Herbie Murray
Sleeping bags are available with different types of insulation, and the type of insulation is a critical factor in determining the bag's size and warmth. Goose down and synthetic insulation are the two most common types of insulation. Synthetic insulation, often made of polyester, is created in a lab and designed to trap air to create a thermal barrier. Synthetic sleeping bags are typically more affordable, water-resistant, and lightweight, while goose down sleeping bags are natural insulation made from the plumage of waterfowl. Goose down bags are generally more expensive, highly compressible, and require more maintenance.
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What You'll Learn
Synthetic insulation
There are different types of synthetic insulation, including bonded insulation and loose-fill insulation. Bonded insulation comes in sheets, keeping the insulation uniform and reducing the need for a baffle system. This type of insulation is also more breathable and forgiving in extreme temperatures. Loose-fill synthetic insulation, on the other hand, aims to mimic the lightness and compressibility of goose down while retaining the ability to insulate when wet.
One notable example of bonded insulation is StormLight™ by Outdoor Vitals. StormLight™ sleeping bags do not require baffles, as they would decrease the bag's performance by allowing cold air to leak in through the seams. The insulation's ability to repel water and maintain warmth when wet makes it ideal for outdoor use, where there is always a risk of gear getting wet due to bad weather.
When choosing between synthetic and natural insulation, it's essential to consider factors such as camping location, expected temperatures, and your mode of transportation. Synthetic insulation typically offers better performance in wet conditions and is more affordable, while goose down may provide superior warmth in dry environments.
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Goose down insulation
Sleeping bags with goose down insulation are made from the insulating material found beneath the feathers of waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. Unlike feathers, goose down does not have a hard central "stalk" or quill, resulting in a soft and fluffy texture.
Goose down is a natural insulator, trapping warm air, such as body heat, to keep sleepers warm. The effectiveness of goose down insulation is measured by its fill power (FP), which indicates the volume (in cubic inches) to which a measured weight of down will expand when taking in air. The higher the fill power, the greater the expansion, and the warmer the sleeping bag will be. For example, a sleeping bag with 100g of 850FP down will insulate better than one with 100g of 700FP down. However, 200g of 700FP down may insulate better than 100g of 850FP down. Goose down sleeping bags often feature a "fill rating", indicating the amount of goose down used, with higher numbers indicating more down and theoretically warmer bags.
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Fill power
The higher the fill power, the more air the sleeping bag can trap, and the more resilient it is to compression. This means that a sleeping bag with a higher fill power will be warmer and lighter. However, this also means that a higher fill power down is usually more expensive.
Synthetic sleeping bags, such as those made with LoftTek insulation, also have a fill power rating. This rating is given by testing laboratories such as the IDFL, who test the insulation in the same way they would test down.
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Water-resistance
Sleeping bags with 150gsm 2 polyester insulation are a type of synthetic sleeping bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are created in a laboratory and do not consist of natural insulation found on animals. Instead, they are made from various materials, such as interwoven plastic fibres. Synthetic sleeping bags are usually marketed as Primaloft, Climashield, or a proprietary version like TNF Thermoball.
Synthetic sleeping bags are often marketed as being "warm when wet". However, this claim is false, as the thermal mass of the wetness will steal your body heat. Nevertheless, synthetic sleeping bags do retain more warmth when wet compared to down insulation. This is because down insulation gets wet from both precipitation and ambient humidity, and when it gets wet, it loses its insulating ability.
Synthetic sleeping bags can be treated to be more water-resistant, which improves loft and drying time. Water-resistant synthetic insulation will not be warm when wet, but it holds up better in humid conditions.
LoftTek™ insulation is a type of hollow-filament polyester fibre that is siliconized so that water won't stick to it but will drain out. This type of insulation has been rated by the IDFL (International Down Laboratories for Testing) and has been found to retain all the properties of synthetic insulation while improving stability and being more water-resistant.
Another type of synthetic insulation is StormLight™, which also insulates when wet. In a test, the founder of Outdoor Vitals, Tayson, slept in a StormLight™ sleeping bag after getting it as wet as possible, and found that the inside was still mostly dry. This is because the insulation fibres are siliconized, so water wicks away.
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Weight and packability
When it comes to choosing a sleeping bag, weight and packability are key considerations. You'll want something that's lightweight and compact so that it's easy to carry on your adventures, especially if you're backpacking or hiking.
The insulation material and type play a crucial role in determining the weight and packability of a sleeping bag. Synthetic insulation, typically made from polyester, has made significant advancements in recent years, becoming much lighter and more compact. This fine polyester fibre traps air to create a thermal barrier, similar to natural down. The warmth and weight of synthetic insulation are directly related to the amount of loft or fill power it has. The more the fibres loft, the warmer and lighter the sleeping bag becomes. However, synthetic insulation can sometimes be heavy and challenging to compress, especially with bonded synthetic insulation.
In contrast, goose down insulation, which consists of the soft plumage found beneath the feathers of waterfowl, is incredibly lightweight and highly compressible. It has an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio and can be packed down to a fraction of its original size. This makes down sleeping bags ideal for backpacking and hiking, where every ounce of weight and inch of space in your pack matters.
While synthetic insulation has improved in terms of weight and packability, down insulation still holds a slight edge in these categories. However, it's important to note that the weight and compressibility of a sleeping bag are also influenced by other factors, such as the temperature rating and the cut of the bag. Therefore, when comparing weights, it's essential to consider bags with the same temperature rating.
Ultimately, the decision between synthetic and down insulation depends on your specific needs and preferences. Synthetic insulation offers solid performance at a more affordable price point, while down insulation provides superior warmth-to-weight ratios and compressibility, albeit at a higher cost.
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Frequently asked questions
150gsm 2 polyester is a type of synthetic sleeping bag insulation. Synthetic insulation is made from polyester fibres that trap air to create a thermal barrier, similar to down insulation. Polyester insulation is known for its ability to insulate even when wet, making it ideal for damp climates.
150gsm 2 polyester insulation is a specific type of synthetic insulation, which offers solid performance at an affordable price. Compared to down insulation, polyester is less absorbent, dries faster, and retains some insulating capabilities even when wet. However, down insulation has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio and is more compressible, making it a better option for space-saving.
150gsm 2 polyester insulation offers several benefits for sleeping bags. Firstly, it provides good insulation at a lower cost compared to other types of insulation. Secondly, it is effective in damp conditions as it can insulate even when wet. Additionally, advancements in synthetic insulation technology have made polyester sleeping bags lighter and more compact, improving their overall performance.
