How To Keep Sleeping Bag On Pad? (Helpful Tips)

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Why sleeping bag slips?

The problem of slipping mainly starts when you first purchase any sleeping bag without any awareness of the materials used in it, Mainly the outer body of any sleeping bag. If the outer body is made up of polyester then it tends to slips as it is silky and looks quite shiny.

The problem does not even exist if we do not use sleeping pads but in winter it is hard not to use them or if the surface is harsh and we need an extra layer of comfort that a sleeping pad can add.

But it is only the sleeping bag that is responsible for the slipping problem or sleeping pad that also plays an important role. Let’s find out.

Do sleeping pads play role in slipping of the sleeping bag?

Sleeping pads play a major role in slipping of sleeping bag. How? By the way a pad is made. If your sleeping pad is purely plain without any texture or brushed surface than the sleeping bag will most likely slide on it. The Textured and brushed fabric surface of the sleeping pad helps to keep the sleeping bag in its position and will be quieter than any other pad.

The material used in the making is also responsible for slipping! There are normally 4 types of material used in sleeping pads – Nylon, Polyester, Thermoplastic Polyurethane, and Memory foam. Among these polyester and then nylon is very slippery. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) has good slip resistance.

So if you don’t have any sleeping pad or next time when you get out in the market to buy any sleeping pad make sure that has patterns, textures, and brushed surface on it (only if you want a non-slip surface)

Ways to keep the sleeping bag on a sleeping pad?

Discuss all the possible ways by which we can stop the sleeping bag to slip from pad.

Permanent solutions

1. Don’t go for a narrow sleeping pad

The worst mistake you can do which results in you sliding from your sleeping pad is buying a narrow or a sleeping that fits your sleeping bag. Always buy a wider sleeping bag. How much wider? Wide enough for two-person or at least half the size of your tent. If you do just this your all sliding problem will solve as there is so much space for you to crawl and no option to get off from the pad.

But buying a big sleeping pad is not possible for everyone especially those who can’t afford more weight or have no space for it like backpackers and hikers. If you’re one of them keep reading for more permanent and temporary solutions.

2. Velcro tape

By using velcro tape you can keep your sleeping pad on the pad without much effort. If you don’t know what velcro tape does, for your knowledge it has two strips of material, one side contains lots of tiny hooks and the other side contain thinner loops to which the hook can attach.

So how can I use this formula? Here’s a step by step process:

First, you need to purchase good velcro tape. Velcro tape is easily available on Amazon and other online stores.
Stick the soft side to the sleeping pad.
Now place your sleeping bag on the sleeping pad in such a way that the other side of velcro containing hooks is attached to the pad.

This will create a bond between them which will keep them together,
Make sure that your sleeping bag or pad don’t contain any dirt
When you’re done sleeping, pull the sleeping from the pad. If you like you can keep the velcro attached to the pad for the next night of sleep.

3. Non-Slip mat or Yoga mat

First of all this trick works well for car camper due to their ability to pack is more than that of a hiker. So hikers scroll down! If you’re not already on a camping trip then before heading, buy a cheap non-slip mat that you may be used in your home drawers to keep things in place.

Place a non-slip mat between your sleeping bag and pad and this will resist your sleeping bag to slide off from the pad.

If you don’t want a non-slip mat then you can use the yoga mat you have. Yoga mats are great for resisting slips.

4. Using Seam Grip

We can say using seam grip on the sleeping pads is just like using velcro tape. Obviously, the method is different but we are going to make it work alike.

Buy a seam grip from amazon or wherever you like.
After washing and drying your sleeping pad, create several dots pattern on top of it. You should create these patterns on the torso and hip areas as there will be most of your body weight.

Let the patterns sit for 24 hours before packing and moving your sleeping pad.
Now go with the normal thing, but the sleeping bag on the bad and enjoy slip less.
If you find that you’re sliding again then add up more dots of seam grip to improve the stickiness.

If your problem is the pad’s sliding from the tent’s flood, add some dots of seam grip below the sleeping pad and that problem will be solved.

Immediate solutions

1. Using pillow, sweater, and backpack

Here you have three options to use as a barrier between your body and sleeping bag – pillow, sweater, and backpack. Do you know? most of the slipping problems will solve if you don’t move in the direction of the ground.

If you have a pillow (any pillow will work if it fits with you inside the sleeping bag, however, the round pillow is suggested). put 1-1 pillow on each side of your body inside the sleeping bag. If your sleeping bag doesn’t large enough for the pillows then put a pillow below your hips under the sleeping pad after aligning your tent in such a way that your feet lie downhill.

if you don’t have a pillow then you can do the same with your spare sweater. Just roll your sweater and put it beneath the sleeping mat after positioning feet your downhill.
At last if you neither have a pillow or a spare sweater do the same with your backpack after removing the hard items from it.

Whichever way you prefer will work well because it creates a stopping so that your body can’t go on sliding.

2. Don’t over inflate your pad

This is more of a tip rather than a method! If you’re sleeping above a highly inflated sleeping pad then you’re set for a good sliding ride into the ground. If your sleeping pad is overinflated, remove the unnecessary air from it. Only fill your sleeping bag to the point where you’re not feeling the ground. No need to over-fill it.

3. Putting pad inside the sleeping bag – Pros & cons of it

The easiest way – a way that does not require seam grip, velcro tape, sweaters, or anything. Put your sleeping pad inside the sleeping bag and all your problems will despair like it does not even exist.

But is it a solution for everyone? Certainly not, you need a size that will fit inside the sleeping pad. Also, when you put the sleeping pad inside the sleeping bag then it will not well insulate your sleeping bag from the cold ground but it will keep you insulated from inside the sleeping bag.

Other Tips

By keeping your sleeping pad and bag on a TI goat bivy to keep them in their position.
Take a tube of silicone, create a small hole in it and squeeze out several rows from the tiny dots to stop sliding the sleeping bag from the pad.

Other helpful articles:

Best compact mummy sleeping bags

Michael

Michael is heavily inclined towards traveling to natural places and documenting cultures/people from different parts of the world. He also loves hiking and camping and is spirited toward all outdoor activities. He will share his passion for outdoor life and brands or products we use outside our homes. He has good research skills, and that’s why you can see why his articles are packed with info that is factual and not readily available. He also has the vision to travel the whole world and share it with all readers of Outdoor Favor.