Prepared to purchase a brand new sleeping bag? There’s a lot to think about, however largely it comes right down to down or artificial and mummy vs rectangular.
As with all different piece of drugs, you must perform a little research earlier than selecting the perfect sleeping bag.
In terms of down vs artificial, there’s a lot to think about. That will help you make an knowledgeable resolution we’ve put collectively this fast comparability:
Learn on to be taught extra about every possibility!
Down Sleeping Luggage
So what’s a down sleeping bag anyway?
Properly, let’s begin by saying what down isn’t. Lots of people imagine {that a} down sleeping bag is stuffed with fowl feathers, however that’s only a false impression.
What’s down fill?
Down is definitely the mushy layer of plumage that’s sitting closest to the pores and skin of the fowl, beneath the outside feathers, primarily within the chest space.
Not like feather, down has no quills, and it’s extraordinarily nice and fluffy.
What makes down such a preferred alternative for the sleeping bag fill is its capacity to insulate by trapping the air inside.
So long as it’s dry, down can present insulation in even the harshest climate situations (and given you could have the suitable temperature score, in fact).
Is down fill light-weight?
We don’t use the phrase “featherweight” to explain one thing extraordinarily gentle for no purpose.
A down sleeping bag is a good possibility for backpackers and thru-hikers, because it doesn’t gradual you down.
Typically, a down sleeping bag weighs between one and two kilos.
The historical past of down insulation
Down has been used as an insulator for hundreds of years, with some written sources relationship again to the 1600s.
Again within the day, it was collected by numerous wildfowl species, in addition to gulls and related seabirds. At this time, both duck or goose down is used.
Between the 2, the goose is a a lot bigger fowl, and the proportions apply within the case of its down clusters as properly.
For that purpose, goose down is softer and hotter.
After all, the food plan additionally has an impact on the fowl’s down. Geese will eat something from lettuce or corn to worms and bugs.
And attributable to some fatty issues geese eat, their down can even comprise a excessive fats quantity, which may trigger a slight odor.
Geese, however, normally feed on grass, so the odor of their down is much less noticeable.
Down is a meals byproduct
What which means is that it’s collected from birds used for meals.
And since duck is extra generally used for that goal in comparison with goose, duck down is a extra economical possibility.
Now, the precise high quality distinction between the 2 kinds of down isn’t that outstanding.
In actual fact, most price range and mid-range fashions will function duck down.
Goose down, however, can typically be present in premium merchandise.
Benefits of Down Sleeping Luggage
So what makes down so nice? These are all the advantages of the sort of insulation:
Increased Heat-to-Weight Ratio
The heat-to-weight ratio is the measurement used to guage the effectiveness of insulation in relation to climate situations.
And that’s the place down shines the perfect.
Down is extraordinarily light-weight and options nice, branched filaments that lure air in between.
That manner, it manages to insulate properly with out weighing a lot.
Compressible
The great thing about down lies in the truth that it’s extremely compressible.
Its insulating capacity depends on the air trapped inside, however you possibly can take that air out when its time for packing.
In actual fact, a down sleeping bag pack down fairly compact, which makes it nice for backpacking.
Now, regardless that down has nice compressibility, you don’t wish to maintain it stuffed for too lengthy.
While you’re not on the path, your down sleeping bag must be packed into a way more snug bag that permits the loft to broaden.
Very Sturdy
Down is extraordinarily sturdy. If taken correct care of, a down sleeping bag is one thing you possibly can go right down to your youngsters.
With that being stated, take into account that a down bag can leak over time.
For those who see a feather peaking out by means of the fabric, simply attempt pushing it again in as an alternative of pulling it out.
Environmental Friendliness
As we already talked about, down is a byproduct of the meals business. If not collected, it’s going to simply find yourself in a landfill.
However that’s not the one purpose why down is a sustainable product.
In actual fact, in comparison with polyester, down has as much as 97% decrease impression on the ecosystem and local weather change.
That’s as a result of it’s made with pure fibers that break down utterly and doesn’t pollute the planet.
Disadvantages of Down Sleeping Luggage
Nevertheless it’s not all roses with down. There are a number of considerations about utilizing the sort of insulating materials, together with:
Allergic reactions
Though it’s actually uncommon, an individual will be allergic to down or feather.
If that’s the case with you, the very last thing you want is to sleep in a sleeping bag stuffed with the allergen.
One factor to bear in mind although.
Regardless that you would possibly expertise some type of allergic response to a down bag, that doesn’t essentially imply you’re allergic to feathers.
Usually, your allergy is brought on by mites discovered within the product.
One of the best ways to make certain whether or not you’re allergic to down or not is to do a pores and skin take a look at in a lab.
Unethical
Simply because it’s a byproduct, that doesn’t imply that down is moral materials.
