Put a Microfiber Towel by Your Feet in a Sleeping Bag

This is a tip I learned from a 35 year Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is very effective to dry out your gear overnight. This is so important on multi-day trips as you are constantly fighting moisture and freezing temperatures.

By bringing a small microfiber towel (mine is about 3ft by 4ft) in your pack, you are adding very little weight for a very effective tool. I can’t promise that it will completely dry out your wet articles, but it will definitely help remove a lot of the moisture. Here’s what to do:

Place the microfiber towel by your feet inside your sleeping bag when you go to bed
Place things that need to be dry and warm in the morning by your feet as well (eg. glove liners, socks, skins, and even boot liners)
Unzip your sleeping bag by your feet about an inch (not too much or you’ll be freezing!)
That’s it!

This method is very effective as there are two forces at work to dry out your gear.

First, there is the heat radiating from your feet. This radiation, combined with the small opening in the sleeping bag, circulates air and dries out your gear.

Second, the towel acts like a magnet for the humidity in your bag. As it is more absorbent than the gear around it, it will suck up a good amount of the moisture.

So, next time you’re winter camping, try out this trick and wake up to warm and dry gear!

Stay safe, stay Savvy, and get out there!

Avi Kleiman
Founder, Savvy Touring Company Ltd.
For Life in the Backcountry