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

[tradja]

I've used down bags on my thru-hikes of the AT, the PCT twice, and the CDT. Sure, I keep it stuffed in a compactor bag, but only once out of these 650 nights in all conditions/regions/seasons, on my second from last night on the Appalachian Trail, was there enough ambient moisture (pea soup fog) to affect the loft. On these trips, I've been swept down rivers, hiked through Hurricaines Bertha and Fran, hiked in snow for 400+ miles at a time, and fallen in countless creeks. None of those events got my down bag wet.

On these long, multi-month hikes, synthetic bags are heavier and lose too much loft from repeated stuffing. By the end of the hike, your syn bag is flat, winter is coming, and you are cold.

On other trips, I've slept in wet syntethic bags and wet down bags. IMHO, neither is at all "warm" when wet. IMHO, in these cases it is way better to build a fire and carefully toast your bag (and self) a bit.

It rains everywhere, but even as a huge down fan I admit that If I lived in a hard-core tropical climate like SE Asia or Hawaii, I'd probably get synthetic. Then again, temps are pretty moderate in such regions.

 

[misanthropist]

That's the point, isn't it? I always keep my down bag in an ultralight dry sack. Wet is a constant companion in the PNW, whether from the sky or the numerous streams and rivers.

-- FLIX

Yeah, this goes for me as well...I could swim with my down bag for a week and it would be dry. OR Helium bags!

 

[tradja]

Yeah, this goes for me as well...I could swim with my down bag for a week and it would be dry. OR Helium bags!

That's really good to know. I've always used trash compactor bags or heavy-duty trash bags in a pinch, but they are heavy. I'll have to go look at those OR Helium Quick Sacks soon! Did you have to seal the seams yourself?

 

[misanthropist]

No, they come waterproof (or so water resistant I have never been able to get anything inside wet).

They are borderline airtight! You have to get them compressed before you close them up because once you close that mouth, even just letting it flop together, it is like a fixed-volume balloon!

 

[Brian Andrews]

To make a long story short, when we returned to camp it was a wet mess of slush and running water, everything was soaked.

Very long story, but I was actually forced to pitch camp in standing water. Sleeping mat and sleeping bag all stayed dry.

Forget the dry sacks too. That is the type of conventional thinking that will develop a pinhole leak at the point your canoe tips over, or you fall in a stream crossing.

Seriously, I don't want to get this thread any more off topic, but if there is enough interested in waterproofing your bag in your pack, your tent, etc I will do separate posts. However, it could be awhile because I would want to do photos/videos of it actually being done. But hell, my yard floods with a hard rain, so it shouldn't be that tough

 

[Runsalone]

Im intrested!

 

[pvicenzi]

Off topic: Down pillows raise heck with my allergies, but down parkas are fine. Would a down sleeping bag trigger allergy problems?

 

[Runsalone]

Off topic: Down pillows raise heck with my allergies, but down parkas are fine. Would a down sleeping bag trigger allergy problems?

From what I understand it has alot to do with the quality of the manufacturer. Top quality bags have the down go through a cleaning process that is suppossed to remove the dust and microscopic debri naturally occuring on down that can trigger allergies.

If your allergies are bad enough consider contacting the manufacturer you might be purchessing from and pose them this question directly. They should be able to describe thier processes and help you decide what could work for you or not

 

[DWK2]

I'd also consider renting a down bag to test for a night at home. As noted, many pillows contain low-grade down (and a lot of very small feathers). I agree that could be the reason why you have problems with the pillows but are OK with the parkas.

DancesWithKnives

 

[Ottoshot]

Off topic: Down pillows raise heck with my allergies, but down parkas are fine. Would a down sleeping bag trigger allergy problems?

Fibers and particulate matter are passing though the pillow case. The down in your parka is most likely incased in a fabric that is less permeable, like nylon.