For people who oppose the consumption of animal merchandise, that’s not a ok purpose to make use of down both.
The principle subject lies within the moral considerations associated to sourcing.
Sadly, there have been an unlimited variety of scandals in recent times associated to animal therapy within the meals business.
Dwell-plucking, which principally entails ripping the feathers off of dwell birds, is the principle concern in terms of down.
Then, there’s the difficulty of force-feeding, which leads to enlarged livers – the principle ingredient within the dish known as Foie gras.
Fortunately, there are methods down will be ethically sourced nowadays.
Moral down has to go the best animal welfare requirements and solely come from birds shielded from live-plucking and force-feeding practices.
Poor Efficiency in Additional Moist Situations
Down gives nice insulation – however solely when dry. As quickly because it will get moist, it loses all its capacity to maintain you heat.
For those who camp in an space with a moist local weather, having a down sleeping bag won’t be the most suitable choice for you.
Odor
Over time, your down sleeping bag can retain odor for those who don’t often sustain with upkeep.
This normally occurs as a result of physique oils seep into the fabric, inflicting it to clump up from extra dampness.
Except for creating odor, seeped physique oils will even trigger the insulating capacity of a down sleeping dangerous to say no.
Remaining Ideas On Down Sleeping Luggage
A down sleeping bag is extraordinarily light-weight and compressible, which makes it a prime possibility for backpackers and thru-hikers.
If taken correct care of, a down sleeping bag can final you a really very long time. We’re speaking a long time of use, which makes a down sleeping bag a worthy funding.
Nonetheless, not all the pieces is roses. A down sleeping bag loses its insulating capacity when moist, which makes it an unsuitable possibility for tenting in moist situations.
Moreover, there are some actual considerations concerning the moral harvesting of down.
Artificial Sleeping Luggage
Artificial sleeping baggage are usually made from brief strands of polyester fibers, densely packed to forestall shedding warmth.
Thick steady filament makes an artificial sleeping bag barely stiffer than down, however this additionally means they don’t create chilly spots.
An artificial sleeping bag affords a very good stability of weight, insulation and sturdiness.
In addition they are available in all worth ranges, so there’s a product for everybody’s pockets.
Benefits of Artificial Sleeping Luggage
So what makes artificial sleeping baggage so nice? Listed here are some great benefits of getting the sort of sleeping bag:
Cheaper
In comparison with down, artificial sleeping baggage don’t have to interrupt your financial institution.
What makes them far more reasonably priced than down is the truth that their insulation is produced in a manufacturing facility, not harvested.
Good Efficiency in Moist Situations
What makes artificial sleeping baggage such a preferred possibility is their capacity to retain insulating high quality even when moist.
Now clearly, that doesn’t imply {that a} sleeping bag soaked in water will maintain you heat and dry. However a slight drizzle gained’t be an excessive amount of of an issue.
Extra Moral
We’ve already talked about moral points with harvesting down. Properly, that’s not the case with artificial, because it’s created in a manufacturing facility.
No animals had been engaged within the product-making course of, from begin to end.
Artificial Luggage Additionally Dry A lot Faster than Down Ones
As soon as it stops raining, your artificial sleeping bag will dry inside a number of hours at most.
A down different, however, can keep moist for the complete day. For those who’re tenting in a moist local weather, artificial is, fingers down, the most suitable choice.
Hypoallergenic
Because it’s man-made, artificial fiber is designed by mixing supplies that may’t trigger an allergic response.
This makes it an acceptable possibility for everybody, no matter their well being situation.
Disadvantages of Artificial Sleeping Luggage
You guessed it – an artificial sleeping bag isn’t with out faults.
Heavier and Bulkier
An artificial sleeping bag depends on retaining the fibers compact to lure warmth inside. However extra fiber additionally means extra weight.
When evaluating a down and an artificial sleeping bag with the identical heat ratio, the latter will probably be a lot bulkier and heavier.
Much less Compressible
Artificial sleeping baggage aren’t ideally suited for backpacking and thru-hiking as they don’t pack very compactly.
Dense fibers don’t enable it to compress the identical manner a down sleeping bag does. This makes them considerably troublesome to place again right into a sack.
Much less Sturdy than Down
Sadly, artificial fibers merely aren’t constructed to final. And in case you don’t preserve it often, their life will get even shorter.
Typically, you possibly can anticipate to see the indicators of breaking down inside 5 to seven years.
In comparison with a down sleeping bag, that’s about 4 instances shorter.
Remaining Ideas On Artificial Sleeping Luggage
Artificial sleeping baggage are an awesome possibility for those who’re first time tenting.
They’re fairly reasonably priced, that means you gained’t should spend an excessive amount of cash on one thing you don’t know for those who’ll find yourself liking anyway.
One of these sleeping bag is nice for those who’re tenting in moist climate, because it retains insulation even when moist.
