what time of sleeping bag

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Hi Ema,

I was researching the same thing (I'm going on the same trip, but in October) and found these posts (amongst many!): 

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/gear-selection/topics/34517.html

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/down-v-synthetic-guide.html

http://www.backpacker.com/gear/ask_kristin/9 

http://www.marmotmountain.com/learn-sleepingbag.htm.pdf 

In summary, it's a trade off between cost and comfort by the looks of it.  I think I'm going to go down the synthetic route, as the damp conditions will probably counteract the effects of down.

Cheers,

 

Paul

Hi Ema,

As Paul has suggested, it is a bit of a trade off between cost and comfort, as well as weight. Synthetic bags tend to be lighter, and given the 7kg weight restriction on the Inca Trail this is an important consideration.

Temperatures at night shouldn't get much below freezing in mid/late September so a good synthetic bag that has a minimum temperature rating of around -5 to -10 should be fine for this trek. For higher altitude treks where temperatures are likely to be lower than -10, I would probably recommend using a down bag or a very advanced synthetic bag.

Synthetic bags will dry out more quickly than down, and will still work when wet (although of course I hope your bag doesn't get wet at all!). 

Hope this helps - if you'd like to chat over it in more detail, then we have several equipment experts in the office who would be happy to chat about the benefits of both types of sleeping bag.

Thanks,

Tim (Peru trip manager)

You can also wash a synthetic bag at the laundromat, down is more difficult. I have used a -4 rated synthetic bag on various medium altitude trips and always been warm. Also remember to never to store any type of sleeping bag compressed as it will degrade the insulation.