Hiking Backpack Zone

When the time comes for you to pick out a sleeping bag, one of the most important things to consider is what type of insulation it will be made of. Today sleeping bags are usually made with either down or synthetic fill. Each type of sleeping bag has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, in the long run the best choice is usually the down filled sleeping bag. Let’s face it; goose down is just a better insulator.

Down Sleeping Bags Are More Lightweight Every little bit of weight you’re carrying makes a difference when you’re on the trail. Unless your goal is to tire yourself quickly, you’ll want your backpack to be as light as possible. Down sleeping bags are lighter than sleeping bags with synthetic fills, so you can avoid carrying a little extra weight by choosing a down filled sleeping bag.

Down is Warmer than Synthetic Fiber Surprisingly, there have not been any synthetic fills that are able to match down’s weight when it come to warmth ratio. You simply must have a warm sleeping bag when you are camping in very cold weather. If you do not want to loose sleep because you have been shivering all night, then it is best to get a down-filled sleeping bag. After all, you will have to expend a lot of energy for that early morning mountain ascent.

A Down Sleeping Bag is More Compact When it is time to choose your camping gear, you are going to have to take into consideration the space factor. You will find that a down sleeping bag is able to compress more and will take up less space in your backpack than will a synthetic sleeping bag. That will leave you more room to pack extra food and clothes.

Disadvantages of Down Sleeping Bags Although there are many benefits to having a down sleeping bag, you will find some drawbacks such as versatility and price. When you experience wet conditions, a down sleeping bag might be a rather poor choice. This is due to the fact that a wet down sleeping bag will become very compact and will provide very little insulation. This will, for all intents and purposes, leave you without a sleeping bag for the night. In order to solve this problem, look for a down sleeping bag that is made with waterproof or water resistant material. Therefore, you will still be able to get a down sleeping bag for one of your kayaking trips or for rainy camping.

Finally, the only other drawback is that you will find that a down sleeping bag will be much more expensive than a synthetic sleeping bag. The price reflects a sleeping bag of a higher quality than a synthetic-filled sleeping bag.

Conclusion Unless you have a big concern with the price factor, down sleeping bags are usually your best bet for the money. When you choose to have a down sleeping bag, your backpack will weigh less and you will have more room in it. You will keep warmer as well.