Are down sleeping bags are warmer?
Insulation should be the first thing on your mind when you’re shopping for a sleeping bag. Most of the sleeping bags currently on the market use synthetic or down fill. Each has its own set of pros and cons; but generally, a sleeping bag made with down is the best investment. When it comes to insulation, there’s nothing that can compete with goose down, plain and simple.
Down Sleeping Bags Are More Lightweight Every little bit of weight you’re carrying makes a difference when you’re on the trail. Unless your goal is to tire yourself quickly, you’ll want your backpack to be as light as possible. Down sleeping bags are lighter than sleeping bags with synthetic fills, so you can avoid carrying a little extra weight by choosing a down filled sleeping bag.
Down is Warmer than Synthetic Fiber Surprisingly, there have not been any synthetic fills that are able to match down’s weight when it come to warmth ratio. You simply must have a warm sleeping bag when you are camping in very cold weather. If you do not want to loose sleep because you have been shivering all night, then it is best to get a down-filled sleeping bag. After all, you will have to expend a lot of energy for that early morning mountain ascent.
Down Sleeping Bags Use Less Space In Your Backpack Camping gear needs to be compact; a down sleeping bag can be compressed tightly to fit into a smaller space. This leaves you more room in your backpack to bring food and extra clothing on your trip.
Disadvantages of Down Sleeping Bags Although there are many benefits to having a down sleeping bag, you will find some drawbacks such as versatility and price. When you experience wet conditions, a down sleeping bag might be a rather poor choice. This is due to the fact that a wet down sleeping bag will become very compact and will provide very little insulation. This will, for all intents and purposes, leave you without a sleeping bag for the night. In order to solve this problem, look for a down sleeping bag that is made with waterproof or water resistant material. Therefore, you will still be able to get a down sleeping bag for one of your kayaking trips or for rainy camping.
A down sleeping bag is not ideal for wet weather. Down sleeping bags will compress when wet, making for poorer insulation and a less comfortable sleeping bag. However, there are down sleeping bags with an outer shell made from water resistant or waterproof materials. These make a good choice for hiking trips when rain may be in the forecast as well as for kayaking trips. A down sleeping bag will also cost more than a synthetic fill sleeping bag. However, the higher price does pay off in the form of higher quality.
Conclusion Unless you have a big concern with the price factor, down sleeping bags are usually your best bet for the money. When you choose to have a down sleeping bag, your backpack will weigh less and you will have more room in it. You will keep warmer as well.