Snugpack Bivvi Bag

[sethuk]

:)
Hi there
I have a Paratex dry Bivvi Bag.
I have just returned from a trek in the white Mountains of Crete.
The bag was superb used as protection against cool nights.
However it now smells a bit iffy (me smell actually).
Please advise me on how to wash the item without the need to reproof it.
Thank you for your attention
Seth

[Stewart]

Hi Seth

Sorry for the delay I referred this to the technical department to be 100% sure the answer I was giving was correct.

Technically you will be fine to pop it in the washing machine at a low temperature but from experience we have found the balloon like nature of the bag can make it tricky. We would suggest popping it in the bath with some hand hot water and giving it a good swish around with some mild detergent (avoid anything too scented) a good rinse and then turn inside out to dry the lining side first then turn the correct way to dry the outer. Don't wring it out or do anything rough with it that might damage the coating on the inside. The fabric and coating will not absorb much water so it should dry out very quickly.

It would be very difficult to destroy the waterproof coating but overtime you might see some deterioration in the water repellency (the treatment on the outside of the fabric which causes the water to bead up and roll off) once the water repellency goes the fabric can 'wet out' but this water still can not get through the waterproof coating on the inner of the fabric to cause wetness inside.

Once the water repellency goes (it should not after one wash) the only really effective way to replace this on a bivvi bag is to re treat, either with a spray or a wash in water repellent. Grangers and Nikwax both have great products.
Hope this helps.

Stewart

[sethuk]

Stewart
Thank you for your helpful reply.
Now smells sweet again
Cheers
Seth:):)

[cpu_melt_down]

How should the bivy bag be stored?

I heard to store the bag inside out so that the inside coating would not "stick" together during long periods of storage.

Thanks for the help.