Thread: sleeping bags

twin needle made mine better than new and didnt cost much

Originally Posted by bjp

They still benefit from regular washing to clean body oils from the down, if you spent more than a night or two at a time in them. Normal driers and washing machines are too small, buy some down wash, take it to a self service laundromat and wash then dry using their big machines. Chuck a few tennis balls in with the drying to help break up the clumps. If you can resurrect it, they are still a good bag.

I've still got my old Macpac Solstice, bought in the early 90s, but almost never use it these days. I screwed up trying to wash and dry it at home when I was a poor student, but back then could send it away to Macpac who charged $80 to refill it. Now I have 2 lightweight sleeping bags, cheap 200g fill down Fairydown one I bought years ago plus a newer 300g down better one, either is small enough to wash/dry at home (just) and I double them up for when its cold (autumn/early spring camping, winter in huts). For winter camping the old still Solstice comes out, I know its good down to -15°C.

Next time we need a new bag (kids are now at an age bigger adventures are possible), I'll be looking at a quilt for me I think, got my eye on one of the NZ made ultralight jobbies... that doubled up with lightest of my current bags will probably replace the Soltice, I think the Reflex outer fabric is starting to delaminate...

Yep I got a Solstice in early 90s too, never ever ever had a cold sleep, even on a 10mm closed cell foam pad , under a fly, whenst snowing.

Barry, is it worth reminding you that whilst a professional rejuvenation should work wonders for the bag, the occupant may require a wee bit more work ??

Originally Posted by ANTSMAN

Yep I got a Solstice in early 90s too, never ever ever had a cold sleep, even on a 10mm closed cell foam pad , under a fly, whenst snowing.

Same here, 1993 I think, and now my eldest daughter uses it. It's now had, over the years, two washes/relofts and one down-boost through TwinNeedle, plus a patch/refill from a rip. And earlier this week when I was driving past they put a new slider on the zip as the old one had worn and wasnt keeping the zip closed properly, it would open when she rolled over. They replaced the slider while I waited, took 5 mins.

Well made gear, and TwinNeedle keep it humming.