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Hey,

This is regarding a sleeping bag, my partner and I are trying to select some sleeping bags but are not sure which to go for because of our unpredictable English weather!

I'd like a down one really because the small pack size, and weight to warmth ratio, but do you think a synthetic one would be a better choice with the weather we get here?

Thanks for any help,

Ross

Down is only good if it isn't wet, so if you can be certain of keeping the sleeping bag completely dry then it might be worth the extra cost and the compressibility and the special care it needs. Synthetic...well, it's easy to care for, still insulates when damp or wet, much cheaper, and if you get a good one, like one of the Snugpack ones, then it'll pack down pretty small in its stuff sack, and not weigh much.

When I was all nerdy and geeky I always wanted a down one - you know, after reading all the specs about insulation to weight ratio and all, and the small pack size. Always saw myself heading off on an arctic expedition. But now that I'm living back in reality, and realise that the difference in weight and pack size isn't really that great, then the synthetic does me!

I still have a down bag but invariably use a synthetic one, even when temperature is extremely low. The difference between down and hollow fibre is now marginal and down has to be really dry to be at its best. While in use the down absorbs a large amount of moisture from your body and if it is not possible to dry/air the bag effectively every day it will become less effective as your trip goes on.

My relatively inexpensive hollow fibre bag has done its job effectively at temperatures well below zero on several occasions.