Moreover, it dries down comparatively quick, so it is going to be prepared for the night time.
Lastly, an artificial bag is nice whenever you’re automotive tenting and never desirous about reducing down weight.
Down/Artificial Hybrid Blends
As we’ve seen, neither down nor artificial sleeping bag is ideal. Properly, why not get a little bit of each as an alternative?
Some manufacturers use a combination of each artificial and right down to create a sleeping bag that’s light-weight but reasonably priced.
After all, it’s inconceivable to solely maintain the nice and ditch the dangerous.
However by mixing these two kinds of insulation collectively can restrict the disadvantages by a big margin.
Typically, a hybrid sleeping bag is crammed totally with a mix of each of those supplies.
Different instances, it’s insulated with down across the head space, whereas the underside is totally artificial.
Execs:
- Weighs lower than artificial
- Comparatively compressible
- Does present some water-resistance
- Prices lower than down
Cons:
- A bit bulkier than a down sleeping bag
- Not as waterproof as artificial
- Prices greater than an artificial sleeping bag
Remaining Ideas on Hybrid Blends
If a hybrid sleeping bag may retain solely some great benefits of every of those insulating supplies whereas negating their disadvantages, it could be the proper product.
The truth, in fact, isn’t that black and white. A hybrid sleeping bag affords a very good center floor for any informal camper.
So long as you’re not touring lengthy distances on foot and in moist climate, you need to be nice with the sort of bag.
Down Fill and Insulation Defined
So, how does one understand how heat a specific down sleeping bag is?
In case you haven’t observed, every product options fill energy. This quantity is usually used to point the standard of down.
What’s Down Fill Energy?
Fill energy reveals the quantity of area an oz. of down can fill, indicated in cubic inches.
To show fill energy, we use numbers starting from 300 to above 900. For top-quality down merchandise, don’t look beneath 800.
The mathematics behind fill energy is straightforward.
A sleeping bag with a fill energy of 500, as an example, doesn’t broaden as a lot to lure air between its filaments as a mannequin with a fill energy of 800 does.
Nonetheless, simply because a sleeping bag has the next fill score, that doesn’t all the time should imply it’s hotter.
That’s as a result of there’s one other quantity we now have to take note of – the amount of down.
So as an example, which one do you suppose it’s hotter? 500 grams of 450 fill down, or 250 grams of 700? For those who answered the primary possibility, you bought it proper.
With that being stated, the extra fill a sleeping bag has, the much less compressible it turns into. It is sensible, as there’s much less air inside to take away when packing.
So for those who’re selecting between totally different down sleeping baggage, take each of those numbers into consideration.
However usually, a sleeping bag with decrease fill energy will probably be heavier and fewer compressible than the one with the next quantity.
That is one thing to take note of for those who plan on touring lengthy distances.
Can You Examine Fill Energy to Artificial Fill?
Whereas down insulation is measured in fill energy, we use grams per sq. meter to discuss with artificial fill.
However these two numbers can’t be in contrast as a result of they don’t present the identical factor.
As we already established, down fill energy reveals the quantity of insulation. However with artificial, we measure its thickness.
As a result of artificial fibers are densely packed collectively, the thicker the insulation, the higher it retains heat.
Evaluating two artificial sleeping baggage is fairly easy. The upper the quantity, the hotter it’s.
Different Elements to Take into account
There are a number of different issues you must take note of when selecting a sleeping bag.
Dimension/Form of the Bag
No matter what kind of insulation you go for, the identical factor stands – much less empty area contained in the bag means it’s hotter.
A mummy model sleeping bag sits snugly round your physique, so it’s nice for chilly climate.
With an oblong sleeping bag, however, there’s a whole lot of room inside that’s stuffed with air.
And with a lot room to wiggle round, there’s a lot room to fill with heat.
Learn: Mummy Vs Rectangular Sleeping Bag
Temperature Score
It doesn’t matter whether or not your sleeping bag is stuffed with down or artificial insulation if it doesn’t have the suitable temperature score.
All the time be sure you’re utilizing a sleeping bag with a score that’s barely under the one you’d be experiencing in your tenting journey.
You shouldn’t go too low, or else you’ll be too sizzling to sleep in that sleeping bag. Waking up in a puddle of sweat isn’t snug.
Zips
When selecting a sleeping bag, take note of the type of zippers it has. Steel would possibly seem like a logical possibility, because it’s extraordinarily sturdy.
However two metallic zippers can truly crush your sleeping bag by quite a bit. And in case you’re backpacking, each ounce issues.
As a substitute, go together with plastic or nylon zippers. They’re gentle but additionally sturdy, and in case they break, they’re simply replaceable.
Weight
After all, all of those traits above add as much as the general weight of your sleeping bag.
A mummy model sleeping bag has much less materials, that means it weighs much less.
