Is a 20 Year Old Northface Sleeping Bag Still Usable?

Got this a while back but haven’t used it in a solid 15-20 years. Getting back into camping and wanting to know if this would still be usable or if i need to get a new one.

I pulled some of the sleeping bag out and it didn’t have a smell, but not sure if that means anything. The stuff on the outside is dust/dirt, and doesn’t look as pronounced in person.

Thanks!

Yes, it’s fine. Just use it! So much camping gear gets wasted and never used. I recommend giving it a wash.

Rayne said:
Yes, it’s fine. Just use it! So much camping gear gets wasted and never used. I recommend giving it a wash.

I just found out that my laundromat cleans down-filled items for really cheap. They have special machines for it.

Rayne said:
Yes, it’s fine. Just use it! So much camping gear gets wasted and never used. I recommend giving it a wash.

I visited my mom recently and checked her airing cupboard. She has seven sleeping bags just sitting there collecting dust! :joy:

@Denny
“Airing cupboard”? Can you explain that to me? I’m from the US.

Arin said:
@Denny
“Airing cupboard”? Can you explain that to me? I’m from the US.

Sure! It’s where hot water is stored, so it stays warm and can dry things. My family keeps towels and mats in there. It’s meant for drying clothes but we have a dryer for that.

@Denny
I don’t think we have those. Is it just the space where the hot water heater is?

Arin said:
@Denny
I don’t think we have those. Is it just the space where the hot water heater is?

Yes, exactly! It’s the hot water heater.

Denny said:

Arin said:
@Denny
I don’t think we have those. Is it just the space where the hot water heater is?

Yes, exactly! It’s the hot water heater.

In the US, we usually call that a utility closet, but not all houses have them, and they aren’t used for drying things.

Washing it should help fluff it up again. Sleeping bags shouldn’t be stored compressed. I had one like that for ten years and it was fine after a wash.

I still use a 30-year-old bag! It’s my go-to for cold nights, and I put it over my newer bag when it’s chilly. It could still work as a regular bag, but it might not be as warm as it used to be.

It’s probably still good. If it’s been stored properly, that will affect how warm it keeps you. Is it synthetic or down? If it was compressed for a long time, it may have lost some loft.

If it doesn’t crumble when you touch it, it’s good! Toss it in the dryer without heat along with some tennis balls to fluff it up!

I have the same one, bought in 1999. Just wash it and don’t store it compressed. The temperature rating might be a bit higher now.

I’m still using a sleeping bag I got around 1999.

It really depends on if it’s been stored dirty or damp. If it smells bad, it might be hard to wash out. I found a nice down bag that was left damp, and after four washes, I gave up.

Brett said:
It really depends on if it’s been stored dirty or damp. If it smells bad, it might be hard to wash out. I found a nice down bag that was left damp, and after four washes, I gave up.

I checked mine, and it didn’t smell, but it had dust on the outside. Not sure what that means.

It should still work. I would wash and dry it. The temp rating might not be reliable since it probably lost some loft.

If you can fit inside and it keeps you warm, then it’s likely good.

Get it cleaned and you should be good! I got a North Face bag, and you can send it to them for repairs if needed. Someone said they did that with a bag from 20 years ago.