Hi all, this is my first thread. Thanks for such a great resource.

I've been getting back into backpacking for the first time since boy scouts, and I've tried to save for top gear.

My question is this: I'm using a WM Summerlite for sleeping and Montbell Down Inner Jacket and Pants for insulation. Is this too much down?

I've read how many of you use a down bag and synthetic insulation for safety, so I'm wondering if I've gone too much toward the feather. Synthetic stuff is appealing to me, but I'm worried about longevity (can I really only expect a couple of years out of occasionally used Primaloft, for instance?)

For the 3 season (mostly) New England hiking I'll be doing (with an AT trip in the next couple of years), do I need to pickup a synthetic puffy and pants or am I fine with what I've got?

Thanks for your help.

Edited by jswadley on 11/10/2010 21:43:12 MST.

I'm an all down user too (down pants, Montbell UL Down Inner Parka, Down Sleeping Quilt, Down vest) and I've been wondering the same thing.

I would say that the Summerlite and Down pants are for sure fine if your skills are reasonable. Down pants are pretty easy to keep dry since you don't need them that often and pretty much never while actually on the trail. They're just an in camp and in the tent thing usually.

For the down jacket, I've never had problems with all down, but it really depends where you hike, how much risk you will tolerate and how good at keeping your stuff dry you are. I think it's not a bad idea to have a synthetic jacket if everything else is all dry. My long term plan is to move to this:

Summer: Down Quilt + Down Vest
Spring/Fall: Down Quilt + Down Pants + Synthetic Jacket

youll get 3-5 years good use out of it ... just dont over compress it ... and wash it in a front loader or by hand

if you go all down make sure you dont get all your down wet in one go ... so compartmentalize your bag in a dry sack separate from yr jacket ...

and make sure you do have an option if you do get soaked on a multiday with no retreat if you do those ...

i personally like synthetic jackets as you worry less about them .. you cam hike in them, not worry about rain, dry them out quickly, put them on top of your bag to protect the down, etc ...

all depends where you hike and what you do

Synthetics are most useful in cooler (not cold) weather when you expect rain. It's generally bulletproof, although you obviously don't *want* to get it wet if you can avoid it.

As the insulation gets thinner, for three season conditions, the difference between down and synthetic narrows. On the down side, synthetic doesn't stuff as well as down and takes up more space in the pack. And if you overcompress it, you reduce its useful life.

I don't think so.

Starting in 2003 I changed everything I own insulation-wise to down. The only problem I have had in all that time (and I backpack every month of the year) was a Mountainsmith Cypher bag that kept wetting out at the foot while on the JMT in fall. It always dried the next afternoon and never got bad enough to clump the down too much.

i'd really like to see one of the makers of a synthetic jacket "soak" it and see how much insulation it really provides. i personally don't really buy the "if it gets wet it will still insulate" schpeal. the only thing i've ever worn that still kept me warm when wet is wool

just be smart with your gear (keeping it dry in pack and using the sun to dry it out in the am)

the key isnt the soaking ... ive had synth jackets soaked before ... and they still feel cold, though no where as cold as wet down ... remember that any water will draw away heat ...

they key is the "dry much quicker" ability than down with body heat ... if your on a day trip or can expect sunny skies to dry your down no big deal ...

when yr in the middle of the coastal mountains in the freezing rain/snow on a multiday trip ... it can be the difference between life and death

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/11/2010 14:39:38 MST.

Thanks all. I'm planning to pick up a Nano Puff to take for the longer trips for a little added security, but I think I'll stick with the down for most purposes. I keep clothes and sleeping bag in dry bags.

If anyone has horror stories from using all down, do share them!

Unfortunately no good durability tests of the leading synthetic fills exist unless the Army lab at Nautick has them.

From my own experience and IMHO I'd FAR rather have a Climashield filled garment or bag than one with Primaloft due to Climashield's much better loft retention over repeated stuffings and uses.

Now that I live in Nevada, and not NW Pennsylvania as before, I'm buying more and more down garments and even a down summer bag. But I spray them with Revivex DWR and carry them in light roll-top waterproof stuff sacks. Plus when backpacking I air them each morning, weather and time permitting.