Metrodome roof enjoys second life as many, many bags

The “Domer” bags, Duluth Pack

Minnesotans of my GenX/Y vintage have distinct memories of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, an historical oddity in sports stadiums. It is, essentially, an inflatable stadium. It’s loud. The roof is the exact same color as a baseball.

The Twins would move out to Target Field in 2010. It was shortly after that that the Metrodome roof caved in a few days before a big Vikings football game. Now, of course, Minnesota is building a new football stadium and the Metrodome will be torn down after the current season.

But the roof that collapsed a few years ago was quietly purchased by prospectors, who connected with the Duluth Pack company to create and sell Metrodome bags. That is, bags made from the old roof of the Metrodome. They run a hefty price, but you’ll be carrying around a piece of Minnesota sports history, weird plastic-like teflonish fabric that once absorbed the thunderous sounds of the 1987 and 1991 Minnesota Twins world championships.

You can put your stuff in there. It’s a bag.