Down v synthetic bag?

[karenfromcali]

Looking for advice on the best type of sleeping bag for a March camino. Down is considerably lighter but concerned about it getting damp/wet. Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[dougfitz]

I carry a down bag in its own stuff sack, at the bottom of a pack that is protected with a rain cover when it rains. It has never gotten damp, even over several days of rain. It might get wet if I were to fall into a creek or stream or leave the pack sitting in a pool of water, but otherwise I am pretty confident it won't be a problem.

If you are concerned, you could get a waterproof stuff sack and use that instead of the stuff sack provided with the bag.

Regards,

 

[Anniesantiago]

I love my down bag and have taken it every year for several years.
Last year, I cut the hood and zipper off and made it into a blanket.
I wouldn't go without it!

 

[homa_bird]

LOVED my 1.3 pound down bag from Moosejaw. wrapped it in the bottom of my back in a couple plastic bags, and had a rain cover over my backpack on drenchers. had absolutely no problems. soooo light, so warm, so easy to shake bed bugs out of LOL

 

[MichaelB10398]

A regular down bag demands a bit more care and lacks the versatility of other bags. In the event that there is a bug infestation an albergue is often not qualified to clean/sterilize a regular down bag and they can easily be ruined or made less than functional for a time. You may want to look at other down bags using hydrophobic down or DriDown technology. The down is treated to retain loft longer, dry quickly and is easier to handle.

You may want to review this comparison between down and synthetic filler. Synthetics are often cheaper and more versatile then down bags, but it is really a matter of choice. Both are good choices for the Camino.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Anything more than an ultra light polyester sleeping bag is overkill in my opinion. 700g is quite an acceptable weight. In my never ending quest to refine my pack list, I tried a heavier and warmer sleeping bag last Camino and found out that it was far too warm. Most nights in the Albergues I spent sweating with the zip completely open, which is more prone to bed bug bites. The down bags are also really expensive.

 

[gerardcarey]

I took a down bag, 800gms, 0 degrees, for an autumn Camino. I replaced the original stuff sack with a waterproof one. I discarded that then just stuffed the bag into the bottom of my pack and loaded everything else on top of it. Worked fine, never got wet - I'm an Altus poncho man. This bag has now done a spring and an autumn Camino.
Regds
Gerard

 

[Mark M]

Looking for advice on the best type of sleeping bag for a March camino. Down is considerably lighter but concerned about it getting damp/wet. Any thoughts?
Thanks

I have goose down. Its very light. Rolls up very small also. Rated to minus twenty celsius...with a wool liner that may be good for and warm nights or if i need to cope with really cold weather, it adds and extra 8 degrees.

 

[wayfarer]

Down bag also, 760 grams, packs very small, I use a silk liner with it if its very cold otherwise I just use the liner if its warm.

 

[newfydog]

If you soak a sleeping bag, a down bag will absorb more water and loose more loft than a synthetic bag. If it gets a just bit wet, say 100 ml of water, well, that 100 ml will dry at the same rate from a down bag as a synthetic bag. Water evaporates at the same rate from all materials, it is just that down can hold more.

No bag is "warm when wet"---- a hot tub is warm and wet. We use down bags and jackets whenever we have to carry them in something other than a car!

The other thing interesting about down is that it is cheaper now than it was 30 years ago.

 

[whariwharangi]

Down is comfortable over a wider range of temperatures than synthetics. You'll be sleeping indoors so if you pack it so it doesn't get wet there is little risk it will get wet.

I like down. I've used down bags on hiking and kayaking trips for many years. I carry it in a waterproof stuff sack and line it with a garbage bag.

There are ten very important rules for hiking that you must always follow.

Rule number one is that thy sleeping bag shalt not get wet.

The other nine rules are petty bureaucratic trivia.

 

[jirit]

I have been using a simple cheap synthetic lightweight hike and bike bag for the past six pilgrims walks I have done.

Down is nice to have, a little more expensive but most of the season I personally think it is over kill unless you are one that freezes in the months of July and August.

Synthetic bags are easier to keep clean - most can be machine washed without too much fuss - something to consider should you get a case of bed bugs which my wife did not once but twice on her latest camino.

 

[karenfromcali]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm leaning towards the down with a waterproof cover but still worried about needing to wash it if the dreaded bed bugs attack

 

[jirit]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm leaning towards the down with a waterproof cover but still worried about needing to wash it if the dreaded bed bugs attack

In March you probably run a lower risk of getting bed bugs - they seem to get worse as the season progresses.

And in March if this past spring is anything to go by, a down bag might be nicer than synthetic - might be a little chilly in the hills - even some snow in some places

 

[karenfromcali]

In March you probably run a lower risk of getting bed bugs - they seem to get worse as the season progresses.

And in March if this past spring is anything to go by, a down bag might be nicer than synthetic - might be a little chilly in the hills - even some snow in some places

Thanks jirit. Then i will go with the down

 

[gerardcarey]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm leaning towards the down with a waterproof cover but still worried about needing to wash it if the dreaded bed bugs attack

I wash my down bag. It gets a double dose of drying time in direct sunshine and seems to fluff up just fine.

 

[jpflavin1]

I walk in March/April. I have a down bag and spray with permethrin before leaving.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks jirit. Then i will go with the down

Karen, I wouldn't bother with a cover. Just stuff your bag into the bottom of your pack and if your pack is waterproof, voila! Or buy a nysil cover for the entire pack. I've walked the Camino many times, and my down bag has never gotten wet, even in the worst downpours.

 

[Bajaracer]

Looking for advice on the best type of sleeping bag for a March camino. Down is considerably lighter but concerned about it getting damp/wet. Any thoughts?
Thanks

Snupak Dri-Saks, since your bag doesn't have a rain cover, these will keep everything dry.

 

[Leanan-sidhe]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm leaning towards the down with a waterproof cover but still worried about needing to wash it if the dreaded bed bugs attack

I have treated my sleeping bag (and backpack) with permethrin ... while this won't stop the bugs from biting you if your arm hangs out (I had that experiance) the rest of you is safe and it will dramatically reduce the risk of one climbing on board as a passenger for future nights!