Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

When considering which sleeping bag to purchase, one of the most fundamental questions to ask is, “Do I want a down or synthetic bag?”

Generally speaking, sleeping bags come stuffed with one of two types of insulating materials: down or synthetic. Both of these materials can make great sleeping bags, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses to be considered in light of how you will most often be using your bag.

Down

Pros:

• Warmer for the weight than synthetic insulations
• Long lasting insulation which maintains temperature rating with proper care
• Highly compressible, packing smaller than synthetic bags of comparable warmth
• Comfortable and soft material
• Quickly wicks moisture away from the body

Cons:

• Loses its insulating properties when wet, and dries slowly
• Requires special care and cleaning
• May be allergenic, or contain allergens
• Can be expensive, especially with increasing down qualities

Synthetic

Pros:

• Is water resistant and still provides some insulation when wet
• Dries quickly, as water is not absorbed into the fibers
• Is generally less expensive than down
• Is easy to care for, requiring less special attention
• Is completely hypoallergenic
• Wide variety of synthetic materials for a wide variety of uses and budgets

Cons:

• Less compressible than down
• Heavier for a given temperature rating than down
• Breaks down over time, even with proper care
• Feels less soft and comfortable than down