quality dri-down sleeping bags?

Marmot sells both a Lithium and a Plasma 0F bag which use the Dri-Down. The Plasma uses 875 fill down whereas the Lithium uses 850+ fill.
Price difference is almost $180, thought according to specs you save about 8oz of weight with the Plasma. The Plasma uses lighter fabrics (10d vs 20d) Though I believe you get a slimmer cut and I know you get about 4oz less in fill.

I bought a Lithium not too long ago and have been quite anxious for the cold weather to get here to really try it out. I'd be happy to answer any questions about it if you have any.

FYI Sierra Designs does make one of their Mobile Mummy bags rated about the same as the Marmot Lithium that also uses WR 800-fill down. Its a couple of ounces heavier but about the same price. I haven't seen any retailers who sell it yet but it is up on their website.

del

Odin help us but Please No don't let Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering use this dri-down technology. If it's not broken, etc etc . . . .

Clever engineers have a wetdream in some lab and ruin everything.

Rick,
thanks for the suggestion, but I can not find anything at Eddie Bauer's web page for the Karakorum 0 Bag that claims any kind of Dri-Down.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/karakoram-trade-0-down-sleeping-bag/82302217/_/A-ebSku_0232217300__82302217_catalog10002_en__US

I also used the 'chat' feature and the Eddie Bauer person said he could not find anything on that either.

Can you give me a like to anything that claims in has Dri-Down or any other brand of dry down?

Billy

del

Yes. there it is… thanks Rick.

Billy

I have a 15 degree Sierra Designs bag that works pretty well. Bought it last year on clearance and used it for a weekend trip snow camping. No regrets!

Hey all:

Glavin here from Sierra Designs. We do offer the Mobile Mummy, the Backcountry Bed, and the Backcountry Quilt in 800fp DriDown.

Note that all WP down treatments are NOT created equal. Obviously I am biased towards Sierra Designs DriDown, which was first and still the best since we jumped the industry by a couple of seasons. I can also tell you that DownTek tests extremely well, and based on the testing I have seen I would recommend that fill as well. But seriously, if you don't see DriDown or DownTek, beware. It MAY be good, but there are many treatments out there (some from big-name companies) that are seriously poor performers; some even degrading the loft and not appreciably bolstering the water resistance.

What's your take on Allied Hyperdry. Based on what I have read, they may actually have been the first to market or is this where Sierra Designs sources their down from?

"What's your take on Allied Hyperdry."

I was just about to ask the same.

Old scars
http://www.snewsnet.com/trade-show/feathers-fly-sierra-designs-downtek-scuffle-over-water-resistant-down-technology-at-outdoor-retailer/

Ken,
I went to the link you provided, but it says you need to be a subscriber to read it.

Perhaps you could copy it and post it here?

Billy

Michael… thank for your post recommending DriDown or DownTek.

Can you tell us which down treatments or Brands you are sure have negative down treatment to avoid?

If you're concerned about liability you can P-Mail me… would really like to know as I am very close to buying an expensive bag with treated down that is not DriDown or DownTek.

thanks,

Billy

Weird how the inter webs work. Google allied feather dry down sierra designs The link given for snswesnet.com takes me to the article with no issues, but can't get there from this link either.

I just read that article..
Copy and paste using Chrome

I tried again with Chrome and Explorer I get the Subscribe message now.

Okay, I tried the copy and paste of the web address for the article… still get the must subscribe message…

Billy

Ken, Franco – maybe just Coles Notes?

Downtek and Sierra Designs were working together for two years and then each revealed their own versions at OR in Feb 2012. Their relationship ended the previous June. Frank Kvietok stated " We were working with them early on but judged their technology inferior." &#39
"Ours is a different technology. What it does to down may be similar but how it does it, at a chemical level, is not the same."

Down Decor Principal Andrew Payne said Sierra Designs asked for an exclusive deal on the new DownTek feathers, roughly a year after the company signed an exclusive contract with the Belgium lab that develops DownTek. He declined 'They weren't even close enough for an exclusive deal."

Then Sierra Designs starts trash talking and it just gets worse. Don't think I would buy anything from Sierra Designs if only half of what is in the article is true.

Bunch of people in a wad about it all.

No standardized testing protocols for any of this new technology either.

Article cites a number of bad things going on.

And which company was Frank Kvietok with?

Sorry Billy.

Check out sea tô summit bags the alpine 3 maybe what you are after… some in the forums have liked the ultra light bag they have… have never seen one myself…

Does anyone know what water resistant down Marmot uses in their Plasma and Lithium 0F bags? All I can find on their web site is:

"Down Defender treatment offering an extra level of moisture protection for sleeping bags"

Is this 'Down Defender' just Marmot's label for Dri-Down or some other proprietary treatment?

Anyone know if this Down Defender is the good stuff?

thanks,

Billy

Okay, so found this on Marmot's web page:

Marmot Down Defender is an insurance policy for your down products. This specially treated highly water-resistant down offers an extra level of moisture protection for down exposed to wet environments. Down Defender helps prevent down from clumping and losing its loft when exposed to water, thereby greatly increasing its ability to keep you warm and comfortable.

Stays drier 10 times longer than untreated down
Maintains 150% more loft than untreated down in damp conditions
Dries 30% faster than untreated down
Treatment is PFOA and PFOS free
Bluesign approved

How does it work ?

The treatment coats the individual plumes of the down cluster with a DWR (durable water repellent) at the molecular level. It puts a hydrophobic layer on each individual plume of the cluster. This treatment is done during the down cleaning process. The finish is extremely durable allowing the down to maintain its water repellency over 20 washes. The treatment also enhances the down's integrity and the durability of the cluster helping to increase its longevity.

So does this sound like the 'good stuff' ?

Billy

Blue sign rings my Allied bell. I've only seems blue sign claims from Allied. I have seen these big companies rename common bulk supplier treatments so they have "their own" I have also head of them having treatments tweaked. Perhaps defender is a slightly tweaked HyperDry but it's just speculation on my part.

-Tim