Re: Duck Down vs Goose Down
Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 6:51 am
I just picked up a Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 sporting 800 fill goose down. $230 new with tags on fleabay (for a $530 bag). Love it. Fills a gap between my 30F and 0F bags. Super light, almost the same weight as the old REI Sub Kilo 30F but roomy and better fabrics. No zipper snags, great hood. Looking forward to testing it this July at high elevations where the old Sub Kio would bring me some chilly nights.
I was looking at the 900 fill ultra light bags, but the cost increases exponentially, while the fabrics get less durable. Ultra light bags also are cut too narrow for comfort, and many will only have short zippers, making the less usable for warm Sierra nights. There seems to be a point where saving ounces to be "the lightest" in the market segment begins to sacrifice features I demand from a bag. For a one night trip maybe, but not for longer excursions where the comfort of the bag becomes a very important factor for enjoying myself.
I don't think I have a single bag with duck down, but I have a cheap down vest that has duck fill. Never noticed any smell, but I guess I never got it damp yet.
I was looking at the 900 fill ultra light bags, but the cost increases exponentially, while the fabrics get less durable. Ultra light bags also are cut too narrow for comfort, and many will only have short zippers, making the less usable for warm Sierra nights. There seems to be a point where saving ounces to be "the lightest" in the market segment begins to sacrifice features I demand from a bag. For a one night trip maybe, but not for longer excursions where the comfort of the bag becomes a very important factor for enjoying myself.
I don't think I have a single bag with duck down, but I have a cheap down vest that has duck fill. Never noticed any smell, but I guess I never got it damp yet.