Down and water

[whitestone]

A lot of people seem to think that down hates any sort of moisture whereas really it doesn't like to be sodden wet and, as I've always thought/believed, can cope with quite a lot of "damp".

So here's a non-scientific take on it that popped up on youTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYOt3hirLM0

[voodoo_simon]

Had to reread that a few times, couldn’t figure out ‘down’ at first (I was reading it as ‘down and out’ )

Mrs Voodoo wears down jackets an awful lot in the hills in the winter in the rain (despite what I tell her), she surprisingly stays warm and dry too. Only once can I think of a time she got cold due to the lack of waterproofness (and a few times she’s got chills from being too warm and overheating!)

So yes, rain and a lot of rain doesn’t seem as bad as we think but as you Bob, once it sodden, it’s no good

[fatbikephil]

Seems to loosely tie in with my experiences of the Cumulus 150. It got rather damp (on the outside) on Friday night and was still plenty warm, plus dried in about 10 minutes of breezy sunshine. It's been damp a few times in the 6 years I've had it and it still lofts well.

[jameso]

I ended up with a soaked sleeping back once, it was dry in a couple of hours in direct sunshine (France, summer). Black fabric helped, something I wanted but couldn't get with the quilt I use now. Not intending to make this a down Vs synthetics debate but I prefer Primaloft for anything I wear that may get wet. Also feels ok to pack it tight / small when still damp which I never like doing to down.

[boxelder]

I suspect geese and ducks get their down damp occasionally. I do like seeing 'diver' birds sat up high with their wings spread wide, drying out in the sun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZk2aMLMJG8

[fatbikerbill]

In lots of bizarre symmetry with fatbikephil I concur with you almost completely, same cumulus 150, only difference being mine got slightly damp Saturday night.

Not tested dampness on other nights of the week but Fridays and Saturdays must cover a majority of trips.