Ashwin Lewis
When choosing a sleeping bag, one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is between down and synthetic insulation. Down fill power measures down's ability to loft and trap heat, with premium goose down reaching 900 fill power and duck down achieving no higher than 800. Synthetic insulation, typically made of polyester, is quick-drying and insulates even when wet, but down fill is exceptionally resilient and compressible. The type of insulation directly affects the warmth, weight, water resistance, compressibility, and price of sleeping bags, so it's important to understand the differences between down and synthetic fill when making a purchase decision.
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What You'll Learn
Down fill degrades over time
Down fill in sleeping bags refers to the plumage found underneath the exterior feathers on waterfowl such as ducks and geese. It consists of soft, fluffy, wispy filaments. The fill power of down measures its ability to loft and trap heat. This is calculated by how many cubic inches one ounce of down can fill in a testing device. For example, 600-fill-power down means that one ounce of down fills 600 cubic inches of space.
Down fill in sleeping bags can degrade over time. This is due to various factors, such as the natural breakdown of the down plumes and the constant use of the sleeping bag. The degradation of down fill can result in reduced loft, which leads to decreased insulation and warmth retention. This means that a sleeping bag with degraded down fill may not provide the same level of warmth and comfort as a newer bag or one with fresh down fill.
Additionally, down fill can clump together over time, creating cold spots in the sleeping bag. This can be exacerbated by exposure to moisture, as down tends to lose its loft and insulation properties when it gets wet. Proper storage and care of a down sleeping bag are crucial to maintaining its condition and prolonging its lifespan. It is recommended to store down sleeping bags as open as possible when not in use, as compressing them for extended periods can damage the down fill.
To address degradation and improve the performance of a down sleeping bag, some people choose to add down fill to their existing bags. This process involves cutting small slits into the bag and adding new down fill, either by hand or using a pump. However, it is important to note that adding down fill may not always restore the bag to its original condition, and the warmth-to-weight ratio may be affected.
In summary, down fill in sleeping bags can degrade over time due to various factors. This degradation can lead to reduced loft, insulation, and warmth retention. Proper care and storage are essential to maintaining the condition of down sleeping bags, and re-filling with down can be an option to improve their performance.
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Adding down fill to an existing sleeping bag
Down fill is a term used to describe the plumage found underneath the exterior feathers of waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. It is used to insulate sleeping bags and jackets, providing warmth to the user. The fill power of down refers to its ability to loft and trap heat, with higher fill powers equating to greater warmth and lighter products.
- Identify the location of the down tubes within the sleeping bag. This can be done by turning the bag inside out and locating the stitching where the baffles have been closed.
- Push the existing down to the bottom of the down tubes. This can be done by carefully unpicking the stitching that closes the baffles.
- Prepare the down fill by weighing it out and squishing it into a ball or bunch. The amount of down added will depend on the desired temperature rating and the existing fill power of the bag.
- Stuff the down into the exposed down tubes by hand, ensuring not to overfill. The goal is to add enough down to plump out the tubes and improve the warmth of the bag.
- Close the openings by hand-stitching them closed. Take care to use small stitches to prevent down from leaking.
- Seal the stitches with a urethane seam sealer for added protection against down leakage.
- Test the sleeping bag to ensure that the added down has improved its insulation and warmth.
It is important to note that adding down fill to a sleeping bag may affect its weight and compressibility. Additionally, the type of down used should be of good quality, with a fill power of at least 700. Down can be purchased from outdoor gear suppliers or online retailers.
Some people choose to send their sleeping bags to professionals in San Jose to have down fill added, as it can be a delicate process that requires precision and expertise.
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Down fill vs synthetic fill
When choosing a sleeping bag, one of the most important decisions you can make is whether to go for down or synthetic insulation. The type of insulation will directly affect the warmth, weight, water resistance, compressibility, and price of the sleeping bag.
