Hi, My sleepwalker 2 is getting rather tatty...think I have rough feet or something! .....especially around the feet area...all snagged. Wondering whether to go for a down bag.
Question......are the warmth ratings the same? Do the bags feel the same warmth?
Thanks

The warmth ratings quoted by a reputable manufacturer will be pretty much the same across down and synthetic bags and ME's are generally, in my experience, a reasonable guide for an averagely warm sleeper.

The main differences between down and synthetics, apart from price tend to be that down is lighter and more compact and with care, will last longer than a synthetic bag. You do need to treat it more kindly though - down becomes virtually useless as an insulator if it gets wet and washing can be problematic, though it's not impossible. You need to store down - and synthetics - uncompressed to maintain loft.

Modern synthetics are much better than they used to be. Loft well and work better than down when wet, though you're still better off keeping them dry, it's a relative thing rather than an absolute, if that makes sense.

If you tend to rough it a bit with your bag and don't want to worry too much about keeping it clean and dry then synthetic's the way to go. If you can be bothered to be a bit more precious with it, down is lighter, longer lived and more efficient.

Finally, bear in mind that the higher the humidity, the colder bags will feel because moist air transmits heat more than dry. That's why 0 C in Scotland can feel colder than minus ten in the Alps.

Thanks Jon. That was helpful. I do not have the space to store stuff uncompressed....all our thermarests and synthetic bags have been Ok over the years, but down may well suffer more.
Any news of ME extending the new opening foot to their synthetic bags?? Great idea for warm footers like me!

Think I'll make it last a little longer and decide next spring.

Julie

Yep, if you look in the news section, there's a new synthetic model due out early next year called, erm, the Moonwalker. It has the EXL elasticated inner system and the Shark's Toe foot bit as well.

You don't, btw, need to store the bags totally expanded, just not compressed. Something like a pillow case makes a pretty good storage bag. Quite a few manufacturers - RAB and TNF for two - actually supply an additional large storage sac with the bag these days.

Hi again,
It's the venting option I like. A lot of the ME bags seem to have the sharks toe shape, but only the dreamcather has a zip which opens all the way across the top of the toe section....brill idea to my mind!
Moonwalker? Wonder if it will replace one of the synthetic ranges? Or add an extra range? Perhaps for colder weather/

Julie, just to add to what Jon said about the pillowcase idea..

I roll the sleeping bag up loosely, wrap a thermarest around it (valve open) then slide the lot into a pillowcase, give it a shake to spread it out then throw it on top of a wardrobe. Takes very litle space and keeps it all nice and new feeling

You would not believe what we have on the top of our wardrobe.....my partner is an artist and has loads of horrible etching stuff!....mind you if I did my ironing more often I would have room in the wardrobe.....there are 3 of us and all the kit for year round camping though!

Three of you in a single wardrobe? That's not good. I think you've been watching too many Cure videos.

So, Jon - let me get this right - you are saying that three people in a *double* wardrobe is a sensible option?

hanger rail could get in the way :S

...but when you get out the back you find lots of snow, an old lamp-post...and an odd assortment of talking animals!

Some of which will be fawning around....

Stop "Badgering" me with those old jokes....nothing better to do than "lion" arond....groan!