PathFinder
WKR
You said school, so here is a more in depth breakdown. Maybe it will get you to look outside your first two options.
1. Down vs Synthetic
A. Down is lighter, more durable (will keep its lofting ability longer), and warmer per weight than synthetic. Typically more expensive. Good ones have 800 FFP or higher, and should be hydrophobic treated. If down does get saturated, it's pretty much useless and takes a lot to dry out.
Baffles (to hold the down in place) can be done two main ways: sewn through or boxed. Sewn through baffles make cold (essentially zero insulation) spots everywhere a baffle is sewn. Boxed do not have that issue, but are made by few companies and are typically double the price.
B. Synthetic is heavier, breaks down over time (depending on the type), and weighs more to get the same effect. Good synthetic doesn't require baffles/quilting to keep it in place, so that isn't an issue. It handles moisture very well in most cases, and dries quickly.
My favorite synthetic puffy is the Kifaru LPP. I had a FL Uncompahgre 1.0 and it was pretty unimpressive. Very warm at first, but after a couple of seasons the insulation broke down and it wasn't very warm. Totally trashed after three seasons. The thing is literally just polyester everything; there's nothing special about it.
When I end up with $600 to blow on a down puffy, I'm going to have Nunatak make me a Kobuk parka. It's the rough equivalent of wearing a 10 degree sleeping bag. Feathered Friends makes some similar quality ones. If more than you're looking for, just find something with 800 fill down or higher, and a good quality shell (Pertex is good).
Keep in mind, puffys are generally terrible for treestand hunting because they're extremely noisy, especially in cold weather. Not good for bowhunting except for glassing.
1. Down vs Synthetic
A. Down is lighter, more durable (will keep its lofting ability longer), and warmer per weight than synthetic. Typically more expensive. Good ones have 800 FFP or higher, and should be hydrophobic treated. If down does get saturated, it's pretty much useless and takes a lot to dry out.
Baffles (to hold the down in place) can be done two main ways: sewn through or boxed. Sewn through baffles make cold (essentially zero insulation) spots everywhere a baffle is sewn. Boxed do not have that issue, but are made by few companies and are typically double the price.
B. Synthetic is heavier, breaks down over time (depending on the type), and weighs more to get the same effect. Good synthetic doesn't require baffles/quilting to keep it in place, so that isn't an issue. It handles moisture very well in most cases, and dries quickly.
My favorite synthetic puffy is the Kifaru LPP. I had a FL Uncompahgre 1.0 and it was pretty unimpressive. Very warm at first, but after a couple of seasons the insulation broke down and it wasn't very warm. Totally trashed after three seasons. The thing is literally just polyester everything; there's nothing special about it.
When I end up with $600 to blow on a down puffy, I'm going to have Nunatak make me a Kobuk parka. It's the rough equivalent of wearing a 10 degree sleeping bag. Feathered Friends makes some similar quality ones. If more than you're looking for, just find something with 800 fill down or higher, and a good quality shell (Pertex is good).
Keep in mind, puffys are generally terrible for treestand hunting because they're extremely noisy, especially in cold weather. Not good for bowhunting except for glassing.