Down is the plumage found underneath the exterior feathers of waterfowl such as ducks and geese. It consists of soft, fluffy, wispy filaments. Down is a great insulator for sleeping bags, and the original synthetic fills were designed to mimic its properties. However, down has a tendency to clump up and lose loft when it gets wet, which causes it to lose its insulating properties. High-fill-power down (850fp) makes for a lighter, more compact sleeping bag than lower fill-power down (550fp). Down sleeping bags are also favoured by backpackers due to their light weight and warmth-to-weight ratio. They are incredibly compressible and can be easily stuffed into a backpack.
Synthetic fills, on the other hand, are typically made of polyester. They are quick-drying and maintain some warmth when wet, which is a significant advantage over down. Synthetic fills are also less expensive, durable, and hypoallergenic. However, they are not as compressible as down and tend to be bulkier.
Some manufacturers have started making sleeping bags with a combination of water-resistant down and synthetic insulation to provide the benefits of both materials.
When choosing between down and synthetic insulation, it is important to consider factors such as the temperature you'll be camping in, the weight of the bag, and your budget.
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Fill power and loft
Loft is the volume of air trapped between the fibres of the sleeping bag. Since air is an insulator, a higher loft means greater warmth for the user. The loft of a sleeping bag can be determined by testing, but the process is complex and varies across regions and countries. The US test and the UK Lorch test are two examples of different testing standards.
The relationship between fill power and loft is that a higher fill power results in a greater loft. This means that sleeping bags with higher fill power will be better at trapping air and keeping the user warm. Additionally, a higher fill power down will be lighter as less down is required to achieve the same warmth as a lower fill power down.
It is important to note that the performance of a sleeping bag is influenced by various factors, such as user metabolism, physical fatigue, and whether the bag is dried after each use. The temperature ratings provided by manufacturers may not always align with real-world use, so it is recommended to consider other metrics such as fill weight and total bag weight when selecting a sleeping bag.
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RDS certification and ethical sourcing
Down is the plumage found underneath the exterior feathers on waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. It consists of soft, fluffy, wispy filaments that interlock to create pockets of trapped air, providing superior warmth. Down is the fill of choice for most adventurers as it is light, packable, and insulates better than any synthetic fill on the market.
However, down is a byproduct of the food industry, and the treatment of waterfowl in this industry has been a cause for concern. To address this, the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) was created to ensure that down and feathers come from ducks and geese that have been treated well. This standard was developed over three years with the help of animal welfare groups and industry experts and is part of the Textile Exchange, a nonprofit working to minimize or reverse the negative effects of the textile industry.
The RDS sets out that waterfowl must be able to live healthy lives, express innate behaviours, and not suffer from pain, fear, or distress. It also bans cruel practices, such as live plucking and force-feeding. To ensure compliance, the RDS employs third-party inspectors who make both scheduled and unannounced visits to supply chain locations.
For consumers, the RDS logo serves as a guarantee that the down in their sleeping bags has been sourced responsibly and ethically. By choosing RDS-certified products, outdoor enthusiasts can be good stewards of the environment and contribute to the sustained health of the planet.
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Frequently asked questions
Down fill refers to the plumage found underneath the exterior feathers of waterfowl such as ducks and geese. It is used as an insulating material in sleeping bags.
Fill power measures the loft or fluffiness of a down product, which is related to its insulating value. It is calculated by how many cubic inches one ounce of down can fill in a testing device. For example, 600-fill-power down means that one ounce of that down fills 600 cubic inches of space. The higher the fill power, the more warmth your sleeping bag will trap.
Synthetic insulation is typically made of polyester and offers benefits such as quick-drying, less expense, durability, and being hypoallergenic. It also maintains some warmth when wet. Down insulation, on the other hand, is incredibly warm, lightweight, and has a great warmth-to-weight ratio. However, down is more expensive and loses its insulating properties when it gets wet.
Generally, a heavier sleeping bag is usually warmer, assuming you are comparing bags of similar quality. However, a heavier bag is less compressible and will take up more space in your pack.
The ideal fill power depends on the intended use of the sleeping bag. For most conditions, a fill power of 500-650 is sufficient, while 800-900 fill power is used for very lightweight and cold-weather gear.
