Does dri-down work?

This stuff has been out for a little bit now. Any thoughts? Is it a gimmick or worth getting? My fear is that it just ups the bulk of down so its no better than synthetic insulation really.

Jim

I think it's pretty sweet! My wife got me a Sierra Designs Gnar lite jacket for Christmas last year. She knew I wanted to tryout a micro puffy but didn't know I like that one for the dri down. I've worn it quite a few times and the Gnar seems to dry quicker and insulates well for the size.

I went out climbing one day but forgot my Dually belay jacket. We went to a spot called "The North Face of Pitchoff". It's about 30-40 minute walk back to the truck so shitcanned the idea of going back. I had my Sierra Designs with me so I figured I could get by since it was only a few degrees below freezing and sunny. The jacket worked well.. even when the temperature dropped and it started snowing. I was surprised to find the Gnar lite didn't absorb any moisture when I left it laying in the snow or after stuffing it in my pack after wearing the jacket when it was snowing. I would climb a pitch, clip into the anchor then reach in my pack for the Gnar lite. The jacket was dry and warm. I think dri down is worth a try.

I am interested in this as well.

Doesn't bulk up the down much. My Dridown Zissou compresses like any other 650 fill bag. My buddy's Gnar Lite compresses better than my Marmot Guide down jacket.

A dridown bag in a bivy is an awesome combo. I'm in the market for one of the jackets, though-- I think it should do OK in light snow, and if you really need the insulation under the shell, if it does get sweaty it won't matte the down.

Prolite Gear did an entire series of videos on down and treated down. It's a lot of material but is maybe one of the better answers. Brad's videos are awesome in general if you're a gear nerd:

prolitegear.com/site/waterp…

prolitegear.com/site/down-f…

prolitegear.com/site/sierra…

prolitegear.com/site/dridow…

prolitegear.com/site/sierra…

prolitegear.com/site/behind…

prolitegear.com/site/behind…

prolitegear.com/site/behind…

prolitegear.com/site/behind…

prolitegear.com/site/testin…

And Prolite's main video page: youtube.com/user/ProLiteGea…

Big thanks for the links, Brian. Really interesting.

I'm looking at the possibility of a Dri-Down sleeping bag for a Himalaya trip - benefits being: a lighter bag (compared to synthetic), and less bulk when stuffed, meaning I can move to a smaller and lighter pack. The problem I noticed last time in Nepal with down (basecamp bag was down) was that while it could maintain its loft overnight (due to the Gore DryLoft shell), the frost on the bag would soak the down once the bag was stuffed for transport (and yes, I'd always do my best to wipe off as much of the frost as possible). So if we were moving camps, I'd pull it out in the evening and that sucker was flat... repeat a couple days and it was flat as a wet newspaper. Then put it in a single wall (low breathability) assault tent and the frost ice factor is going to be 10x worse.

Why do you have to be so heavy and bulky, Synthetics!