High Sierra Topix

I have a couple of North Face synthetic filled (polyester) sleeping bags. Unfortunately they were packed in their stuff sacks for several months and they have lost much of their "loft". Is there a way to bring back the loft? I know putting a down sleeping bag in a dryer on low heat with a tennis ball or two helps bring back the loft but I don't know if anything can be done for synthetic filled bags. These bags are about 6 years old or so. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, js hill

Once the fibers break down, there's not a way to repair them. Rejuvenating a down bag, if a turn in the dryer works, means you're drying out the down that's gotten a little damp, restoring the loft. There's no way to rejuvenate a down bag in which the down has degraded to the point the fluff is actually damaged - same scenario as a synthetic that's broken down. But, a well cared for down item will last for years - which is why I bit the bullet and got it once I understood the equation - I go out a lot, and I'd be replacing it every year with all the packing and repacking I do.

lay out the synth bag. let it rest. measure the height. Throw it in the dryer with no heat, and a couple of clean sneakers. give it 40 mins; check every 10 mins to make sure it didn't just wrap up in a big ball. . take it out. re-measure the height. If it magically inflated, then the loft is back. If it didn't, well, you know the answer.

Assuming these were clean when packed. If not wash first and let them air dry. then do the above.

I agree with AlmostThere. It's over for your bag. Synthetics just don't last that long unfortunately. With a down bag leaving it stuffed for a long time won't even hurt it provided it's dry. But synthetics just yearn to be less fluffy. My synthetic bag is so pathetic. It saved my butt a couple of times sleeping in the rain with all my clothes and belongings already soaked.

But why not stick it in the dryer just for laughs? Maybe it will work. You could also try a hot sauce and vinegar soak for it. Or put it under a large crystal pyramid for a few weeks. It can't hurt.

the crystal does work sometimes.

PM sent.

why a pm? Mav, do you possess magic powers we shouldn't know about? Seems to be a pretty simple thread..

It involves crystals, doesn't it.

Find the North Face customer service number and ask for the technical geeks. I would also contact other sleeping bag manufacturers and get their possible solutions. This is not the first time this has happened.

I contacted North Face and talked with a customer service rep. She told me to ship the two bags to them along with a repair page (downloaded from their website) and North Face would replace the synthetic fibers at no charge. It will take 4 to 8 weeks. North Face also repaired an old V-23 tent that was almost 30 years old for me a couple of years ago. Can't beat their product warranty. js hill

WOW 10+ on the c/s! W/B like a new bag!