One of the continual discussions/arguments smoldering in the outdoor gear user world is the question of synthetic vs down sleeping bag insulation.  My simple rule of thumb is that if I am confident that I will be able to keep it dry I will usually go for down because, at least up to this point, it is lighter more compressible and a better insulator.  However, high quality synthetic insulations like Lamilite and Polarguard have held a very important place in my gear locker.  I have used my Wiggys sleeping bags in every environment from river runs to search and rescue missions and they have never failed to perform as expected.  Furthermore, they have held up to many years of hard use.  However, they are heavier than my down bags with comparable temperature ratings (which is another discussion entirely) and they do take up more space in my pack.

Enter the Slick Bag from Kifaru which might close the gap and occupy the middle ground.  The Slick and its more innovative Kifaru siblings use a continuous fiber polyester insulation called Climashield Combat which offers lightweight, compressibility, high warmth to weight ratio and of course it will continue to insulate if it gets wet.  Kifaru Slick Bags also offer a less restrictive cut that provides more room for big guys or those that sleep fully clothed and with their boots on like bivy hunters or the military.

A regular size, which fits up to 6' 1", Slick Bag rated at zero degrees weighs 2 pounds 12 ounces.  The 20 degree version weighs just 2 pounds.  So, now you can see why I am interested in this Kifaru product.  I will let you know how it goes.

EDITORS NOTE - Hope you are not in a big hurry if you want to order one of these because you will have to wait five to six weeks.  Worse, once you receive it, if you then decide that you need to exchange your Regular width bag for the Wide version, it will take an additional five to six weeks.  Frustrating.

UPDATE - Well, after much consideration and testing, I have made a decision.  I like the Kifaru Slick Bag very much.  It is an outstanding sleeping bag.  It has an efficient but highly functional design.  It is light weight, kept me warm well past it's rating and is well made.  From this point forward I will be using the Kifaru Slick instead of a Wiggys synthetic bag.  It is a better piece of gear, especially if you are packing it in on your back, and well worth the wait...even if I did have to go to REI to get a stuff sack for it.

Down or synthetic is still a choice you will have to make depending on the situation but for anything above 20 degrees I am recommending the Kifaru Slick.  For what I do, I think it is the best synthetic bag available.   

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

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