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I am struggling with down vs. synthetic. I recently climbed Rainer in
August with a NF Plasma as my heavy piece and it worked fine because
the weather was perfect. It was about 0 to-10 with windchill on the
summit but I want to do Mt. Washington this winter. (feb.) and can't
figure out which way to go. I looked at Patagonia Das and Down, MH Sub
zero, and a few others including Wildthings and NF.
I can't find a chart that shows weight vs. warmth. Like 3 oz of
primaloft is equal to ___ fill down = ave temp rating of. Anyone
familar with anyhting like that. I am aware that down packs smaller
and is lighter but no insulation value if wet.
My five year plan would be to do Rainer again, Washington, Some
other west coast peaks in the winter to get more experience then
Kilimanjaro and Denali, if this helps? I would rather spend a few
extra dollars an get a good coat that will fit these mountains, if that
is possible.
Thank you for your help. I also need to ungrade my shell if anyone has advice on that?
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timd
Alpinist
Posts 35
Points 35
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I would go with down. 800 fill would be perfect if the mercury drops on
you. I find that it is lighter than synthetic (not by much). The only
down fall that I have found is that down can gain weight if it gets
wet. make sure you have a good DWR on it. Hope that helps.
Tim
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I agree, down is lighter, warmer, more compressable, and more durable. Like Tim said make sure you keep it waterproof. But also remember that you can get it wet from the inside from sweat. While your moving you will stay warm, but if you stop, all of it could freeze and you could go hypothermic quick. Atleast thats what i have seen down here.
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ok first down hands down, for your down i would atleast go 700 fill if not 800 check out the mountain hardware sub-zero or the Marmot Greenland Baffled Down Jacket. as for your outter shell i would check out arc'teryx but keep in mind patagonia and mountain hardware have close to the same quality for a more reasonable price.
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These guys are right go Down just dont get it wet. I will be climbing Mt Washington this winter as my 1st real mountaineering trip. I have talked alot to the guys at International Mountaineering Equipment and EMS in North Conway, NH and they say bring a down jacket but DO NOT get something super light like a Patagonia Down Sweater or some of the superlight Western Mountaineering or Montbell jackets. Like these guys said the Marmot or Mountain Hardwear jackets are the ones to look for. I would also reccomend getting a hooded version of course. Keep in mind the hood on the Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero snaps on and could possibly come undone in high wind like on Mt Washington. The Marmot Greenland has the hood attached so no worries about losing it.
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HI,
I know that damp/wet conditions are not so much a problem with regards to the areas/routes you are mentioning, but in the UK and Europe we have tended to be a lot more biased towards synthetic duvets because of the risk of storms blowing in and turning that nice down duvet into a soggy mass of 'feathers'.
The nice thing is that the latest generation of specialist down jackets are coming fully waterproof i.e. the Crux Plasma. This way we get the best of both worlds - 800 fill down in a hooded, Event shell that keeps it in perfect condition. Awesome stuff.
Silvia
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