Just looking for some info: What's the up's & downs between micro fibre, hollow fibre and, uhm, down?

+5deg or -5deg for average SA conditions?

Fanks

What do you plan on using it for?

Down is generally warmer, lighter and packs smaller. However if you get it wet, it becomes useless and heavy.
Hollow Fibre a little heavier and bulkier. If you get it wet, it will still keep you warm.

I've got a First Ascent Grey Wolf bag (about 12 years old) and it still keeps me really warm.

_________________
Climb ZA - Administrator

Hiking and camping in not too severe conditions, I'm too broke for Everest

I'm quite tolerant of the cold, to give an indication I still turned on the AC in the offce last week.

Throughout the year in SA, staying out of the snowy places high up, that sorta thing. I'm just worried about buying something that's too warm for summer or not warm enough for winter, say somewhere like Boven where get lekker frosty mid winter.

Hey Guys,

Got a First Assent Pack lite (synthetic), there is also a down option (Adventure lite).

It really does pack down very small, I have used it in winter and summer (highveld). If it gets real cold ie winter at Boven, I just use a thermal liner got the FA one (gives the bag an extra 5 degree C rating) and that keeps me cool, well warm

Sheebee

Hi

I've got a First Ascent Fusion 600 (-5 degree rating), epically good bag, really warm, used it in the 'Berg in the middle of winter and at Tafelberg with ice forming on the roof of Spout Cave... It is a good balance between too warm and too cold and doesn't weigh much at all.

I would go for a down bag if you are looking for anything other than a super-light weight one for adventure racing. A down bag and a bivvy bag together weigh less than a synthetic bag.

_________________
Happy climbing
Nic

First Ascent Ice Breaker.

Rated to -8, has channels so you can move the down around in the bag, depending on what conditions you are camping in. For summer, move all the down to the bag under you; for winter, move all the down to form a thick blanket on top of you. Best buy and most popular bag in SA - hands down.

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

down is the berries!! it actually insulates when wet (contrary to popular opinion) and has a far wider comfort range than anything else. nothing beats that warm fluffy feeling of a down bag. i've had a few and my current favourite is the capestorm firefly ito quality. best all-rounder is probably the first ascent icebreaker though.