YOUR opinion....down vs. synthetic sleep bag

which...down or synthetic sleeping bags

  • synthetic

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • down

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
Down, because it is warmer, lighter, and more compressible. The con is that you must be meticulous about keeping it dry.
 
Synthetic. As long as you stay in it ,it will keep you warm,even when wet. Can well be the difference in Hypothermia and very serious consequences,and an uncomfortable situation.
 
I have both, but I lean synthetic as fore mentioned it is more forgiving in wet weather.
 
For summer use I have a nice down bag. The sierras may get afternoon thunderstorms, but things dry out pretty quickly. In wet weather in fall/winter, I use a synthetic.
 
I've always used a down bag, but when I buy a new one I plan on going synthetic.
 
I have to agree with both of the first posters, but because of the moisture issue I tend to use my synthetic more often.
 
Down all the way. As Foilist said, it's warmer, lighter, more compressible and a good quality bag will last a lifetime with care. Moisture isn't a problem where I live so that angle isn't in the equation. I doubt I'll ever own another synthetic bag again.
 
I like synthetic. Almost as warm as down, washable, and works fairly well when wet.
 
Foilist said:
Down, because it is warmer, lighter, and more compressible.
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And lasts longer.

The only reason to choose synthetic is because of cost.

If your bag is getting wet while traveling, you need to learn how to keep your pack dry in your bag (I can help with that if you have questions).

If your bag is getting wet while you are sleeping, you really need to learn how to stormproof your tent or shelter (I can help with that if you have questions).

Synthetic does not exactly dry out quickly either. If you are staying at the same spot for days, sure hang it out. But, if you are moving daily it may be dry 7 days later, with perfect weather.

Bottom line, if you bag is getting wet, you are doing something wrong. I learned that a long time ago.

Just my 2 cents :D

B
 
Personally, I favor the synthetic, just because of the wetness issue with down. And with the modern materials, the synthetics are nearly as light and compactable as a comparable down bag now, for a LOT cheaper. Of course, you will get longer life out of a down bag...
 
stingray4540 said:
the synthetics are nearly as light and compactable as a comparable down bag now
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I would like to be proven otherwise, but not in my experience.

My friend has a 0 degree down bag (not hugely expensive one like Western Mountaineering or anything) that compacts to about 1/4 the size of my Wiggy's 0 degree bag.

My Wiggy's was my first and probably last experiment with synthetic. I will still use it, but for winter backpacking, the thing is just too big.
 
I have two down bags: one for cooler and cold weather, the other is summer weight. I love them for their light weight and ability to pack down small. The lighter one goes down to the size of a coffee can. I mainly pack them in drybags to keep them dry. Very warm and long lasting.

I'd switch to a synthetic bag if moisture was ever part of the equation. Or, just add a synthetic breathable bivy or overbag.
 
Brian Andrews said:
I would like to be proven otherwise, but not in my experience.

My friend has a 0 degree down bag (not hugely expensive one like Western Mountaineering or anything) that compacts to about 1/4 the size of my Wiggy's 0 degree bag.

My Wiggy's was my first and probably last experiment with synthetic. I will still use it, but for winter backpacking, the thing is just too big.
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It's not mine either. A few years ago I bought a Mountain Hardwear -15° synthetic bag. No matter what I tried I couldn't get it to fit into the sleeping bag compartment on a Dana Terraplane, which isn't exactly a small pack. I ended up taking it back and exchanging it (and a little more money) for a -5° Marmot down bag that will easily fit into a much smaller pack. I have no doubt the Marmot can handle -15° with ease even though it's not rated that low.
 
Brian Andrews said:
Bottom line, if you bag is getting wet, you are doing something wrong. I learned that a long time ago.
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All bags get wet by trapping moisture that is released from your body while sleeping. This is normal.

I'm not sure if a bag's temperature rating factors this in though. A down bag's insulating effectiveness can become overwhelmed by this moisture if the outside temperature becomes low enough. From personal experience, it's best to stay well within a bag's temperature rating, especially with down bags. I think manufacturers' temperature ratings are somewhat exaggerated anyway.
 
Down bags rock, …but in bad conditions they can be dangerous.

The thought that you can always keep your gear dry is a fallacy; plan for the worst, hope for the best.
 
Brian Andrews said:
Bottom line, if you bag is getting wet, you are doing something wrong.
Click to expand...

I agree.

I voted down. Lighter more compressible and its like sleeping in a cloud!;)

I dont think people think about how wet a bag has to be to be compromised. If you get both types of sleeping bags wet enough to really cause problems you are in for quite a fun experience anyway.

That bit of information gets tossed around the internet quite a bit, about how a synthetic bag will "save your life" and a down bag "will kill you" if they get wet. Though I havnt heard of anybody willingly soak out a synthetic bag and sleep out in its lower temp rating to test it out.

Whichever you choose, your sleeping bag is a HUGE part of your survival kit. keeping it dry is paramount, no matter the stuffing!;)
 
Down for me. I'm reasonably careful keeping it dry and the places I hike aren't arid by any stretch. It compresses down so easily and it's light as, well...a feather (or maybe a few thousand ;)). Many of the current sleeping bag shells are water resistant anyway.

I don't think that perspiration in most conditions would render a down bag ineffective. You'd have to be sweating buckets. If you are sweating that much, your bag is waaaaay too hot for the conditions or you're trying to lose weight like my wrestling buddies did in high school.

The only place I'd be hesitant to use a down bag is white water rafting. Maybe in a couple dry bags.
 
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