Down vs Synthetic Sleeping Bags - Best Lightweight Gear for Backpacking

Down Sleeping Bag vs Synthetic Which is Better


For camping in comfort, knowing which is better a synthetic or down sleeping bag can make a huge difference in their experience. For many people, their first experience with a sleeping bag is one filled with synthetic materials. While this is fine for indoor sleeping, or perhaps a night or two camping during the warmer spring or summer months; it does not compare, in terms of warmth and quality, to a down sleeping bag.

If you are intending to do a lot of camping, especially during colder weather; one of the most important things is to ensure that you are warm at night, when your body temperature will drop. It also helps, of course, to have a comfortable nights sleep before going about your daily activities, such as hiking.

Because down sleeping bags are insulated with natural feathers, it is widely accepted that they provide the most warmth, while at the same time, being very light. This is especially important if you are backpacking, for example, and have only the occasional use of a car or other motorized transport.


Whatever sort of camping you are intending to do; it is advisable to take as little equipment as possible, especially if you have to carry it for some distance. Down sleeping bags are excellent for this too, as they are able to be rolled up into a small bundle and packed into a bag. This enables you to carry your bed with you wherever you go, without having to carry a heavy bulky load.

As well as providing more warmth than other materials, down is also long lasting, so any extra investment that you may make with the purchase of a down sleeping bag will be worth it, as the bag will last you a significantly longer time than other materials, with ten years, or a little more, not being uncommon.

There are few negatives to buying a down sleeping bag; the main one being that if they become wet, they become very ineffective at retaining the heat. This should not be a major problem, however, as most come with a waterproof pack in which to carry them. It is also possible to buy waterproof down sleeping bags which would be a worthwhile investment, if; for example, you are planning a trip down a river.

Some people are surprised at the difference in cost between a down sleeping bag and one filled with a synthetic material. Whilst it is true that down sleeping bags are significantly more expensive than other materials; as stated earlier, this initial investment certainly pays off over the long run due to their durability.
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