Originally Posted by
Kia Kaha
Exactly right, vapor barriers are key. I have always used down, but can understand the cost factor. I want the person who has slept in a soaked through synthetic bag tell me how "comfortable" that was. Wet is wet, and while synthetic may be better when wet, I would not want to test that out. If enough caution and propper plannig is used wetting a bag out can be avoided, and if you plan properly you will have other methods of surviving.
I am very careful about planning and executing that plan, obviously things do not always go to plan (the best survival tool is between your ears), but thinking you are going to survive a sub zero night because you have a synthetic bag over down (when wet) is just foolish, There is just not a comparison in terms of quality, warmth to weight ratio, and bag life quality down bags such as Western Mountaineering are just better.