Typically, sleeping baggage with decrease temperature scores will probably be heavier. That is particularly obvious with artificial insulation.
And eventually, the fabric alternative of zippers additionally weighs down a sleeping bag.
Down vs. Artificial Comparability Desk – Which One to Select
Nonetheless not sure which one is healthier for you?
Let’s make the choice simpler by evaluating them in numerous situations.
Frequent Tenting or Backpacking
For those who typically spend your free outing within the wild, it’s value investing in sturdy tenting gear. In that case, a down sleeping bag is an ideal possibility for you.
You’ll additionally have the ability to deliver that sleeping bag onto an occasional backpacking journey, because it’s so gentle and simply suits into your backpack.
Occasional Tenting
For those who go tenting no quite a lot of instances a 12 months, then there’s no purpose to spend tons of cash on one thing that may sit in your storage for many of the 12 months.
An artificial sleeping bag is a fairly versatile possibility, as you need to use it in each moist and dry climate.
Chilly and Winter Climate
For those who’re out in excessive climate, staying heat is your prime precedence. That’s why investing within the high-quality down sleeping bag must be your prime precedence.
These fashions normally additionally function a waterproof shell to forestall getting soaked from a little bit of snow.
Wet or Humid Climate
Tenting in wet climate is one other story. If you’re anticipating a whole lot of rain or humidity, then artificial is the best way to go.
Down turns into ineffective when moist, and takes a very long time to dry, so it’s not ideally suited for that kind of situation.
Learn: How To Select A Sleeping Bag: Your Information to Cozy Out of doors Slumber
FAQs
What’s the finest sleeping bag insulation?
There’s no single finest insulation, as they each have their professionals and cons. If we’re speaking about packability, then down wins by a big margin.
However an artificial sleeping bag is a extra common possibility.
Which lasts longer down or artificial?
With correct and common upkeep, a down sleeping bag can final you for many years.
Artificial insulation, however, breaks down over time. Usually, their lifespan is from 5 to seven years.
Why is down costly?
Down is harvested from dwell animals, so it’s far more troublesome to acquire in comparison with artificial, which is produced in a manufacturing facility.
Do down sleeping baggage odor?
Typically, properly maintained down sleeping bag ought to have an odor.
Nonetheless, for those who don’t take correct care of it, down can rot, making a chemical odor. Plus, this will launch sure chemical compounds that may be dangerous to your well being.
Methods to wash sleeping baggage (artificial and down)?
First issues first, all the time examine the label for cleansing directions. However usually, you’re protected to observe these steps.
- All the time use a front-loading washer. A top-loading machine normally options an agitator and this piece can harm your sleeping bag if it will get wrapped round it.
- For those who don’t personal a entrance loading machine, hand wash it.
- With down sleeping baggage, it’s all the time finest to make use of a detergent specifically designated for laundry down. Common laundry detergent may cause right down to clump up, which is able to have an effect on its insulating capacity.
- All the time unzip earlier than washing the sleeping bag. This can stop zippers from getting snagged.
- All the time wash a sleeping bag with heat water on a mild cycle.
- Rinse it twice to get any detergent residue out of the fibers.
Your bag ought to really feel densely clumped after that. If it seems to be spongy, repeat the rinse cycle.
How do you get the musty odor out of a sleeping bag?
For those who don’t dry your sleeping bag utterly earlier than packing it up, it would develop mildew. And as you in all probability know, mildew doesn’t odor very good.
Fortunately, there’s a solution to do away with the odor at house:
- What it is advisable do first is unzip the sleeping bag utterly to let the air inside.
- Deodorize the bag and depart it within the solar for a number of hours.
This could kill any mildew spores contained in the insulation.
In case of moldy stains, a combination of lemon juice and salt can simply repair that.
- Add about ¼ cup of every ingredient and blend till it turns right into a paste. Unfold it onto the mildew and depart it in solar for a number of hours.
- Take a dry material and brush the paste off.
- Then, dip a toothbrush into a number of drops of detergent and scrub the stain away.
- Then, take a moist material and clear any residue.
- Moisten two cotton balls with one to 2 drops of vanilla extract every.
- Place one cotton ball contained in the foot of the sleeping bag and the opposite one inside the middle space.
Depart the cotton balls contained in the sleeping bag for no less than three hours to deodorize any remaining mildew odor.
To Sum Issues Up
There you could have it, all the pieces there may be to find out about down and artificial sleeping baggage.
Each of them have their professionals and cons, so the most suitable choice will probably be one thing that matches your scenario finest.
A down sleeping bag is gentle and compressible, so it’s nice for tenting journeys the place packability issues.
It’s comparatively costly, however with correct care, you would possibly by no means have to purchase one other one.
An artificial sleeping bag is an general good possibility for informal journeys. It really works properly in each moist and dry climate and it’s comparatively reasonably priced.