Identifying a North Face vintage Red Label bag

[Brian Devlin]

I have a red label goose down royal blue bag probably from the late 80’s. Anyone have any ideas how to identify what the bag might be?  Given the weight (2lbs, 6oz) versus today’s bags I’d have to say it is (was) not under a 30 degree bag.  Reason I am asking is I’d like to get another bag of similar comfort level.  I am REALLY trying to stay away from (1) something too warm and (2) something heavier.

[Adam Salinger]

Cat’s Meow….

[Brad Rogers]

I thought the Cat’s Meow was a synthetic bag?

[Brian Devlin]

Thanks for taking the time to look.  Certainly a current day Cat’s Meow is synthetic.  Hard to imagine if this was in their 1980’s product line that it was Down and now is not.

[Edward John M]

It’s Blue

I saw the picture and my first thought was an original Blue Kazoo

[Kimberly Wersal]

The Cat’s Meow was synthetic, even in the 80’s.  That looks like a Blue Kazoo, and the weight sounds about right– I have one, purchased in 1988.  It was rated as a 20 degree bag, I believe– definitely not a 30 degree.  The Cat’s Meow was rated at 30 degrees.

[Brian Devlin]

Would you dare assess how many degree’s in performance your’s has dropped over the years?  But that seems wild.  I don’t recall it being that expensive back in the day.  Maybe $100.  Tough to find a 20 degree bag at that weight w/o spending near $300.

[Kimberly Wersal]

I wouldn’t say that it has suffered in it’s performance at all– but always stored loosely packed in it’s original storage sack and kept clean.  It was actually quite expensive at the time: $180 in 1988 and was one of the lighter bags available at the time.

[Edward John M]

I was earning $300- a week in 1988

So after tax/rent/food/fuel/transport and insurance it would have taken me 3 months or more to save to pay for one.

So not cheap at all.

If it has never been washed you might be advised to do so followed by a good tumble at the lowest heat setting, you may get a pleasant surprise

[John Vance]

If it’s down and 4-5″ of loft I would say Blue Kazoo 20f If it’s 6-7″ I would say Superlight 5f.  Owned both bags back in the day.

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