Most Backpackers Are Thinking About Insulation WRONG!

[@kellymckenzie4865]

You have blown my mind many times, both in both in your ability to give information and how your company has acted. I visit your website daily to plan what I'm going to buy from you because I feel like you care about your product and your customers more than anyone I've ever experienced.

[@AndrewSmith-rp6ee]

Hi, thanks for the video. For cold weather camping, a superior system is to use a down sleeping bag layered inside a thin synthetic overbag. This is very important because the overbag keeps moisture from your body from condensing in the down bag. The buildup of moisture in a down bag causes loss of insulation, early arctic explorers learned this the hard way. Also the layering of bags has a 1+1=3 effect.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great info! Layering bags is a great option if you are willing to carry multiple bags!

[@AndrewSmith-rp6ee]

@@TaysonWhittaker thanks. I would say that there is a weight savings to layering bags, in addition to the not dying benefit on multiday trips, when temps get below 0F. An alternative is to use a single bag with a vapour barrier liner.

[@FaceInstitute]

I find that you will be a lot warmer by having dedicated sleepwear. I use a union suit. Just getting all of the water and vapor off of you and going to sleep dry helps.

[@travel_roam_fun_music]

If not a thru hiker, perhaps watch the weather. If weather is going to be bad and we've decided it's a go, I'll just admit to myself I'm going to carry more weight in synthetic quilts/layers. Just not worth being miserable and if down gets soaked it will be heavier and useless anyway. If weather is going to be dry-ish, then save the weight and go with down with safeguards to keep it dry (i.e. trash compactor bag). If weather is going to be very, very cold (0 or below) one option is to layer down inside and synthetic outside except for coats. I have better luck with down outer layer for coats. Shed it at the 1st sign of sweat. Winter hiking is slower, more clothes and gear here in the NE, so no reason to be ultralight. I've never seen anyone with a scale at the trailhead to check my base weight, haha. Warm sleep is way better than light walking. Oh and carry more hot meals and fuel for bad weather...warm food/drinks help maintain your furnace. The bag just helps to retain heat, if you are cold going in, you may never really warm up even with the right insulation.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great feedback! Thanks for sharing!

[@riptide8350]

I am in the synthetic. As some one who is allergic to down don't really have a choice. Just glad synthetic are still being improved.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That definitely limits your choices!

[@gigihenderson7668]

I am both. In fact, if I am going from chilly morning into warmer day temps, I usually wear a wool sweater. Even the Loftek will cause me to overheat, pit zips and all. When I won’t have time to strip off the long sleeve, that’s what I often go with. Then I can layer the Loftek over as the outer layer. Note, I am in the SF Bay Area, so I am not looking to survive in temps below mid-30s.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Sounds like you've got a great setup for your area!

[@FenrirAldebrand]

I got a sleeping bag recently that's synthetic underneath & down on top - best of both worlds. If god forbid a bit of water gets in the tent, the bag'll stay warm. Still packs up nice & small, & it's light cause it's 1/2 down. Haven't tested in the field yet but when I get my pain flare ups and my body temperature drops to hypothermic levels, it keeps me nice & warm.

[@ianrudd7442]

Good points made here. I have a mixture of both. I am firmly in the camp of down for sleeping bags. I tent camp so it is easy to protect. My 1 season down bag is equivalent to a 2 season synthetic. I live and hike in the UK. I have down jackets obviously but practically, due to the weather synthetic is much more practical here. Clearly they are not as warm but this is an advantage.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great feedback! Thanks for sharing your preferences!

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Great information for new hikers/ backpackers.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you found some value! Thanks for watching!

[@titanpreparedness]

Very smart. Its good to know the pros and cons of the items before taking them out. Humid locations are terrible for down

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Very true!

[@jimjenca9019]

I have an OV hybrid 0 degree bag, dragon wool long Johns and loft tech jacket, so I’m pretty well covered, but can always use more! Keep up the great products and videos!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching and for your support!

[@ziggystardog]

Not much new here. What I use depends on the application. However, you completely ignore fleece and other synthetics vs naturals for clothing. Insulation isn’t just outer wear and sleep systems.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That's a good point! We cover those specifics more in our layering videos. This one was more about the big 2 general insulation categories.

[@chipkk7868]

First off, this is spot on. Loved the informative podcast that goes with this topic. Also, great looking hoody!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching Chip! Glad you found the podcast as well!

[@chipkormas2840]

@@TaysonWhittaker the podcast takes this topic for an hour long ride. Absolutely worth the time spent listening to it. In fact all of the OV podcasts explain direct to consumer businesses, outdoor gear development, and give an insight as to why OV products work as designed and are well worth your support

[@LawrenceBroussard]

Very Educational about how to pick out gear based on purpose! I tend to try to get one product that will do it all, but I am seeing more and more that is very challenging.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you found value in this! Thanks for watching, and good luck choosing the right gear for you!

[@scruffybackpacker1299]

Always very informative. Thanks again I hope to purchase something soon.

[@ryankeane8072]

I think most backpackers know all this, except that some probably never clean their down gear, thinking it’s bad for it. As a summer New England backpacker, I prefer synthetic quilts, but I use a cheap down sweater because that’s what I have and it’s more emergency gear, usually stays packed away. Some don’t use down of course for reasons of avoiding animal products.

[@obitobi39]

Who needs insulation when one has a beard as you! Bet you are never cold😉

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Yeah, I just pull my beard down to cover me!

[@coffeetwosugarswithhikingb4180]

I'm down with down

[@MB4msc]

I choose down. Next, wool and silk.

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

When can I expect the news of your new dragon wool pants ? Something we can wear over our hiking shorts till the morning chill is gone ? Something that looks nice and not like underwear. Something without the gapping man fly on em . Just asking.

[@GromtKromkakejern]

IM DOWN WITH THE DOWN CHARLIE BROWN

[@craigmooring2091]

Dude, what is with that utterly obnoxious thumpy noise in the background? You should have waited till the herd of brachiosaurs passed to start recording. It was distracting and, intermittently made it harder to understand you.

[@Grumspiff]

Agreed

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

There is no new information here. All this has been debated and discussed for five decades or more. You just need to be aware there is a learning curve concerning whatever insulation you choose to take outdoors and IF you have chosen poorly...you must get proactive with layering and/or protecting your insulation. In any case...when you arrive home you still need to aggressively address whatever your wet equipment requires to be ready for the next adventure.

[@leftycut1]

Amen

[@evanhammond7305]

I'm having a hard time taking Tayson seriously with that large perfectly groomed beard

[@leslieburger3207]

These videos are great BUT..... please stop the constant zoom in and out! It's distracting, hurts my eyes, and makes watching the videos hard to do!!!!