Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Best Place for Sleeping Bag Repair

I have two sleeping bags (one down, one synthetic) that I need to repair/replace zippers on. They are both otherwise great bags and I'd like to keep them functioning.

Both are REI bags and REI here in Anchorage does not do their own repairs anymore. I can't find any local vendor with expertise in sleeping bags. I found Rainy Pass Repair in Seattle that could replace the zipper for @ $65 plus $15 shipping.

Anyone had experience with Rainy Pass or have other suggestions I should check out?

Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

They won't ship them to REI seattle for repair for you? I've had issues with customer service at REI as well last year, the ANC store. Oddly enough when I was on leave this fall in Georgia, I took the items in question to REI In Atlanta and got them replaced no issue.

Rainy Pass is the best there is IMO.

You could probably get REI to replace your bags if you want to go that route. As many have said REI stands for return every item

Thanks guys for the replies.

Yep, REI would likely replace the bags - REI has provided great service for me forever. But the down bag is nearly 40 years old (and still a great bag) and the zipper problems are definitely NOT REI's fault.

The zippers were damaged in a commercial washing machine I used in Coeur D'Alene, ID after using the bags in the field for six weeks hunting elk in ID and MT (they definitely needed laundering before I used them on the drive back to Anchorage).

REI would ship them for me too (I live next door to the REI store manager here in Anchorage and he'd likely do anything I asked him to do - he's a GREAT guy.) But it's my fault and my problem and I don't like to use friendships.

I'll ask the REI store manager where they have their bags repaired (might even be Rainy Pass) and then either send to Rainy Pass or the REI repair vendor.

Thanks again. Appreciate the suggestions/information.

AK Chessie,

You are an honest man with principles. Rare to find these days.

Before you spend the money - take them to a dry cleaners and have them replace the zipper slides. 90% of the time, it's just the slide and not the whole zipper that's the problem. I've had many coats repaired that way.

Good suggestion. Thanks.

One slide is missing but teeth seem OK so if a local dry cleaner or tailor could do it that would be great. Will check locally on Monday.

I'll second that!

Gentlemen:

Thanks for the undeserved kind words. YOU are too kind.

I'm doing nothing that you wouldn't do and nothing that most guys on this forum wouldn't do.

I'm just trying to take care of my own problem and seeking help from others with more knowledge and information who will kindly offer their advice. And, others unselfishly offer their help.

That's the way I was taught it is supposed to be...and for a lot of us, regardless of our differences of politics or religion, it still is.

That's the best part of forums like this - opportunities to meet and learn from people from all over the world we'd otherwise never have the opportunity to communicate with or know about. One of the best things about technology.

Best to all. And, thanks again.

I've got a pair of bibs for snowmachining that have a bad zipper that i'm taking to A Stitch-In-Time in Eagle River after work today. I'll let you know if they do sleeping bags.

Thanks. Would be nice to find somebody local.