

Accepted Answer

Delta Tableware does not collapse. X-Tableware collapses flat and nests together to take up minimal space in a pack or kitchen box.

Question 44

Is it dishwasher-safe?

Accepted Answer

X-Tableware and Delta Tableware can be washed in a dishwasher; Alpha Light cutlery cannot.

Question 45

Will it hold in wind, rain, and extreme weather?

Accepted Answer

Watercells are made of tough, TPU material with welded seams to withstand very hot or very cold weather. Attachment points mean they can be secured in rain and wind. Pack Taps will work in these conditions, too.

Question 46

How is it secured?

Accepted Answer

Use the lash points on the side of a Watercell, or the die-cut attachment points/webbing loops on the corners of a Pack Tap to hand or secure the container.

Question 47

How do you clean and store your water storage bag?

Accepted Answer

Wash out Watercells / Pack Taps using warm (not hot) water and dish soap, and rinse thoroughly. Effervescent peroxide tablets will remove harder-to-clean residue. Store hanging up (upside down) with the cap removed.

Question 48

What is the material?

Accepted Answer

Sea to Summit quick-dry towels are made of recycled polyester (minimum 80%) and - in most models - nylon.

Question 49

What is a quick dry towel and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Quick-dry towels are made of incredibly fine fibers with channels that absorb water by capillary action. The synthetic fibers then dry far more quickly than cotton.

Question 50

How do you clean and store a quick dry towel?

Accepted Answer

Wash quick-dry towels separately for the first few washes (they are not color-fast dyed). No special soap is necessary, but avoid fabric softeners which reduce absorbency. Make sure the towel is dry before storage to avoid mildew.

Question 51

Are quick dry towels for cleaning or bathing?

Accepted Answer

Both! Sea to Summit has a range of quick-dry towels from ultra-light to luxurious - perfect for cleaning and drying in all kinds of camp/travel situations.

Backpacking Gift Guide

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