Down Insulation Care and Repair

Posted by: Hello Kammok

There are many options when it comes to what kind of insulation to use on your outdoor adventures. Down insulation is one of the most popular options because of its weight-to-warmth ratio and compressibility. It’s also extremely durable if taken care of properly. Kammok’s Bobcat, Firebelly and Arctos quilts are examples of gear that uses down insulation.

The down’s ability to trap heat depends on how well it lofts, which is measured by the amount of space a certain weight of down takes up. The fluffier it is, the warmer it will keep you. 

When your down insulation has been compressed in a stuff sack or storage, the fill can appear flat or displaced when taken out. Before using, we recommend allowing it to loft. 


How to loft insulation:

  1. Give the quilt a good shake. 
  2. Lay it on a flat surface to allow the down time to loft evenly. 
  3. Let the gear lay out for a few hours, shaking occasionally to bring to its full loftiness.

Where your down trail quilt or sleeping bag is stored when you’re not using it affects its lifespan. Here are a few tips on how and where to store your down insulation.


How to store insulation:

  1. When down gear is not in use, keep in a roomy storage bag to maintain gear lofted. 
  2. Store the bag in a climate-controlled room or a sealed container. This will help your gear avoid getting wet or damaged by pests. 
  3. Pack into the stuff sack only when needed for travel.

 

How to wash down insulation:

Sleeping bags and trail quilts don’t have to be washed after every use, however, as with any great adventure gear, it’s bound to get grimy after regular use and will need to be washed on occasion. 

If using a washing machine, only use a front-loading washer or a machine without an agitator. 

If the inside of your washer has the center ‘agitator’ part, hand wash with warm water in a large bucket or bathtub. When using a washing machine, place the product in the washer by itself, and add the recommended amount of insulation cleaner. We recommend using Grangers Down Wash and Repel. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water. 

Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or stain removal products. 

To dry, place the product in the dryer with 3 dryer balls or clean tennis balls.

Heat is required to activate the water resistance on the fabric. Tumble dry on low-medium heat. Your insulation is now clean and ready for the adventures ahead.

We put our gear through a lot, and sometimes we get too close to an ember from the fire or snag it on a sharp rock. If you have a small hole in your insulated gear, you can repair it with a patch kit. We recommend using Noso Patches, though any fabric gear patch brand will do. You’ll also need rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab handy. 

 

How to repair insulation:

  1. Tuck in any loose down feathers or snip away loose threads from the damaged area. 
  2. Clean the spot with rubbing alcohol. Allow time to dry.
  3. Crack and peel the paper release liner. 
  4. Center patch over the damaged area. Apply pressure from the center out to the edges. 
  5. If using a Noso patch, apply the patch permanently by tumble drying on low for 10 minutes. 
  6. Remove from the dryer and press the patch in a circular motion for 30 seconds. 

These tips for down insulation care and repair will increase the lifespan of your sleeping bag or trail quilt. If something went wrong with your Kammok gear that isn’t easily repairable, remember that we have a lifetime warranty on all our products. Please reach out to our customer experience team or fill out the warranty form for any concerns regarding the durability of your elevated gear.