by Kristy Jackson

Created on: April 29, 2008   Last Updated: May 04, 2008

There are several differences between the performance of down filled and synthetic filled sleeping bags.

The advantages when choosing a down sleeping bags are they are built to be the lightest, warmest, and most compressible sleeping bag available. The disadvantages of choosing a down filled sleeping bag are, when wet the bad tends to lose its loft. Manufacturer's tried to fix this problem by using water proof shells. This can cause even more problems. The bag can get wet from moisture inside. Using a water proof shell reduces breath ability so moisture can build from the inside causing the insulation wilt from this. This would not cause a major problem when taking short trips, but taking longer trips this problem may occur.

There are also many advantages and disadvantages when it comes to synthetic sleeping bags. Some of the advantages when choosing a synthetic bag are they cost allot less than a down sleeping bag. When wet they dry allot faster than a down sleeping bag. If the insulation does get wet, the loft is not effected much so your bag will still insulate. One of the best advantages about the synthetic sleeping bag you can dry wet cloths out over night inside the bag. There are also disadvantage of the synthetic sleeping bag. The synthetic sleeping bag weighs a lot more than the down sleeping bag. So if your are going to carry your sleeping bag around for a while you would rather carry something with a lot less weight. You can purchase synthetic bags that do weight less such a the Primaloft, Polarguard, or the Climashield. The synthetic bag does not last as long as the down bag. The synthetic bag lasting only 5-6 years while the down can last up to 20 years if taken care of well.

So when choosing a sleeping bag it depends on the situation and how often you use to know witch one would be best. Say you where going trailing and only gone for a few days usually the synthetic bags are used. Now if you where going trekking and will be gone for a long period of time usually the down filled sleeping back would be used. It also depends on the weather and type of climate you will be in to choose witch sleeping bag would be best to take with you. If you are staying in a wet environment you best bet would to choose the synthetic sleeping bag would most likely be you best bet. Knowing you are in a wet environment you have a high chance of your sleeping bag getting wet and if it does get wet you synthetic sleeping bag will dry fast so after settling down for sleep

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>