Hey guys! I'm gonna be hiking the AT in the future and I'm so torn in which type of filled mummy sleeping bag I should get? Does it get so wet on the trail that I should just go with a synthetic? Or if I wrap a down filled bag securely in a garbage bag or waterproof stuff sack would I be good? I'm also wondering what degree bag I should go with? I get relatively cold, too. Any info helps, thanks :-)
_Zt_Synthetic or Down sleeping bag
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#1
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#2
I have had unfortunately experience with a wet bag so here is what I do. My cold weather bag is synthetic because at colder temperatures a wet bag can be a hypothermia problem. My Summer bag is down due to the positives of down and the risk , other than being uncomfortable isn't an issue.
If you are deciding between 1 bag I’d go synthetic just for safety sake. While the garbage bag/stuff sack would work most of the time, you only have to have it fail once to have a problem.
_Map Dude_
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#3
Hi Zt! My sleeping bag was a $40 synthetic bag rated to 20 degrees. It also came with its own stuff sack. I went this way because it was cheaper than a Down sleeping bag. A synthetic bag will take up more room in your pack and is heavier, than a Down bag. I started in March and had no problems with the bag keeping me warm. I used a rain cover on the backpack, however, everything will eventually get damp from the wet weather you will encounter. In Damascus, Va., I bought a summer bag and shipped it to Pearisburg, Va. In Pearisburg, Va. I picked up my summer bag and shipped my winter bag home. Weight reduction was 2 lbs. To see more of my 2011 A.T. thru-hike, and gear, go to trailjournals/DreamWalker Ga.>Me. 2011 Happy Trails!:)
_DreamWalker_
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#4
you will need a 15 degree bag to start the AT in March or April. Suggest you get a silk liner also. adds warmth and keeps the bag cleaner and dryer.
Go with down. You can find ways to keep it dry. As a down bag is smaller it is easier to wrap in a plastic bag.
_swampfox_
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#5
I was 62, started in May, and liked to do big mile days on my AT hike. Gear selection was all about reducing weight. Since I was starting in May I went with a 20 degree Down bag. I kept the bag in a waterproof stuff sack and an additional garbage bag. I hiked thru some nasty storms and never had a problem with the bag. Most hikers I saw get in trouble with down bags got them wet in their tents from water coming in. Down bags are so light and compressible I would always go with down. The choice of sleeping bag type and shelter largely dictate what backpack you can choose. I wanted to keep the weight of my backpack alone to around 2 pounds and I likely could not have done that had I chosen a synthetic bag.
_Bob_
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#6
I started with a 20 degree down bag and a silk liner in April. I eventually switched to a 40 synthetic bag in June and kept it until NH when I switched back to the warmer down. I elected to go with lighter weight and compressability of down for cold weather. If it did get wet (which I saw several times with hikers who were not careful) it would have made for a very uncomfortable and dangerous night. Your bag will get damp and any opportunity you get to air it out in the sun you should take. I would do this quite often on sunny days. At the warmer levels synthetic compresses to the same size as down and does not add that much weight. Plus my 40 degree bag has a square foot which I find way more comfortable then a mummy.
_Big B_
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#7
Thanks guys! This helped a lot. Depends on money, but I think I'm gonna try to get one synthetic and and one down filled. Any more tips you have would be great! I think a 15 degree bag should be good for me...guess I'll find out! Thanks! :-)
_Zt_
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#8
Modern synthetic performs as well or better than down. Down is slightly better for insulation and weight. Synthetic performs much better if it gets wet. Down costs twice as much and supports an industry involved in killing animals for their useful body parts.
_Francis_
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#9
Make sure you aren't allergic to down before spending the money. I've seen some miserable hikers who didn't realize they had allergies. (mainly puffy, swollen eyes)
_whatnot_