Valerie Loughney Stapleton

REI Camping Department Sales Lead

Valerie Loughney is the sales lead of the REI Silverdale, Wash. camping department and the in-store instructor for camping, cooking, backpacking and hiking classes. She loves exploring nearby Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks.

Latest Articles

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  Buying Advice

  How to Choose Daypacks

  Choosing a daypack can be daunting. Learn how to find the right one by looking at how you plan to use it, plus capacity, features and fit.

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  Care and Repair

  Sleeping Bag Care

  Learn how to wash, dry and store your down or synthetic sleeping bag. Get tips on care and repair in camp and at home.

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  Care and Repair

  How to Wash a Sleeping Bag

  A dirty sleeping bag is also a less-warm sleeping bag. Learn how to properly wash it to get peak performance from the insulation again.