Down Or Synthetic Insulation

[Chambers]

I know its a bit of a chicken and egg question but Im currently in the thought process of a hammock cocoon and not sure if I should use synthetic of down. Ovbviously down is a better insulator and really packs down however it is more expensive and my thought it its going to be mainly used in the winter, when theres lots of moisture in the air so thats not great for the down.

What do you guys think?

 

[markie*mark0]

It all depends, are you going to need it pack light and compact?

 

[resnikov]

Been thinking about making my own UQ and had the same issue. I have been looking at http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/Primaloft-One-60g::873.html if I go synthetic it seems a lot easier then faffing around with down.

 

[Shewie]

If you're not planning to carry it very far then syn makes more sense, if you're hiking with it then down wins hands down. Couple it up with a weather shield of some sort and you're half way there.

On longer camps I've seen both down and synthetic start to get damp and heavy after three or fours days of mist and rain, there's not much you can do about that though really. Damp from the air will mostly dry out once you sleep in it, it's the direct rain or soaking which is bad news for down.

I had the Snugpak blanket for a couple of years and loved it, I only got rid so I could upgrade to down stuff for hiking.

 

[Chambers]

Thanks guys, I think Ill go with sythetic first and see how it goes then probs take it from there

 

[jeffz]

If it's paired with a good bivvy-bag, and you fluff up the down-bag properly, you should be OK. But synthetic is cheaper and will carry on insulating, woven when damp.

It's down to personal preference....

 

[iotarho]

This is a never ending debate on UKC and some expedition and skiing forums! It all boils down to where you want to use it. In Scotland, for example, I prefer synthetic for both jacket and 'bag. But if I'm somewhere drier I'll choose a down jacket (never camped in that type of environment).

 

[udamiano]

For UK weather I would use a synthetic system, but it is bulkier, however it is a trade off between comfort and being wet and cold

 

[Shewie]

I think for weekend stuff in the UK, 99% of the time down will be okay unless it gets soaked for some reason. By the time you're leaving for home after a couple of nights, the damp weather hasn't had enough effect on the loft.

I was in the french Alps on a 12 day trip a couple of years ago, continuous rain, fog and general dampness meant after five or six days everything was wet and not working very well, that was down and synthetic gear. Do your best to keep stuff dry and buy the best you can afford.

 

[Chambers]

Thanks guys Ive been looking about and think Im going to go the Primaloft route

 

[Wayne]

I spent 220 nights under canvas last year in Canada, Finland, Sweden, Japan and most of the UK. I used two Rab down bags. A quantum for summer use and an Atlas for cold weather use. On extended canoe trips you need to take care to keep the down dryish but never had any issues. I would never buy anything other than down. Nothing beats the warmth to weight and bulk. This year will be around 185 nights with the same two bags. I occasional add a bivvy or silk liner to the mix.

 

[Siberianfury]

synthetic all the way, its fool proof and the slightly bigger pack size is hugley outweighed by the positive of the bag remaining warm when damp.