My old sleeping bag hit 15 years old and it's still my go-to

I was packing for a trip to the Adirondacks and realized I've been using the same Marmot bag since 2009. Anyone else have a piece of gear that just refuses to quit?

3 comments

3 Comments

scott.blake1mo ago

Got a 20 year old rain jacket that looks terrible but works perfectly.

wadeowens1mo ago

What's the point of buying new stuff if the old gear still works? I've got a pair of hiking boots that are falling apart but they're like gloves for my feet, @scott.blake. That old rain jacket of yours probably has the perfect worn-in feel and you know exactly how it handles in a storm. New jackets always feel stiff and you have to re-learn how the hood works. If it keeps you dry, who cares if it looks a little rough?

hill.lucas24d ago

My buddy's 10 year old rain shell finally soaked through on a trip last spring, and he got dangerously cold. That perfect worn-in feel @scott.blake mentions can hide broken seals and thin fabric. New gear uses better materials that are lighter and actually more reliable from the start. There's a real safety risk in trusting old stuff just because it's comfortable. Sometimes a stiff new hood is better than a cozy one that leaks.