Is untreated down okay to use?

[Finch]

Looking at a deal on a sleeping bag but learned that it's untreated down. Will I run into many moisture issues on a week long hunt sleeping in a tent? Is the dri- down and down defender worth the extra money? Say $150 more?

 

[jtw]

I replaced my old untreated bag with a dri-down bag this year. The untreated worked fine for the past 10 years, but I've been vigilante about keeping it dry when not in use. So far I haven't noticed a difference but I'm still keeping things dry.

 

[muleman]

I have a lot of untreated down. Jackets, vests, sleeping bags, and quilts. This year I picked up a treated down puffy and a treated quilt. Maybe I'm skeptical and old habits die hard, but I will take care of my treated down just like my natural down. I have not intentions of pushing the limits and fully expect the treatment to wear off with age just like DWR wears off.

If it was me I'd save the $150 and read up on taking care of down equipment.

 

[Finch]

Well, I let that one get away from me. A Marmot Helium for $250. Maybe next time.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

For me the jury is still out on treated down. I prefer untreated at this time.

 

[kodiakfly]

Man was using down long before it was treated. Only exception being wet, soggy conditions.

 

[RockBridge]

I've been using untreated down in alpine and sub-alpine environments for 15 years. Several of those years was full-time use. Knowing how to store your stuff, drying it out in the mid-day sun, and general down care is necessary whether you are using treated or untreated down. If you get treated down soaked, it's still not going to keep you warm, it just dries faster.