Advantages & Disadvantages of Down Sleeping Bags

The insulation in a down sleeping bag is made of the small, soft feathers found near the skin of ducks or geese. Air and body heat are trapped between the feathers, creating a fluffy loft that is both comfortable and warm. Backpackers and car campers alike can enjoy the benefits of a down sleeping bag, making it a potentially worthwhile investment for your outdoor adventures.

  1. Weight

    • Backpackers who want to lighten their load as much as possible often prefer down sleeping bags because they are more lightweight than synthetic bags. The lightweight insulation is also warmer than synthetic versions, making down a preferable insulation for cold temperatures. Sleeping bags constructed with down insulation compress more than those filled with synthetic fibers, thus taking up less space. Backpackers can use the additional space in their bag for other necessities or simply head out the door with a smaller backpack.

    Durability

    • Natural down insulation is long-lasting, even after continually being compressed into a sleeping bag stuff sack. A down sleeping bag will maintain its loft for many camping seasons, whereas synthetic insulation loses some loft each time you compress it into a bag.

    Allergies

    • Campers with allergies to duck or goose feathers cannot comfortably sleep in a down sleeping bag. Those with even mild allergies need to purchase a synthetic sleeping bag for their excursions.

    Wetness

    • Water is a down sleeping bag’s worst enemy. Down insulation takes a long time to dry, and a wet bag is not warm or comfortable. Backpackers who camp in moist or wet areas should consider a synthetic sleeping bag, as a wet sleeping bag can potentially remove body heat.

    Cost

    • Down sleeping bags are more costly than the synthetic bags available on the market, as natural materials are more expensive than synthetic polymers. Over time, however, the bag’s durability may make the initial cost seem more reasonable.

    Cleaning

    • Keeping a down sleeping bag clean is also time-consuming. The bag must be washed with a gentle detergent, run through a rinse cycle a second time, and hand-pressed to remove water. After washing, the bag should be dried in a commercial-grade clothes dryer on the lowest heat, using tennis balls in the dryer to help maintain loft.