Choosing down vs. synthetic bag

[Tide-HSV]

to be dense, but what precisely is "DWR?" I have an old Blue Kazoo also which has lost some loft over the years...

[Reality]

Originally Posted by Tide_HSV

to be dense, but what precisely is "DWR?"

Durable Water Repellancy

Reality

[Tide-HSV]

I was having a hard time coming up with the "D."

[Kutenay]

I have used a number of each over many years and in each month of the year. I have always preferred a good down bag, especially with a GT type shell, due to weight, comfort, durability and compressibility.

However, last year, I started using Integral Designs North Star and Appalachian Overbag combo in Primaloft plus an Exped PL Wallcreeper; I gotta say I am VERY happy with these bags thus far. I still like my ID XPDII-Himalayan OF for real cold, but, I have retired my Feathered Friends ultralight GT/down bag in favour of the PL.

Will it last like the high-end down bags I have had, don't know, time will tell, but, it sure works well now in typical B.C. cold, wet conditions. Your bag is one of the REALLY important pieces of your gear and spending the $$$$$ to get a really fine one is, IMO, a wise move.

[WildlifeNate]

Word on the street is that primaloft doesn't even last quite as long as some other synthetic fills like polarguard. While it works well during its useable lifespan, that lifespan is a bit on the short side. The only primaloft gear I own is a half-zip pullover from EMS that I've only owned for about 9 months so far.

[Reality]

Originally Posted by hatrabbit

After 30+ years of service from my down sleeping bag I'm about to replace it. My impulse is to get another down one, but I'd like to hear others' opinions on synthetic bags.

Have a look at this thread too: Down or Synthetic.

Reality

[Mad777]

Down, no question in my mind. As others have said; lighter, more compresible, more durable. Yes, you pay for that, but it's worth it. Save money elsewhere. I don't care whether it's sythetic or down, I don't want to sleep in a wet bag. Use a dry bag, not a stuff sack. WXTex Pneumo Lwt is the most waterproof, Sea-to-Summit Sil-nylon is the lightest but don't let water stand in your backpack as they are not 100% dry.

I will entertain one exception. A week long, or more, trip in the Pacific Northwest in the rainy season (when isn't it?). Unless one is totally inexperienced, a sleeping bag isn't going to get wet from rain, but from your own prespiration. A few nights won't accumulate enough moisture to be concerned with but, an extended trip where the days are rainy/humid so you can't dry out the bag, could require synthetic insulation.

[PBF Support]