Choice of down or synthetic bags for long hike in cold

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Posted by WISam on January 31, 2008 at 10:37:25 pm EST

Got that Porcupine mountain trip coming trip coming up in a week or so and I am debating which sleeping bag to pack. I have a synthetic bag that I've been using forever and has never given me trouble in the cold and a down bag that I inherited from a family member that is much lighter. I've only used the down bag on twice in cold weather. The first time it worked great. The second time was about 35 degrees, with freezing drizzle and thick fog induced by warm drizzle and a snowy ground. On this trip, the down bag got pretty damp and was next to useless. I did keep it dry while hiking, but it got wet at night. I wasn't brushing against the side of the tent, it was just condensation from the moist air.

What do you all think?? Should I save on weight and take the down bag or should I go with the one with the proven track record. The weather will be below freezing the whole time so condensation while sleeping is the big risk. Do you all think the down bag will stay dry as long as I keep the vents open at night? The one concern is that if I get wet, I'll be about 9 miles from the car. On the other hand, I'm trying to keep my pack as light as possible this time and changing the bag cuts the weight substantially. By the way, they are both equally warm when dry. The down bag is about 30 years old (inherited from a relative) and the shell is not the slightest bit water resistant.

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