Kathmandu Sleeping Bags - Duck Down or Insulite?

Down bags are great, until they get wet. If weight is not a problem go the 2nd one.

You pay a lot for the low weight and compactness that Down provides.

So if you are using this in a swag where an extra 1kg and extra size is not a issue you would be mad to buy a more expensive Down one.
I have a Kathmandu Down bag similar to above and a old heavy one which I use for car camping. The old heavy one is much warmer and what we use when we are travelling by vehicle in winter.
When I go backpacking on multiday bushwalks I use my Down bag.

Down bags apparently are a nightmare if they get wet.

In general don't use Temperature ratings across different manufacturers.

There is a big difference between duck down and superdown. Superdown is a much superior product, lighter and warmer. Then there is the issue others have raised re down (of all kinds) when it is wet. Quite useless and further it takes a long time to dry. The hollowfill synthetics are much better, in my opinion, for anything except situations where you must have the absolute lightest, smallest load. Like mountaineering or snow trekking.
For use in a 4wd I go along with using a doona. There are plenty of warm, cheap, synthetic ones around. We got one from Target that has two doonas that clip together to make a double layer so it can be used for hotter or really cold weather.

First, take the "original" pricing of Kathmandu gear with an extra large grain of salt (not to say their gear isn't okay, simply they have a great and well practised marketing strategy).

It is true that down is a poor insulator when wet, but that doesn't mean artificial fill is perfect. You'd be bloody miserable in a wet artificial bag for a night! Best option is... don't get your bag wet (I've used down bags for over forty years, from deserts to snow caves to rainforests and never had more than a little dampness).

Having said that, for 4WDing you don't usually have a problem with a little extra bulk & weight, so an less expensive artificial bag should be a better option than a similar rated more expensive down bag. By the way, ratings aren't all they are held up to be, at best they are a general way to compare (ask me about the International Down Feather Laboratory versus the EN rating system versus the Japanese standards versus the US [lack of] standards- I'll be happy to bore you).

For a swag I'd seriously consider the suggestion of one or more quilts. You can get budget single down quilts for a song at Target (or similar). Grab two lightweight or one lightweight and one medium (or heavy if you are a very cold sleeper) and you will have far more flexibility. These quilts stuff down (excuse the pun) fairly well in a compression sack.

Cheers,

Mark

Hello everyone,
Thanks so much for the feedback. I had to laugh at the generator and electric blanket idea, because I did ask that question in my previous post.

For the record, I bought the Anakiwa - Insulite bag yesterday. I was taken back when asked if I wanted the zip on the LH or RH side???? The salesperson suggested matching the zip to the hand you preference, however I went against that advice because I sleep on the left hand side of the bed and am used to throwing a leg out on that side IF and when I get too hot. That was my logic anyway.

In addition, I splurged out and bought a new swag with a ribbed 70mm foam matress and thicker canvas. The excellent feedback I got from you guys on this thread and the other one I posted earlier suggested that alot of the cold is felt by what comes up from below, most of you suggesting to improve the matress.

I must admit.... I did by some top shelf thermals too. The old ones weren't cutting it I figured this was a good and cheap investment which would help extend the Harley riding season too...hehe.

Thanks again....will post some pics of me without chattering teeth on my next trip (Oodnadatta track 2nd week of April).

Fab.