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

[Hassilov]

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.

To be clear, I'm not referring to perspiration in my post as cause for a bag's loss of insulating effectiveness. I mean moisture vapor your body releases.

 

[bladz]

I voted down. I've been using down bags for years and haven't had a problem with moisture. I am careful, but would be with synthetic too. My wifes bag is synthetic though. Mostly because it was cheaper and smaller and could be compacted. Her 5' 5" bag compacts to about the same size as my 6' 6" extra wide down bag that has a 5 deg. cooler rating.

 

[pvicenzi]

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

B

My bag got wet when the roof on the hunting cabin leaked. Are you volunteering to show me how to put a new roof on the cabin?

 

[norcalblacktail]

Down...but whatever you decide make sure its from Western Mountaineering or Montbell. There are pros and cons to each and it really comes down to how you are going to use the bag. Most guys I talk to that have way more experience than I choose down. As long as you are careful and prepared you shouldn't have to worry about anything getting wet. Have you camped in very wet conditions before? A dry bag from Sea to Summit or OR and some common sense is all you need to keep a down/synthetic bag dry. And as someone stated earlier all the top bag manufacturers have water resistant shells on them now.

 

[BlackHills]

Down...but whatever you decide make sure its from Western Mountaineering or Montbell.

Montbell? I'd put Feathered Friends above WM but of course that's subjective. If you buy a FF you get a true custom bag, you can pick the color, shell material, add overfill or a removable collar, etc....with WM you get to pick one off the rack.

 

[Runsalone]

Down...but whatever you decide make sure its from Western Mountaineering or Montbell

Or Featherd Freinds or Jack'r'better or Marmot or Mountain Hardware or Big Agnes or Nunatak gear

Seriously though those brands that norcalblacktail mentioned are the shizzle!

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Down, because it is warmer, lighter, and more compressible. The con is that you must be meticulous about keeping it dry.

Pound for pound the best insulation out there if you take care of it right, keep it clean, dry and store uncompressed/

 

[actiondiver]

I currently have two Northface bags, the Flight 3D (hollowfil) rated for 40 degrees and the Snowshoe (Polarguard) rated for 0. While both have kept me warm I usually end up feeling a bit clammy. That is despite keeping the tent well ventilated and never putting my face in the bag and breathing. Maybe I just put off plenty of body vapors but I wonder if a down might be better? Maybe I should use a cotton liner?

I would love a FF down bag but they are out of my price range V.S. needs right now.

 

[fujita yuji]

I voted for down but actually I have both.
I have a small lightweight synthetic one for summer and a large down bag for winter.

 

[norcalblacktail]

Montbell? I'd put Feathered Friends above WM but of course that's subjective. If you buy a FF you get a true custom bag, you can pick the color, shell material, add overfill or a removable collar, etc....with WM you get to pick one off the rack.

Totally forgot about FF. I have an Osprey w/ eVent on my wish list.

 

[DWK2]

I use down in the Sierras because moisture has never been a problem for me. However, on Alaska river trips I take a synthetic bag---just in case. For weather well below freezing (hunting season in Montana, for example), I'm back to the down.

DancesWithKnives

[Down bags are Feathered Friends custom, Marmot Helium, ancient Sierra Designs Cloud Series (from the '70s). I also like Western Mountaineering's stuff. The synthetic is a North Face, in which the Polarguard 3D insulation deteriorated badly.]

 

[Fonly]

Im a synthetic guy, just used it for so long now, and Im used to taking care for it.

 

[Pritch]

I voted down, even though I have both. I'm also waiting on a new down quilt from Nunatak and am jazzed about trying it out.

-- FLIX

 

[gadgetgeek]

I chose synthetic, primarily for cost. I don't generate much heat, so I have to knock about 5-10 degrees off of any temp rating. I also use a silk liner, so nice compared to the taffeta lining that seems to stick to me.

If I had the money, I'd go for down, for all of the advantages, however, they don't add up enough to make the cost worth while.

 

[brians]

My next bag will be a Valandre Down bag - probably the Shocking Blue.

I will keep my Wiggy's FTRS, and use the Overbag for summer. For winter, I will try the combo of Wiggy's Overbag and Shocking Blue.

Do you think there will be moisture issues with a Lamilite bag over a Down bag?

 

[savagesicslayer]

I used to use a MEC synthetic bag.Now I carry a Snugpak 3 Merlin.I have the extra insulating liner for it.I've spent many comfortable nights this winter sleeping in that setup.I look forward to hiking the Fundy trail with it this summer.

 

[Martin Swinkels]

Down all the way ..
I have 3 Yeti's VIB's to cover all seasons. a lot of warmth in a small and lightweight package.. I have an all goretex bivy (terra nova titan :thumbup to cover up when needed, and sometimes use a silk liner..
Synthetic is way to bulky, and not nearly as comfortable..

 

[misanthropist]

I mostly use down, although I would consider a synthetic for mid-season use. In winter it's hard to get stuff wet anyway as it's way below zero anywhere I would be. In summer it's either reliably dry or so unreliably dry that I have a good shelter setup.

But in late spring or early fall, when you might want to push it a little, I can see using a light synthetic. Or I guess a Woobie type rig for summer. Overall, though, I am a down guy.

 

[Big Mike]

I mostly use down, although I would consider a synthetic for mid-season use. In winter it's hard to get stuff wet anyway as it's way below zero anywhere I would be.

I totally agree, once it’s really cold Down Rules.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

 

[Brian Andrews]

The thought that you can always keep your gear dry is a fallacy;

I totally disagree. With conventional thinking, and use of the conventional products they have out there for protecting stuff, I really do see how you can say that. But, there are better, more effective, and even cheap ways to make it happen. You really have to go against a lot of the traditional methods that are taught for waterproofing.

Give me your packing situation, and I will tell you how to handle it. Day pack? Compression sack? Multi-day backpacking, canoeing? What are you into?

plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Now, that I agree with