PSA: My brother insisted a 20-degree bag was fine for the Adirondacks in October

He said I was overthinking it and that his old synthetic bag had always been enough. Woke up at 3 AM on the second night near Lake Placid shivering hard, even with my base layers on. Anyone have a good down bag recommendation that actually lives up to its temp rating?

4 comments

4 Comments

james9953mo ago

Brothers are the worst for gear advice. That synthetic bag lost its loft years ago. Look at a Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends bag, they're pricey but you get what you pay for. A zero degree down bag would be a safer bet for those conditions.

caseyclark1mo ago

Is it really that serious though? I've got a synthetic bag that's been through a decade of abuse and it still keeps me warm enough for most winter camping. Sure, maybe it's not as puffy as it used to be, but it's not like I'm freezing to death. Spending $600 on a down bag seems like a lot when you could just layer up or use a liner.

taylor_mitchell803mo ago

Totally agree about synthetic bags losing loft, @james995. I read an article that said the same thing, how they just don't last like down. You're right about getting what you pay for with those nicer brands.

barbaraschmidt1mo ago

Yeah but not all synthetic bags lose loft that fast, some hold up way better.