Vent: Everyone raves about down sleeping bags but they miss the big downside

I see so many people recommending 800-fill down bags for damp climates like the Pacific Northwest. After three soaked trips near Olympic National Park last fall, my $300 bag was a cold, clumpy mess. Folks don't talk enough about how synthetic bags hold up way better in wet conditions. Anyone else deal with down losing its loft after one rainstorm?

2 comments

2 Comments

murray.cole24d ago

Man, I gotta say I see it completely the opposite way. I've used down bags for years in wet places like the Oregon coast and the Adirondacks, and they've never let me down if you take basic care. A good waterproof stuff sack and a bivy or tent with decent ventilation make all the difference. The weight and packability of down are just way better than synthetic, especially on longer trips where every ounce matters. I think a lot of the clumping issues come from people not drying the bag properly or storing it compressed.

sageburns24d ago

Had a buddy soak his down bag in a downpour last year in the Smokies and it dried out fine overnight, so I gotta agree with @murray.cole here.