Behold the power of DOWN! A comparison of down and buying suggestions.
Jan 13 '04
The Bottom Line Down is warmer, lighter, and compresses smaller than comparable synthetic bags. While it is more expensive, it is the choice of serious outdoorsmen.
Down vs. Synthetic
Down is rated in fill power. For instance, a bag rated at 600 means that the down in the bag will expand to fill 600 cubic inches per one ounce of down. A higher fill power will cost more but it will be warmer, smaller, and lighter.
Down is lighter than synthetic material and will keep you warmer with less weight. It will also compress further than synthetic fill so it takes up less space. Down also (in my experience) will warm you up faster than a synthetic fill--meaning you're cold for less time when you climb into your sleeping bag.
People opposed to down will tell you, "If down gets wet you're screwed. You can't dry it in the backcountry and it won't keep you warm when it is wet." This is very true. Down is very absorbent and almost impossible to dry in the backcountry if it gets wet. However, most bags come with some sort of water protection. Some are completely waterproof, some are water resistant, some will absorb every ounce of water that comes into contact with the bag. If you decide to go with down I would suggest at the minimum getting a bag with a water-resistant shell using a coating or a material such as Pertex. One thing to consider (for the experienced camper) is, "how many times in my life has my sleeping bag got completely wet?" In my short time here on Earth that would be zero times. Accidents do happen and I'm sure some people have dropped their packs (sleeping bags included) into rivers and gotten them wet. If you're really concerned about your down bag getting wet keep it in a waterproof stuff sac and be very careful and you won't have any problems. Personally I use a down bag. Note: Some people are allergic to down.
Another downside to down is the cost. Down is on average more expensive than an equivalent synthetic bag. For example, a 20F Down Bag might cost $150 while a 20F Polarguard 3D Bag might cost $79. Both bags hold the same size person, protect to the same temperature, and carry significantly different price tags. Just remember though...down is warmer, lighter, and will compress smaller than the synthetic bag.
Synthetic has no such fill power rating. There are several different types of synthetic fill available on the market. Polarguard, hollofil, quallofil, and loft fills are the most popular types of sleeping bag fill.
Loft (such as primaloft) is closest to down in warmth to weight, weight, and compressibility. Polarguard comes in second, and hollofil/quallofil third and fourth. These materials respectively in order take up more space and aren't as efficient at keeping you warm compared to down.
Synthetic materials dry much faster in the backcountry if they get wet and sometimes they can protect you when wet. However, any wet bag will suck heat from your body and be uncomfortable so I don't suggest ever letting your sleeping bag get wet--down or synthetic.
Stay away from cotton sleeping bags. Cotton is very absorbent, doesn't compress well, doesn't dry fast, is very bulky. Some people like to say "cotton kills."
Fleece is a very good synthetic to use in the summer. You can purchase a fleece sleeping bag that protects to 50F at your local Wal-Mart for under $20. I suggest using one of these for warm weather and summer camping. You can also use a fleece sleeping bag as a liner in your down or synthetic sleeping bag and lower the effective comfort range by 10F or more. Meaning you can stack a 32F down bag and a 50F fleece bag to sleep in weather around 20F. However, this method would be heavier than purchasing a bag that works in 20F.
Mummy vs. rectangular?
There are two main shapes of sleeping bags on the market. Mummy and rectangular.
Mummy bags usually contour to your body. They are wide at the shoulder, slimmer at the hips, and even more slim at the feet. This "body-hugging" (tapering) shape helps you keep warm by reducing extra unneeded air space in the sleeping bag. For cold weather and winter camping this shape of bag is the best. Less space to heat equals more warmth for you. In general most mummy bags have "hoods" which is like the hood on your jacket--it covers your head and face and thus helps keep you warmer when sleeping. Over 50% of your body's heat loss is through your head.
On the downside, mummy bags can feel too restricting to some people and can be difficult to sleep in if you sleep on your stomach or your side. I don't suggest one if you are claustrophobic but depending on the conditions you are going to camp in you might not have a choice.
Rectangular bags are giant rectangles. This is the typical sleeping bag that most people own. They are roomy and bigger than mummy bags. They are harder to heat making them the best choice for warm and hot weather camping (summer). They allow you to move more which is good if you toss and turn in your sleep. Most rectangular bags do not include hoods.
Rectangular bags are generally heavier than a mummy bag since they use more material. This also means that they generally take up more space and don't compress as well as a mummy bag. In the summer I use a 1.5lbs 50F rectangular fleece sleeping bag that I purchased from Wal-Mart for $15.
Sleeping bags, mummy or rectangular, come in two basic sizes--regular or long. Regular bags are usually made to fit a smaller person while a long bag is made to fit a taller person. Some bags are tailored specifically for women and wider people. Getting the right fit is very important for cold-weather camping. The closer the fit the warmer you will sleep. I suggest as soon as you purchase a sleeping bag to climb inside and make sure it fits snug but not tight and isn't too restricting. If you don't live close to the store you in which you are buying the bag, test it out in the store. Sure you'll get some weird looks from people but it beats another trip to the money-sucking gear store for nothing.
Three season or four?
Most sleeping bags have a temperature rating listed such as 35F, 20F, 0F, or -20F. These are GUIDELINES. There is no standardized test to obtain a temperature rating. A warm sleeper (someone who's body produces a lot of heat when sleeping aka a furnace) might be able to sleep outside in 20F weather in a 30F rated bag. A cold sleeper (someone with a body that produces little heat when sleeping) might require a 20F bag to sleep in 35F weather.
Before purchasing a sleeping bag decide on what weather you'll most likely be camping most often. Summer, Winter, Spring, Fall? If you're like the majority of people out there you probably said "Spring, Summer, Fall," which is three-season. If you want to purchase one bag to work in all three seasons buy a bag with a temperature rating of at least 20F. Four season bags are generally rated to 0F and can be used year round. You might find such bags warm in the summer. Anything rated below 0F will be considered a winter/extreme cold weather bag. You probably won't want to use a bag with a winter rating in the other three seasons.
In lieu of a sleeping bag you can use a blanket for some three season camping. I highly recommend the use of a sleeping bag in the winter.
The lower the temperature rating the most likely the bag will cost more. Additional features to look for in a sleeping bag are draft tubes, pockets, zipper guards, and a zippered footbox. If anything make sure your three to four season bag has a draft tube as it will keep heat from escaping through the zipper.
© 2004 WVaBackpacker (Jeremy W. Hays)
Written for http://jeremy.qn.net/ 4 Jan 2004
~Backpacking/Camping Reviews by WVaBackpacker-
--Backpacks-
Gregory Shasta Backpack
Dana Design Glacier
--Tents-
REI Half Dome Plus 2
Mountain Hardware Trinity
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD
--Sleeping Bags and Pads-
The North Face Thunderhead 3D
The North Face Kilo Down 32F
Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE Self-inflating Mattress
--Hydration-
MSR Dromedary Bag
Platypus Big Zip
SweetWater Walkabout Microfilter
SweetWater Walkabout Replacement Filter
SweetWater SiltStopper
--Misc Gear-
Black Diamond LED Hybrid Headlamp
--Destinations-
Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Keyhole State Park, Wyoming
--Books-
The Backpackers Handbook
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Member: Jeremy Hays
Location: Columbus, OH, USA
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Maybe I'll write another review someday...lots of new gear...
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