High Humidity vs Insulation Choice

[boatstall]

About to buy our first TQ and UQ sets. Need some advise as to material choice.

Down vs Synthetics?

Here are some of my consideration issues.

Louisiana. High humidity is normal.
Camping by water is typical.
Doesn't have to be raining to have dampness invade.
Dew points are useless data points, as heavy dew is normal.
Quick drying is extremely useful.
Weight is a non issue. Vehicle or floated for carry.
Compressibility is a plus for canoe packing.

Going for 0 rating. Have had low teens this winter, and currently have several inches of sleet on the ground from yesterday and have 4-6 inches of snow forecasted for tomorrow.
Humidity currently at 85%. And Summer humidity can be brutal.

Lastly, cold sleeper due to bad circulation in one leg due to an old injury from being hit by a large stingray.

So, what would your recommendations be?

Synthetic or Down?

Any and all opinions appreciated. Thanks

[jolunder]

What you describes sounds like synthetics to me. Only thing not entirely within your requirements would be volume.
On the other hand there are multiple sorts of treated down on the marked, which don't clog as fast from being damp, but others here know more about it than I do.

[latriper]

About to buy our first TQ and UQ sets. Need some advise as to material choice.

Down vs Synthetics?

Here are some of my consideration issues.

Louisiana. High humidity is normal.
Camping by water is typical.
Doesn't have to be raining to have dampness invade.
Dew points are useless data points, as heavy dew is normal.
Quick drying is extremely useful.
Weight is a non issue. Vehicle or floated for carry.
Compressibility is a plus for canoe packing.

Going for 0 rating. Have had low teens this winter, and currently have several inches of sleet on the ground from yesterday and have 4-6 inches of snow forecasted for tomorrow.
Humidity currently at 85%. And Summer humidity can be brutal.

Lastly, cold sleeper due to bad circulation in one leg due to an old injury from being hit by a large stingray.

So, what would your recommendations be?

Synthetic or Down?

Any and all opinions appreciated. Thanks

I live in the same state. I also had the same considerations. I went with AHE New River Long Apex climashiels 3 season quilt. Rated to 25 degrees. I love it! I will probably make a down quilt so I can say I did it but the synthetic seems a good choice yo me.

[SirMarkos]

This is an old debate. Hashed out so many times I can't count.

The modern fabrics and treated down make this a non-issue. I've had my down in 95% humidity while it was raining in the bottoms of Kentucky for extended periods of time. It continued to insulate without a hiccup.

More will chime in and tell you the same thing, I'm sure.

[MAD777]

Down. I'm in Florida and have never had a problem with regular old down vs humidity. Note that an extended thru hike where accumulated moisture might be a different story. If you're still worried, get the new water resistant down.

[Nodust]

Down wins every category except warm when wet and cost. Wet synthetic sucks also, so don't let your guard down because you don't have down.

I've been impressed with my Arrowhead synthetic UQ. It just doesn't compress nearly as well as down but looks to be just as warm and not much heavier. But I've never had problems with my down gear.

Get the right gear to keep whatever you have dry.

[DoctaD]

I'm in north Louisiana and have used both down and synthetics. I prefer down. Slept comfortably in my hammock last night with 15 deg down sleeping bag ( used as quilt) and 20 deg UGQ Ambush under quilt. Rained through out most of the night. No issues with condensation. In the hot/humid weather I sometimes just use a very light wool or polartec blanket.

[Bubba]

I think with the new treated down UQ's you would be good to go with them.

[oldpappy]

Both work; Synthetic is more cost effective.

[Osulagh]

I asked the same question here: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...tion-Questions

I went for treated down to be more careful for a thru-hike.