Short answer: lay the base flat with the red triangle facing up, at least 20 cm from walls and fences. Stack the furniture to around 90 cm, put the top cover over with the triangles facing each other, and close the zipper anticlockwise all the way round. Tighten the two drawstrings, lock the zipper with the carabiner, and anchor with Storm Anchor if it is windy.

This guide follows the manual for Bag'in Nordic and SunGuard step by step, with tips from years of use on the west coast of Norway.

1. Before you cover up

  • The furniture must be clean and dry. Damp or dirt left under the cover can lead to mould or discolouration over time.
  • If the furniture is damp, let it air-dry completely first.
  • Choose a flat surface, ideally deck boards, so air can circulate underneath. See where your Bag'in should stand.
  • Remove sharp objects that could damage the fabric. If the furniture has sharp edges, put DryTop Protect over it, under the cover.

2. Lay out the ventilated base

  • Lay the base flat on a clean, even deck.
  • The red triangle on the base must always point up.
  • Keep at least 20 cm from walls and fences so air can circulate.
  • Place both zip sliders to the right of the red arrow.

3. Place the furniture

  • Put the largest furniture in first, standing on its legs. Keep table tops off the base fabric, as they block the ventilation.
  • Leave room for air between the furniture inside the bag.
  • Keep the height around 90 cm. That gives the top cover the right fit and good airflow.
  • Stack the furniture so the highest point is in the middle. That builds a peak, so water and snow run off.

More tips in how to pack garden furniture in Bag'in.

4. Put on the top cover and close the zipper

Two people pulling the Bag'in Nordic top cover over garden furniture

  1. Lay the top cover carefully over the furniture.
  2. The red triangle on the top cover should point down towards the red mark on the base.
  3. Check that both zips on the base are to the right of the red triangle.
  4. Connect the zip on the top cover to the zip on the base, and pull anticlockwise all the way round until you are back at the two red triangles.
  5. Tighten the two drawstrings, in the middle and at the bottom, so the cover fits snugly.

Tip: lift the edge slightly while you pull the zipper round, so it does not get stuck. Never use force. If it is hard to close, you have packed too much.

5. Lock with the carabiner

When you receive Bag'in, a carabiner and a tag are attached to one of the zips on the base. Remove the tag and use the carabiner to lock the two zip pullers together. That stops the zipper from opening by itself.

6. Anchor with Storm Anchor

Storm Anchor is our patented anchoring system for exposed spots. It fits a 5 mm gap between deck boards up to 32 mm thick, with no drilling.

  1. Push the anchor plate down into the gap between two deck boards. The plate should lie flat, flush with the surface.
  2. Hold the base steady and turn the centre part clockwise until the anchor sits firmly.
  3. Attach the strap to the ring on the anchor, and the other end to the strap loop on Bag'in.
  4. Tighten the strap lightly. The cover should sit firmly without being pulled out of shape.
  5. Repeat for each anchor, in the corners or midway along the sides.

X-Small to Large have four attachment points, X-Large has six. Two anchors on the windward side are often enough, and in exposed spots you use them all. To move the furniture or lift the anchor, turn the centre part anticlockwise and lift out the plate. Read more about how to secure garden furniture against storms.

7. Through the winter

  • Wipe off water and brush off snow regularly, especially in damp periods. That keeps condensation down.
  • Check that the drawstrings and carabiner lock are in place after strong wind.

Important about condensation and cushions: in a Nordic climate, some condensation always forms inside Bag'in. That is why we advise against storing cushions in the bag. The warranty does not cover what is stored in the bag, such as furniture, cushions, rugs or other belongings. Read how to store garden cushions over winter and condensation and mould under covers.

What not to store in Bag'in

  • Cushions, rugs and textiles
  • E-bikes, e-scooters and anything else with a battery
  • Plants and pots that cannot handle frost

Wooden furniture can be packed in Bag'in as long as it is completely dry and properly treated. Loose glass tops can go in too: stand the glass safely between the furniture so it cannot shift. Do not wrap it in a blanket, which holds moisture.

8. When spring comes

Clean and dry Bag'in completely before folding it, and put the top and base together in the Storage Bag (sold separately). See how to clean and store your Bag'in between seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Which way should the zipper go?

Anticlockwise, from the red triangles and all the way round.

Why does the zipper get stuck?

Usually the sliders are on either side of the red arrow, or the bag is packed too full. Move both sliders to the right of the arrow and pack a little lower.

What is the red triangle?

The mark that shows where the top and base meet. On the base it points up, on the top cover it points down.

How high can I stack?

Around 90 cm.

How many Storm Anchors do I need?

Two on the windward side are often enough. X-Small to Large have four attachment points, X-Large has six.