Frequently Asked Questions
Down or synthetic: which should you choose for bivouacking?
Down offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio and compresses down to almost nothing, ideal for lightweight trekking. Synthetic fill, though heavier, copes better with damp conditions. For dry nights or sleeping under cover, down remains the most comfortable choice.
How to read a sleeping bag's temperature rating
Go by the comfort temperature - the one at which you'll sleep without feeling the cold: around 10°C for summer, 0 to 5°C for three-season use, and below zero for winter. Allow yourself a small safety margin depending on how sensitive you are to the cold.
Is down insulation affected by moisture?
Yes, a wet down sleeping bag loses its insulating power. You protect it by sleeping under a shelter or tent, airing the bag out each morning and packing it away dry. Some down sleeping bags with water-repellent treatment cope better with moisture and condensation.
How to keep your sleeping bag lightweight and compact?
Choose a sleeping bag with high loft, compress it in a stuff sack, and avoid storing it squashed at home. A silk liner and an insulating mat let you take a less warm, and therefore lighter, sleeping bag.
Which sleeping mat should you pair with a down sleeping bag?
An insulating sleeping mat is a must: even the best down, squashed beneath you, won't cut out the cold from the ground. An inflatable or self-inflating mat with a good R-value perfectly rounds off your sleep system.