Cycling UK Forum

Im looking at getting a new sleeping bag - interested in opinions on whether to go for down or synthetic ?

Down seems to be lighter weight, smaller pack size but more problematic in terms of if it gets wet, or if you need to clean the bag. Im looking at a mountain equipment dreamcatcher 500 at the moment - seems decent weight, and 2/3 season use (wont be camping in winter !).

Any advice/opinions welcome thanks.

I recently went through the same dilemma, and ended up going for down. Main reasons were as you described (light in weight and smaller pack size), but also there's the fact that it's more natural - I have learned that no matter what the hype, "old technology" natural fibres still have many advantages over the modern synthetics (e.g. merino baselayers).

Since we would be camping in tents, we weren't too worried about the problems with wet bags. But if there's a reasonable chance of wet bags, then definitely think hard about getting synthetic.

Since I was buying two (one for my wife as well) we also made sure that we could get ones that could zip together - a feature that has worked really well for us.

We ended up getting 2 Nanok Comfort -5 bags. They're very nice to sleep in, being snug, soft and not too stuffy. They are also warm enough for tent camping in spring or autumnal Scotland. Not cheap, though!

Other tips include making sure that you get a bag that's the right length. If it's too long then you're carrying extra weight but also it's harder to warm up the bag.

Down bags are by far the best bags, small pack size for warmth, durability and repairability. Their only drawback being that they loose warmth when wet but they have to be completely soaked to be no good at all.

And in all the years I've been using them I have only once got a bag completely soaked once when sleeping outside.

So if moneys not the issue get one but make sure its got good quallity down in as it is graded, goose down being the best. (Not sure if they still use ider)

I wash mine in the washing mashine using a non detergent nickwax soap.

For comfort I'll stick with my Buffalo. Pertex/fibre pile so it's warm, water resistant & fast drying. Pack size isn't tiny but it'll go into a Carradice saddlebag.

I've got a Dreamcatcher 500, and find it fine.
Temperature-wise, it was OK when we had frost all over the tents (Val d'Isere, early June). I usually use it fully unzipped as a duvet, sleeping in a liner, so in warm weather I can drag it across me when it gets colder early in the morning without waking up too much.

I wouldn't worry too much about dampness for normal camping, provided you have reliable luggage. If you wanted to sleep out without a tent, that would be different and I'd recommend a synthetic bag, as a heavy dew would be enough to wet the bag for the following night even it was OK at the time.
I keep my bag in the bottom of an Ortlieb pannier, and my tent is pretty reliable, so it's never been exposed to more damp that the odd drip shaken off the fly when getting in or out of the tent.

Traditionally, down bags have lasted better than synthetic, and have had a wider comfort range (ie comfortable in higher temperatures for bags with an equivalent minimum temperature). I'm not sure how much this applies to recent synthetics.

Alpkit down bags (do a google ) highly rated by the climbing fraternity, and very good value too.

Don't forget the animal welfare concerns regarding down bags either. It all has to be weighed up. http://environment.guardian.co.uk/ethicalliving/story/0,,1944754,00.html

I've done a bit of lightweight camping on foot, bicycle and motorbike, in uk and abroad, and I now (in a tent) use a very lightweight sleeping bag with a breathable outer bivibag, and a silk bag liner if it's cold.
That seems ok down to about 5 to 10 degrees, and that's without sleeping in thermals.
I find in discussions about this that it's very subjective, but I think if you can keep it all as flexible as possible then you'll be able to cope with all weathers-
outer breathable bivi
silk liner
very light bag
medium bag

In frost, snow etc, the medium bag with liner and outer I find ok.
I used to have down, but am a dedicated synthetic man now - british weather, and also keeping it clean means it is more thermally efficient.

hope that's of some help to you.

Jon

Hi,

I looked at this recently, when buying sleeping bags for my parents/ me. Weight and cost seem directly proprtional.

I went to CCC outdoor shop, Sheffield, with a good range of bags and a V.good staff member.

Down sleeping bags dont seem to go below £100 (with 75% reductions). The rab atlas 750 is rated at -5degrees (£120) and weighs 1350g, whereas the Rab S7 (synth) rated at -7 degrees and weighs 1380g, £60.

Although if you want to splash out you can go really lightweight. Marmot make a down bag, rated at -10, and weighs 800g but costs, £200.
Or the Cumulus ultralight 350, -3, weighs 700g, £135.

I also bought a Nanok, synthetic bag, -5, 1700g, but due to heavier fill it is much smaller than the equivalent ME Firewalker bag. ME do firewalker 1,2,3 (3 being a 5 season bag -12 only £80 and 1800g). Marmot make a -11 synthetic bag, 1660g, £72.

So there you go, hope that helps, i found the whole range of bags quite confusing. All the prices are from CCC outdoor shop, which i recommend.

Michael

Just to confuse matters further, I have evolved towards a multilayer approach. One major factor being the alarmingly hot night-time temperatures of recent summers. So I use :-

3-seasons down-filled sleeping bag
sheet sleeping bag - of very light, high-quality cotton
pertex sleeping bag cover

Some combination of the above items provides appropriate comfort in all(?) situations, with only a marginal gain in travelling weight.

Something that should also be taken into account when calculating the sleeping kit to use, is the capacity of the sleeping mat used to conserve body heat. For example a 65% more body heat is conserved when using an "Exped" mat, which is partly filled with Goose down, when compared to a "thermarest" or other air-type mat.

If you are unlikely to be sleeping out rough/bivvy then I would probabaly get a down bag. I keep mine in an Ortlieb dry sack and fasten it to the top of my pannier rack and it has never got wet. My friend who is into canoeing use them all the time to keep his gear dry. If you can't find any then I got mine frome Wiggle.

My wife and I have been using the old design ME dreamcatcher 500s for about 4 years now and they've done us fine in a range of conditions and kept us warm even when we've had to crack ice off the tent to get out in the morning! Used with a silk liner and thermarest they seem pretty good and you can layer up clothes (merino long-johns and socks!) if it is very cold.

The only problem I did have for a while was damp at the feet sometimes, which can be difficult to dry out when touring. Cass Gilbert suggests zipping up your jacket and pulling it over the foot of your bag to prevent this and it really does work...

Not keen on the sound of live-plucked down mind-you, but you have to weigh this against synthetics etc...

PW- I looked at a buffalo bag once and it seemed huge! Just the lightweight summer part looked like it would've filled a pannier!

stof wrote:PW- I looked at a buffalo bag once and it seemed huge! Just the lightweight summer part looked like it would've filled a pannier!

Yep...that's why compression bags were invented.

It'll compress easily enough. As stated it goes into a Carradice bag - without using the long flap. Mate of mine used one in the mountains in Turkey, went to sleep on the roof of a shepherd's hut wearing just underpants. Next morning the bag was covered in frost but he was still warm.
I've spent a night up at Edale when the toothpaste froze solid in the tent - Buffalo was as warm as toast.