- Joined
- Jan 4, 2012
- Messages
- 3,818
Hey Folks,
I'm the gear editor for a number of North American magazines and have tested bags from most of the companies listed.
My experience is that Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends in Seattle make some of the down sleeping bags available. Best down quality, excellent construction, broad range of temperatures and various sizes. And they are made in the US. Can't go wrong. My wife and i have Western bags that are over ten years old and still going strong. Pricey but worth it.
Big Agnes makes down and synthetic bags that offer excellent value. Good blend of price and performance and available in roomier sizes.
Wiggys makes a solid synthetic bag with some interesting construction details but they are not as light or compressible as down bags.
Couple of final notes. High quality down (look at the fill power) offers the best insulation for the weight, is the most compressible and if properly cared for, will last for a very long time. Unfortunately it's performance suffers when it becomes wet and it requires a long time to dry. Careful packing and choosing the right campsite can minimize these issues.
Synthetic fills are less expensive, dry faster and are retain some of their insulating qualities when damp. Unfortunately they are heavier than down, less compressible than down and will loose their loft (insulating properties) with use more quickly than down. Remember, these comparisons are only valid for down and synthetic bags that provide similar insulation. Bags with less insulation will be smaller and lighter.
Unfortunately there are no universally accepted temperature rating guides for sleeping bags in North America. Take temp ratings with a grain of salt.
Finally, regardless of the insulation, sleeping bags should be stored uncompressed. This preserves their loft and insulation as the fibres don't get crushed.
Hope this helps.
I'm the gear editor for a number of North American magazines and have tested bags from most of the companies listed.
My experience is that Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends in Seattle make some of the down sleeping bags available. Best down quality, excellent construction, broad range of temperatures and various sizes. And they are made in the US. Can't go wrong. My wife and i have Western bags that are over ten years old and still going strong. Pricey but worth it.
Big Agnes makes down and synthetic bags that offer excellent value. Good blend of price and performance and available in roomier sizes.
Wiggys makes a solid synthetic bag with some interesting construction details but they are not as light or compressible as down bags.
Couple of final notes. High quality down (look at the fill power) offers the best insulation for the weight, is the most compressible and if properly cared for, will last for a very long time. Unfortunately it's performance suffers when it becomes wet and it requires a long time to dry. Careful packing and choosing the right campsite can minimize these issues.
Synthetic fills are less expensive, dry faster and are retain some of their insulating qualities when damp. Unfortunately they are heavier than down, less compressible than down and will loose their loft (insulating properties) with use more quickly than down. Remember, these comparisons are only valid for down and synthetic bags that provide similar insulation. Bags with less insulation will be smaller and lighter.
Unfortunately there are no universally accepted temperature rating guides for sleeping bags in North America. Take temp ratings with a grain of salt.
Finally, regardless of the insulation, sleeping bags should be stored uncompressed. This preserves their loft and insulation as the fibres don't get crushed.
Hope this helps.
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So much for that idea.
let's see the pics next to a nalgene bottle too please.
