For long-term storage, neither folding nor tightly stuffing is recommended. Folding a sleeping bag in the same way every time can lead to the insulation breaking down along the fold lines, diminishing its ability to retain heat. Similarly, tightly stuffing a sleeping bag can compress the insulation and reduce its loft, making the bag less warm. The ideal way to store a sleeping bag long-term is either hanging it up or loosely stuffing it into a large, breathable storage bag. These methods allow the insulation to maintain its loft, prolonging the life and effectiveness of the sleeping bag. However, for travel or during a camping trip, compactly stuffing the sleeping bag into a stuff sack is common and acceptable as it saves space.