Down Sleeping Bag
A down sleeping bag is actually one of the oldest types of sleeping bags you can find in the world. It’s an all natural, century’s old method of using the down feathers from birds as insulation. A down sleeping bag is one of the most effective insulations a human being can have in any cold weather condition. Down is a pure and naturally occurring thermal insulation material that has been used many times over the years. Down is known to be able to withstand the harshest possible cold climates. It is grown as a type of feather by birds in cold climates. The best down feathers come from birds that flourish in cold, harsh climates. It is quite unlike the normal feathers because it does not have a central stalk or quill. A down sleeping bag uses these feathers to make a sleeping bag that is incomparable in its warmth. In a down sleeping bag however the bag is not even filled with one hundred percent down. Usually it is a mixture of down and regular feathers. This mixture is represented in a ratio form and shown to the customer so that they can pick the sleeping bag that is right for them. For example a ratio of 75:25 would mean that there seventy five percent down feather and twenty five percent regular feathers in the sleeping bag. In theory, the more there is pure down feathers in the bag, the better the insulation.
When considering a down sleeping bag there are many types of sources for the down feathers that can be considered. The most expensive and well regarded is the Goose down feather and a goose down sleeping bag can cost considerably more than any synthetic bag you find in the market today. The best down sleeping bag can have a longer and more effective insulating power than any other sleeping bag if they are well cared for. A down sleeping bag has still the best warmth to weight ration out of any similar product in the market. A down sleeping bag is also far lighter than artificial insulation bags. Also they fold and compress into a much smaller space making them far more efficient for travel in long distances.
A down sleeping bag does have one weakness though. They are not very resistant to water damage or any other kind of dampness. The simple moisture from a sleeping body can drastically change the insulating ability of a down sleeping bag. Needless to say getting a down sleeping bag wet in a dew or rain would not be a good idea. It will drop the bags effectiveness well below its standard levels. Also a down sleeping bag is notorious for taking a long time to dry out. So you need to keep these facts in mind whenever you think of purchasing a down sleeping bag.