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  1. #1
    Member jameyt's Avatar
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    Converting an old 32* down bag to TQ

    I apologize if this has been covered ad naseum.

    I'm likely going to pull the trigger on a HammockGear UQ soon. I'd like to move to top quilt as well but my desire to stay married negates spending an additional wad of cash for the top quilt.

    So I have this idea: I have 2 North Face 32 degree down bags that are about 20 years old now. Not a lot of loft left. I was thinking of getting some decent down, stuffing them again, cutting off the zipper and maybe squaring off the hood.

    Does anyone have a pointer or tips to converting an old down sleeping bag to a TQ?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Moondoggy's Avatar
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    Let me know how it works I'm in the same boat!
    High ground is dry ground!
    Moondoggy

  3. #3
    gunner76's Avatar
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    I still use my old North Face Ibex down bag that I bought in the early 70's as a top quilt. I just leave it partialy zip up for a foot box when I use it, no need to modify it.
    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  4. #4
    Member hommes90's Avatar
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    TNF is a good brand and the loft shouldn't just "die". Get some nikwax down wash and give it a good cleaning, following the directions very closely. You may find that the nikwax will strip out the oils that have built up over the years and are now clumping the down, especially if you haven't been using a liner. I'm still using my 30 year old Marmot 20* bag that has seen several hundred nights and it's still going strong. It's my working top quilt.

  5. #5
    Senior Member DrPappy's Avatar
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    Currently using a 40yr old down bag converted to an UQ.

    You might consider removing the mummy hood intact and continue to use it separately. Anyone ever tried this?

  6. #6
    SnrMoment's Avatar
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    I use an old Ascente down bag I got off ebay last year. Bags were made in the 1970's. The zipper only goes down to about the last 18" of the bag, so there's a natural foot box.
    +1 on the Nikwax.
    Love is blind. Marriage is an eye opener.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Duffy's Avatar
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    I recently made a top quilt from a 40+ year-old bag I bought on ebay. Pretty easy to do..I even put in the No Sniveler style velcro head slot. Works great, took only a few hours to do. The hardest part was taking a scissors to that wonderful old piece of gear.....

  8. #8
    Member survive7713's Avatar
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    I hope it works well. Post pics when you to the conversion. If all goes well then I will do the same thing.
    Happy Hanging To All

    S-size up the situation
    U-undue haste makes waste
    R-remember where you are
    V-vanquish fear and panic
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    A-act like the natives
    L-live by your wits

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    I recently bought a NF down bag, 30 degree bag. Got it home, washed with Nixwax and put the DWR stuff to it afterward to use as a TQ. Works great the way it is but have thought about doing the same thing. Maybe saving the head part some how for a down cap to sleep in. Watching this post to see what develops.
    BTW, the nixwax wash worked great and not that hard to do. Washed mine in bath tub and dryed with new tennis balls.

  10. #10
    Member jameyt's Avatar
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    Update: got it cleaned and some loft came back. Tested it and worked for a high 30 night.

    In weighing it today, I realize that it's currently 2lb 3oz. My new goal to is to try and halve the weight. I don't think I can get that from taking off the zipper and hood.

    Now thinking of keeping it as is and buying a new top-quilt.
    Scoutmaster, Troop 745
    Duvall, WA

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