Synthetic or down-filled sleeping bag? How to choose the right one

We understand there is a huge difference between what sleeping bag is best for a summer camping trip, as opposed to a three day intensive hiking trip. A key factor to consider is the fill of the sleeping bag, mainly whether it is a down or synthetic fill. 

Before we dive into the details, it's important to remember that BlackWolf sleeping bags are testing to the international ISO standard. That means when you're selecting one of our sleeping bags, you can be confident in the temperatures we've indicated for each of our bags. If you want to read more into the temperature ratings, you can find our in-depth article here. 

Down filled sleeping bags

Deciding between down or synthetic fill needs to be considered with your activity in mind. Down filled sleeping bags are generally viewed as the premium fill for hiking or camping enthusiasts as they offer the best warmth-to-weight ratios. They are considered an investment as generally down-filled sleeping bags are more expensive than synthetic fill.

Our best recommendation for down filled sleeping bags is our Hiker Series Sleeping Bags. 

Synthetic filled sleeping bags

While down filled sleeping bags are considered the premium fill, there is one downside that can sway hiker to a synthetic fill: they don't perform as well in wet or damp conditions. 

Synthetic fill sleeping bags have become more technical over time and are the perfect alternative if you know there’s even a slight chance your sleeping bag might get wet. 

Our BlackWolf sleeping bags contain a range of synthetic fills, from high quality Clusterloft which is a premium down alternative, through to Powerloft and bonded fibres.

Generally, synthetic fill bags are more affordable than down fill and if you don't need a lightweight sleeping bag, a synthetic fill may suit your adventure perfectly. 

Our recommendation for our synthetic filled sleeping bags include our Generation Series, Pro Series and Campsite range. 

Sleeping bag loft

It's important to recognise the higher the loft of your down sleeping bag, the more efficient it will be in gaining and retaining warmth. The benefits of a higher loft are that less down is required to achieve the same warmth as a lower loft counterpart, and the higher loft will be more compressible. 

Design features and placement of baffles also contribute to the effectiveness of the down as this controls where the down is placed to avoid any cold spots.

 If you want to find the perfect sleeping bag for your next outdoor experience, feel free to ask us! You can jump on live chat with one of our BlackWolf experts or email us direct: customerservice@blackwolf.com.au