and as for down getting wet? well, keep it dry.

It doesn't need to be bone dry.. I've had bags out for weeks where
they get "damp" on the cover and are half damp a lot - they do fine.

OTOH, I have slept in a fully soaked bag, both synthetic and down - know what? they both freaking suck. You can listen to all the ivory tower types you want who preach that a synthetic bag is warm while wet "OMG you might get wet leave your down at home". They are techically correct. In my experience it makes no practical difference however


1) If your sleeping bag gets soaked, you are going to be miserable. It doesn't matter if it is down or synth.
2) Aside from fully immersing it, if you make any sort of effort to keep it dry, it's usually good enough even in awful weather. down will work, and so will synth.

I take down everywhere. I do keep my sleeping bag in a silnylon sack and garbage bag.