UKC

As I snuggled into it listening, to the snow fall, pitter pattering against the outer wall of the tent I realised this bag was nearly twenty years old. Never been cleaned as used with liner or worn thermals, it got me wondering, about down and its aging properties, how long will it maintain its loft and how long before it naturally deteriorates? oh yeah anyone remember the original specs for warmth etc?

I have an ME Snowline bag of similar vintage. Its had reasonable winter use, never been cleaned and is still performing well.

This is why I always recommend ME for sleeping bags.

I’ve got a Lightline of similar vintage, perhaps a bit newer (mine is dark green/black). I used it for about 10 years without a wash and it got a bit tired looking, lost loft and was a bit grubby to say the least.  I had it washed by some company that was reccomended on here.  It came back like new in terms of loft and felt much warmer as a result.

I think the original specs were -5 comfort and -12 extreme 1250 ish grams total weight.

Cheers all.

The loft in mine looks like it could do with a revive now though, although still plenty warm for anything I think the UK can dish out. Slept at ground level in the snow a couple weeks ago on exped down mat 7 and even with my arms of out the bag I was warm all night.In fact best nights sleep I had in a mummy bag ever. I was a bit concerned that cleaning might not make a difference due to its age, good to get some feedback ref benefits even on an older bag. The company I spoke to about it also offer a down top up service. I was thinking about getting the leg section topped up a bit as my feet are usually the first to feel the cold.

To echo George's comment: I've got a Snowline that is 23 years old and is still brilliant. I did notice a reduction in warmth a few years ago and sent it off for specialist dry cleaning (I think the label recommended Franklins in Sheffield iirc)

It came back a completely different bag. Much loftier and warmer. I had to check that a small tear that I had repaired was still there to believe it was my old bag.

Cost about £250 back in the day so approaching a tenner a year in value for money. Happy with that and have stuck with ME for a lot of things since.

thinking a little, my Snowline must be close to 40 years old, although it had a clean & some down replaced about 20 years ago & hasn't been used as much the last 10 years (don't camp in winter as much now) but is still a good bag for cold weather. My Annapurna duvet jacket is a similar age & still in good condition.

I had one of those once. No idea if it is still lofting well as it got thieved by some bandits in the Georgian Caucasus in 1998.

Gutted as I loved that bag ...

Maybe it is being treasured still by its new owner. Git.

Me too. A 1999/2000 Snowline. Still very warm. I wish I’d bought the Lightline though.

My Lightline is 41 years old (I think). The stiching on the lable has worn away. It lay fallow for a few years, but after some repairs is back in use.  It gives me a soft spot for ME kit.  Has had a wash!

Don't think they do a lightline now.

Bought my Snowline in about 1995. Purple outer and red inner, which, iirc, was a recent change from the blue inner.

Still brilliant, still toasty warm in winter. Probably could do with a wash by now.

Tried to buy a Lightline on eBay for a bit of cycle touring a couple of years ago, but it was rather more knackered than described, so sent it back and now have a Helium for that.

That is some age, it sounds like the down is still in usable condition, great to know. I paid £150 for my lightline, it was one of rock and runs specials in late 90's. When I mentioned the cost to non climbers It was met with incredulity. Looked in the climbers shop in Ambleside a couple of weeks ago, the price to replace it with similar spec made my eyes water.

I have a Snowline duvet and Redline pit that I bought in 1974 at the then eyewatering price of £40 and £45 respectively. Both still down proof and with good loft. Superb kit brilliantly made, apart from the icy nylon they used back then .