FAQ
HOW DID WOODS™ START?
Woods™ was created in 1885 by James Woods, who supplied lumbermen, miners, surveyors and other pioneers with gear and equipment to work and explore the Canadian frontier.
In 1895, James Woods opened a manufacturing facility, producing tents, sleeping bags, and canvas bags. He invented a light canvas that had exceptional waterproofing and with this, the company’s reputation grew internationally; for example, it supplied British troops in the Boer War from 1899 to 1902. Around this time, it was also outfitting many “stampeders” for their journeys and adventures during the Klondike Goldrush.
Throughout its history, James and the company have been part of many firsts in Canadian Historical moments, most notably; the first sailing of the Northwest Passage (1906); supplying the first team to reach the South Pole (1911); the first ascent of Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan (1925); and supplying Laurie Skreslet when he became the first Canadian to reach the summit of Mount Everest (1982). The company even produced the first gas masks for the Canadian Army.
In the 1950s, the company's popularity grew rapidly – thanks largely to the use of the automobile for recreational purposes – and with it, the product range expanded to include bags for mail carriers and railway laundry, piano covers, horse blankets, canvas car garages, life preservers, golf bags… even bags for hockey equipment!
Where will you take Woods™ next?
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Woods™ camping equipment and gear is available exclusively at Canadian Tire Retail Locations, or online at canadiantire.ca/woods. Woods Appaarel, Footwear, and Accessories can be found at SportChek, Atmosphere, and SportsExperts Retail locations, or online at Sportchek.ca, Atmosphere.ca, or Sportsexperts.ca. Shopping for US customers is available at www.woodscanada.com
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Unfortunately, products cannot be purchased online on the woods.ca website but they can on canadiantire.ca, Sportchek.ca, Atmosphere.ca, and Sportsexperts.ca. Shopping for US customers is available at www.woodscanada.com
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WOODS™ PRODUCT INFORMATION
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1. Brush out and remove gear, food, dirt or spilled items.
2. Do not wash in a washing machine. Clean your pack and components in a bathtub or large sink using a mild soap and warm water.
3. Agitate the pack gently and scrub the inside and out all compartments and pockets with a soft brush.
4. Brush clean all zippers with a toothbrush and flush clean all buckles.
5. Rinse pack thoroughly.
6. Hang dry outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and out of direct sunlight. -
Sometimes all your sleeping bag needs is a spot cleaning and not a full wash. Washing your sleeping bag subjects it to wear and tear and can decrease the loft, we recommend spot cleaning as your first line of defense.
Make a paste of a little non-detergent soap and water and use a toothbrush to gently clean the shell. Focus on the hood and collar where your hair and skin oils tent to accumulate. By holding the shell or liner fabric away from the insulation, you can wash and rinse the area without getting the inside fill wet.
Unless your bag has become unusually dirty, you can typically go many years before a complete wash.
If you feel it’s time to wash your synthetic sleeping bag, please follow these steps:
Woods recommends that you use a commercial sized, front loading washing machine to wash your synthetic sleeping bag.
1. Make sure your washing machine is front-loading with a gentle cycle. Top-loading machines with a central agitator can cause damage to your bag.
2. Close all zipper on your bag.
3. Wash in warm water with a mild non-detergent soap that is made for synthetic-filled items. Wash in warm water on a gentle cycle.
4. Rinse several times to remove all the dirty, soapy water. An extra spin cycle will also effectively remove excess water.
5. Line dry or tumble dry on no heat. Drying might take up to several hours.
6. During the drying process check the bag frequently to be sure the fabric is not getting too hot.
7. Be sure your bag is completely dry before storing. -
To keep your Woods sleeping bag lasting for years to come, we recommend you follow the steps:
1. Store your sleeping bag in a large nylon / mesh bag (instead of a stuff or compression sack) to maintain the bag’s loft throughout it’s lifespan. Storing your sleeping bag in a small stuff sack constricts the insulation and may be harmful for an extended amount of time.
2. When not using your sleeping bag, store in a cool, dry place. If the bag is stored when wet or damp, you increase the chances of mildew growth
3. The most efficient way to dry your sleeping bag is air-dry outside, avoiding direct exposure to sun. When drying, turn the bag inside out, this allows for the insulation to dry more rapidly though the lining materials as well as helping to freshening the sleeping bag.
4. Run a dry toothbrush over the zippers to ensure the zipper teeth stay clean and prevent them from failing. -
Proper cleaning and storage of your Woods tent will help prolong its life. Before storing your tent, set it up and inspect it. Look for any damage, pulled seams, broken zippers, holes or mildew. Woods warranty covers pulled seams or broken zippers (manufacturer defects).
Once you have done a complete inspection of your tent, clean all the dust and dirt marks with a sponge, mild soap, and tepid water. Rinse with a clean wet sponge. Allow the tent to dry thoroughly before dismantling it. Do not soak your tent, and never machine-wash it.
Be sure to wipe down your tent poles with a clean sponge or towel. Salt can corrode them, and dirt on the poles stored with your tent can encourage mildew growth. Also, be sure the shock cord in your poles are dry before storing.
Run a dry toothbrush over the zippers to ensure the zipper teeth stay clean and prevent them from failing.
Store the tent in a cool, dry place. -
1. Remove faux fur from jacket hood and close all pockets and zippers.
2. Use a front loading washer if available.
3. Wash in cold water and use a down specific detergent, as normal detergents can damage the down feathers and breakdown the water repellancy on the shell fabric. Follow down detergent guidelines.
4. After wash cycle, ensure that the garment is fully rinsed and run through another rinse cycle if necessary.
5. Place garment in dryer on tumble dry at low speed until fully dry. Placing tennis balls in the dryer will help to fluff up the down and restore its original apperance.
*So not dry clean, use bleach or detergent with optical brightners, fabric softeners or iron your down jackets