Difference Between Down & Synthetic Sleeping Bags
When camping, sleeping bags are usually part of the essential equipment. On your next camping trip you might be wondering what type of sleeping bag you'll need. There are two types of sleeping bags: synthetic and down. Each type is different, with several pros and cons, from the fill method to insulation properties and cost.
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Cost and Durability
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The cost of a synthetic sleeping bag is less than a down sleeping bag. However, it probably won't last as long as a down sleeping bag. Because of this, a down sleeping bag is more expensive than its synthetic counterpart. It can last up to three times longer than a synthetic sleeping bag.
Insulation
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The insulating fibers of a synthetic sleeping bag are usually bonded to each other and make the sleeping bag heavier. A down sleeping bag is much more lightweight because of the goose or duck feathers it's made of. Insulation value of a down sleeping bag decreases when you're camping in extremely cold weather. This is because when your body releases moisture at night, it clings to the inside of the sleeping bag.
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Retaining Warmth
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A synthetic sleeping bag can retain about 65 percent body heat even when the bag is wet. They can hold their shape and thickness better than down. Synthetic bags are resistant to mildew and dry out quickly. A down sleeping bag can retain more warmth than a synthetic sleeping bag until it becomes wet. When a down sleeping bag is wet, it loses up to 80 percent of its ability to insulate. It also takes a long time for a down sleeping bag to become dry again.
Fibers
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Synthetic fibers can be long or short, and are usually hollow to trap air. The fibers can also vary by cross section. Down sleeping bags can be made out of duck down or goose down feathers. Duck down is less expensive than goose down.
Methods of Fill
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For a synthetic sleeping bag, the most popular method is called the shingle method. This involves fill sheets being stitched into the lining and shell. The fill sheets are then overlapped, like shingles. Fill for a down sleeping bag has different measurements, and what's called fill power. For example a fill power of 700 means that one ounce of down takes up 700 cubic inches. The higher the fill power, the warmer the sleeping bag.
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References
- Photo Credit camp on the forests image by Galyna Andrushko from Fotolia.com
