UKH

Just refilled my  70's point five sleeping bag with down from a couple of duvets, should now last me another 50 years, might put it in my will as it looks like it's as good as new.

I bought my ME Redline bag from Brian Cropper, formerly of this parish and M/chester YHA in 1973, and apart from a few cleans in the washing machine it is still good for another 10 years at least.

I resurrected my Point Five Freney duvet (circa 1975) last year, it’s still in great condition. Interestingly it is a medium and still fits me, my more modern Rab duvet is similar in fit and is an extra large!?

Chris

I have a ME Snowline bought in 1976 (with the help of my student grant) which is still my winter bag, although it was washed professionally & the down 'topped up'  a few years ago. Also have a ME Annapurna duvet jacket which is slightly older & still going strong.

I've a couple of 4 season down bags from thenabouts... A '77 ME and an '86 Salewa one. Along with an '81 Point Five Freney Goretex down jacket.

One thing I notice is that the outers were thicker, heavier and bulkier than anything around today. Longevity comes at a weight & bulk penalty it seems. I wasn't aware of it until I packed my old bag instead of a recent PHD one and had difficulty accommodating it. Rucksacks were bigger then too .

Progress, I suppose...

Also got a ME Annapurna still going strong apart from me losing the hood, if any one got a blue one I will purchase.

I have one (hood that is) practically unused - email me via forum....

Message sent

My Dad cleaned his Point 5 sleeping bag recently and dried it in the sun, and was chuffed at how it turned out. 

Cleaner?

Accurate for an educated guess. Fluffy again too.

I still use my .5 Mountain. Cost £28 in 1974. Didn’t know you were meant to wash them?

My wife has a .5 Orion. Both excellent bags. My ME Snowline duvet from ‘76 is still so warm I can barely use it...

My Point 5 Mountain bag must be from 1973/4 as well. Got it from AlpineSports in the Old Brompton Road to replace my Blacks Icelandic Special sleeping bag. The draw up hood was a feature I couldn't resist. 

I sold the Icelandic to a friend who still has it and is going strong.