Contact Overland Solutions for all your custom modifications and setup for overland travel.

Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing

Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
With more than 58 destinations worldwide, Edelweiss Bike Travel is Number 1 in guided motorcycle tours!

We've had a code update on the HUBB that should fix any issues with the new right hand column. If the HUBB still "looks funny" please force a refresh to get the latest code update. (Hold down the shift OR ctrl key, and click the refresh button on your browser, OR Ctrl R, OR on Macs, Command R). If you still have a problem please post it here.


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Apr 2005
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 798
Sleeping-bag survey, please contribute

Hello. I'm ready to up-grade my sleeping bag and i thought i would start this thread. What bag do you fellow travellers prefer? Down or synthetic fill? Any problems or sugestions? What do you use and where?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2005
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 4,170
Down. Down has two negatives - cost and it doesn't insulate when wet. On a bike, keeping it dry isn't a real problem, and cost versus it's virtues - very warm for the weight, a wide temperature comfort range, extremely compact and forgiving of being crushed, and the down itself never wears out, whereas synthetics most definitely die after a couple of years at best, make it an easy choice.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2005
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,223
We bought a couple of synthetic a few years back and have regretted it ever since: half the price and twice the size of comparable down.

They have lasted several years of sometimes heavy, but not constant use (we don't live on our bikes - yet).

We are now looking to buy down bags.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 659
VALLANDRE sleeping bags for ever :-)

http://www.valandre.com/

excellent stuff, excellent service, from this company in the south west of france, breeding their own goose ducks etc ..., equipping many expeditions etc ...
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Eureka, CA USA
Posts: 326
I prefer synthetic because if it gets wet it still works. Also drys easier and I can wash it in a washing machine if I want. I put up with the extra bulk and slight weight. Also down tends to set off my allergies.

------------------
John
__________________
John
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Apr 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,366
I've got both.
The synthtic pack down smaller, cheaper and a little heavier. It looks to me as though two synthtics of say 5 degrees C rating would be better than one down of -5C rating - about the same size and costs with the advantage of different configurations for different weather conditions.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Apr 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 212
There are differences in the several types of synthetic materials used in sleeping bags. Primaloft is supposedly the closest to down in characteristics and is preferred by some. I have a Big Agnes Primaloft bag but have only slept in it once so all I can say is that it seems quite warm for it's weight.

I do like the way the Big Agnes bags are made so that a pad (of correct size) slips into the bottom of the bag. This prevents the pad from sliding out from under the bag.

Mike
__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 27 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Seattle, WA - USA / Oltenita, ROMANIA
Posts: 100
Down. Grant is the one that conviced me to make the switch, and I don't regret it. My bag doesn't get wet becasue its in a pannier or in my tent no matter the weather, its not like a backpacking expedition. I've only washed it once so far, but yea, it takes AGES to dry...



------------------
Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake
__________________
Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Apr 2005
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 798
Awesome guys! Keep them coming! My bag, an MEC has lasted me 8or9 years now, but is quickly wearing out. How long has your bag lasted?...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Apr 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Sicamous,Canada
Posts: 130
hi ron
I have had a mountain Equipment snowline down bag since 1996 lots of trip here, there and every where.I have a cotton inner for the hot stuff and just have the bag unzipped over me if I get cold and a mountain Equipment bivi bag if I sleep in exteme cold or wet
top stuff

cheers chris
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 788
Thats what I've been doing as well. A Rab down bag that can be opened out, and a cotton liner for warmer nights. Never had a problem with the down getting wet (it soaks up a lot of water before you notice it). Down does deteriorate over the years though if its jammed into small bags so I'd suggest you start off with what seems an overspecced bag. That way it'll still be usable for years.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 29 Apr 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 13
Just remember to try it on. I'm 6'3" and assumed I would fit in my sleeping bag. Actually I do but it fits like a cocoon and I'm a restless sleeper! Don't compromise on a good nights sleep unless you have sufficient vino to sedate you.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 29 Apr 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: athens, ga, usa
Posts: 5
i've used down and synthetic, currently have a down bag good to freezing, but my next bag will be a synthetic quilt. why? easy to make, cheap, same insulation if same loft. make your own and adjust to your size and conditions. synthetic doesn't pack as well and is a little bit heavier, but synthetic quilt packs better and lighter than a down bag. requires $65, 12 hours of your time, and a sewing machine.
http://www.ray-way.com/quilt/index.shtml
__________________
joe
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 22 May 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Vermont, USA
Posts: 35
I adamantly prefer Goose down bags to synthetic. Down is light weight, packs small, lasts a long time, and realy isnt that much more expensive then synthetic. The argument for synthetic is that it is less expensive and will still insulate when its wet. Well like I said the price difference is negligable unless we are talking extreme cold weather bags or custom. The insulate when wet....well yeah ok, but who wants to sleep in a wet bag....this is realy a survival thing I guess. I'd rather bundle up in my warm clothes and sleep in a tarp then a wet bag of any type. Down is actualy very resistant to gettin wet. Even if you push a down bag into a bath tub full of water it doesnt immediately take on water. My summer 15 degree down bag is 9 years old and now I am looking to replace it as it isnt as warm as it used to be. $200 for 9 years of use is pretty good. For river and ocean kayaking trips I put the down bag in a water tight storage bag. ok, I think you get my point...I vote for down.

Seth S
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 22 May 2005
Bill Holland's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Stoke, UK
Posts: 212
I have only travelled to warmer countries, and have been happy with a Rab Quantum, down filled, weighs 520 grams including stuff sack.
My logic being, should I need something warmer, I will buy another lightweight down bag, and use one inside the other, hopefully this should cover all temperature ranges I may come accross.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:03.