Care of Your Outdoor Gear and Clothing

Waterproof/Breathable Clothing

Down and Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Stoves

Water Filters

Waterproof/Breathable Clothing
~ The way to maintain true performance ~

Waterproof breathable clothing requires routine cleaning for maximum vapor transmission and waterproofness. If the exterior material of your garment is failing to repel water, it has lost most of its ability to allow internal moisture escape. Garments that fail to repel water end up weighing more, while warmth is sacrificed. This condition known as "wet out," is preventable and does not indicate that the garment itself is leaking. The garment that forces water to "bead up," will perform properly and this is due to the condition of the D.W.R. treatment, Durable Water Repellent. Manufacturers condition fabrics with these special polymers so your gear reaches you in top water repellent condition. However, these treatments are somewhat temporary, being subject to abrasion from pack straps, rocks, manzanita etc. It is also known that the sun's rays can degrade the integrity of the D.W.R. A garment will lose its ability to breathe effectively as it absorbs oil and collects dirt so frequent, thorough cleaning is essential for optimum performance. Launder your garments with a mild powdered detergent and allow them to dry completely before applying D.W.R. treatments. The most common products are aerosol and pump sprays. Some D.W.R. treatments can be "washed in" by adding directly to the wash cycle. A quick tumble in a hot dryer, or steam iron can temporarily enhance the D.W.R., but this is no substitute for re-treatment. Most new garments can be expected to maintain their D.W.R. treatments for approximately one year after purchase, less, of course, with heavy use. Some proven effective D.W.R. products include Nikwax and Tectron. Above all, follow the manufacture's care instructions and be confident your investment will last many seasons.

Proper Laundry Procedure for Down and Synthetic Sleeping Bags
~ Don't try this at home ~

High-Loft Laundry Technique

The safest way to launder a sleeping bag is to use a large capacity front loading washing machine. Never use a top loading machine. The agitator in top loading machines will stress the stitching, and the baffles in down sleeping bags can tear, creating cold spots. For the same reason, wet down items should be handled with care. Delicate down sweaters or booties should be washed inside a net bag for protection. It is best to avoid using strong detergents for down filled items because this can strip the naturally occurring oil from the down, resulting in an overall decrease in loft, or warmth. Avoid harsh detergents and try to use a soap designed for sleeping bags, Ivory Snow or Woolite can also be used.

After your bag is clean, the drying procedure will vary according to the fill. For synthetic filled bags, the easiest and cheapest drying mechanism is the sun. A full day of sunny exposure is often enough to dry this type of bag. If you decide to use a commercial dryer, verify that the heat selector switch works and use the lowest setting. The extreme heat associated with this type of dryer can damage synthetic insulations, actually "melting" the insulative fibers. If you notice melted or shriveled looking hang tags, it is possible that the fill has also sustained damage. The main point here is use caution and know that slow drying may be your safest bet. Down bags take a considerably longer time to dry, hence, more quarters may be necessary. Down bags will dry faster if the clumps of semi-saturated down are broken up either with hands or through the introduction of a tennis ball or two into the dryer. To further speed the drying process, unzip the bag completely. Mummy style bags should have the foot section flipped once or twice during drying. Be aware that a hot sleeping bag fresh out of the dryer may feel and appear dry, but often hidden moisture remains. It may be necessary to allow the bag to cool to determine whether or not it is completely dry. Remember to store your sleeping bag properly to preserve its loft. Bags should always be hanging or loosely stuffed when not in use. Even with proper care, a high quality goose down bag will be warmer than an equal quality synthetic. It is this longevity that gives down sleeping bags excellent value.

Stoves
~ Without a functional stove, Top Ramen is crunchy ~

Whether your stove burns propane, butane, white gas , kerosene, auto gas, alcohol, or jet fuel, the key to maintenance is cleanliness. Liquid and pressurized fuel canister stoves should be wiped clean after every use, and cleaned after every trip. It is also wise to test your stove before the start of your journey. Always familiarize yourself with a new stove before you arrive in the outback. Liquid fuel stoves should be returned to full flame a few times before shut off if they have been burning at a low flame. This easy step will reduce the buildup of carbon. Clean stoves will burn longer and hotter keeping you in good supply of hot drinks when needed. If your stove has any type of pump, be sure to keep the leather or synthetic cup well lubricated. Oil from your dipstick or even saliva will work in a pinch. A stove's efficiency can also be increased when certain types of devices are used. A windscreen should always be used, even if your particular stove has the "built-in" type. There are also a number of clever devices used to reduce fuel consumption and cook faster. Many people have found that the "Pot Parka" from their Outback Oven increases performance, and the M.S.R. heat exchanger included with their X.P.D. Cookset more than carries its weight. These products can reduce the amount of fuel that needs to be carried by trapping otherwise lost heat resulting in faster boiling times and less fuel consumption.

Waterfilters
~ Use, storage, and longevity tips ~

NOTE:The term water filter refers to some type of device that includes a microporous membrane, carbon, ceramic, or sometimes even silver. A water purifier has attained this title through E.P.A. testing, and will contain iodine. The iodine is in place to fight viruses, too tiny to filter out. For the sake of simplicity, water filter is the term used below, but water purifier can apply.

The longevity of a water filter can be dependent upon many factors. Despite manufacturer's specifications, the longevity of a particular water filter may vary due to less than favorable water sources or user care. Turbidity can increase the amount of work that you and your filter have to perform. Water with a high percentage of suspended solid matter will clog the porous surface inside the filter and may result in a greater amount of force required by the user. Two methods can be used to increase the amount of gallons of output before filter replacement. First, employ the use of a supplemental prefilter, if one is available for your particular model. Second, use a container to gather water and wait awhile for particulate matter to settle to the bottom, then take water right off the top. The container used to gather water can be a collapsing plastic bucket or washbasin, a bottle used specifically for this purpose, or even a stuff sack. If this technique is used in addition to a prefilter, the best possible results may follow.

After any journey, a water filter should be disassembled and allowed to dry thoroughly at room temperature. Latex hoses can be cleaned with a mild vinegar and water solution. Also, if your filter appears dirty, take the time to use the appropriate cleaning procedure. After drying, reassemble your filter so it is primed for your next excursion.

Remember that all water filters are mechanical devices, and they do, on occasion, refuse to function. Safe and pure drinking water is a necessity, so be sure to back up your device with some type of chemical treatment. Chlorine bleach and iodine work by killing waterborne pathogens. Follow instructions carefully and consider any cold/cloudy water procedures as well. The cyst, Giardia lamblia, will develop a thicker protective layer in cold water, so longer exposure to chemical treatments is necessary to penetrate and kill this nasty offender. Giardia survivors will agree that this micro organism can wreak havoc on one's internal system Many schools of thought report that bringing impure water to the boiling point is more than sufficient to produce safe drinking water. In the past, people have boiled water for five or even ten minutes, but this is a waste of fuel.