Down vs Synthetic for Your Expedition
Teahouse bedrooms are unheated and can drop below freezing. Your sleeping bag is your lifeline. Choosing the right one is critical for recovery during your Everest trekking adventure.
Ignore the 'survival' rating. Look for the 'comfort' rating. For Everest Base Camp, you need a comfort rating of at least -10°C to -15°C. For a summit expedition, you need -30°C or lower.
Go for high-quality goose down (800 fill power). It offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Synthetic bags are too heavy and bulky for the porter to carry on a long Everest expedition trek.
Bring a silk liner. It adds a few degrees of warmth and keeps your bag clean. It’s easier to wash a liner than a down sleeping bag after three weeks of Everest trekking.
Good bags are expensive ($500+). You can rent high-quality bags in Kathmandu for $2 a day. Just check the zipper and loft before you leave the shop.
