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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is a sleeping bag liner?

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.

What is the point of a sleeping bag liner?

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).

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

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.

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

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.

How do I store my sleeping bag liner?

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

What are dry bags used for?

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.

Are all dry bags air tight?

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.

Are all dry bags waterproof? Can they be submerged?

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.

Will a packed dry bag float?

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.

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

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.

What size stuff sack is good for sleeping bags?

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.

What is a stuff sack?

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).

What size stuff sack is good for a down jacket?

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

What size stuff sack works for clothes?

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

How do you clean a stuff sack?

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

What size compression sack is best for a sleeping bag?

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.

Are compression sacks waterproof?

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

How do I clean / store a compression sack?

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.

Can dry packs be submerged?

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.

Is the Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack suitable for paddling?

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

Is a hipbelt available for the Hydraulic Pro Duffle?

There is no hipbelt available for the Hydraulic Pro Duffle.

Can these utensils be used for cooking?

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.

Are there sets available?

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

Will it fit in my backpack?

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

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

How do I clean/store the cookware?

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.

Is this cookware compatible with open-flame cooking?

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

Will it work on an induction stove?

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

Is this cookware food safe?

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

Are these microwave-safe?

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.

How do I clean/store the dinnerware?

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.

Is it safe to eat hot meals from?

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).

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

Is it dishwasher-safe?

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

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

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.

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.

How do you clean and store your water storage bag?

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.

What is the material?

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

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

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.

How do you clean and store a quick dry towel?

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.

Are quick dry towels for cleaning or bathing?

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.