{"id":36575,"date":"2020-05-08T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T23:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=36575"},"modified":"2023-01-23T09:10:38","modified_gmt":"2023-01-22T22:40:38","slug":"down-vs-synthetic-sleeping-bags-how-to-choose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/down-vs-synthetic-sleeping-bags-how-to-choose\/","title":{"rendered":"Down vs Synthetic Sleeping Bags \u2013 How to Choose"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re thinking about investing in a new sleeping bag, then you\u2019ve probably been researching like mad trying to figure out what is going to be the best bag for your future adventures.<\/p>\n

One of the most important considerations when choosing a sleeping bag is the fill. This brings up the age-old question asked in the outdoor industry \u2013 which one should I choose? Down or synthetic?<\/p>\n

What you decide will play a huge role in your comfort when sleeping outdoors. In this article, we\u2019re going to break down everything you need to consider including price, compressibility, weight, durability, warmth to weight ratio, and maintenance so you can make the best choice when it comes to choosing the right gear.<\/p>\n

Before you take the plunge, take a look at what we have to say below.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

It can be hard to decide which one will suit your adventures best. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

What is down?<\/h2>\n

Down is the layer of light fluffy feathers found underneath feathers on ducks and geese.<\/p>\n

\"Sea<\/p>\n

Down is an incredible natural insulator. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

What is synthetic fill?<\/h2>\n

Synthetic insulation is typically made of polyester fibres matted together to create sheets of fill. These sheets are then sewn into the bag in various ways to maximise loft.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

Synthetic insulation aims to mimic down to keep you warm. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

Price<\/h2>\n

Price is where synthetic and down also differ substantially. Down bags are quite pricey and will vary depending on the fill power, quality and weight. Producing synthetic fibres is cheaper compared with the growing and processing of down from birds.<\/p>\n

This is why synthetic bags are generally very popular among beginners or those who don\u2019t use their gear as much and can be several hundred dollars cheaper than a down sleeping bag.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

You will have to spend more to purchase a down bag. Image: MSR<\/em><\/p>\n

Warmth to weight ratio<\/h2>\n

There are many types of synthetic fill on the market from several leading brands, which can differ in quality and longevity.<\/p>\n

Generally, they don\u2019t provide as much warmth to weight ratio compared to down, but that\u2019s not to say it\u2019s not a viable option to keep you warm even on colder expeditions. The fill power or loft rating is how insulation is measured when it comes to down, with both terms being interchangeable. Put simply, a higher fill power indicates more warmth from less weight.<\/p>\n

High-quality down is also lightweight and compressible which are qualities that are much needed for technical adventures. Despite all the technical advances in material technology, synthetic fibres have yet to be developed that match the structure and warmth to weight ratio of down.<\/p>\n

\"3<\/p>\n

The higher the loft, the better the insulation.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cleaning, maintenance and storage<\/h2>\n

We would suggest that if you invest in a higher quality bag, then you should always use some sort of liner<\/a> every time you sleep in it. That way, you will prevent the sweat, oils and dirt from building up, meaning you won\u2019t need to wash it as much.<\/p>\n

Down bags need to be washed using specialised down cleaner<\/a>, as it\u2019s designed to clean it and restore water repellency while retaining the loft of the down. For more information on how to wash a down bag, check out this guide here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When not in use, down bags should be kept semi-lofted in their storage sacks that they came with, in a temperature-controlled space that\u2019s cool and dry.<\/p>\n

Synthetic bags can generally be washed in a large front-loader machine using warm water, a gentle cycle and very mild detergent. It’s also ideal to store them semi-lofted to avoid crushing the synthetic fibres.<\/p>\n

\"Washing<\/p>\n

Synthetic and down have different care requirements. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

Performance in wet conditions<\/h2>\n

Synthetic fill is known to loft and retain some of its warmth even if you douse it in water, so in a worst-case scenario, you would still have some comfort if your sleeping bag gets wet.<\/p>\n

Down does lose its insulation properties when it gets wet. Lots of manufacturers now treat their down so that it absorbs less moisture, dries faster and retain loft better.<\/p>\n

With these modern improvements, down is now more comparable to synthetic in terms of water-resistance.<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Consider if you will be using your bag in wet conditions. Image: Sea to Summit <\/em><\/p>\n

Durability and longevity<\/h2>\n

A properly cared for down sleeping bag can last for many years before you start to see a deterioration in performance. You can compress it down into its bag over and over without it affecting the loft.<\/p>\n

If used frequently, compressing a synthetic bag into its stuff sack repeatedly over a long period of time will eventually cause the fibres to break down.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

If you take care of your down bag, it can last many years. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

Compressibility<\/h2>\n

Down is extremely compressible, packing down to a compact and lightweight package that makes it ideal in the instance where space and weight are a premium.<\/p>\n

You will be able to compress a synthetic sleeping bag well, but over time this will cause the fibres to break down, so eventually, the bag will lose its loft.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

The more compressible and compact, the better for lightweight adventures. Image: Marmot<\/em><\/p>\n

Ethics<\/h2>\n

You may only want to purchase down that has been responsibly sourced<\/a> or may choose to avoid it entirely and choose synthetic if that\u2019s your personal preference.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, there are a plethora of options available to you, so you\u2019re bound to find the perfect sleeping bag that meets all your needs.<\/p>\n

\"Symbol<\/p>\n

Look for down bags that are responsibly sourced. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

Which one should I choose?<\/h2>\n

We’ve broken down the pros and cons of each one and laid out some suggestions for what style and type of bags are suited to different activities and needs.<\/p>\n