Split down bags into elephants foot and upper section for easier washing?

B

bahba

Summit Camper
Suggesting a liner bag as a solution to the awkwardness of washing down bags seems a terrible solution to me (so no down bag..), liners get tangle, apparently stretchy ones less so but those add almost 300g weight back on, thus partly? negating downs weight advantage.

1 Would separating a down bag into (detachable) lower epephants foot and normal upper make domestic washing feasable?

2 Otherwise, shouldn't down bags be supplied with a built in liner, which has fixings so that it moves with bag as if the inner part of the bag: buffalo seem to have a crude? attachment system within their nesting pile bags..
 
R

rob d 2

Ultralighter
I wonder how you get tangled? I've used silk liners for yonks, never had a problem. I also made a Pertex one about 25 - 30 years ago, which I mostly use for local stuff. It's a lot more slippery than silk so you may find that is better. It's a bit like the Buffalo liner but without the hood. It's lasting well.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
All my bags are down. I gave up on liners decades ago - PITA IMHO.
I always wear a dry clean('ish) set of long baselayer/undies to sleep - double as spare kit if necessary.
It keeps the bag clean, helps with warmth (need a lower rated bag ?) and when you need to get up in the night you already have a layer on ......
 
dave_g

dave_g

Section Hiker
As Cathy says, I use base layers reserved for sleep, doubling for warmth and keeping sweat and oils off the bag. Perhaps I'm just used to it but prefer the feel too versus plasticy fabrics against the skin which can feel sweaty when it's warm.
 
Many Miles

Many Miles

Trail Blazer
Teepee said:
Washing down stuff isn't that difficult.

If it doesn't fit in the washing machine, it goes in the bath.

Anything around the 3 season mark should fit in a normal washing machine with ease.
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Agreed. Less of a chore than you think. I try to do it on a roasting hot day to aid with the drying. In fact just airing unwashed down bags and jackets inside out on the line in 30 degrees c plus temperatures does a pretty good cleaning job.
 
R

rob d 2

Ultralighter
Baldy said:
Same as Cathy and Dave.
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Interesting thread- but for me, never the same as Cathy and Dave - and Baldy! 😃 I can't really see the point in taking such stuff, but am strict on always using a (usually) silk liner. I only have down bags (9, currently) and they are high-end, so I look after them really well. Unless the weather is absolutely terrible, I'll always have a good wash every day too.
 
B

bahba

Summit Camper
I still think, if you are going to use a liner, you want it attached, so that it behaves just as if it was the sewn-in lining of the sleeping bag...
 
R

rob d 2

Ultralighter
bahba said:
I still think, if you are going to use a liner, you want it attached, so that it behaves just as if it was the sewn-in lining of the sleeping bag...
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Never been a problem for me, but I can see it could, possibly, be for some.
 
Baldy

Baldy

Thru Hiker
bahba said:
But a manufacturer should be able to do a better job than me, and its their job....
Its not like down sleeping bags are cheap...
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But as others have said some people don't need or like a liner.
How do you propose the manufacturers put in a removable liner?
 
echo8876

echo8876

Thru Hiker
Only reason to carry a liner is european hut to hut activities, as a liner was mandatory and sleeping bag\quilts prohibited.
As far as i know, in most huts bags are either required or tolerated after the covid, so even less reasons.
 
tom

tom

Thru Hiker
echo8876 said:
Only reason to carry a liner is european hut to hut activities, as a liner was mandatory and sleeping bag\quilts prohibited.
As far as i know, in most huts bags are either required or tolerated after the covid, so even less reasons.
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Thats a new one for me? I always have the required liner but I never ever used anything but my own bags or quilts in any hut I ever stayed in. Nobody ever raised any objections. On hikes with no huts, I prefer clean baselayer (silk longjohns are good) to a liner like others here
 
echo8876

echo8876

Thru Hiker
tom said:
Thats a new one for me? I always have the required liner but I never ever used anything but my own bags or quilts in any hut I ever stayed in. Nobody ever raised any objections. On hikes with no huts, I prefer clean baselayer (silk longjohns are good) to a liner like others here
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in tirol and bavaria huts i've been explicitly warned multiple times that im prohibited to use my own sleeping bag. only liner with provided woolen blankets. that was pre covid, now as far as i know, everyone uses their own bags.
 
Padstowe

Padstowe

Thru Hiker
I use a clean base layer, it can be used a clean layer of clothes if needed, which normally the top is used for public transport back.
Don't like liners, and don't see the point in carrying one when a base layer will do the job and more.
But each to their own.
 
Robert P

Robert P

Thru Hiker
My personal choice is to use a silk liner and never carry specific sleep clothes

The reason/rationale is:
A silk liner is less weight (and less hassle than changing) than a set of sleeping clothes
I personally find a liner comfortable and convenient enough

If I am am carrying a set of clean clothes I want them to remain clean until ready to use (ideally after being able to take a shower at a campsite, for example) rather than used for sleeping

A liner has helped keep my sleeping bags clean, but I do slightly begrudge the ~100g weight I carry as a result. It is just a personal choice and priority versus other things, and in balance I don't take many things that others might: no pillow, no wide sleep pad, no sit mat or any camp-specific clothing apart from an insulated jacket of some sort.
 
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