[pct-l] re: sleeping bag loft

[mardav at charter.net (Marion Davison)]

We got inexpensive ($100) down bags in 1993 for summer use.  We have put 
about 1000 nights on them since then.  We usually zip them all the way 
open, zip the two together in the middle and throw the whole lot over us 
as a giant quilt.  They have served us well in a tent at 25 degrees 
overnight (high sierras July and August, San Bdno's spring and fall)
Last year we sensed that they were not as warm as they once had been.  
So we bought 6 ounces of 800 fill down from an online supplier 
(thru-hiker.com) and fortified our bags in the midsection.  That is, we 
opened up the 4 draft tubes that cross the chest and belly area and 
filled each bag with 3 more ounces in those sections. We did it with a 
"wet-the-down" system we devised to avoid wasting any down.  We were 
really happy with the results.  We feel like our bags have been restored 
to new condition.  The total cost was about $50.
So you don't necessarily have to start over with new bags if you feel 
your bag is getting tired.  This project was done in less than a day.
llamalady