Ah the age old sleeping bag argument – down versus synthetic!
We all know the pros and cons I guess, but if not here is quick reminder:
Down
Pros:
Lightweight
Low pack size
Weight
Comfort
Cons:
Price
Loses loft (warmth effectively) when wet, then takes an age to dry
Synthetic
Pros:
Price
Retains loft when wet, dries more quickly than down
Cons:
Bigger pack size
Weight
So there you go, swings and roundabouts. If you had the cash and were sure you weren’t going to be getting damp then down is the way to go. If pack size isn’t an issue, you’re on a budget (who isn’t these days?) or you stand a fair chance of getting your bag damp then synthetic is the choice.
Is there a third way though? You betcha!
The Nanok Airlock!
The Airlock features a two layer construction with the outer layer being synthetic fibre for protection against damp and the layer closest to the body being of down construction for maximum comfort. The bag also has a ‘patented self closing baffle’ for added snugness!
I’ve converted from the Nanok Endurance and I’m convinced. Certainly the comfort is a definite improvement over the purely synthetic bags and whilst I’ve not had a try at it’s rated temperature I’m convinced the -5C bag at least as warm as the -10C synthetic beast.
Just in time for spring (!) Nanok introduced the -10 version of the Airlock a bag that deserves to be a popular choice for those colder nights out.
My only gripe about the bag is the red stuff sack they come in, whilst the bag itself is a outdoorsman friendly colour. It’s only a minor thing and I suppose if it offended you that much you could get a different sack for your bag.
